How Do You Know If Arlo Camera Is On Simple Signs to Check

The easiest way to know if your Arlo camera is on is to check the LED light—solid blue means it’s active, while no light or a red indicator suggests it’s off or in standby. Look for the live feed in the Arlo app or listen for a faint startup chime, both confirming the camera is powered and connected. Always verify status through the app if the LED is unclear, especially for stealth monitoring.

Key Takeaways

• Check the LED light: A solid or blinking LED confirms the Arlo camera is on.
• Use the Arlo app: Live feed access means the camera is active and connected.
• Listen for sounds: Audible clicks or beeps indicate camera startup or recording.
• Verify motion alerts: Receiving notifications confirms the camera is monitoring.
• Inspect power source: Ensure batteries are charged or the camera is plugged in.
• Review status in app: “Online” status means the camera is powered and functional.

How Do You Know If Arlo Camera Is On? Simple Signs to Check

Imagine this: you’re at work, checking your phone to see if your Arlo camera caught the delivery guy leaving your package. But something feels off. The app shows “last seen” an hour ago. Is the camera still on? Is it recording? Or did it quietly go to sleep?

You’re not alone. Many Arlo users—myself included—have stared at that little green dot on the app and wondered, “Wait, is it actually on?” Whether you’re using Arlo for home security, pet monitoring, or keeping an eye on the kids, knowing if your camera is active is crucial. A camera that’s off is like a door with no lock—there when you think about it, useless when you don’t.

Over the years, I’ve tested Arlo cameras in various setups: battery-powered outdoors, wired indoors, even solar-powered ones. And I’ve learned that “on” doesn’t always mean what you think. Sometimes the camera is on but not recording. Sometimes it’s recording but not sending alerts. And sometimes—yep, it’s just plain off, and you didn’t even notice.

The good news? There are clear, simple signs to check if your Arlo camera is on. No tech degree required. No diving into confusing settings. Just real-world indicators you can verify in seconds. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most reliable ways to confirm your Arlo is up and running—plus a few sneaky situations where things might not be as they seem.

1. Check the Arlo App: The First and Fastest Sign

Your smartphone is your best friend when it comes to confirming your Arlo camera is on. The Arlo app is designed to give you real-time status updates, and it’s the first place you should look—especially if you’re away from home.

Look at the Camera Status Icon

Open the Arlo app and tap on your camera. The top of the screen shows a status icon. Here’s what to look for:

• Green dot: Camera is online and active. This is the ideal state.
• Grey dot: Camera is offline. It may be powered off, out of Wi-Fi range, or experiencing a connection issue.
• Yellow or orange dot: Camera is connecting or in a transitional state (e.g., waking up from sleep).

Pro tip: If you see a green dot but no live feed, tap the camera to refresh. Sometimes the status updates faster than the video stream.

Check the Last Activity Time

Below the camera name, the app shows “Last seen” or “Last activity” with a timestamp. If it says “Last seen 2 hours ago,” your camera might be off or disconnected. But don’t panic yet—battery-powered Arlo cameras (like the Arlo Pro 4 or Arlo Ultra) go into sleep mode between motion events to save battery. So if it’s been 2 hours but no motion, that’s normal.

However, if you know motion happened (e.g., the dog barked, the garage door opened) and there’s no activity log, that’s a red flag.

Verify Live Streaming

The most direct way to confirm your camera is on? Watch the live feed. Tap the camera and press “Play.” If you see real-time video, it’s definitely on. But here’s a catch: some Arlo models (especially battery-powered ones) delay the live stream by a few seconds to conserve power. So if it takes 3–5 seconds to load, that’s normal.

What’s not normal? A “Camera Offline” message, a blank screen, or a “Connection Failed” error. That means your camera isn’t just sleeping—it’s likely off or disconnected.

Real example: My Arlo Pro 3 in the backyard once showed “Last seen 45 minutes ago.” I checked the live feed—no video. I assumed it was off. But when I walked outside, the LED was flashing. Turned out the Wi-Fi signal was weak due to a storm. The camera was on, but the app couldn’t reach it. Lesson: app status isn’t always 100% reliable.

2. Look for the Physical LED Light (The Most Obvious Sign)

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Arlo cameras have built-in LED indicators that tell you their status—no app needed. But here’s the catch: not all Arlo models show the same light patterns, and some LEDs can be turned off for stealth.

What the LED Colors Mean

Most Arlo cameras use color-coded LEDs:

• Solid blue: Camera is on and connected to Wi-Fi. This is your “all good” signal.
• Flashing blue: Camera is booting up, connecting, or in setup mode.
• Solid green: Camera is on and recording (on some models).
• Flashing green: Motion detected and recording in progress.
• Solid red or orange: Low battery or charging.
• Flashing red: Critical error (e.g., Wi-Fi failure, SD card issue).
• No light: Could mean the camera is off, in stealth mode, or the LED is disabled.

Note: Some Arlo models (like the Arlo Essential) have a single-color LED, so flashing vs. solid matters more than color.

Stealth Mode: When the Light Is Off

Arlo lets you disable the LED for privacy or to avoid drawing attention. If the light is off but the app shows “Online,” your camera is still on—just in stealth mode. To check:

1. Go to the Arlo app.
2. Tap your camera > Settings > Device Settings.
3. Look for “LED” or “Status Light” and see if it’s toggled off.

Tip: If you’re troubleshooting and the LED is off, temporarily enable it to confirm the camera is active.

Check the Light During Motion

The best way to confirm your camera is on and working? Trigger motion. Walk in front of it. If the LED flashes green (or blue, depending on model), motion detection is active. If nothing happens, the camera might be in “sleep” mode (common for battery models) or not detecting motion due to sensitivity settings.

My Arlo Go (a cellular model) once stopped flashing during motion. The app said “Online,” but the LED stayed dark. I reset the motion sensitivity in the app, and it started working again. Moral: the LED is a real-time feedback tool—use it!

3. Test Motion Detection and Alerts

A camera can be “on” but not functioning. The ultimate test? Does it detect motion and send alerts? If yes, it’s not just on—it’s doing its job.

Trigger a Motion Test

Here’s how to test:

1. Open the Arlo app and go to your camera.
2. Walk in front of the camera at normal speed (don’t run).
3. Watch the app: you should see a motion icon (usually a person or wave symbol) appear.
4. Check your phone: you should receive a push notification within 5–10 seconds.
5. Open the app: a new event should appear in the timeline.

If all of these happen, your camera is on and active. If not, dig deeper.

Check Notification Settings

Sometimes the camera is on, but you’re not getting alerts. Common causes:

• Notifications are disabled in the app.
• Your phone’s Do Not Disturb mode is on.
• The Arlo app doesn’t have permission to send notifications.
• You’re on a different Wi-Fi network (e.g., work vs. home).

Fix: Go to your phone’s Settings > Notifications > Arlo, and ensure “Allow Notifications” is on. Also, check the Arlo app’s Alert Settings for each camera.

Review the Event Timeline

The Arlo app keeps a timeline of all motion events. If you see recent entries (e.g., “Motion detected at 2:15 PM”), your camera is on and recording. But if the timeline is empty for hours despite activity, the camera might be off or not detecting motion.

Pro tip: Use the “Filter” option in the timeline to show only motion events. This helps spot gaps quickly.

Personal story: I once thought my Arlo was off because no alerts came. But the timeline showed motion every 30 minutes—turns out my kids were walking by and triggering it, but I’d muted notifications. A quick check fixed it.

4. Listen for Audio Feedback (Yes, Really)

Some Arlo cameras make sounds—and that’s a clue they’re on. Not all models do this, but it’s worth checking.

Startup Chime

When you power on an Arlo camera, it often plays a short chime (like a “ding” or “beep”). This is a clear sign it’s booting up and connecting. If you don’t hear it, the camera might not be getting power.

Note: Battery-powered models may not chime if the battery is very low.

Recording Tone (On Some Models)

The Arlo Pro 4, Arlo Ultra, and others play a soft tone when recording starts. It’s subtle—like a tiny click or hum. If you’re near the camera and motion happens, listen closely. No tone? The camera might not be recording, even if it’s “on.”

Warning: This tone can be disabled in settings. Check “Audio” or “Recording” settings if you’re not hearing it.

Two-Way Talk Feedback

If your Arlo has a speaker (like the Arlo Pro 3 or Arlo Baby), try using two-way talk. Tap the “Talk” button in the app and say something. If the camera responds (you hear your voice), it’s definitely on and connected. If nothing happens, there’s a connectivity or power issue.

Bonus: Two-way talk also confirms the microphone and speaker are working—another sign of full functionality.

5. Check Power and Connectivity Sources

A camera can’t stay on without power and internet. These are the silent killers of Arlo uptime.

Battery Level (For Battery-Powered Models)

Arlo’s app shows battery percentage. If it’s below 20%, the camera may go into deep sleep or shut off. Check the battery status in the app or look for a low-battery alert.

Tip: Use the “Battery Health” feature (in Settings) to see if the battery is degrading. Old batteries lose capacity and die faster.

Wired Power (For Plug-In or Solar Models)

For Arlo cameras that plug in (like the Arlo Pro 5S or Arlo Essential Indoor), check the power adapter. Is it plugged in? Is the outlet working? Use a lamp or phone charger to test the outlet.

Solar panel users: check if the panel is clean and facing sunlight. A cloudy day or dirty panel can reduce charging.

Wi-Fi and Network Status

Arlo needs Wi-Fi to send alerts and live streams. If your router is down or the signal is weak, the camera might show as “offline” even if it’s powered on.

Test: Open your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and see if the signal strength near the camera is good (3–4 bars). For outdoor cameras, consider a Wi-Fi extender if the signal is weak.

Also, check if your router’s 2.4 GHz band is on. Most Arlo cameras don’t support 5 GHz.

Base Station or Hub Status (For Multi-Camera Setups)

If you have an Arlo base station (like for the Arlo Pro 2 or Arlo SmartHub), check its lights. A solid green light means it’s online. If it’s flashing or red, it might be disconnected—which affects all connected cameras.

Tip: Restart the base station by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.

6. Use the Arlo Web Portal for Deeper Insights

The Arlo app is great, but the web portal (my.arlo.com) gives you more detailed status info—especially for troubleshooting.

Device Health Dashboard

Log in to the web portal and go to “Devices.” You’ll see:

• Last connection time
• Wi-Fi signal strength (in dBm)
• Battery level (for battery models)
• Storage status (cloud or local)

A strong Wi-Fi signal (above -70 dBm) means better reliability. Weak signals cause dropouts and false “offline” statuses.

Event Logs and Diagnostics

The web portal shows detailed event logs, including:

• Camera reboots
• Wi-Fi disconnects
• Firmware updates

If your camera keeps rebooting, it might be a power issue or firmware bug. The logs help you spot patterns.

Remote Camera Test

On the web portal, you can trigger a “Test” for motion detection or audio. This is useful if you can’t physically check the camera.

Example: I once used the web portal to test an Arlo in my parents’ house. The camera was “online,” but the test showed no motion detection. I called my dad—he confirmed the camera was covered by a leaf. Simple fix, big relief.

When “On” Doesn’t Mean “On” – Common Pitfalls

Symptom	Likely Cause	Quick Fix
Green dot in app, no live feed	Wi-Fi instability or camera sleep mode	Wait 10 seconds, then tap refresh. Check Wi-Fi signal.
LED off, app says “Online”	LED is disabled in stealth mode	Enable LED in app settings.
No motion alerts, but camera is on	Motion sensitivity too low or notifications muted	Adjust sensitivity in app. Check phone notifications.
Camera shows “Offline” but is powered	Weak Wi-Fi or router issue	Move router closer or add Wi-Fi extender.
Battery drains fast, camera shuts off	Old battery or extreme temperatures	Replace battery or move camera to a shaded spot.

Final Thoughts: Stay One Step Ahead

Knowing if your Arlo camera is on isn’t just about checking a light or an app icon. It’s about connecting the dots: the app status, the LED, the motion detection, the power source, and the network. Think of it like a health check-up for your camera.

Here’s my golden rule: Trust, but verify. If something feels off, test it. Walk in front of the camera. Check the timeline. Look at the LED. Use the web portal. Don’t assume it’s working just because the app says so.

And remember—Arlo cameras are smart, but they’re not perfect. Battery life, Wi-Fi drops, and firmware bugs happen. The key is to catch them early. A quick daily glance at the app, a weekly motion test, and a monthly check of the battery and Wi-Fi can save you from a security blind spot.

At the end of the day, your peace of mind is worth the extra 30 seconds. Because when your Arlo camera is on, you’re not just watching your home—you’re protecting what matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know if Arlo camera is on just by looking at it?

Most Arlo cameras have a small LED indicator light on the front or side—if it’s solid blue or green, the camera is powered on and active. Some models may use a blinking pattern to show recording or connectivity status.

Can you check if your Arlo camera is on remotely using the app?

Yes, the Arlo app displays a live status icon for each camera, showing if it’s online, recording, or offline. You can also trigger a live stream to confirm it’s actively capturing footage.

Why isn’t the LED light showing if my Arlo camera is on?

Some Arlo models allow LED lights to be disabled in settings for stealth monitoring. Check the app’s camera settings to see if the “Status LED” is turned off, which could explain why no light is visible.

Does sound indicate that an Arlo camera is on and recording?

A faint beep or chime during startup may signal the camera is on, but most Arlo cameras operate silently. Rely on the LED or app status instead, as newer models minimize audio cues to avoid detection.

How do you know if Arlo camera is on if the battery is low?

Low battery may cause the camera to enter power-saving mode, disabling the LED. Open the Arlo app—it will show a low-battery warning and whether the camera is still active or has shut down.

What’s the quickest way to confirm if your Arlo camera is on and working?

Open the Arlo app and tap the camera’s thumbnail to start a live stream. If you see real-time video, the camera is on and connected. A “Camera Offline” message means it’s powered down or disconnected.