Netgear Motion Zone Settings Not Working? Let's Fix It

Netgear Zone Settings Not Working? A Troubleshooting Guide

Whether you're using a Netgear Arlo camera or a Nighthawk router with smart features, motion detection zones are crucial for cutting down on unwanted notifications. If you've set up zones but are still getting alerts from outside of them, or no alerts at all, this guide will help you resolve the issue. This guide will focus primarily on Arlo cameras, as they are the most common Netgear product with this feature.

### Critical First Check: Power Source

Before you go any further, you must check how your camera is powered. For most Arlo camera models (including Pro, Pro 2, and Ultra series), the motion activity zones feature is only active when the camera is connected to mains power.

When the camera is running on battery, this feature is disabled to conserve energy. The camera reverts to standard, full-screen motion detection. If you are trying to use zones on a battery-powered camera, you must plug it into an AC power outlet for them to work.

### Step 1: Correctly Configure Your Motion Zones

Let's ensure the zones are set up properly in the first place. A simple mistake here is the most common cause of issues.

1. Open the Arlo App: Launch the app and navigate to the 'Devices' tab.
2. Select Your Camera: Tap the settings icon for the camera you want to configure.
3. Go to Video Settings: Find and tap on 'Video Settings' or a similarly named option.
4. Access Motion Detection Zones: You should see an option for 'Motion Detection Zones' or 'Activity Zones'.
5. Create/Edit Zones: You will see your camera's live view with a grid. You can tap to create and resize up to five distinct zones.
   • Best Practice: Don't just draw one giant zone. Draw smaller, specific zones around key areas like a walkway or a door.
6. SAVE Your Changes: You must save the zones for them to become active. If you go back without saving, they will be lost.

### Step 2: Software and System Health

If your zones are configured correctly and the camera is on mains power, the issue could be software-related.

• Update the Arlo App: Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and make sure you have the latest version of the Arlo app.
• Update Firmware: Firmware updates for your cameras and base station are pushed out automatically, but it's worth checking if everything is current. You can see the firmware version in the device settings.
• Reboot Everything: A classic but effective step.
  1. First, reboot your Arlo SmartHub or Base Station.
  2. Next, restart your camera. If it's plugged in, simply unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in.

### Step 3: Advanced Troubleshooting

If the problem still persists, it's time to try a reset.

Delete and Re-draw Zones

Sometimes the saved zone data can become corrupted.

1. Go back to the 'Motion Detection Zones' settings in the app.
2. Delete all the existing zones.
3. Save the empty configuration.
4. Exit the settings menu.
5. Go back in and carefully re-draw your desired zones.
6. Save the new configuration and test the camera.

Consider Camera Placement

High-contrast situations can sometimes confuse the camera's motion detection algorithm. For example, if a zone border is right where a dark shadow meets a bright, sunlit area, a cloud passing overhead could change the light enough to trigger a false alert. Try to draw your zones in areas with more uniform lighting if possible.

By ensuring your camera is on mains power and by methodically checking your zone configuration and software health, you can solve the vast majority of problems with Netgear's motion zone settings.