After much thought, I decided to invest in an Arlo camera. But when I got my hands on it, I was confused as to how to tell if it was actually recording.
It was only when I did a bit of research I came to know about the sheer number of users who have the same exact query as mine.
This got me to write this one-stop article answering your question as well as mine, as to how you can tell if Arlo cameras are recording.
To check if the Arlo camera is recording, check the status of the camera using the Arlo Secure app. Although there are physical indicator lights on Arlo cameras, they do not display the recording status of the camera. You can also check the recording status by checking the faint glow of IR LEDs at night.
Check the Arlo Secure App
Unfortunately, Arlo cameras do not come with a proper form of physical indication when it comes to relaying the recording status.
Arlo cameras do have status indication LEDs, but they do not show any indication as to whether the camera is currently recording or not.
Instead, the status indication LEDs are primarily used to indicate error messages or related status during its operations.
The only way as of now to properly check whether the Arlo cameras are actually recording is to check the status of the camera via the Arlo secure app.
To check if your Arlo camera is recording, follow these steps:
- Open the Arlo Secure app on your compatible smartphone or tablet. Make sure you are logged in to the application using your Arlo account.
- Tap on the Settings icon.
- Tap on My Devices.
- Tap on the Arlo camera you want to check the recording status of.
You can also check and configure your Arlo account and devices on a computer using a web browser by visiting the official web portal of Arlo.
The status icons would show red dots whenever the Arlo camera is recording.
Arlo at Night
Despite the Arlo camera hardware not having any status indication when recording, there is a way to check if Arlo is recording if it is recording at night.
If the night vision mode is turned on for the Arlo camera, then the faint lights from the Infra-Red (IR) LEDs will be visible when the camera is recording.
Do note that this is a very faint glow, and does not defeat the stealth purpose of the Arlo camera being a security camera in the first place.
The IR LED bulbs are used to enhance the night footage, thus making this a life hack approach to checking if the system is recording and not a proper method.
Also, the IR LEDs being active does not necessarily mean the camera is recording, as it also lights up whenever the camera detects motion.
But it is something that can be noticed nonetheless.
Arlo Not Recording Videos? How to Fix
Arlo being a smart device in the rather early era of smart home devices, is bound to some technical difficulties in the form of improper functioning.
Even popular smart security cameras can have infamous issues such as Blink cameras not detecting motion or Wyze cameras having broken night vision.
One such common issue is the Arlo camera simply refusing to record videos even if everything is properly set up.
Fortunately, this is where certain tried and tested troubleshooting steps can help you fix the issues without fuss.
Check Internet Connection
Your internet connection can also be a prime factor when it comes to your Arlo camera not recording on time.
The internet is the primary medium through which all communication takes place between your Arlo camera and the Arlo Secure app.
If that communication channel is facing issues of some kind, it is bound to affect the functionality of the Arlo camera as well.
Check your internet connection and make sure it is working properly.
You can do so by simply connecting a smartphone or laptop to that WiFi connection and checking if the connection is active.
If you are facing internet issues, try rebooting your internet router.
If the internet still is down, then contact your internet service provider (ISP) for more help regarding the issue.
Power Cycle the Arlo Camera
A power cycle can do wonders for your Arlo camera if it is facing any hardware issues.
A power cycle is basically a hardware reboot for your Arlo camera, making sure that the internal components inside get charged evenly.
This is done by first discharging the whole system and then charging it back to its optimal condition.
To perform a power cycle on your Arlo camera, simply follow the steps given below:
- Unplug the Arlo camera from its power source. If your camera uses an external battery, simply remove the cells.
- Let the camera sit idle powered off for about a minute.
- Plug the Arlo camera back into its power source. If your camera uses an external battery, replace them with a fresh pack if issues persist.
- Let the cameras sit idle and powered on for about a minute.
Reset the Arlo Camera
If the above steps don't work in your case, you can perform the ultimate step of factory resetting your Arlo camera.
A factory reset will wipe out all data from the Arlo camera and completely restore the camera to its factory defaults, just like it was when you initially got the device.
To perform a factory reset on your Arlo camera, simply follow the steps given below:
- After physically unmounting your camera, locate the Sync button on its body.
- Press and hold the sync button for about 15 seconds till the status LEDs start blinking blue.
The factory reset process may take up to a minute to complete, and once complete you will have to pair the camera again to your Arlo Secure app.
Final Thoughts
If you still face issues with your Arlo or wish to give feedback, it is best to contact Arlo support.
I hope my article on how to tell if your Arlo camera is recording has been a helpful read and has aided you with the same.
Have a good day!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Arlo require a subscription to function?
Arlo devices can utilize some basic features without any subscription, but if you need cloud storage and other advanced features, you will need to get an Arlo subscription.
Here is a brief table on the various Arlo subscriptions and what you can get with each tier:
Arlo Free | $0 | No cloud storage Basic features available |
Arlo Secure | $2.99/month | 30 days of cloud storage Single Arlo device support per plan Advanced features available |
Arlo Secure Unlimited | $9.99/month | 30 days of cloud storage Unlimited Arlo device support per plan Advanced features available |
Arlo Secure Plus | $14.99/month | 30 days of cloud storage Unlimited Arlo device support per plan Advanced features available e911 emergency call support |
How many Arlo cameras can record and stream at a time?
Arlo cameras have no restriction as to how many can record at a time and is completely dependent on your Arlo plan.
But only 15 Arlo cameras can be viewed live simultaneously at the same time.
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