Are you frustrated and wondering, why is my Arlo camera not recording? Whether your gadget has stopped detecting motion or recording video, you have come to the right place.
Arlo Technologies is a home automation company that makes wireless surveillance cameras. Arlo cameras are famous because of their budget-friendly price tags
However, these gadgets are not free from errors. One of the most common problems related to Arlo cameras is the "No recording” error.
To solve this error, you can reset your Arlo camera. Since these cameras are ideal for smaller spaces, try to remove obstructions or fix camera positioning and alignment. You also need a stable and fast internet connection to use the Arlo camera.
Let us first learn the main reasons behind the issue and how to fix the issue easily!
Most Probable Reasons Why Arlo Camera Isn’t Recording
Let’s look at the reasons why my Arlo camera is not recording? Here are the most probable ones:
1. Unstable Internet Connection
As mentioned earlier, Arlo cameras require an internet connection to record videos.
So, if you have an unstable internet connection, your gadget will go offline and won’t record anything.
2. Glitches and Bugs
Like all other electronic gadgets, Arlo cameras are not free from bugs and glitches. In case your camera has too many bugs, it will stop working as normal.
3. Obstructions
Arlo cameras are known for their smaller size. Due to the tiny size, even a small obstruction or wrong camera position can lead to unclear video recording.
Now that you know the most probable causes, let’s dive into the solutions and fixes to the problem.
Why is My Arlo Camera Not Recording – Solutions
Note that Arlo tiny cameras are not ideal for recording in larger spaces because their recording duration is not that impressive.
By default, an Arlo camera comes with a recording period of only 10 seconds.
Furthermore, sometimes, these cameras cannot even record a 10-second-long video.
To help you out with this problem, below, we have mentioned some of the most effective solutions to solve, “Arlo camera not recording” issue:
Solution #1 Reset Arlo Camera
If your camera is not recording due to glitches and bugs, you’ll need to reset it.
Resetting your Arlo camera does not mean you will lose your important videos. This approach will only restore the factory version of your gadget.
Follow these steps to reset your Arlo camera:
- Launch the “Arlo” app
- Go to “Settings” and select “My Devices”
- Click on “Remove Device”
- Select “Yes” to confirm
- After that, re–link your Arlo camera to your “Arlo” app
You can also factory reset an Arlo camera without the Arlo app.
To do that, follow these steps:
- Locate the “Sync” button on your camera
- Press Down the “Sync” button for about 15 seconds
- Ensure the Arlo camera blinks the amber light three times
- Go to the “Arlo” app
- Re–link your camera and connect to the internet.
Once your camera resets, it will start recording video for 10 seconds. To increase the recording duration, you’ll need to use the “Arlo” app again.
Note: Once you reset your Arlo camera, you must re-link it to your “Arlo” app to record your videos.
To re-link your Arlo camera, you’ll need to add it to “My Devices” from the beginning.
Solution #2 Remove Obstructions
Just like other cameras, you cannot expect an Arlo camera to record video properly if there are random objects in its field of view.
To use your Arlo camera effectively, make sure there are no objects in its way.
You can do the following steps to avoid obstructions while recording through the Arlo camera:
- Create your own video as a test sample
- Ensure your camera is not aiming through trees, walls, or glasses
- If there are any obstructions, remove them
If you cannot remove the obstructions, you should relocate your Arlo camera to a spot that gives a more detailed and perfect coverage.
Note: Unlike other surveillance cameras, Arlo cameras do not record continuously.
These cameras come with a “motion detection” feature, which means they only record a video where there is motion.
Solution #3 Fix Connectivity Issues
As mentioned earlier, Arlo cameras require an internet connection to record and save videos to the cloud.
Therefore, you should mount your cameras to a location that has an ideal connectivity strength.
If your internet connection is working properly, you might need to follow the following troubleshooting steps to resolve the Arlo camera recording issues:
- Unplug your Arlo camera
- Wait for 15 seconds
- Plug it back in the power source
- Connect it to a stable WIFI
Once you get a stable internet connection, you can record videos on the Arlo camera as normal.
Tip: There are numerous third-party apps available on the "App Store" that allow you to check your connectivity strength, such as Fast, WIFI Analytics, Speedtest by Ookla, and more.
Solution #4 Fix Camera Positioning and Alignment
Camera positioning and alignment are the backbones of video recording. You cannot record a decent video without a specific camera angle.
This is the main reason why Arlo cameras come with a position mode.
With position mode, you can quickly and easily view what your camera sees.
You can utilize this feature to fix the positioning and alignment of your gadget, allowing you to record more detailed and precise videos.
To position your Arlo camera according to your preference, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Go to the “Arlo” app
- Select “Settings”
- Tap on “My Devices”
- Select your camera and click on “Device Utilities”
- Choose “Camera Positioning”
Once you select the “Camara Positioning” option, the Arlo camera will stream video without buffering.
You can adjust your camera angle until you find a good view. If you don’t get a clear view from the current location, you might need to unmount your gadget and select a new location.
Note: Remember that you cannot use the position mode while your camera is detecting motion, recording or streaming any video.
Solution #5 Restart WIFI Router/Modem
Last but not least, you can also restart your WiFi router or modem. With this approach, you’ll be able to get a stable and fast internet connection.
Restarting your WiFi router does not delete your important data; it will only delete cache files that are slowing down your internet connection.
Follow these steps to restart your WIFI router and modem:
- Unplug your router and modem
- Wait for 30 seconds and re-plug your modem
- Wait for 60 seconds and plug in your router
- Switch ON your router and modem
- Use a browser to test your internet connection.
Once your Arlo camera gets a stable internet connection, it will automatically start recording videos.
Quick Recap:
Several reasons can cause this problem, including an unstable internet connection, software problem, or technical issues
It’s advisable to reset your Arlo camera every week to solve most Arlo camera-related issues. If it’s not recording try to remove obstructions then fix camera positioning and alignment. Always ensure you have a stable and fast internet connection to use the Arlo camera.
Read Next: Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera Setup Guide
Final Thoughts
Even though Arlo cameras are small, they are still effective. With motion detection features, these tiny gadgets can automatically record a video.
However, sometimes, Arlo cameras stop recording anything and when this happens it’s rational to wonder why is my Arlo camera not recording?
Regardless of the reason, you can follow the above-mentioned solutions to solve Arlo camera recording issues.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.