Arlo Camera Not Connecting or Recording

The Arlo Pro 4 and Arlo Ultra 2 are wireless security cameras with advanced features including 2K/4K video, color night vision, and direct WiFi connectivity. This guide addresses common connection and recording issues.

Camera Not Connecting to WiFi

Symptoms

  • Camera LED blinks amber during setup
  • Setup times out or fails
  • Camera shows offline in Arlo app

Solutions

  1. Check WiFi band - Arlo Pro 4 and Ultra 2 connect directly to 2.4GHz WiFi. Ensure you select the 2.4GHz network during setup.
  2. Signal strength - Position the camera within 100 feet of your router with minimal walls between them.
  3. Sync camera - Press the sync button on the camera for 2 seconds until LED blinks blue, then follow app prompts.
  4. Reset camera - Hold the sync button for 15 seconds until LED blinks amber to factory reset.
  5. Check router settings - Disable AP isolation/client isolation if enabled. Enable UPnP for easier connectivity.

Camera Not Recording Motion

Symptoms

  • Motion events missing from timeline
  • Notifications not received
  • Camera records some events but misses others

Solutions

  1. Check mode settings - In Arlo app, ensure the mode is set to "Armed" not "Disarmed" or "Schedule".
  2. Adjust motion sensitivity - Go to Camera Settings > Motion Sensitivity and increase the slider.
  3. Define activity zones - Set up activity zones to focus on important areas and reduce false triggers.
  4. Check subscription - Without Arlo Secure, cloud recording is limited. Verify your subscription status.
  5. Verify notifications - In app, check notification settings and ensure phone permissions allow Arlo alerts.

Poor Video Quality

Symptoms

  • Blurry or pixelated video
  • Video buffers during playback
  • Color night vision not working

Solutions

  1. Check video settings - In camera settings, set video quality to Best (highest resolution available).
  2. Improve WiFi signal - Poor signal causes quality reduction. Use an Arlo SmartHub or WiFi extender if needed.
  3. Clean lens - Wipe the camera lens with a soft, dry cloth to remove dirt or debris.
  4. Color night vision - This feature requires some ambient light. It may switch to black/white in complete darkness.
  5. Check bandwidth - 4K streaming requires at least 2 Mbps upload. Run a speed test at camera location.

Battery Draining Quickly

Symptoms

  • Battery depletes in days instead of months
  • Frequent low battery warnings

Solutions

  1. Reduce motion sensitivity - High sensitivity means more recordings. Lower it or use activity zones.
  2. Turn off features - Disable HDR, high frame rate, or smart notifications that increase processing.
  3. Check placement - Avoid pointing at busy streets or areas with constant motion (trees, pets).
  4. Use solar panel - For outdoor cameras, the Arlo Solar Panel can maintain charge continuously.
  5. Check battery age - Rechargeable batteries degrade over time. Replace if older than 2 years.

HomeKit/Alexa/Google Integration Issues

Symptoms

  • Camera not appearing in Home app
  • Live view fails from voice assistant
  • Integration stopped working

Solutions

  1. Enable HomeKit - In Arlo app > Camera Settings > enable Apple HomeKit and scan the QR code in Home app.
  2. Link accounts - For Alexa/Google, link Arlo skill/action in respective apps and discover devices.
  3. Re-link integration - Unlink and re-link the account if integration stops working after updates.
  4. Check camera firmware - Ensure camera has latest firmware for best integration compatibility.