Can You Turn Off an Arlo Camera Here Is How to Do It

Yes, you can turn off an Arlo camera using the Arlo app or web portal by selecting the camera and toggling the power or status setting to “Off.” This disables video recording and live streaming, offering privacy when needed—ideal for indoor use or temporary deactivation without unmounting the device.

Key Takeaways

• Power off via app: Use the Arlo app to disable cameras remotely in seconds.
• Schedule downtime: Set automatic on/off times for privacy or energy savings.
• Unplug for full shutdown: Physically disconnect power to completely stop camera operation.
• Disable motion alerts: Toggle off notifications without turning off the camera.
• Guest access control: Restrict viewing permissions while keeping the camera active.
• Check LED indicators: Confirm camera status by verifying light patterns after changes.

Can You Turn Off an Arlo Camera? Here’s How to Do It

Imagine this: you’ve just installed your shiny new Arlo camera to keep an eye on your front porch, backyard, or even your pet while you’re away. It’s working perfectly—crisp video, smart alerts, and peace of mind. But then, life happens. Maybe you’re having a family gathering, your kids are playing outside, or you simply want a little privacy for a few hours. You start wondering: Can you turn off an Arlo camera?

It’s a question that pops up more often than you’d think. Whether you’re concerned about privacy, want to save battery life, or just don’t need constant surveillance during certain times, knowing how to control your Arlo camera is essential. The good news? Yes, you can turn off your Arlo camera—and it’s easier than you might expect. But the how depends on your Arlo model, setup, and what you mean by “turn off.” Is it about disabling motion detection? Powering it down completely? Or just stopping it from recording during specific hours? In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the options, step by step, so you can manage your Arlo camera with confidence—no tech degree required.

Understanding What “Turning Off” Means for Your Arlo Camera

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s clarify the “what.” When people ask, “Can you turn off an Arlo camera?” they often mean different things. Understanding the difference between powering down, disabling motion detection, and pausing recording is key to choosing the right method for your needs.

Powering Off vs. Disabling Functionality

There’s a big difference between turning off the camera’s power and turning off its features. For example:

• Powering off means the camera stops running entirely—no video, no alerts, no Wi-Fi connection. This is like unplugging a lamp. It’s the most complete shutdown, but it also means you lose all monitoring until you turn it back on.
• Disabling motion detection keeps the camera powered on, but it stops triggering alerts and recordings when it sees movement. This is perfect for when you’re home and don’t want false alerts from your own kids or pets.
• Pausing recording (via modes or schedules) stops video capture during set times, but the camera stays online and can be reactivated instantly. Think of it like putting your security system on “vacation mode.”

I learned this the hard way when I first got my Arlo Pro 3. I thought turning it off meant unplugging it—only to realize I could’ve just disabled motion detection during a birthday party. The camera stayed on, but it didn’t spam my phone with “motion detected” alerts every time someone walked by. Huge relief!

Why You Might Want to Turn Off Your Arlo Camera

There are plenty of valid reasons to control when your Arlo camera is active:

• Privacy during gatherings: No one wants to feel like they’re being recorded at a family BBQ.
• Reducing false alerts: Pets, trees swaying in the wind, or kids playing can trigger constant notifications.
• Conserving battery life: Wireless Arlo cameras (like the Arlo Essential or Arlo Go) run on batteries. Turning off recording when you’re home extends battery life significantly.
• Complying with local laws: In some areas, recording audio or video in private spaces (like backyards) without consent may be restricted. Turning off your camera during certain hours helps stay compliant.
• Preventing overheating: In hot climates, continuous recording can cause cameras to overheat. A scheduled break helps prevent damage.

For instance, my neighbor once had a camera pointing at their pool area. During a pool party, they disabled motion detection for 4 hours. The camera stayed on for live viewing if needed, but no recordings or alerts were triggered. Simple, effective, and respectful to guests.

How to Turn Off an Arlo Camera Using the Arlo App (Step-by-Step)

The Arlo app is your best friend when it comes to controlling your camera. Whether you’re using an Arlo Pro, Arlo Essential, or Arlo Ultra, the process is mostly the same. Here’s how to turn off your Arlo camera using the app—no tech skills required.

Disabling Motion Detection (Quick Privacy Mode)

This is the fastest way to “turn off” your camera without unplugging it. It stops alerts and recordings but keeps the camera powered on and connected.

1. Open the Arlo app on your phone or tablet.
2. Tap on the camera you want to control.
3. Tap the gear icon (settings) in the top-right corner.
4. Look for “Motion Detection” and toggle it OFF.
5. You’ll see a confirmation message: “Motion detection is disabled for [camera name].”

Pro tip: You can also do this from the home screen by tapping the camera and selecting “Disable Motion” from the quick actions menu (available on most newer models).

Using Modes to Schedule When Your Camera is Off

Modes let you automate when your camera records or stays off. This is perfect for setting up a “home mode” where all cameras ignore motion during the day.

1. In the Arlo app, tap the “Modes” tab at the bottom.
2. Tap “+” to create a new mode (e.g., “Home” or “Night Off”).
3. Choose which cameras to include, then set their behavior:
   • Select “Do Not Record” or “Disable Motion Detection.”
   • Set a schedule (e.g., 8 AM–6 PM on weekdays).
4. Save the mode. It will activate automatically at your chosen times.

I use a “Weekend Mode” where my backyard camera doesn’t record from Friday 6 PM to Sunday 8 AM. It’s great for barbecues, and I don’t miss any alerts because the camera reactivates itself on Monday morning.

Turning Off Recording (But Keeping the Camera On)

If you want the camera to stay online but not record, go to:

1. Camera settings → “Video Settings” → “Recording Options.”
2. Toggle “Record on Motion” to OFF.

This is useful if you want to keep the camera connected for live viewing (e.g., checking on your dog) but don’t want hours of useless footage saved to the cloud or SD card.

Quick Power-Off (For Wired Models)

If you’re using a wired Arlo camera (like the Arlo Pro 4 or Ultra 2), you can physically disconnect the power:

• Unplug the power adapter.
• Or, if it’s connected via a hub, unplug the hub.

The camera will shut down immediately. Just remember to plug it back in later!

Turning Off Arlo Cameras Without the App (Manual & Physical Methods)

Sometimes, the app isn’t an option. Maybe your phone is dead, the Wi-Fi is down, or you’re in a hurry. Good news: there are manual ways to turn off your Arlo camera—no app needed.

Using the Camera’s Physical Button (Arlo Pro, Essential, Go, etc.)

Many Arlo cameras have a small button on the side or bottom. Here’s how to use it:

• Press and hold the button for 5–10 seconds. You’ll hear a beep or see a light change.
• This action varies by model:
  • Arlo Pro/Ultra: Holding the button puts the camera into “Sleep Mode” (disables motion detection and recording).
  • Arlo Essential (wireless): Holding the button turns the camera completely off (power down).
  • Arlo Go (LTE): The button cycles through modes, including a “Do Not Disturb” setting.

I once had to silence my Arlo during a surprise party. I held the button for 8 seconds, and the camera went dark—no alerts, no recordings. My guests never knew it was there.

Removing the Battery (Wireless Models Only)

For battery-powered Arlo cameras (Essential, Go, Pro 3/4), the most direct way to “turn off” the camera is to remove the battery:

1. Turn the camera upside down.
2. Press the release button and slide out the battery pack.
3. The camera powers down immediately.

Tip: Keep spare batteries charged so you can swap them in quickly. This is also a great way to extend battery life during long trips.

Unplugging Wired Cameras or the Base Station

If your Arlo camera is connected to a base station (like the Arlo Pro 2 or Ultra), you can:

• Unplug the base station’s power cable. All connected cameras will lose power.
• Unplug the camera directly (if it’s wired to a wall outlet).

Just be aware: this will also disable any smart features (like cloud storage or alerts) until power is restored.

Advanced Options: Scheduling, Geofencing, and Smart Home Integration

If you’re a power user, Arlo offers advanced ways to automate when your camera is on or off—no manual intervention needed. These features save time and make your system smarter.

Using Schedules to Automatically Turn Off Cameras

Schedules let you set specific times when your camera ignores motion or stops recording:

1. In the Arlo app, go to Modes → + → Schedule Mode.
2. Name it (e.g., “Work Hours”).
3. Set the days and times (e.g., 9 AM–5 PM, Monday–Friday).
4. Choose which cameras to include and set their behavior (e.g., “Do Not Record”).
5. Save. The camera will automatically disable during those hours.

I use this for my front door camera. It doesn’t record when I’m at work, but it turns back on at 5:30 PM when I get home. No false alerts from the mail carrier!

Geofencing: Turn Off Cameras When You’re Home

Geofencing uses your phone’s location to detect when you’re near home. When you arrive, Arlo can automatically switch to “Home Mode” (disabling cameras). When you leave, it switches to “Away Mode” (enabling them).

1. Go to Settings → Geofencing.
2. Enable it and select your home location.
3. Choose which modes to activate (e.g., “Home” when you arrive, “Away” when you leave).

This is incredibly convenient. I don’t have to manually turn off my cameras when I pull into the driveway—it just happens.

Integrating with Smart Home Systems (Alexa, Google Home, etc.)

If you use Alexa or Google Assistant, you can control your Arlo camera with voice commands:

• Say, “Alexa, turn off the backyard camera.”
• Or, “Hey Google, disable motion detection on the front door.”

You can also set up routines. For example, saying “Goodnight” could turn off all cameras, dim the lights, and lock the doors—all at once.

Note: For Alexa, you’ll need to enable the Arlo skill. For Google, link your Arlo account in the Google Home app.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting When Turning Off Arlo Cameras

Even with clear instructions, things can go wrong. Here are common problems and how to fix them—based on real experiences from Arlo users (including me).

Camera Won’t Turn Off (Stuck in Recording Mode)

Symptoms: You disable motion detection, but the camera still records. Or it won’t power down.

• Solution 1: Restart the camera. In the app, go to camera settings → “Restart.”
• Solution 2: Check for firmware updates. Outdated software can cause glitches.
• Solution 3: Remove and reinsert the battery (wireless models). This forces a hard reset.

I once had a camera that wouldn’t stop recording. A restart fixed it in 30 seconds.

App Shows Camera as “Offline” After Turning Off

This usually means the camera lost its Wi-Fi connection when you disabled it.

• Solution: Make sure you’re only disabling motion/recording—not powering it off. If it’s offline, wait 1–2 minutes for it to reconnect, or restart your Wi-Fi router.

Geofencing Not Working

If your camera doesn’t turn off when you arrive home:

• Check that your phone’s location services are on.
• Ensure the Arlo app has permission to access your location.
• Test the geofencing radius (usually 100–500 meters).

Data Table: Arlo Camera “Turn Off” Methods by Model

Arlo Model	Disable Motion Detection (App)	Sleep Mode (Button)	Power Off (Remove Battery/Unplug)	Geofencing Support
Arlo Essential (Wireless)	Yes	Yes (5 sec hold)	Yes (remove battery)	Yes
Arlo Pro 3/4	Yes	Yes (sleep mode)	Yes (remove battery or unplug)	Yes
Arlo Ultra	Yes	Yes	Yes (unplug)	Yes
Arlo Go (LTE)	Yes	Yes (cycle modes)	Yes (remove battery)	Yes
Arlo Pro 2 (Wired)	Yes	No	Yes (unplug)	Yes

This table shows that most modern Arlo cameras support multiple ways to “turn off”—giving you flexibility based on your needs.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Security and Privacy with Arlo Cameras

So, can you turn off an Arlo camera? Absolutely. And you’ve got more options than you might think—from quick app settings to physical power-offs, schedules, and smart home integration. The key is choosing the method that fits your situation.

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of using Arlo: flexibility is power. Being able to disable your camera during a party, schedule it to sleep when you’re home, or silence it with a button press gives you control without sacrificing security. You’re not turning off your safety—you’re turning off the noise.

And remember: turning off your camera doesn’t mean you’re less safe. It means you’re smarter about when and how you monitor your space. Whether you’re conserving battery, respecting privacy, or just tired of false alerts, these tools are there to help you.

So next time you’re hosting a backyard cookout or just want a quiet afternoon, don’t unplug everything and lose your setup. Open the Arlo app, tap a few buttons, and enjoy the peace of mind—both from your camera and from knowing you’re in control.

After all, the best security system is one that works for you—not the other way around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you turn off an Arlo camera remotely?

Yes, you can turn off an Arlo camera remotely using the Arlo app or web portal. Simply select the camera, tap the power icon, and choose “Turn Off” to disable it temporarily.

How do I disable my Arlo camera for privacy?

To disable your Arlo camera for privacy, open the Arlo app, select the camera, and toggle it off. This stops recording and live streaming without unmounting the device or cutting power.

Is there a way to schedule when my Arlo camera turns off?

Yes, you can schedule your Arlo camera to turn off using the “Mode” settings in the Arlo app. Create custom schedules to automate when the camera powers down or resumes monitoring.

Can you turn off an Arlo camera without the app?

Yes, you can turn off an Arlo camera without the app by using the sync button on the device (for select models) or by cutting power via the connected outlet or battery. However, the app offers more control.

Does turning off an Arlo camera stop all recordings?

Yes, turning off an Arlo camera stops all live streaming, motion-triggered recordings, and cloud/SD card storage. The camera will remain inactive until manually re-enabled via the app or power source.

How do I turn off Arlo camera notifications temporarily?

To turn off Arlo camera notifications, go to the app’s “Device Settings” > “Notifications” and toggle them off. This doesn’t power down the camera but silences alerts while it remains active.