Arlo Pro 5S Camera Not Connecting to WiFi or Base Station

Common Causes

When your Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight Camera fails to connect to WiFi or the base station, the problem usually stems from one of the following issues:

• Weak WiFi signal at the camera's location
• Camera is out of range of the SmartHub or router
• Incorrect WiFi credentials entered during setup
• Firmware update needed on the camera or SmartHub
• Network band mismatch — trying to connect to an unsupported frequency
• Router settings blocking the camera, such as MAC filtering or a hidden SSID
• Battery too low to maintain a stable connection

Step 1: Check the Battery Level

A low battery can cause intermittent connection failures. Open the Arlo app and check the battery percentage for your Pro 5S camera. If it is below 15 percent, remove the battery and charge it fully using the magnetic charging cable before attempting to reconnect. Connection issues that appear suddenly after months of reliable operation are often caused by a depleted battery.

Step 2: Verify WiFi Signal Strength

Move closer to your WiFi router or SmartHub with your smartphone and check the signal strength at the camera's mounting location. If the signal is weak, consider moving the router or SmartHub closer, adding a WiFi range extender, or relocating the camera. The Pro 5S works best when it has at least two bars of signal strength. In the Arlo app, you can check the camera's connection quality under Device Settings.

Step 3: Restart the Camera

1. Remove the battery from the Arlo Pro 5S.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Reinsert the battery.
4. Wait for the camera LED to blink blue, indicating it is attempting to connect.

This simple power cycle clears temporary software glitches and forces the camera to re-establish its network connection.

Step 4: Restart Your SmartHub or Router

1. Unplug the SmartHub from power (if using one) and wait 30 seconds before plugging it back in. Wait for the LED to turn solid green.
2. Restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully boot.
3. Once both devices are back online, check whether the camera reconnects automatically.

Step 5: Check Your WiFi Network Settings

The Arlo Pro 5S supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. However, if your router uses a combined SSID for both bands, the camera may struggle to connect. Try the following:

• Temporarily separate your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks into different SSIDs in your router settings.
• Connect the camera to the 2.4 GHz network, which has better range for outdoor cameras.
• Ensure MAC address filtering is disabled or that the camera's MAC address has been added to the allow list.
• Make sure the WiFi password does not contain special characters that might cause entry errors.

Step 6: Update Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause connectivity problems. In the Arlo app, go to Settings then My Devices, select your Pro 5S camera, and check for a firmware update. If an update is available, install it and wait for the camera to restart. Also check for SmartHub firmware updates if applicable.

Step 7: Re-add the Camera

If the camera still will not connect, remove it from your Arlo account and add it again as a new device.

1. In the Arlo app, go to Settings and select the camera.
2. Tap Remove Device.
3. Press and hold the sync button on the camera for about 15 seconds until the LED blinks amber, performing a factory reset.
4. Tap Add New Device in the Arlo app and follow the setup process again.

When to Contact Support

If none of these steps resolve the issue, the camera may have a hardware defect. Contact Arlo Support for further diagnosis, especially if the LED never blinks during setup or the camera fails to power on with a fully charged battery. Have your camera's serial number ready, which is printed on the camera body and listed in the Arlo app under device info.