How Do I Know If Arlo Pro Camera Is Working Top Tips to Check

Check the LED indicator and Arlo app alerts first—these provide real-time confirmation that your Arlo Pro camera is powered, connected, and actively recording. Ensure motion detection is enabled and test it by walking in front of the camera while monitoring live feed or instant notifications on your smartphone. A solid connection and recent activity log in the app are the most reliable signs your camera is working properly.

Key Takeaways

• Check the LED light: A solid blue light confirms the camera is powered and connected.
• Verify app connectivity: Open the Arlo app to see real-time status and live feeds.
• Test motion detection: Walk past the camera to trigger alerts and recordings.
• Inspect battery levels: Low battery can disrupt functionality; recharge or replace as needed.
• Review cloud storage: Ensure recordings are saving to confirm full system operation.
• Check Wi-Fi signal: Strong connection is vital; use the app’s signal strength tool.
• Restart if unresponsive: Power cycle the camera to fix glitches or sync issues.

How Do I Know If Arlo Pro Camera Is Working? Top Tips to Check

Imagine this: you’ve just installed your brand-new Arlo Pro camera to keep an eye on your front porch, backyard, or even your baby’s room. You’re feeling secure, confident that your home is now protected. But a few days later, you get a strange feeling—what if the camera isn’t actually recording? What if the motion alerts aren’t coming through? Suddenly, that peace of mind starts to waver. I’ve been there. And if you’re asking, “How do I know if Arlo Pro camera is working?”—you’re not alone. It’s a common concern, especially since these cameras operate mostly behind the scenes, silently capturing footage and sending alerts.

Whether you’re a first-time smart home user or upgrading from an older model, knowing your Arlo Pro is functioning properly is essential. These cameras are fantastic when they work—crystal-clear 2K or 1080p video, two-way audio, night vision, and smart motion detection. But if something’s off—like a weak Wi-Fi signal, a drained battery, or a glitch in the app—your security could be compromised without you even realizing it. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to help you visually, audibly, and digitally confirm your Arlo Pro is doing its job. No tech jargon, no sales pitch—just real, practical tips based on personal experience and troubleshooting common issues.

1. Check the Camera’s Physical Indicators and Lights

The first thing I always look at when I wonder, “Is my Arlo Pro camera working?” is the physical camera itself. The Arlo Pro (including Pro 2, Pro 3, and Pro 4 models) has built-in LED indicators that give you immediate feedback. Think of them as the camera’s way of “talking” to you.

Understand the LED Light Colors and Patterns

Each light color and blink pattern means something different. Here’s what to watch for:

• Solid blue: The camera is powered on and connected to the base station or Wi-Fi. This is the ideal state when the camera is actively recording or ready to record.
• Blinking blue: The camera is trying to connect to the base station or Wi-Fi. If it stays blinking for more than a few minutes, there may be a connectivity issue.
• Solid amber/yellow: Low battery. Time to charge or swap batteries.
• Blinking amber/yellow: Very low battery or charging in progress.
• Solid red: No power or hardware failure. Check the power source or charging cable.
• No light: The camera is off, not charging, or malfunctioning. Try a power cycle.

For example, I once had a camera in my backyard that kept blinking blue for over 10 minutes after a storm. I realized the base station had lost power during a brief outage. Once I restored power, the light turned solid blue within 30 seconds—confirming the camera was back online.

Listen for the Camera’s Startup Chime

When you power on or restart your Arlo Pro, it plays a short startup sound—usually a soft chime or tone. This is a quick way to confirm the camera is booting up properly. If you don’t hear it, the camera might not be getting enough power or could have a hardware issue.

Pro tip: If you’re installing a new camera, stand nearby when you turn it on. The chime is subtle, so being close helps. I once thought a camera wasn’t working because I was inside the house—turns out, I just missed the sound.

2. Use the Arlo App to Monitor Status and Alerts

The Arlo app is your command center. It’s not just for viewing live feeds—it’s packed with tools to tell you if your camera is working. If you’re wondering, “How do I know if Arlo Pro camera is working?” the app is your best friend.

Check the Camera’s Online Status

Open the Arlo app and tap on your camera. At the top of the screen, you’ll see a green “Online” badge if the camera is connected. If it says “Offline,” that’s a red flag. Tap on it to see details like:

• Last seen time
• Battery percentage
• Signal strength (Wi-Fi or base station connection)

I had a camera go offline during a heatwave. The app showed “Last seen: 2 hours ago.” I checked the camera and realized the battery had drained faster than usual due to the heat. Recharging it fixed the issue.

Review Motion and Sound Alerts

The app sends push notifications when motion or sound is detected. To test this:

1. Go to Settings > Notifications and make sure motion alerts are enabled.
2. Wave your hand in front of the camera or clap loudly near it.
3. Wait for the alert on your phone (should arrive within 10–30 seconds).

If no alert comes, check:

• Is your phone’s notification sound on?
• Is the camera set to “Armed” mode? (Cameras in “Disarmed” mode won’t record or alert.)
• Are motion zones enabled? (More on that below.)

I once set up a camera but forgot to arm it. A week later, I realized my “alerts” weren’t coming through—because the camera was in “Disarmed” mode. A quick toggle in the app fixed it.

View the Live Stream and Recording History

Tap “Live” on any camera to see real-time footage. If the stream loads quickly and looks sharp, the camera is working well. Also, check the “Library” tab to see recorded clips. If you see recent recordings (especially from the past 24 hours), that’s a good sign.

Bonus tip: If you use Arlo Smart (subscription service), you can filter recordings by person, vehicle, or package detection. If those tags appear, your AI features are active.

3. Test Motion Detection and Recording Accuracy

A camera that’s online isn’t enough—it needs to detect what matters. Testing motion detection is crucial to ensure your Arlo Pro is doing its job when it counts.

Conduct a Controlled Motion Test

Here’s a simple test I do every few weeks:

1. Stand 10–15 feet from the camera.
2. Wave your arms or walk slowly across the field of view.
3. Check the Arlo app for a motion alert and recording.

For best results, do this during both day and night. Night vision should trigger automatically when the ambient light drops. I once had a camera that recorded fine in daylight but missed motion at night. After cleaning the lens (it had spiderwebs!), it worked perfectly.

Adjust Motion Zones for Precision

The Arlo Pro lets you define “motion zones”—areas where you want alerts. For example, you might want alerts for your driveway but ignore the swaying trees nearby.

• Go to Settings > Motion Detection > Motion Zones.
• Draw zones on the live video feed.
• Test by walking inside and outside the zone.

I set up a zone for my front porch only. When a delivery person walked by the sidewalk (outside the zone), no alert fired. But when they stepped onto the porch, boom

Check Sensitivity and Smart Detection Settings

If your camera is too sensitive, it’ll alert you to leaves, pets, or shadows. Too low, and it’ll miss real threats. Adjust sensitivity in Settings > Motion Detection > Sensitivity.

For Arlo Pro 3 and Pro 4, enable Smart Motion Detection (if subscribed to Arlo Smart) to filter out false alarms. This uses AI to distinguish between people, animals, vehicles, and packages. I reduced false alerts by 70% after enabling this.

4. Inspect Wi-Fi Signal and Base Station Connection

Arlo Pro cameras rely on a strong connection—either to the base station or directly to Wi-Fi (Pro 4 and newer models). A weak signal can cause delays, missed recordings, or complete disconnections.

Check Signal Strength in the App

In the Arlo app, tap your camera and look for the signal icon (usually bars or a Wi-Fi symbol). You want at least 3 out of 4 bars. If it’s low or “Poor,” that’s a problem.

For base station models (Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3), the camera connects to the base station via a proprietary wireless signal. If the base station is too far or blocked by walls, signal strength drops.

Use the Base Station’s LED for Diagnostics

The base station has its own LED:

• Solid green: All cameras connected and online.
• Blinking green: A camera is trying to connect.
• Red or amber: Connection issues or firmware update in progress.

I once had a camera in my garage that kept dropping offline. The base station was in the basement, and the signal had to pass through concrete. I moved the base station to a central room, and the signal improved dramatically.

Improve Signal with Placement and Extenders

Here are my go-to fixes for weak signals:

• Reposition the base station: Place it centrally, away from metal objects and appliances.
• Use Wi-Fi extenders: For Pro 4 and newer models, a mesh network can boost Wi-Fi coverage.
• Reduce interference: Avoid placing cameras near microwaves, cordless phones, or thick walls.

I added a Wi-Fi extender to my backyard, and now my Arlo Pro 4 gets full bars—even at 50 feet from the router.

5. Monitor Battery Life and Power Supply

One of the most common reasons an Arlo Pro stops working? Dead battery. These cameras are designed to last 3–6 months on a charge, but that varies based on usage, temperature, and settings.

Check Battery Percentage in the App

The Arlo app shows battery level for each camera. If it’s below 20%, plan to charge soon. Below 10%? The camera may shut down.

I once ignored a 15% warning, thinking I had time. A cold night drained the battery faster, and the camera went offline. Lesson learned: charge at 20–30%.

Test Charging and Power Sources

To confirm charging works:

• Plug in the charger and wait 10 minutes.
• Check if the amber light appears (charging) or solid blue (fully charged).
• Use a different cable or outlet if no light appears.

For outdoor cameras, I recommend using a weatherproof charging cable and a covered outlet. I once used a regular USB cable—it corroded in a month due to rain.

Optimize Battery with Smart Settings

Extend battery life by:

• Reducing motion detection sensitivity: Fewer alerts = less recording = longer battery.
• Limiting live view usage: Streaming uses more power.
• Using schedules: Arm the camera only during high-risk times (e.g., 6 PM–8 AM).

I set my backyard camera to “Away” mode only when I’m not home. That cut battery drain by 40%.

6. Perform a Full System Health Check (Monthly Routine)

To truly answer “How do I know if Arlo Pro camera is working?” I recommend a monthly health check. It takes 10 minutes and prevents surprises.

Step-by-Step Health Checklist

Here’s my routine:

1. Check all camera LEDs: Should be solid blue or charging amber.
2. Open the Arlo app: Verify all cameras show “Online” with good signal and battery.
3. Test one motion event: Wave in front of a camera and confirm alert + recording.
4. Review the Library: Confirm there are recent recordings (even from AI filters).
5. Inspect the base station (if applicable): Green light and no error messages.
6. Update firmware: Go to Settings > My Devices > Firmware Update.

I do this on the first Sunday of every month. It caught a failing battery in my front camera before it went dark—saved me from a missed delivery alert.

When to Contact Arlo Support

If you’ve tried everything and the camera still isn’t working, it might be a hardware issue. Contact Arlo support if:

• The LED stays red or off despite charging.
• The camera won’t connect after a factory reset.
• Video is consistently blurry or distorted.

My neighbor had a camera that wouldn’t charge. Arlo sent a replacement under warranty—no questions asked.

Data Table: Arlo Pro Camera Status Indicators

LED Color/Pattern	Meaning	Recommended Action
Solid Blue	Camera is online and ready	No action needed
Blinking Blue	Connecting to network	Wait 5–10 minutes; check base station power
Solid Amber	Low battery (20–30%)	Charge soon
Blinking Amber	Very low battery or charging	Charge immediately
Solid Red	No power or hardware error	Check power source; restart camera
No Light	Camera off or dead	Try charging; reset if needed

Conclusion: Stay Confident, Stay Secure

Knowing your Arlo Pro camera is working doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By checking physical lights, using the app’s status tools, testing motion detection, ensuring strong connectivity, monitoring battery, and doing regular health checks, you can stay confident your home is protected. I’ve used these steps for years—through storms, heatwaves, and even a curious raccoon that kept triggering my backyard camera (true story).

Remember: a smart camera is only as good as its connection and maintenance. Don’t wait for a break-in or a missed delivery to realize something’s off. Make it a habit to verify your system. Whether you have one camera or six, a few minutes of attention can save you from a major security gap.

So the next time you ask, “How do I know if Arlo Pro camera is working?”—you’ll have the tools to check, test, and confirm. And that peace of mind? It’s worth every second.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my Arlo Pro camera is working properly?

Check the LED light on the camera: a solid blue light indicates it’s powered and connected, while blinking lights may signal issues. You can also verify activity in the Arlo app by reviewing live feeds or recent recordings.

Why isn’t my Arlo Pro camera showing a live feed?

If the live feed isn’t loading, ensure the camera is charged or connected to power and within Wi-Fi range. Open the Arlo app to check for error messages or offline status, which can help diagnose connectivity problems.

Can I test if my Arlo Pro camera is detecting motion?

Yes, enable “Test Mode” in the Arlo app’s settings to verify motion detection. Walk in front of the camera—if it triggers a notification or recording, the sensor is working correctly.

How do I know if my Arlo Pro camera’s night vision is working?

In low-light conditions, the camera’s IR LEDs should activate automatically, visible as faint red glows. Check the app for black-and-white footage, which confirms night vision is functional.

What do the different LED colors on my Arlo Pro mean?

A solid blue LED means the camera is working and connected, while amber indicates low battery or Wi-Fi issues. Blinking blue or white lights often point to pairing or syncing problems—consult the app for details.

How do I check if my Arlo Pro camera’s audio is working?

Play a recorded clip or use live view in the app; if you hear sound, the microphone is working. For two-way audio, tap the speaker icon in the app and speak to confirm the speaker functions.

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