Netgear Arlo Not Recording? Your Guide to Fixing Missed Events
A security camera that doesn't record is a significant concern. If your Netgear Arlo camera is missing recordings, you're losing that vital peace of mind. This issue can stem from various sources, including your subscription plan, motion detection settings, storage, or connectivity.
This comprehensive guide will help you diagnose and fix the root cause of why your Netgear Arlo camera isn't recording, ensuring you capture every important moment.
## Understanding Arlo's Recording Logic: Modes and Rules
The most common reason for an Arlo camera not recording is a misconfiguration of its Modes and Rules. This system tells your cameras when to be active and what to do when they detect motion or sound.
- Modes: These are overall states for your Arlo system. The two most common are Armed (cameras are active and will record) and Disarmed (cameras are off and will not record). You can also create custom modes and schedules.
- Rules: Within each mode, rules define the triggers and actions. For a camera to record, it needs a rule that says, "If motion is detected, then record video."
### How to Check Your Arlo Modes and Rules
- Open the Arlo app.
- Tap on the Mode tab at the bottom.
- Select the Base Station or individual camera you want to check.
- Ensure the selected mode is 'Armed'. If it's 'Disarmed' or on a schedule that is currently 'off', your cameras will not record.
- Tap the pencil icon next to the 'Armed' mode to edit its rules.
- Verify that there is a checkmark next to a rule that includes "Record video". If not, create a new rule to trigger video recording on motion detection.
## Subscription and Storage Issues
Your ability to record and store video is directly tied to your Arlo Secure subscription and storage capacity.
### Arlo Secure Plan Status
Most modern Arlo cameras require a paid Arlo Secure subscription to store recordings in the cloud. If your trial period has ended or your subscription has lapsed, cloud recording will stop.
- Check Your Subscription: In the Arlo app, go to Settings > Subscription. Verify that your plan is active. If it has expired, you will need to subscribe to restore cloud recording functionality.
### Local Storage Troubleshooting (For Arlo Base Stations)
If you use a SmartHub or Base Station with a USB drive or microSD card for local storage, issues can arise here too.
- Is Storage Full?: If the local storage device is full and "overwrite" is not enabled, the system will stop saving new recordings. Check the storage status in the app under Settings > My Devices > [Your Base Station] > Storage Settings.
- Corrupted Storage: The storage device could be corrupted. Safely eject it from the base station, and then plug it into a computer to check its health or to reformat it (note: reformatting will erase all existing footage).
- Safe Ejection: Always use the "Safely Eject" option in the Arlo app before physically removing the USB drive or SD card to prevent data corruption.
## Optimising Camera and Connectivity Settings
If your modes and storage are correctly configured, the issue may lie with the camera's ability to detect motion or communicate effectively.
- Motion Detection Sensitivity: If the sensitivity is too low, the camera may not pick up on events. Go to your camera's Device Settings > Video Settings and run the Motion Detection Test. Adjust the sensitivity slider until it reliably detects your movement.
- Activity Zones: If you have configured Activity Zones, ensure they cover the areas where you expect to see motion. Any movement outside of these specific zones will be ignored.
- Camera Positioning: Make sure the camera's view isn't obstructed and that it's positioned to capture motion across its field of view, not directly towards it.
- Wi-Fi Signal Strength: A weak connection between the camera and the base station (or your router for Wi-Fi cameras) can prevent recordings from being uploaded. Check the signal strength in the camera's settings. A poor signal may require moving the camera closer to the base station or router.
By methodically checking your Arlo system's modes, subscription status, storage health, and camera settings, you can effectively resolve the problem of missed recordings.