Seeing your Arlo camera go offline, especially models like the Arlo Pro 4, is frustrating.
It’s even worse when you’re counting on it for home security.
Fortunately, there’s always a way to fix that connection! So, if you’re fed up with your Arlo camera randomly disconnecting, don’t stress!
We’ll dig into why this happens, common causes, and the solutions that’ll help you keep your Arlo camera connected.
Why Do Arlo Cameras Keep Going Offline?
Your Arlo camera could be disconnecting for a variety of reasons. Here are the most common causes:
Wi-Fi Connection Issues
Arlo cameras rely on a strong, stable Wi-Fi connection. If your network’s signal is weak or your camera is too far from the router, the connection may drop, leaving your camera offline.
Power Supply Problems
If your camera isn’t consistently powered, it may go offline unexpectedly. This can happen if the battery is low, the charger isn’t working, or there’s an issue with your power source.
Firmware or Software Updates
Sometimes, your Arlo camera may go offline during or after firmware updates. If there’s an incomplete update or a glitch in the new firmware, it can disrupt connectivity.
Router Issues
Problems with your router, like outdated firmware or incorrect settings, can also cause your Arlo camera to disconnect.
Arlo App Glitches
Occasionally, the Arlo app may encounter issues, making it appear as though your camera is offline when it’s actually still active.
Power Outage
When the power cuts out, your camera’s connection to Wi-Fi gets disrupted. Even when power is restored, sometimes the camera doesn’t reconnect automatically, leaving it offline.
Keep an eye on the LED lights
Your Arlo camera actually gives away its issues with those LED light indicators.
So there’s no need to guess why it’s flashing orange, blue, or anything else.
Curious about what each LED light on your Arlo stands for? This guide explains it all.
Solutions to Fix Your Arlo Camera Going Offline
Now that we’ve covered the main causes, let’s dive into the solutions to get your camera back online.
Go through each fix step-by-step to see which one solves the offline issue.
Fix 1: Check Your Wi-Fi or Base Station
The Arlo Pro 4, like other smart cameras, needs a strong Wi-Fi signal to stay connected.
Arlo cameras connect to Wi-Fi or a base station, depending on the model.
For Wi-Fi
If your camera connects directly to Wi-Fi, make sure the network is working for other devices. Try restarting your router by unplugging it for about 30 seconds and then plugging it back in. Once the network is back up, check if your Arlo camera reconnects.
Also, if your camera is far from the router, try bringing it closer to see if the connection establishes. For example, things like walls, furniture, and other obstacles reduce the signal strength.
You should also try to move other electronic devices away from your camera or router.
Finally, if your router is older, consider upgrading to a dual-band or tri-band router for stronger, more reliable coverage.
For Base Station
Try restarting the base station by unplugging it from power, waiting about 10 seconds, and plugging it back in. Give it a minute or two to reboot and check the app to see if the camera reconnects. If this fixes it, the issue was likely with the base station.
The offline issue usually stems from the Wi-Fi network itself and rarely from the base station. Most of the time, it’s a matter of the camera not getting a strong enough signal or is slow. The base station is generally pretty reliable. So when troubleshooting, it’s a good idea to focus on the Wi-Fi connection first.
Fix 2: Power Cycle Your Camera
Sometimes, a simple reboot or power cycle is all your Arlo camera needs.
For Battery-Powered Models: Remove the battery, wait about 10 seconds, and then reinsert it. Afterward, reconnect your camera.
For Plugged-In Models: Unplug your camera, wait 10-15 seconds, and then plug it back in.
This quick step can refresh the connection and resolve many temporary connectivity issues.
Fix 3: Reset and Reconnect the Arlo Camera
Most of the time, your Arlo camera goes offline after a power outage or a firmware update.
In this case, a simple reset and reconnect should do the trick.
Just grab the manual that came with your camera for the reset steps. Once you’ve reset it, launch the Arlo app and follow the prompts to get it reconnected.
This should help get your camera back online.
Interestingly though, your camera’s offline issue can also sort itself out after about 24 hours. This usually happens due to those temporary connection glitches that pop up every now and then.
Final Thoughts
Seeing your Arlo Pro 4 or other Arlo camera go offline can be super annoying. But there are plenty of solutions to get it reconnected. Start with simple fixes like checking your Wi-Fi signal or power cycling the camera, and move on to more involved steps if needed. If nothing works, try reaching out to Arlo!