An Arlo camera usually goes offline because of low power, a lost SmartHub or base station link, weak Wi-Fi, or interference. Start with battery and power because that fixes many cameras quickly.
These steps apply to Arlo Pro, Pro 3, Pro 4, Pro 5, Essential, and Ultra cameras, whether they use a SmartHub or direct Wi-Fi.
Does this affect you?
Use this if the Arlo app shows Offline, a gray thumbnail, or no live feed for a camera that used to work.
Check power and battery first
Low battery can make an Arlo drop offline to save power, especially in cold weather.
- Open the Arlo app and select the offline camera.
- Check the battery icon or percentage.
- If the battery is low, recharge it fully or swap in a charged spare.
- For wired cameras, check the power adapter and cable fit.
- Test the outlet with another device.
- After restoring power, wait 2 to 3 minutes for the camera to check in again.
If the camera returns after charging, review motion frequency and temperature because both can drain batteries faster than expected.
Resync the camera to your base station
Use this only for Arlo systems that connect through a SmartHub or base station.
- Open the Arlo app.
- Go to Settings > My Devices.
- Select the offline camera.
- Choose Remove Camera.
- Press and hold Sync on the base station until its light blinks.
- Within 2 minutes, press the camera sync button for about 3 seconds.
- Wait for a solid blue or green LED, then add the camera back if needed.
Removing the camera pairing does not delete existing cloud recordings.
Improve Wi-Fi signal strength
Use these checks for direct-to-Wi-Fi Arlo cameras or cameras that drop offline repeatedly.
- Open the camera settings and check Signal Strength.
- Move the camera closer to the router if it shows Poor or one bar.
- Add a mesh node or extender closer to the camera location.
- Confirm the camera is on a 2.4 GHz network if that model requires it.
- Restart the router by unplugging it for one minute.
- Wait 2 to 3 minutes before checking the camera again.
If several cameras connected to the same base station go offline, check the base station Ethernet cable and power, then restart the base station.
Firmware updates can fix connection bugs, but the camera usually needs to be online before updates apply. Interference from microwaves, baby monitors, and older cordless phones can also disrupt 2.4 GHz cameras.
If power, resync, signal, and firmware all check out and one camera still stays offline, the Wi-Fi radio may have failed. Arlo Support can run diagnostics for warranty cases.
Sources
- Arlo Support – Camera Shows Offline (2025)
- Arlo Support – Resync Your Arlo Camera to the Base Station (2025)
- Arlo Support – Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength for Arlo Devices (2025)