Does the Blue Light Stay On the Arlo Pro Camera Find Out Here

The blue light on the Arlo Pro camera does not stay on continuously—it activates only during motion detection, recording, or live streaming to indicate activity. For users seeking discretion, this LED can be disabled in the app settings, ensuring privacy without sacrificing security.

Key Takeaways

• Blue light behavior: It flashes during setup and stays solid when recording.
• Privacy control: Disable the light in app settings for discreet monitoring.
• Power-saving mode: Blue light turns off to conserve battery life.
• Firmware updates: Check for updates to customize light settings.
• Motion alerts: Light blinks to indicate detected activity.
• Hardwired vs. battery: Behavior varies by power source; adjust expectations.

Why the Blue Light on Your Arlo Pro Camera Matters

You just installed your shiny new Arlo Pro camera, and everything’s set up perfectly—except for one thing. That tiny blue light keeps blinking, and it’s driving you nuts. Maybe you’re worried about your neighbors noticing it, or you’re concerned it could attract unwanted attention at night. Or perhaps you’re just curious: *Does the blue light stay on the Arlo Pro camera?* If you’ve found yourself staring at that little LED, wondering what it means and whether it’s supposed to be on all the time, you’re not alone.

I’ve been there. When I first installed my Arlo Pro system, I remember pacing around the living room, squinting at the camera like it was judging me. The blue light seemed to mock my peace of mind. Was it recording? Was it connected? Was it *supposed* to be on? After hours of research, testing, and even a few late-night calls with Arlo support, I finally got the answers—and now, I’m here to share them with you. Whether you’re a privacy-conscious homeowner, a tech newbie, or just someone who likes things neat and predictable, this guide will help you understand what that blue light means and how to control it.

Understanding the Blue Light on the Arlo Pro Camera

What the Blue Light Actually Indicates

The blue light on the Arlo Pro camera isn’t just for show. It serves as a visual indicator of the camera’s status. Think of it like a traffic light for your security system—each color and pattern tells you something important. When the camera is powered on and connected to the network, the blue light typically appears as a solid or slowly pulsing glow. This is the camera’s way of saying, “I’m awake, I’m online, and I’m ready to protect your home.”

But here’s the catch: the light doesn’t just stay on 24/7. Its behavior changes depending on what the camera is doing. For example:

• Solid blue: The camera is powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and ready to record.
• Slowly pulsing blue: The camera is in standby mode, waiting for motion or a scheduled recording.
• Quickly flashing blue: The camera is attempting to connect to the base station or Wi-Fi network.
• Blue and amber alternating: The camera is updating firmware or pairing with the base station.

So, to answer your main question: Yes, the blue light does stay on—but not constantly, and not in the same way all the time. It’s dynamic, designed to give you real-time feedback without overwhelming you with notifications.

Why Arlo Uses a Blue Light (And Not Something Else)

You might wonder why Arlo chose blue instead of green, red, or even invisible infrared. It’s not random. Blue is less intrusive than red or green in low-light environments, making it easier to see without being glaringly bright. Plus, blue is associated with calm and trust—two things you want from a security camera. It subtly signals that everything is under control.

Also, blue LEDs consume less power than other colors, which is crucial for a battery-powered device like the Arlo Pro. This helps extend battery life while still providing useful feedback. It’s a smart design choice that balances visibility, energy efficiency, and user experience.

Real-World Example: My First Night with the Blue Light

When I installed my Arlo Pro on my front porch, I was excited—until I noticed the blue light glowing through the window. My wife asked, “Is that thing on all night?” I didn’t know. I checked the app, and sure enough, the camera was connected and recording. The blue light was pulsing gently, almost like a heartbeat. I realized it wasn’t just on—it was *alive*. That gave me peace of mind. But I also knew I’d need to learn how to manage it, especially if I wanted to avoid disturbing guests or making the house look like a surveillance hub.

Can You Turn Off the Blue Light on the Arlo Pro?

Yes, You Can—But It’s Not Always Simple

Good news: you can disable the blue light on the Arlo Pro camera. But it’s not a one-click setting. Arlo gives you control over the LED, but you’ll need to use the app and make a few adjustments. Here’s how:

1. Open the Arlo app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Tap on the camera you want to adjust.
3. Go to Settings > Device Settings > LED Settings.
4. Toggle off the Camera LED option.

Once disabled, the blue light will no longer appear during normal operation. This is great for stealth mode—especially if you’re placing the camera in a bedroom, near a window, or in a location where the light might be distracting.

Important Limitations and Trade-Offs

Before you rush to turn it off, there’s something important to know: disabling the LED means you lose visual feedback. If the camera loses Wi-Fi, runs out of battery, or fails to record, you won’t see it. That means you’ll have to rely entirely on the app for status updates.

For example, I once turned off the LED on my backyard camera to keep it discreet. A week later, I noticed it hadn’t recorded anything in days. Turns out, the base station had gone offline, and the camera was stuck in a loop trying to reconnect. If the blue light had been on, I would’ve noticed the flashing pattern right away. Instead, I only found out when I checked the app—after missing several days of footage.

So, while turning off the blue light is possible, it comes with a trade-off: convenience vs. visibility. If you live in a high-traffic area or want to monitor camera health at a glance, keeping the light on might be worth the slight glow.

When to Keep the Light On vs. Off

• Keep it on if:
  • You want to quickly check if the camera is working without opening the app.
  • You’re troubleshooting connection issues.
  • You’re not concerned about aesthetics or light pollution.
• Turn it off if:
  • You’re installing the camera in a bedroom or near a sleeping area.
  • You want to avoid drawing attention to the camera.
  • You’re using it in a rental or shared space and want to maintain discretion.

Blue Light Behavior During Different Camera Modes

Standby Mode: The Gentle Pulse

When your Arlo Pro is in standby (not actively recording), the blue light typically pulses slowly—about once every 3–5 seconds. This is the default behavior when the camera is powered on and connected but not detecting motion. It’s a low-energy signal that says, “I’m here, I’m ready.”

I like this mode because it’s unobtrusive. It doesn’t flash like an alarm, but you can still tell the camera is active. If you’re using the camera indoors, this soft pulse is much less disruptive than a steady glow.

Recording Mode: The Light Stays On (Briefly)

When motion is detected, the camera starts recording. During this time, the blue light may become solid for a few seconds. This is your visual cue that the camera is actively capturing footage. Once recording stops (after the motion ends), the light returns to its pulsing state.

One thing to note: if you’re using continuous recording (available with Arlo Smart or a subscription), the light may stay solid for longer periods. This is normal—it just means the camera is in constant recording mode, not just event-based.

Low Battery and Connection Issues: What the Light Tells You

The blue light also changes when something’s wrong. For example:

• Rapid flashing blue: The camera is trying to connect to the base station or Wi-Fi. This usually happens after a power outage or if the base station is unplugged.
• Blue and red alternating: The battery is critically low. You should recharge or replace it soon.
• No light at all: The camera is off, the battery is dead, or it’s in deep sleep mode (if you’ve enabled power-saving settings).

These indicators are incredibly helpful. I once noticed my garage camera was flashing blue rapidly. I checked the app and saw it had lost connection to the base station. A quick reboot fixed it—but without the light, I might never have known.

Night Mode and the Blue Light

Even in night vision mode, the blue light remains active (unless disabled). This can be a problem if you’re using the camera in a dark room. The glow can reflect off walls or windows, creating a faint blue haze.

My solution? I installed my indoor Arlo Pro at a slight downward angle and positioned it so the light points toward a wall, not the room. This diffuses the glow and keeps it from being too obvious. Alternatively, you can use a small piece of electrical tape to cover the LED—just make sure you can still see it if needed for troubleshooting.

Common Misconceptions About the Blue Light

“The Blue Light Means It’s Always Recording”

This is a big one. Many people assume that if the blue light is on, the camera is recording. But that’s not true. The light only indicates that the camera is powered on and connected. It doesn’t mean it’s actively capturing video.

For example, my camera has a blue light 24/7, but it only records when motion is detected (or during scheduled recordings). If no motion occurs, it stays in standby mode—light pulsing, no recording. This saves battery life and storage space.

“Turning Off the Light Makes the Camera Invisible”

Not quite. While disabling the blue light makes the camera less noticeable, it’s still physically visible. The Arlo Pro is a white, boxy device—hard to miss if someone’s looking. The light just makes it *obvious* that it’s a security camera.

If you’re worried about theft or tampering, consider placing the camera high up or in a discreet location. Some users even paint the camera housing (though I don’t recommend this—it can void the warranty and affect performance).

“The Blue Light Uses a Lot of Battery”

Actually, the LED uses very little power. Arlo designed the Arlo Pro to be energy-efficient, and the blue light is one of the least power-hungry components. Even with the light on 24/7, it only accounts for a tiny fraction of total battery drain.

The real battery killers are:

• Frequent motion detection and recording
• Wi-Fi signal strength (weak signals force the camera to work harder)
• Night vision infrared LEDs (they use more power than the blue LED)

So, if you’re trying to save battery, focus on optimizing motion zones and Wi-Fi range—not the blue light.

Tips and Tricks for Managing the Blue Light Effectively

Use Schedules to Control When the Light Appears

The Arlo app allows you to set activity zones and schedules. While you can’t schedule the LED directly, you can schedule when the camera is active. For example:

• Turn off the camera at night (via a schedule) so the blue light doesn’t glow in your bedroom.
• Enable the camera only during high-risk hours (e.g., when you’re at work).

This way, the light only appears when it’s actually needed. I use this trick for my indoor cameras—they’re off at night, so no blue light to disrupt sleep.

Pair the Light with App Notifications

Even if you turn off the blue light, you can still stay informed using the Arlo app. Set up push notifications for:

• Motion detected
• Low battery
• Connection lost

This way, you get real-time alerts without needing to see the light. It’s a great compromise between discretion and awareness.

DIY Solutions for Light Control

If you’re crafty, you can modify how the light behaves:

• Use a light-diffusing cover (like a small piece of frosted tape) to soften the glow.
• Install the camera behind a semi-transparent panel (e.g., a window or mesh screen).
• Place the camera in a strategic location where the light is visible to you but not to guests (e.g., facing a wall or corner).

I once used a small piece of white translucent plastic to cover the LED on my front porch camera. It still glowed faintly, but it was much less noticeable from the street.

Data Table: Blue Light Behavior Summary

Light Pattern	What It Means	Recommended Action
Solid blue	Camera is on and recording or in standby	Normal operation—no action needed
Slowly pulsing blue	Camera is in standby mode	Check motion zones if no recording expected
Rapidly flashing blue	Connecting to base station or Wi-Fi	Wait or restart base station
Blue and amber alternating	Firmware update or pairing mode	Do not unplug—wait for update to finish
Blue and red alternating	Low battery	Recharge or replace battery
No light	Camera is off, dead battery, or in sleep mode	Check power source or app status

Final Thoughts: The Blue Light Is a Feature, Not a Flaw

So, does the blue light stay on the Arlo Pro camera? Yes—but not in the way you might think. It’s not a constant, annoying glow. It’s a smart, responsive indicator that helps you understand your camera’s status at a glance. Whether it’s pulsing softly in standby, flashing rapidly during a connection issue, or staying solid during recording, the blue light is there to help you—not haunt you.

You have full control. You can turn it off if you want discretion, keep it on for peace of mind, or use schedules and app notifications to strike the perfect balance. The key is understanding what the light means and using it to your advantage.

After months of using my Arlo Pro system, I’ve come to appreciate the blue light. It’s like a silent guardian, quietly watching over my home. And now, when I see it, I don’t feel annoyed—I feel reassured. Because I know that if something’s wrong, that little blue light will tell me.

So go ahead—embrace it. Or cover it up. Or schedule it. Whatever works for your home, your privacy, and your peace of mind. The Arlo Pro is flexible enough to adapt. And that blue light? It’s just one small, helpful part of a much bigger security solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the blue light stay on the Arlo Pro camera all the time?

No, the blue light on the Arlo Pro camera does not stay on continuously. It typically illuminates during setup, recording, or when the camera detects motion, but turns off automatically to avoid unnecessary attention.

How can I turn off the blue light on my Arlo Pro camera?

You can disable the blue LED light via the Arlo app under camera settings. Navigate to “Device Settings” > “Lamp” and toggle the LED indicator off—ideal for discreet monitoring without compromising security.

Why is the blue light always on my Arlo Pro camera?

If the blue light stays on constantly, your camera may be in setup mode or recording continuously. Check the Arlo app to confirm its status or restart the device to resolve any glitches causing this behavior.

Does the Arlo Pro camera’s blue light affect night vision?

No, the blue LED is separate from the infrared (IR) lights used for night vision. The blue light may briefly appear during motion detection but won’t interfere with the camera’s low-light or black-and-white recording capabilities.

Can I customize when the blue light appears on my Arlo Pro?

Yes! In the Arlo app, you can adjust LED settings to control when the blue light activates—such as only during live streaming, motion alerts, or never. This flexibility helps balance visibility and privacy.

Is the blue light on the Arlo Pro camera a sign of a problem?

Not necessarily. The light usually indicates normal functions like power, Wi-Fi connection, or recording. However, if it blinks erratically or stays on without cause, consult Arlo’s support for troubleshooting steps.