Is Your Arlo Camera Constantly Losing Its Wi-Fi Connection?
An Arlo security camera is a fantastic tool for keeping an eye on your home, but its effectiveness is completely dependent on a stable Wi-Fi connection. If your Arlo camera keeps disconnecting, it can lead to missed motion alerts, gaps in your video recordings, and an inability to view the live stream when you need it most. This is a common frustration, but the good news is that most disconnection issues can be fixed.
This comprehensive guide will help you identify the root cause of your Arlo's Wi-Fi problems and provide clear, actionable steps to create a reliable and consistent connection.
Understanding the Cause of Disconnections
Before we start fixing things, it's important to understand why your camera might be losing its connection. The problem usually falls into one of these categories:
- Weak Wi-Fi Signal: This is the number one cause. The camera is simply too far from the router to maintain a strong link.
- Wi-Fi Interference: Other electronic devices or your neighbours' Wi-Fi networks can interfere with your signal.
- Network or Router Issues: The problem might not be with the camera, but with your home network settings.
- Outdated Firmware: The camera's internal software may have bugs that a simple update can fix.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Arlo Wi-Fi Issues
Let's work through the solutions, starting with the easiest and most common fixes.
Step 1: Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength
First, you need to determine how strong the Wi-Fi signal is at the camera's location.
- Open the Arlo app on your smartphone.
- Navigate to Settings > My Devices and select the camera in question.
- Tap on Device Info or Network.
- Look for the Wi-Fi Signal Strength indicator. It's often represented by a Wi-Fi icon with bars.
- If you have 2-3 bars: Your signal is strong, and the problem likely lies elsewhere.
- If you have 1 bar or it's empty: You have a weak signal, and this is almost certainly the cause of your disconnections.
Step 2: Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal
If you've identified a weak signal, here's how to boost it:
- Reduce the Distance: Try moving the Arlo camera closer to your Wi-Fi router. Even a few feet can make a significant difference.
- Reposition Your Router: If you can't move the camera, try moving your router. Place it in a central, open location in your home, away from thick walls, metal objects, and other electronics.
- Minimise Obstructions: Every wall, piece of furniture, or appliance between the router and the camera weakens the signal. The ideal path is a clear line of sight. Materials like brick, concrete, and metal are particularly bad for Wi-Fi signals.
- Invest in a Wi-Fi Extender: A Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system (like Google Nest Wifi or Eero) can be a great investment to blanket your entire property with a strong, reliable signal.
Step 3: Minimise Wi-Fi Interference
Your Wi-Fi network operates on specific channels. If too many other devices or networks are using the same channel, it gets crowded and performance drops.
-
Change Router Channel: Log in to your router's settings and try changing the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi channel. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are generally the best choices as they don't overlap.
-
Identify Interfering Devices: Common household devices can interfere with Wi-Fi. These include:
- Microwave ovens
- Cordless phones
- Bluetooth devices
- Other security cameras
- Baby monitors
Try to move your Arlo camera or router away from these devices.
Step 4: Check Your Network and Firmware
If the signal is strong but the problem persists, look at your network's configuration.
- Restart Your Router and Arlo Base Station/Camera: Unplug your router and your Arlo camera (or its Base Station) from power. Wait for 60 seconds, then plug the router back in. Wait for it to fully restart before powering your Arlo device back on.
- Update Firmware: Ensure both your Arlo camera and your router have the latest firmware installed. You can check for Arlo updates within the app's settings. For your router, you'll need to log into its administration panel.
- Connect to 2.4GHz: Arlo cameras primarily use the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band because it offers better range than 5GHz. If your router uses the same name for both bands, your camera might be struggling to connect. Consider splitting them into two separate network names (e.g., "MyHomeWifi_2.4GHz" and "MyHomeWifi_5GHz") and connect the Arlo specifically to the 2.4GHz network.
By following these steps methodically, you can eliminate the causes of Wi-Fi disconnection one by one and get your Arlo camera back to reliably protecting your home.