How Do I Fix My Arlo Camera Time A Quick Guide

To fix your Arlo camera time, ensure your device is synced with the correct time zone in the Arlo app—this is often the root cause of time display errors. Simply navigate to Settings > Device Time Zone and select your location, or enable automatic time sync via your smartphone. For persistent issues, restart the camera and check for firmware updates to ensure optimal performance.

Key Takeaways

• Sync via Arlo app: Use the app to manually sync camera time with your device.
• Check time zone settings: Ensure your camera’s time zone matches your location.
• Restart your camera: Power cycle to resolve temporary time display glitches.
• Update firmware regularly: Install latest updates to prevent time sync errors.
• Verify internet connection: Stable Wi-Fi ensures accurate automatic time updates.
• Re-sync after DST changes: Manually adjust for daylight saving time shifts.

Why Your Arlo Camera Time Matters

Imagine checking your Arlo camera footage after a long day, only to find the timestamps are completely off. Maybe it’s an hour ahead, or worse, it’s showing last week’s date. You might think, “How do I fix my Arlo camera time?”—and honestly, you’re not alone. Time accuracy on your security camera isn’t just about convenience; it’s essential for evidence, event tracking, and peace of mind. Whether you’re reviewing a package delivery, a pet’s antics, or something more serious, having the correct time stamp is non-negotiable.

I’ve been there. One time, I reviewed a motion alert from my Arlo Pro 4, only to realize the event was logged at 3:00 AM—except it was actually 9:00 PM. After some digging, I discovered it was a time zone mix-up. That moment taught me how critical it is to keep your Arlo camera’s clock in sync. The good news? Fixing your Arlo camera time is easier than you might think. With the right steps, you can have accurate timestamps in just a few minutes. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything from basic syncing to troubleshooting tricky network issues—all in plain, easy-to-follow language.

Understanding How Arlo Camera Time Works

Before we jump into fixes, let’s take a quick look at why your Arlo camera time might be off in the first place. Arlo cameras don’t have built-in clocks like your smartphone or laptop. Instead, they rely on your home network and the Arlo app to sync time. This system works well—most of the time—but when something goes wrong, the results can be frustrating.

How Arlo Syncs Time

When your Arlo camera connects to your Wi-Fi network, it communicates with your router and the Arlo cloud servers. The camera pulls time data from these sources, usually via the Network Time Protocol (NTP). Think of NTP as a digital timekeeper that ensures all devices on a network show the same time. The Arlo app then displays this time in your local time zone, based on your account settings.

For example, if you live in New York and your Arlo app is set to Eastern Time (ET), your camera footage will reflect that—provided everything is configured correctly. But if your camera connects to a router using a different time zone, or if your phone’s time is off, the timestamps can get skewed.

Common Causes of Incorrect Arlo Camera Time

• Incorrect time zone settings in the Arlo app: This is the most common issue. If your app thinks you’re in California but you’re actually in Florida, your footage will be three hours off.
• Router or gateway time issues: If your Wi-Fi router is using outdated or incorrect time settings, your camera will inherit those errors.
• Phone or tablet time mismatch: The Arlo app syncs with your device’s clock. If your phone is set to the wrong time or time zone, your camera will follow suit.
• Daylight Saving Time (DST) confusion: Some older Arlo models or firmware versions don’t automatically adjust for DST, causing a one-hour shift twice a year.
• Network connectivity problems: If your camera can’t reach the Arlo servers or your router, it may fall back to an incorrect internal clock.

I once had a camera that kept resetting to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) every time it rebooted. It turned out my router was configured to use a European NTP server. Once I changed it to a U.S.-based server, the problem disappeared. So yes, even small network settings can cause big time issues.

Step-by-Step: How to Fix Arlo Camera Time in the App

Now that we understand the “why,” let’s fix the “how.” The easiest and most reliable way to correct your Arlo camera time is through the Arlo app. Here’s a step-by-step guide that works for all Arlo models, including Arlo Pro, Ultra, Essential, and Q series.

1. Check Your Phone or Tablet Time

Before touching your camera, make sure your mobile device has the correct time. Go to your phone’s settings and:

• Enable “Automatic Date & Time” (on Android) or “Set Automatically” (on iPhone).
• Verify your time zone is correct.
• Ensure DST is enabled if your region observes it.

Why? Because the Arlo app pulls time data from your device. If your phone is wrong, your camera will be too.

2. Open the Arlo App and Check Account Time Zone

Open the Arlo app and tap the Profile icon (top left). Go to Account Settings > Time Zone. Make sure it matches your actual location. For example:

• If you’re in Seattle, select “Pacific Time (PT)”.
• If you’re in Denver, choose “Mountain Time (MT)”.

Pro tip: If you travel often and use your Arlo cameras remotely, consider setting your account to a fixed time zone (e.g., your home) rather than “Automatic.” This avoids confusion when you’re in a different region.

3. Reboot Your Camera

Sometimes, a simple reboot forces your camera to resync with the correct time. Here’s how:

• Tap the camera in the app.
• Tap the gear icon (settings).
• Select Restart Camera.

Wait for the camera to fully restart (usually 1–2 minutes). Check the live feed—the timestamp should now reflect the correct time.

4. Force a Time Sync via Live View

Open the live view of your camera and watch the timestamp. If it’s still wrong, try this:

• Tap the screen to bring up the timestamp.
• Wait 30 seconds. The camera may auto-correct as it refreshes its connection.
• If not, exit and re-enter live view. This forces a new connection to the Arlo servers.

I’ve used this trick dozens of times—especially after daylight saving shifts. It’s simple but surprisingly effective.

5. Update the Camera Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause time sync issues. To check:

• Go to Settings > My Devices.
• Select your camera.
• Tap Firmware Update. If an update is available, install it.

Firmware updates often include fixes for time zone handling and DST bugs. I once had a Pro 3 that wouldn’t adjust for DST—until I updated to the latest firmware. Problem solved.

Troubleshooting Network and Router Issues

If the app fixes don’t work, the problem might be deeper—in your network. Arlo cameras depend heavily on stable, well-configured Wi-Fi. Here’s how to dig into router-level issues.

Check Your Router’s Time Settings

Your router acts as the “time hub” for your home network. If it’s wrong, all devices—including Arlo—will be wrong. To check:

• Log into your router’s admin panel (usually via 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
• Look for System Time, Time Zone, or NTP Settings.
• Ensure:
  • Time zone matches your location.
  • NTP is enabled (e.g., using pool.ntp.org or time.google.com).
  • Automatic time sync is on.

For example, my Netgear router had NTP disabled. I enabled it and set the server to time.windows.com. Within minutes, my Arlo cameras updated their time.

Restart Your Router and Modem

Sometimes, the router’s time cache gets stuck. A full reboot clears it:

• Unplug your modem and router.
• Wait 30 seconds.
• Plug the modem back in, wait for it to fully connect, then plug in the router.
• Wait 2–3 minutes for all devices to reconnect.

After the reboot, check your Arlo app. The camera time should now reflect the router’s updated clock.

Use a Wired Connection (If Possible)

Wi-Fi drops can interrupt time sync. If your Arlo camera supports Ethernet (like the Arlo Pro 4 XL with a base station), use a wired connection. It’s more stable and reduces the chance of time drift.

Even if you can’t go fully wired, try moving the camera closer to your router or using a Wi-Fi extender. A strong signal helps maintain constant time updates.

Check for Firewall or Port Blocking

Rarely, firewalls or parental controls block NTP traffic. If your camera can’t reach time servers, it may default to an incorrect internal clock. To test:

• Temporarily disable your firewall (if safe to do so).
• Check if the time corrects itself.
• If yes, add an exception for NTP (port 123) or Arlo’s servers.

This is more common in corporate or managed networks, but it’s worth checking if nothing else works.

Advanced Fixes: When the Basics Don’t Work

Still stuck? Let’s go deeper. These advanced steps tackle stubborn issues that basic troubleshooting can’t fix.

Reset the Camera to Factory Settings

This is a last resort, but it often works when nothing else does. A factory reset forces your camera to re-register with the Arlo cloud and sync time from scratch.

• Press and hold the Sync button on the camera for 10 seconds (until the LED blinks amber).
• Remove the camera from the app: Settings > My Devices > Remove Device.
• Re-add the camera via the app’s “Add Device” wizard.

After re-adding, the camera will re-sync time during setup. I used this once when my Arlo Ultra wouldn’t update after a firmware glitch. It took 10 minutes and fixed everything.

Check for DST Firmware Bugs

Some older Arlo models have known DST bugs. For example:

• Arlo Pro 2: May not auto-adjust for DST in certain regions.
• Arlo Go: Time may drift when switching between cellular and Wi-Fi.

Check the Arlo support site for model-specific fixes. In many cases, a firmware update resolves the issue. If not, you may need to manually adjust time twice a year—annoying, but better than incorrect timestamps.

Use a Secondary Time Source (For Tech-Savvy Users)

If your router’s NTP is unreliable, set up a local NTP server on a Raspberry Pi or old computer. Configure your router to sync with it, then ensure your Arlo cameras use the same network. This is overkill for most people, but it’s a solid fix for home labs or tech-heavy setups.

Contact Arlo Support

If you’ve tried everything and the time is still wrong, reach out to Arlo. Have your:

• Camera model and serial number.
• App version and firmware version.
• Router model and time settings.

Support can check if there’s a server-side issue or a bug affecting your account. I once had a camera that kept showing UTC—even after resets. Arlo confirmed it was a cloud-side sync error and fixed it remotely.

Preventing Future Time Issues

Fixing the time is one thing—keeping it accurate is another. Here are practical tips to avoid recurring problems.

Enable Automatic Time Zone in Your App

Go to Account Settings > Time Zone and select “Automatic.” This ensures your app updates when you travel, reducing the chance of mismatched time zones.

Schedule Regular Router Reboots

Set your router to reboot weekly (many support this in the admin panel). This clears time caches and prevents drift. I use a smart plug to power cycle my router every Sunday at 2 AM.

Keep Firmware Updated

Check for Arlo firmware updates monthly. Enable automatic updates if available. Newer versions often fix time bugs and improve sync reliability.

Test Time Accuracy Quarterly

Every few months, review a recent clip and compare the timestamp to your phone or computer. If it’s off by more than a few seconds, investigate early before it becomes a bigger issue.

Use a Reliable NTP Server

Choose a fast, accurate NTP server in your region. Recommended options:

• time.google.com (Google)
• pool.ntp.org (Community-based)
• time.nist.gov (U.S. government)

Avoid obscure or slow servers—they can delay time updates and cause drift.

Summary Table: Arlo Camera Time Fixes at a Glance

Issue	Quick Fix	Advanced Solution	Prevention Tip
Time zone mismatch	Adjust in Arlo app	Reset camera	Use “Automatic” time zone
Router time wrong	Reboot router	Update router firmware	Schedule weekly reboots
DST not adjusting	Update Arlo firmware	Manual time adjustment	Enable DST in router
Camera won’t sync	Reboot camera	Factory reset	Use strong Wi-Fi signal
Persistent UTC time	Check NTP settings	Contact Arlo support	Use local NTP server

Final Thoughts: Time Is on Your Side

So, how do I fix my Arlo camera time? As you’ve seen, it’s rarely a single issue—but it’s almost always fixable. From a quick app adjustment to a router reboot or even a factory reset, there’s a solution for every scenario. The key is to start simple and work your way up.

Remember, accurate time isn’t just about convenience. It’s about trust. When you review a clip and see “7:45 PM,” you want to know that’s actually when it happened. Whether you’re a homeowner, pet parent, or security enthusiast, getting your Arlo camera time right gives you confidence in your system.

I’ve fixed time issues on dozens of Arlo cameras—some mine, some for friends and family—and the process has never taken more than 20 minutes. With this guide, you’ve got everything you need to do the same. So go ahead, check your timestamps, make those small tweaks, and rest easy knowing your Arlo camera is telling time just right. After all, peace of mind doesn’t have to wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix my Arlo camera time if it’s showing the wrong time?

To fix your Arlo camera time, ensure the camera is synced with your smartphone or tablet’s time zone via the Arlo app. Go to Device Settings > Time Zone and select the correct one manually if automatic syncing fails.

Why does my Arlo camera time keep changing or getting out of sync?

This usually happens due to Wi-Fi connectivity issues, firmware bugs, or incorrect time zone settings. Restart your camera, check for firmware updates, and verify the time zone in the Arlo app to resolve it.

Can I manually set the time on my Arlo camera?

Yes, you can manually adjust the Arlo camera time by selecting your preferred time zone in the app under Device Settings > Time Zone. This overrides automatic settings if needed.

How do I fix my Arlo camera time after a power outage?

After a power outage, the camera may lose time sync. Reconnect it to Wi-Fi, restart the device, and ensure the Arlo app reflects the correct time zone to restore accurate timekeeping.

Does daylight saving time affect my Arlo camera time?

Yes, if your Arlo camera’s time zone isn’t set to auto-adjust for daylight saving, it may show incorrect time. Enable automatic time zone detection in the app or update it manually during transitions.

What if my Arlo camera time is still wrong after troubleshooting?

If issues persist, reset the camera to factory settings and reconfigure it in the Arlo app. Contact Arlo support if the problem continues, as it may indicate a hardware or account-level issue.