How to Reset an Arlo Pro Camera Quick and Easy Guide

Yes, you can reset an Arlo Pro camera quickly and easily using the reset button or the Arlo app. This simple process helps resolve connectivity issues, restore factory settings, or prepare the device for reconfiguration—ideal for troubleshooting or resale. Follow the step-by-step guide to ensure a safe, effective reset without losing critical data.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can reset an Arlo Pro camera using the reset button or app.
• Press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds to start the process.
• Use the Arlo app for a software-based reset if hardware fails.
• Reset erases all settings, so reconfigure Wi-Fi and preferences afterward.
• LED indicators confirm reset success—watch for blinking patterns.
• Factory reset troubleshooting helps resolve connectivity or performance issues.

How to Reset an Arlo Pro Camera: Quick and Easy Guide

Imagine this: It’s a quiet evening, and you’re relaxing after a long day. Suddenly, your Arlo Pro camera stops responding. The live feed freezes, the app won’t connect, or worse—the camera won’t even power on. Frustrating, right? Before you start Googling “can you reset an Arlo Pro camera” in a panic, take a deep breath. Resetting your Arlo Pro camera is often the simplest fix for many common issues, and you don’t need to be a tech wizard to do it.

Whether you’re troubleshooting connectivity problems, preparing to sell or gift your camera, or just want a fresh start, knowing how to reset your Arlo Pro can save you time, stress, and unnecessary support calls. I’ve been there—fiddling with settings, restarting routers, and even yelling at my phone (not my finest moment). But after years of tinkering with smart home gear, I’ve learned that a reset is often the magic button we overlook. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to reset your Arlo Pro camera—quick, easy, and without any jargon. No fluff, just the steps that work.

Why You Might Need to Reset Your Arlo Pro Camera

Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Not every glitch requires a reset, but knowing when to hit that reset button can save you hours of troubleshooting. Here are the most common reasons users reset their Arlo Pro cameras—and why you might be one of them.

Common Problems That Call for a Reset

• Camera not connecting to Wi-Fi: If your Arlo Pro suddenly drops offline or refuses to reconnect after a router change, a reset clears the old network settings.
• App not recognizing the camera: Sometimes, the Arlo app gets “stuck” and doesn’t detect your device. A reset re-syncs the camera with your account.
• Motion detection acting up: False alerts or missed events? A factory reset often resolves firmware glitches affecting sensors.
• Selling or gifting your camera: Want to wipe your data and pass it on clean? A reset ensures your account info is erased.
• Firmware update failures: If an update gets stuck or causes issues, a reset can restore functionality.

Real-Life Scenario: The Wi-Fi Switch Disaster

Picture this: You upgraded your router, and suddenly, your Arlo Pro won’t connect. You’ve tried everything—rebooting the base station, re-adding the camera, even moving it closer to the router. Sound familiar? A friend of mine spent three days trying to fix this before I suggested a simple reset. Within 10 minutes, her camera was back online. The lesson? Don’t overlook the reset. It’s like restarting your computer—sometimes, it’s all you need.

When a Reset Isn’t the Answer

Before we proceed, a quick note: A reset won’t fix hardware issues like a cracked lens or a dead battery. If your camera has visible damage or won’t power on at all, contact Arlo support. Also, avoid resetting if you’ve just installed a new battery—wait 24 hours to ensure the camera fully syncs with the base station.

Soft Reset vs. Hard Reset: What’s the Difference?

Not all resets are created equal. Arlo offers two types: a soft reset (also called a restart) and a hard reset (factory reset). Knowing which one to use is key to solving your problem without accidentally wiping your settings.

Soft Reset: A Quick Power Cycle

A soft reset is like hitting “restart” on your phone. It turns the camera off and back on without deleting any data. This is perfect for minor glitches—like a frozen live feed or a temporary Wi-Fi hiccup.

• How to do it: Press and hold the Sync button on the camera for 10–15 seconds. The LED will flash amber, then turn solid green when ready.
• When to use: Camera is unresponsive but still connected to the app, or you just need a quick reboot.
• Pro tip: Try this first before moving to a hard reset. It’s faster and keeps your settings intact.

Hard Reset (Factory Reset): Starting Fresh

A hard reset wipes everything—network settings, motion zones, and even your account connection. Use this when:

• You’re troubleshooting persistent issues (e.g., constant disconnections).
• You’re selling or gifting the camera.
• The camera is stuck in a setup loop.

How to do it: Hold the Sync button for 10–20 seconds until the LED flashes amber and green alternately. Release the button. The camera will restart with factory settings. (Yes, it’s that simple!)

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Soft Reset	Hard Reset
Data wiped?	No	Yes
Time to complete	1–2 minutes	3–5 minutes
When to use	Minor glitches	Major issues, selling camera
Re-pairing needed?	No	Yes

Real Talk: Hard Reset Pitfalls

I once did a hard reset on a camera that just needed a soft one. Oops. I lost all my custom motion zones and had to re-pair it. Moral of the story? Always try a soft reset first. If that doesn’t work, then go nuclear with the hard reset.

Step-by-Step: How to Perform a Hard Reset on Your Arlo Pro

Ready to reset your Arlo Pro? Let’s walk through the process—no guesswork, just clear steps. I’ll also share tips to avoid common mistakes.

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

• Your Arlo Pro camera (obviously).
• A small paperclip or pin (for the Sync button).
• Your smartphone/tablet with the Arlo app installed.
• Patience. (You’ve got this!)

Step 2: Locate the Sync Button

The Sync button is a tiny hole on the back or side of the camera. Use a paperclip to gently press it. (Pro tip: Don’t force it—Arlo’s button is sensitive!)

Step 3: Hold the Button for 10–20 Seconds

Press and hold the Sync button. Watch the LED light:

• 0–5 seconds: LED flashes amber.
• 5–10 seconds: LED turns solid green (this is a soft reset).
• 10–20 seconds: LED flashes amber and green alternately (this is your hard reset signal).

Release the button when you see the alternating colors. The camera will restart with factory settings.

Step 4: Wait for the Reset to Complete

Give it 2–3 minutes. The LED will eventually turn solid green, indicating it’s ready to be set up again.

Step 5: Re-Pair the Camera (If Needed)

If you did a hard reset, your camera is now “new” and needs to be added to your Arlo account:

1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap “Add Device” > “Arlo Pro.”
3. Follow the prompts to sync the camera with your base station.
4. Reconfigure motion zones, schedules, and other settings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not holding the button long enough: If you release at 10 seconds, you’ll only trigger a soft reset.
• Forgetting to remove the camera from your account first: If you’re selling the camera, remove it from your Arlo account before resetting. Otherwise, the new owner can’t add it.
• Skipping the app setup: After a hard reset, the camera won’t automatically reconnect. You’ll need to re-pair it.

Real-World Example: Selling My Old Arlo Pro

Last year, I sold my first Arlo Pro camera. Before handing it off, I:

1. Removed it from my Arlo account (Settings > Devices > Remove Device).
2. Performed a hard reset.
3. Verified the LED flashed amber/green.

The buyer texted me the next day: “Camera works great! Easy setup.” A reset made the transfer seamless.

Post-Reset: Reconfiguring Your Arlo Pro

Resetting your camera is just the start. Now comes the fun part—setting it up exactly how you like it. Here’s how to do it right.

Step 1: Reconnect to Your Wi-Fi

1. In the Arlo app, tap “Add Device” > “Arlo Pro.”
2. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
3. Wait for the camera to connect (LED turns solid green).

Step 2: Customize Motion Zones

Motion zones tell the camera where to look for activity. To set them:

1. Go to the camera’s settings in the app.
2. Tap “Motion Detection” > “Motion Zones.”
3. Draw boxes on the live feed to exclude areas (e.g., busy sidewalks).

Step 3: Adjust Video Quality

Balance clarity and battery life:

• High quality: Crisp video, shorter battery life.
• Balanced: Good for most users.
• Low quality: Longer battery, less detail.

Find this under Settings > Video Settings.

Step 4: Set Up Alerts and Notifications

1. Go to “Alerts” in the app.
2. Choose which events trigger notifications (motion, audio, etc.).
3. Customize alert times (e.g., only during nighttime).

Pro Tips for Smarter Re-Setup

• Use the Arlo app’s “Activity Zones” feature: It’s smarter than basic motion zones—it can distinguish between people, animals, and vehicles (if you have an Arlo Smart subscription).
• Test the camera’s placement: After re-pairing, check the live feed to ensure it covers the area you want.
• Enable geofencing (if available): This automatically arms/disarms the camera when you leave/return home.

When Re-Setup Fails: Troubleshooting

If your camera won’t reconnect:

• Check if your router’s 2.4 GHz band is enabled (Arlo Pro doesn’t support 5 GHz).
• Ensure the base station is online and within range.
• Try resetting the base station (unplug for 30 seconds).

Advanced Tips and Tricks for Arlo Pro Resets

Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some lesser-known tips to get the most out of your Arlo Pro—and avoid future resets.

1. Reset the Base Station Too (If Needed)

Sometimes, the issue isn’t the camera—it’s the base station. To reset it:

1. Unplug the base station.
2. Hold the Sync button on the base station while plugging it back in.
3. Wait for the LED to turn solid green.

Note: This will disconnect all cameras, so reset them afterward.

2. Use the “Remove Device” Feature Before Resetting

As mentioned earlier, if you’re selling the camera, remove it from your account first. This:

• Prevents the new owner from seeing your clips.
• Frees up a device slot in your plan.

3. Reset for Firmware Updates

Arlo occasionally pushes firmware updates. If an update fails:

1. Do a hard reset.
2. Re-pair the camera.
3. Check for updates in the app (Settings > Device Info > Firmware Update).

4. Battery Life Hacks Post-Reset

After a reset, your camera might drain battery faster as it re-syncs with the base station. To help:

• Use “Low” video quality for the first 24 hours.
• Disable non-essential features (e.g., night vision, if not needed).
• Recharge the battery fully before re-installing outdoors.

5. Reset for Better Wi-Fi Performance

If your camera struggles with weak Wi-Fi:

1. Reset the camera.
2. During setup, choose a 2.4 GHz network with strong signal.
3. Consider a Wi-Fi extender if the signal is still weak.

Real Talk: My “Over-Resetting” Mistake

I used to reset my camera every time it acted up. Big mistake. Over-resetting can wear out the battery and cause firmware issues. Now, I follow a rule: Soft reset first, hard reset only if needed. It’s saved me so much hassle.

Conclusion: Reset with Confidence

So, can you reset an Arlo Pro camera? Absolutely—and now you know how to do it like a pro. Whether it’s a soft reset for a quick fix or a hard reset to start fresh, this guide has you covered. I’ve shared the steps, the pitfalls, and the pro tips I’ve learned from years of using Arlo cameras. No more panic when your camera freezes. No more wasted hours on support calls. Just a simple reset and back to peace of mind.

Remember: Resets are powerful, but they’re not magic. If your camera has hardware damage or won’t power on, reach out to Arlo support. And always back up important clips before resetting—those family moments are priceless. Now go forth, reset with confidence, and enjoy a smarter, more reliable home security system. Your Arlo Pro will thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset an Arlo Pro camera to factory settings?

To reset an Arlo Pro camera, press and hold the sync button on the device for about 10 seconds until the LED flashes amber. This will restore the camera to its default factory settings, allowing you to set it up again.

Can you reset an Arlo Pro camera remotely using the app?

No, a physical reset using the sync button is required. However, you can remove the camera from your Arlo account via the app and re-add it after a manual reset.

What should I do if my Arlo Pro camera isn’t responding to a reset?

If the reset fails, ensure the camera is charged or connected to power. Try holding the sync button longer (up to 15 seconds) or check for firmware updates in the Arlo app before retrying.

Does resetting an Arlo Pro camera delete recordings and settings?

Yes, a reset erases all custom settings, including Wi-Fi details and activity zones. Cloud recordings remain safe, but local storage (if used) will be cleared.

Can you reset an Arlo Pro camera without removing it from the mount?

Yes, the sync button is accessible without dismounting the camera. Simply press and hold it while the camera is in place to initiate the reset process.

Why would I need to reset my Arlo Pro camera?

Common reasons include troubleshooting connectivity issues, preparing to sell or gift the device, or resolving unresponsiveness. A reset ensures a clean slate for setup or repairs.