What Happens If My Arlo Loses Wi-Fi Connection? How to Restore it?
While being considerably cheaper, Arlo cameras come with some impressive features. Their motion detection is unmatched and they work wire-free, which reduces wire management hassles. The catch is that Arlo cameras need a good Wi-Fi connection to work correctly.
So, what happens if Arlo loses Wi-Fi? Well, that depends. If you have USB storage installed with your Arlo camera, it’ll continue to record but you won’t get notified if any motion is detected by the camera.
And without Wi-Fi and no external storage, your Arlo camera is pretty much useless. Continue reading below to learn more.
Immediate Impacts of Losing Wi-Fi Connection
Loss of Live Streaming
One of the primary functions of Arlo cameras is the ability to stream live video to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Without a Wi-Fi connection, you will not be able to view the live feed remotely. This means you won’t be able to check on your property in real time from your devices.
Recording and Storage Issues
Arlo cameras typically rely on cloud storage for saving recorded footage. If the Wi-Fi connection is lost, the camera will be unable to upload new recordings to the cloud. Depending on your Arlo model and setup, some cameras have local storage options, such as an Arlo SmartHub with USB storage, which can continue to record locally even when the internet is down.
Notification and Alerts
Arlo cameras send push notifications and email alerts for motion detection and other events. Without Wi-Fi, these notifications will not be sent to your devices, delaying your awareness of any potential security incidents.
Remote Access and Control
Losing Wi-Fi means you will not be able to remotely control your camera settings, such as adjusting motion detection zones, arming or disarming the system, or viewing past recordings stored in the cloud.
Firmware Updates
Automatic firmware updates require an internet connection. If your Arlo camera loses Wi-Fi, it will not receive these updates, which are important for maintaining the security and functionality of your device.
Why Arlo Won’t Work Without Wi-Fi
To understand why your Arlo security camera won’t work without a Wi-Fi connection, you need to understand how it works in the first place. you see, all Arlo devices, except the Arlo Go, come with a base station, which some call the hub as well. Connected to the base station via an ethernet cable, they communicate with the Arlo cloud.
The base station or the hub requires an internet connection to communicate between your security camera and the Arlo cloud. So, it must be connected at all times, especially if you want the real-time notification that they offer. Whenever the camera detects any motion in its viewfinder, it alerts you via your Arlo smartphone app, immediately.
So, if for some reason your Wi-Fi is down, or the Arlo base station loses Wi-Fi due to signal hindrance, you will lose the motion-sense notification feature. Because without Wi-Fi, there’s no way for your Arlo base station to communicate with the cloud that is responsible to notify you via your smartphone.
Fixes to Arlo Security Cameras if they lose Wi-Fi Connection
We’ve mentioned earlier that it is possible to configure your Arlo to record locally when the wifi is down. However, that is not possible in all models.
Another thing to remember here is that your Arlo camera doesn’t have any USB connectivity, it’s the base station that comes with all necessary connectivity options.
1. Use VMB4000 or Above Base Stations Model
For base stations that are VMB3000 or lower, it isn’t possible to record locally. So, if you are using the VMB3000 or any earlier models, regardless of your camera model, you can’t record anything locally.
So, use at least VMB4000 or above for the base station. Because recording locally is possible in those base stations. Therefore, even when you lose Wi-Fi, you don’t lose any footage.
However, you have to unmount your storage and connect it to a computer to view the footage locally. Because video footage recorded locally doesn’t get uploaded to the cloud even when the Wi-Fi is back on.
Pro Tip: You can upgrade your Arlo base station without having to upgrade your Arlo camera. Most Arlo cameras are backward compatible with older Arlo cameras.
2. Use the Arlo Go
If you want real-time motion-sense notification at all times, you should consider an Arlo camera that doesn’t require any Wi-Fi. The newly launched Arlo Go is one such mode. It comes with both 3G and LTE connectivity.
Just acquire an active 3G or 4G-enabled SIM card for your Arlo go and you are good to go. Now you don’t have to worry about losing security notifications even when your Wi-Fi is down.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What do I do if my Arlo device is offline?
A common fix to this problem is to log out of the Arlo app on your smartphone and log back in. if your Arlo is still offline, press and hold the sync button on your Arlo base station. After a few seconds, release it. Your Arlo device should come back online now.
Does Arlo use its own Wi-Fi?
When you set up an Arlo security camera for the first time, you get the option to either the Arlo base station or your home Wi-Fi. However, not all Arlo models support direct Wi-Fi connection.
Can you use Arlo without a router?
Yes, you can. But this is possible only with Arlo Go, and you need a SIM card with an active internet connection.
Final Thoughts
Even though Arlo cameras work without an external storage device installed, that’s not recommended. As we have explained earlier, Arlo loses everything during Wi-Fi downtime, it is important to use it with an external storage device. So, you don’t lose any footage.
If your base station doesn’t support an external storage option, you should consider upgrading it. you can also skip the upgrade entirely and get an Arlo Go if your budget allows for it.
