Arlo Cams are a mixed bag of everything desirable in a Monitoring Camera. And a stable internet connection forms the core of everything Arlo. Being offline will compromise the whole deal.
I have had a great deal of Arlo Cams, from their 1st gen cams to the Ultra 2, and they don't disappoint in the slightest. May it be Motion detection or 24/7 surveillance, everything works just fine.
But a few nights back, one of my Arlo Pro 4 went offline, and I couldn't get a hold of the whys and hows. Upon further research and troubleshooting of the device, I was able to fix it.
If your Arlo Camera goes offline, check the status of the Network and power cycle the Camera. Check the LED indicator on the Camera and the SmartHub/Base Station for further confirmation of the issue. Also, check the proximity and negate all interference-inducing objects near the Camera and the Base Station.
Below, I've compiled a detailed list of troubleshooting steps to help you get over this issue:
Check the LED on Arlo Camera and Base Station
LED indicators are life savers on modern-day gadgets. They display a wide gamut of colors pertaining to various issues.
From network issues to the pairing status, Arlo Cameras have a status LED indication for almost every activity.
And so, it's only imperative to check the LEDs when in doubt. You may also want to check the status LED on your SmartHub or Base Station.
Arlo Cameras will work as standalone devices without connecting to a SmartHub/Base Station. However, by syncing to the Base Station, the Cam gains certain privileges like Local Storage.
And so, without any further ado, here are the LED indications on Arlo Cams and Base Station:
| LED Status | Arlo Cams | Arlo SmartHub/Base Station (Single LED) | Arlo Base Station (Multi LED - Internet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | Connected to Power/Internet | Connected to Internet | - |
| Green | - | - | Powered ON |
| Blinking Green | - | - | Update in progress |
| Slow Blinking Blue | Pairing with Base Station | Pairing with Camera | - |
| Fast Blinking Blue | Successfully pared with Base Station | Successfully pared with Camera | - |
| Solid Amber | Error with Connection/Battery Low | Error with Connection | Connecting to the Network but no Internet (connection issue) |
| Slow Blinking Amber | Network not found | Network not found/out of range | - |
| Fast Blinking Amber | Failed to sync with Base Station | - | - |
| Amber/Blue | Firmware Update in progress | Firmware Update in progress | - |
| OFF | Powered OFF with Low Battery | Not connected to power/network | Not Connected to Network |
As evident from the table, Arlo Camera can go offline as a consequence of several reasons.
Clearly, the Amber LED status heralds issues with the connection with the Base Station or the Network.
Whether from proximity-based issues or as a direct result of the Base Station being offline, Arlo Cameras can go wayward.
And based on these newfound conclusions, we can now perform the necessary troubleshooting steps to fix this issue.
Let's start by rebooting the Arlo Camera and Base Station:
Reboot Arlo Camera and Base Station
Electronic gadgets, especially the ones that work 24/7, like a monitoring camera, can give rise to issues quite frequently if not given adequate care.
Usually, network issues are a given with Monitoring Cameras that require quite a lot of fine-tuning. Making a mistake here or ignoring a detail there could lead to the Camera being offline.
Errors and bugs resulting from erroneous updates could also result in network issues.
The best way to mitigate such inconvenient factors is to reboot the system.
A power cycle test would be the appropriate method for such circumstances.
With Arlo, you may also want to power cycle the Base Station since it is a crucial aspect of the whole ordeal.
Follow these steps to power cycle your Arlo device:
1. Remove the batteries from the Arlo Camera. (Press the button next to the charging port to eject the Camera module and remove the batteries)
With SmartHub/Base Stations or Camera powered through a wired connection, unplug the power cable.
2. Leave the device to rest for a few seconds.
3. Plug back in the Battery/power cable and power ON the device.
Try connecting the Camera now.
Relocate Arlo Camera/Base Station
Proximity is a crucial element for Arlo Cams to work. If you place the Cam too far from the Base Station or if the Base Station is out of range from the Router, network issues are sure to entail.
Placement is everything with Arlo devices.
Arlo Base Stations and SmartHubs have an effective range of 300 feet. Best locate your Arlo within the recommended range for better connectivity.
If you prefer to connect the Arlo Cam directly to the Network, prop it up within 6-7 feet from the Router.
Conversely, the nearer the Base Station is to the Router, the better. Using WiFi extenders or MESH networks would also be ideal.
You can check the signal strength of the Arlo Cam to the Base Station from the Arlo app.
Follow these steps to check the signal strength:
1. Open the app and log into your account.
2. Select Settings and tap on My devices.
3. Tap open your Arlo Cama and scroll down to the General tab.
If the signal strength shows 3 bars or better, you're in the green. If the signal strength is below 3 bars, consider relocating the Camera or the Base Station closer.
Things to Look Out for When Relocating Arlo Cam
Proximity is, however, susceptible to a few environmental and otherwise factors. Here are some of the things you need to take into account while relocating Arlo devices:
- Solid Partitions (Staccato, Metal, Wood, etc.)
- Wirelessly transmitting devices
- Opaque objects
- Line of Sight
Of all the impediments that could interfere with the connection, interference induced by other wirelessly transmitting devices is the most crucial factor.
Electronic gadgets like gaming consoles, Smart Refrigerators, etc., will all affect the connection.
Once you relocate the Cam, check and ensure optimal signal strength from the app.
Unlike other Arlo Cams, the Arlo Go series work solely based on mobile networks. They do not connect to a WiFi network.
Check the Status of the Network
Apart from issues with Arlo, the Network could also act up to make the Cam go offline.
Tinkering with the Network is a sensitive matter, and a lot depends on how you handle things with the internet and connectivity in general.
For instance, like most other Smart monitoring Cams, Arlo Cameras rely on the 2.4 GHz band for communication and data transfer. They don't work on the 5 GHz band.
If the traffic in the 2.4 GHz band exceeds the threshold, the Network becomes slow, and latency ballons. Thus, making data transfer and communication on Arlo Camera a nightmare.
When in doubt, best if you check the status of the Network. You can do so by running a speed test on the Network.
Access a speed testing application from the application store of your device or a web browser.
After running the test, check and verify the stability of the various networking parameters. If you find an explicit variation in these parameters, better refresh the Router/Modem.
Power cycling the Router/Modem should do the trick:
Power cycle the Router/Modem
As with Arlo Cam, refreshing the Router/Modem also involves power cycling.
Routers and Modems, with time, will acquire bugs and errors that can affect the various networking parameters like network speed and signal strength.
And with fading network speeds and signal strength, it becomes more and more difficult for Arlo Cams to maintain a stable connection.
Arlo Cams require a minimum Network speed of 2 - 3 Mbps. If the Network speed is below this recommended limit, Arlo Cams won't be able to transfer data or communicate with the app.
Refreshing the Router/Modem would be a rudimentary yet effective fix.
Here's how to power cycle your Router/Modem:
1. Unplug the power supply from the Router/Modem. Leave it to rest for a few seconds.
2. Press and hold the various buttons on the Router for a couple of seconds. Repeat this step a few times.
3. Plug back in the power supply and power ON the Router.
Run the speed test once again on the Network. If everything seems stable, connect the Arlo devices and check for the issue now.
Disable VPNs and Other Network Filters
Even if VNPs provide an added layer of security to your digital endeavors, enabling them does take a toll on the networking parameters.
Network latency is the most affected parameter of them all. And when latency starts to balloon, buffering kicks in, which makes network speed dip.
Unlike VPNs, networking filters like IP masks and MAC address filters inhibit not the networking parameters but thwart devices from connecting to the Network. In other words, these filters block your Arlo Cam from accessing the Network.
Regardless of the filtering method, it's best to disable them when met with networking issues like the one at hand.
Most networking filters and VPNs are made available through an associated app installed on your PC. Access the appropriate app to disable them.
In the case of onboard filters on the Router, like MAC address filters, log into the Router portal and disable any such filters from the interface.
You may also contact your ISP if you have trouble disabling filters on the Network. Certain filters require ISP authentication to be disabled.
Factory Reset Arlo Cam
As a last-ditch effort, if none of the fixes mentioned here didn't work out for you, try factory resetting the Arlo Cam.
When you reset an Arlo device, you remove all the networking preferences and user-defined settings.
Thus, giving you a new start with the device.
Now, resetting Arlo devices can get a bit tricky. Resetting methods vary from device to device.
Nonetheless, here's how to reset an Arlo Cam:
1. Locate the Reset button on your Arlo Cam. On most Arlo Cams, the Sync Button acts as the Reset button. You can access the Sync button by removing the Camera module.
On Arlo Essential Indoor Cams, you can find the Sync button beneath the Camera module. With the Arlo Go series, the Sync button is on the back of the device.
On Arlo Essential Video Doorbell, the Reset button is a pinhole button next to the battery compartment.
2. Press and hold the Sync button for about 15 seconds until the LED flashes Blue.
Use the supplied Pin tool or a paper clip to prick the button on Arlo Essential Video Doorbells, and the LED flashes While.
3. Ensure the LED flashes Amber three times after releasing the Sync button.
4. Wait about 30-45 seconds for the reset to complete.
After the reset is complete, log in to the Arlo app to remove the device from the app:
1. Open the app and select Settings.
2. Tap on My devices and select the device you want to remove.
3. Select Remove Device and confirm the selection by selecting Yes.
You have now successfully reset your Arlo Cam. You can now re-add the device to the app and reconfigure the WiFi connection.
To add a device to the Arlo app, go to Settings> My Devices> Add New Device> Select Arlo device> Select Model> Connect to a WiFi/Base Station> follow the onscreen prompts.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, a comprehensive guide to fixing the offline issue on Arlo Cams.
You may also want to check and update the Arlo app and Cam to their current version as an additional fix.
Hardware issues can also affect the network connection on Arlo Cams.
If that's the case, better contact Arlo support for further assistance.
Replacing the faulty Cam with a new one would be the ideal fix in case of damaged hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I reconnect my Arlo camera to WiFi?
To reconnect Arlo Cams to WiFi, ensure the Cam is connected to the Base Station and press the Sync button on the Base Station. If you prefer to connect the Cam directly to the Network, remove the device from the app and re-add it.
What do I do if my Arlo camera won't connect?
If Arlo Cams fail to connect to a Network, factory resetting could help. Press and hold the Sync button on the Cam for 15 seconds until the LED blinks Blue to do so.
What does the orange light on Arlo camera mean?
Orange or Amber LED on Arlo Cam indicates that there is an issue with the Network connection. Alternatively, it could also mean that the batteries have run out.
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