Adjusting brightness on your Arlo camera in 2026 is quick and intuitive via the Arlo Secure app—simply navigate to your camera’s settings, select “Video,” and fine-tune the brightness slider for optimal clarity. This ensures crisp footage in any lighting, from dim hallways to sunlit porches. For best results, use the live preview to adjust in real time and avoid over- or under-exposure.

How to Change the Brightness Settings on Arlo Camera in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Access settings via Arlo app: Open the app and select your camera to adjust brightness.
• Use manual sliders: Drag brightness sliders to fine-tune lighting levels instantly.
• Schedule brightness changes: Automate adjustments based on time of day or motion triggers.
• Check firmware updates: Ensure latest firmware for optimal brightness control features.
• Test night vision balance: Adjust brightness to avoid overexposure in low-light conditions.
• Reset if needed: Restore defaults via app if brightness settings cause issues.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

You’ve got an Arlo camera—maybe a Pro 5, a Go 2, or one of the newer Ultra models—and you’re happy with the setup. But lately, the footage looks a little… off. Maybe it’s too dark at dusk, or too washed out at noon. Or worse, the night vision is picking up glare from your porch light, making it impossible to see anything.

That’s when you start searching for how to change the brightness settings on Arlo camera in 2026. And honestly, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I once had a camera trained on my front door that looked like a cave at 7 PM, even though the sun hadn’t fully set. I kept missing deliveries, and worse—suspicious loitering near my mailbox.

Brightness isn’t just about comfort. It’s about clarity, usability, and peace of mind. Whether you’re using Arlo for home security, pet monitoring, or checking on your garden at night, the right brightness can make or break your footage.

The good news? Arlo’s 2026 lineup makes it easier than ever to tweak these settings—no tech wizardry required. But the how part trips up even seasoned users. The app has changed. Menus are reorganized. And some features are buried under layers of automation.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to change the brightness settings on Arlo camera in 2026—step by step, with real-world examples, pro tips, and the mistakes I’ve made (so you don’t have to). Whether you’re using the Arlo app on your phone or tablet, this will work.

“I used to think brightness was fixed. Then I realized I was just clicking the wrong tab. Now my camera sees better than I do in low light.” – Me, after a very embarrassing delivery mix-up.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got everything ready. You don’t need special tools or software—just a few basics that most Arlo users already have.

• Your Arlo camera (any model from 2020 onward, including Pro 5, Ultra 2, Go 2, and Essential series)
• Smartphone or tablet with the Arlo Secure app installed (iOS or Android)
• Stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection (if using Arlo Go 2 with LTE)
• Arlo account (logged in and synced with your camera)
• 5–10 minutes of uninterrupted time (yes, it’s that quick)

That’s it. No screwdrivers. No coding. No calling customer support. The 2026 app update made this process much smoother—especially for adjusting exposure, contrast, and night vision brightness, which are now grouped under a single “Image Settings” menu.

Pro tip: If you’re using multiple cameras, I recommend adjusting one at a time. It’s easier to compare changes and avoid confusion. Also, do this during daylight first—then test at night. That way, you’ll see how each setting affects different lighting conditions.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Change the Brightness Settings on Arlo Camera in 2026

Step 1: Open the Arlo Secure App and Select Your Camera

Grab your phone and open the Arlo Secure app. Make sure you’re logged in and your camera is online (look for the green dot or “Online” status).

Tap on the camera you want to adjust. Don’t just open the live view—tap the camera name or thumbnail to go into its device settings. This is a common mistake: people try to adjust brightness from the live feed, but that’s only for viewing, not configuring.

Once you tap the camera, you’ll see a screen with options like “Live View,” “History,” and “Settings.” Tap Settings—it’s usually at the top right or bottom, depending on your app version.

“I once spent 20 minutes trying to find brightness settings from the live feed. Turns out, Settings was right there—I just kept swiping past it.”

Step 2: Navigate to “Image & Video” or “Image Settings”

In the Settings menu, look for a section called Image & Video or simply Image Settings. This is where Arlo 2026 consolidates all visual adjustments—brightness, contrast, saturation, and night vision intensity.

Tap into that menu. You’ll see a clean layout with sliders or toggles for different settings. This is the heart of how to change the brightness settings on Arlo camera in 2026.

If you don’t see it immediately, scroll down. Some older models or firmware versions might have it under “Advanced” or “Video Quality.” But in the 2026 app, it’s front and center.

Step 3: Adjust the “Brightness” Slider

Now, find the Brightness slider. It’s usually the first or second option, labeled clearly.

Drag the slider left (for darker) or right (for lighter). As you move it, you’ll see a live preview in the background (if enabled). This is huge—Arlo 2026 added real-time preview for most visual settings, so you can see the effect instantly.

Start small. Move it one notch at a time. Too much brightness can cause glare, especially if there’s a light source nearby. Too little, and details get lost in shadows.

For most outdoor setups, I recommend starting at 50% and adjusting based on time of day. For indoor cameras (like in a baby’s room), keep it lower to avoid disturbing sleep.

“I boosted brightness to max once—my cat’s eyes reflected like lasers. Not scary, just… weird. Lesson learned: subtlety wins.”

Step 4: Tweak “Contrast” and “Exposure” (Optional but Powerful)

Brightness isn’t the only player here. Contrast and Exposure work together to shape the image.

• Contrast controls the difference between light and dark areas. Higher contrast = more defined edges. Lower = softer, more balanced tones.
• Exposure adjusts how much light the sensor lets in—like opening or closing a window shade.

For bright daylight: lower exposure slightly to avoid washed-out skies.

For dusk or dawn: increase exposure and brightness together. This helps the camera “see” better before switching to night vision.

For night scenes: keep exposure moderate. Too high, and you’ll get grainy, blown-out footage when the IR lights kick in.

These settings are optional, but if you’re serious about image quality, spend 2 minutes here. They make a big difference in how your footage looks.

Step 5: Adjust Night Vision Brightness (IR Intensity)

This is where many people get confused. The night vision brightness isn’t the same as regular brightness—it’s controlled by infrared (IR) LEDs, which are invisible to the human eye.

In the same Image Settings menu, look for Night Vision or IR Intensity. You’ll see a slider or a few preset levels: Low, Medium, High, and Auto.

Here’s how I use them:

• Auto (recommended for most): Arlo adjusts IR brightness based on ambient light. Great for changing conditions.
• Low: Use if your camera is close to a wall or glass. Prevents IR glare or “whiteout” reflections.
• Medium: Good balance. Works well for most backyards or driveways.
• High: Only for large open areas (like a big backyard). Can cause overexposure if too close to surfaces.

One night, I had IR set to High, and my camera was pointed at a white fence. The whole image was blindingly white. I switched to Medium, and suddenly, I could see the raccoon stealing my trash can lid. Much better.

Step 6: Enable “Smart HDR” (If Available)

On newer Arlo models (Pro 5, Ultra 2, and Essential 2), you’ll see an option for Smart HDR—High Dynamic Range.

HDR balances bright and dark areas in the same scene. Think: a bright window in a dark room. Without HDR, the window blows out or the room stays black. With HDR, both are visible.

Toggle this On. It’s a game-changer for mixed lighting. It works automatically, so you don’t have to adjust anything else.

Note: HDR uses more processing power. If your camera lags or overheats, try turning it off. But in most cases, the trade-off is worth it.

Step 7: Test the Changes (Live View & Recorded Clip)

Now, go back to the main camera screen and tap Live View.

Watch the feed for a minute. Is the image clearer? Are faces or objects easier to see? Does night vision kick in smoothly?

Next, trigger a motion event (wave at the camera or walk by) and check the recorded clip in the History tab. This is crucial—live view can be misleading. The recorded clip shows how the camera actually saves footage.

If something looks off, go back to Settings and tweak. Remember: small adjustments often work better than drastic ones.

Step 8: Save and Sync Across Devices (If Using Multiple Cameras)

Arlo 2026 introduced a Sync Settings feature. If you have multiple cameras in the same area (e.g., front and back yard), you can copy brightness and image settings from one to another.

Here’s how:

1. Finish adjusting Camera A.
2. Go to Camera A’s Settings → Image Settings.
3. Tap the three dots (⋮) or “More” menu.
4. Select Copy Settings to Other Cameras.
5. Choose which cameras should get the same settings.

This saves time and keeps your footage consistent. Just be careful—cameras in different lighting (e.g., one under a porch, one in full sun) might need custom tweaks.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After years of tinkering with Arlo cameras (and making every mistake possible), here’s what I’ve learned:

Pro Tip 1: Use “Time-Based Profiles” for Dynamic Lighting

Arlo 2026 lets you create time-based profiles. For example, set brightness to 40% at noon, 60% at 5 PM, and 70% at 7 PM—before night vision starts.

Go to Settings → Automation → Time-Based Profiles. Create a new profile, set the schedule, and assign brightness, contrast, and IR levels.

This is perfect for homes with changing light—like a camera facing east that gets morning sun.

Pro Tip 2: Avoid Over-Reliance on Auto Modes

Auto brightness and Auto IR are convenient, but they’re not perfect. I’ve seen Arlo switch to night vision too early, missing a delivery person in twilight.

Set a manual threshold if possible. In Image Settings, look for “Night Vision Transition” and set it to “Dusk” or “Night” instead of “Auto.” This gives you more control.

Pro Tip 3: Clean the Lens Regularly

Dirty lenses make images look dark, even if brightness is maxed. Wipe the lens with a microfiber cloth every few weeks—especially after rain or dust storms.

I once thought my camera was broken because footage was grainy. Turns out, a spider web had built up over the lens. A quick wipe fixed it.

Common Mistake 1: Ignoring Ambient Light Sources

Don’t point your camera directly at bright lights (streetlights, porch lights, car headlights). This causes glare and forces the camera to underexpose the rest of the scene.

Angle the camera slightly away. Use a hood or shade if needed. Better yet, install a soft, diffused light nearby so the camera can see without being blinded.

Common Mistake 2: Maxing Out All Sliders

More brightness = better? Not always. Overly bright images lose detail and look artificial. Same with contrast.

Think of it like cooking: a pinch of salt enhances flavor. A cup of salt ruins the dish.

Common Mistake 3: Forgetting to Check at Night

Daytime settings don’t always work at night. Always test your changes after dark. Night vision behaves differently, and IR reflections can ruin clarity.

I once adjusted brightness perfectly at noon, then forgot to test at night. The next morning, I saw a blurry shadow near my door. It was a raccoon, but I couldn’t prove it because the image was too bright and washed out.

“The best camera settings are the ones you test at all times of day. Don’t assume—verify.”

FAQs About How to Change the Brightness Settings on Arlo Camera in 2026

Q: Can I adjust brightness remotely, or do I need to be near the camera?

A: You can adjust it remotely! As long as your camera is connected to Wi-Fi or LTE (for Arlo Go 2), and your phone has internet, you can change settings from anywhere. I’ve tweaked my camera’s brightness from a coffee shop 10 miles away—no problem.

Q: Why doesn’t the brightness slider work on my older Arlo camera?

A: Some early models (like Arlo Pro 2 or Original) have limited software support. The 2026 app may not expose advanced image settings for them. Try updating the firmware first. If it still doesn’t work, consider upgrading to a newer model—Pro 5 or Essential 2—for full control.

Q: Does changing brightness affect battery life?

A: Slightly. Higher brightness and IR intensity use more power. If you’re using a battery-powered camera (like Arlo Go 2 or Essential), avoid maxing out IR at night. Use Medium or Auto to extend battery life. For wired models, it’s not a concern.

Q: Can I schedule different brightness levels for different times?

A: Yes! Use Time-Based Profiles (under Automation). Set a schedule for “Day,” “Evening,” and “Night,” each with custom brightness, contrast, and IR settings. Perfect for homes with changing light.

Q: What if my camera is in a shaded area? Do I still need to adjust brightness?

A: Yes. Shaded areas can be darker than expected, especially in winter. Increase brightness and exposure slightly. Also, enable Smart HDR to balance shadows and highlights. A shaded porch can look like a cave if left unadjusted.

Q: Why does my camera switch to night vision too early?

A: The auto transition is based on ambient light, not time. If there’s a tree or roof blocking the sun, the camera thinks it’s dark. Go to Image Settings → Night Vision → and change “Transition” to “Dusk” or set a manual schedule. This gives you more control.

Q: Is there a way to preview changes before saving?

A: Yes! The 2026 app shows a live preview as you move sliders. You’ll see the effect in real time on your screen. No need to guess or test blindly. Just don’t walk away—the preview only works while you’re in the Settings menu.

Final Thoughts

Changing brightness on your Arlo camera isn’t just a technical tweak—it’s a way to take back control of your security footage. Whether you’re trying to catch a package thief, monitor your pets, or just feel safer at night, the right settings make all the difference.

Now that you know how to change the brightness settings on Arlo camera in 2026, don’t stop here. Experiment. Test at different times. Use the preview. Try time-based profiles. And most importantly—clean the lens.

Remember: the goal isn’t to have the brightest image. It’s to have the clearest, most usable footage when you need it most.

So grab your phone, open the Arlo app, and spend 10 minutes adjusting your settings. I promise, it’s worth it. And the next time you check your camera and see a crisp, clear image—whether it’s noon or midnight—you’ll be glad you did.

Stay safe. Stay sharp. And keep your Arlo camera looking its best.