Missing Critical Moments Due to Netgear Arlo Notification Delays?
A security camera's most important job is to alert you to potential trouble as it happens. If you're receiving notifications from your Netgear Arlo system seconds, or even minutes, after an event has occurred, the value of that alert is drastically reduced. Whether it's a package delivery or an unwelcome visitor, timely information is critical. A delay between motion detection and the notification on your phone indicates a bottleneck somewhere in the system.
This guide will help you diagnose and fix the frustrating issue of delayed Arlo notifications. We'll explore the common causes, from your home network to your phone's settings, and provide a clear, step-by-step approach to get your alerts back to being instant.
The Common Causes for Delayed Arlo Notifications
The journey of an alert from your Arlo camera to your phone is a multi-step process. A delay can happen at any stage.
Network and Connectivity Issues
This is the most frequent source of delays. The problem can be at the camera's end or at your phone's end.
- Weak Camera Wi-Fi Signal: Your Arlo camera needs a strong and stable connection to its SmartHub/Base Station or your home Wi-Fi (for Wi-Fi cameras). A weak signal means data takes longer to travel, delaying the entire process.
- Poor Internet Upload Speed: Your home internet's upload speed is crucial. This is the speed at which your Arlo system sends the video clip and alert data to the Arlo cloud. If this is slow or unstable, notifications will be delayed.
- Phone Connectivity: The problem might be with your smartphone. If you have a weak mobile data signal (e.g., one bar of 4G) or are connected to a slow or congested public Wi-Fi, your phone will be slow to receive the push notification from Arlo's servers.
Device and App Settings
Sometimes, the hardware itself is configured in a way that slows things down.
- Phone's Battery Optimisation: This is a major and often overlooked culprit. To save power, modern smartphones will limit the background activity of apps. If your phone is "optimising" the Arlo app, it may delay its notifications.
- Outdated Arlo App or Firmware: Running an old version of the Arlo app or having outdated firmware on your cameras or SmartHub can lead to performance bugs and glitches, including notification lag.
Arlo Cloud Processing
Once your camera detects motion, it uploads the video to Arlo's servers. These servers then process the clip and send the push notification to your phone. While generally very fast, high server load on Arlo's end can occasionally introduce a minor delay.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Delayed Arlo Alerts
Follow these steps in order to systematically eliminate potential causes.
1. Check Your Connection Speeds
Let's start by testing the network.
- Check Camera Signal Strength: Open the Arlo app, go to "Device Settings" for the problematic camera, and find the network or Wi-Fi connection section. Check the signal strength indicator. If it's low, try moving the camera closer to the SmartHub/router or install an Arlo range extender.
- Test Your Home Internet: Use a speed test website or app on a device connected to your home Wi-Fi. Pay close attention to the upload speed. You should have at least 2 Mbps of upload speed per camera.
- Test Your Phone's Connection: Run a speed test on your phone in the location where you experience delays. This will tell you if your phone's slow connection is the bottleneck.
2. Optimise Your Phone's Settings
You need to tell your phone that Arlo notifications are a priority.
- Disable Battery Optimisation for the Arlo App:
- On Android: Go to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Arlo" > "Battery." Select "Unrestricted" or "Don't optimise." The exact path may vary slightly by phone manufacturer.
- On iOS: Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Background App Refresh" and ensure it is turned on for the Arlo app.
- Check Notification Permissions: While in your phone's app settings for Arlo, ensure all notification permissions are enabled, including "priority" or "time-sensitive" alerts if available.
3. Reboot Your System
A simple power cycle can clear many temporary issues.
- Reboot in Order:
- Unplug your modem and router. Wait 60 seconds.
- Plug in the modem first. Wait for it to fully connect.
- Plug in your router. Wait for it to fully connect.
- Finally, reboot your Arlo SmartHub or Base Station.
4. Update Everything
Ensure your entire system is running the latest software.
- Update the Arlo App: Go to the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android) and check for updates to the Arlo app.
- Update Firmware: In the Arlo app, go to "Device Settings" and check for any firmware updates for your cameras and SmartHub.
By methodically working through these steps, you can identify and resolve the cause of your delayed Arlo notifications and restore the real-time performance of your security system.