To factory reset your Arlo Pro camera in 2026, press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds until the LED flashes amber. This quick process erases all settings, returning the device to its original state for a fresh setup. Ensure the camera is powered on and connected during the reset for seamless reconfiguration via the Arlo app.

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How to Factory Reset Arlo Pro Camera in 2026 Easy Guide

Key Takeaways

• Locate the reset button: Find the small hole on the camera’s base for the reset.
• Use a paperclip: Press and hold the button with a paperclip for 10 seconds.
• Wait for LED flash: Release when the LED blinks amber, signaling reset initiation.
• Reconnect to base station: Re-sync the camera post-reset via the Arlo app.
• Update firmware: Ensure latest firmware installs after reset for optimal performance.
• Remove from account: Delete old device entry in the Arlo app to avoid conflicts.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Ever had that moment when your Arlo Pro camera just… stops playing nice? Maybe it’s stuck in a loop, not connecting to Wi-Fi, or worse—ignoring your app commands completely. I’ve been there. One morning, I woke up to find my backyard camera frozen mid-snap, like it forgot how to be a camera. Sound familiar?

When things go sideways, knowing how to factory reset Arlo Pro camera in 2026 easy guide isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. A factory reset wipes the slate clean, erasing all settings and configurations so your camera can start fresh. Whether you’re troubleshooting, selling your device, or just trying to fix a glitch, this reset gives you a clean reboot.

But here’s the thing: doing it wrong can make things worse. I once accidentally reset a camera while it was still recording—cue the “uh-oh” moment. That’s why this guide walks you through the right way, step by step, so you avoid those facepalm moments.

Whether your camera’s acting up after a firmware update, you’ve changed Wi-Fi networks, or you’re prepping to pass it on, a proper reset solves most connection and configuration headaches. And yes, it works just as well in 2026 as it did when the Arlo Pro first launched.

What You Need

Good news: you don’t need fancy tools or a tech degree. A few basic items, and you’re good to go. Here’s what I always keep handy before starting a reset.

• Your Arlo Pro camera (obviously) – Make sure it’s charged or plugged in. You don’t want it dying mid-reset.
• A paperclip or SIM ejector tool – Most people have one lying around. If not, a bent paperclip works fine.
• Your smartphone or tablet – You’ll need the Arlo app installed (iOS or Android). Download it from your app store if you haven’t already.
• Stable Wi-Fi connection – After the reset, your camera will need to reconnect to Wi-Fi, so make sure your network is working.
• Arlo account credentials – Your username and password. You’ll log back in after the reset.
• About 10–15 minutes of quiet time – No interruptions. Trust me, you don’t want your toddler unplugging things halfway through.

Pro tip: If you’re resetting multiple cameras, do them one at a time. I learned this the hard way when I reset three at once and spent an hour re-pairing them all.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Factory Reset Arlo Pro Camera in 2026 Easy Guide

Step 1: Power Up Your Camera and Check Its Status

Before you hit that reset button, make sure your Arlo Pro is awake and responsive. I always start by checking the status light—the small LED on the front or side of the camera.

Here’s what the light tells you:

• Solid blue: Camera is powered and connected.
• Blinking blue: Connecting to Wi-Fi or pairing.
• Blinking amber: Low battery or error.
• No light: Not powered. Check the battery or power adapter.

If the camera is off or unresponsive, charge it for at least 30 minutes or plug it in. A dead camera won’t reset—and you’ll just waste time.

Once it’s on and stable, open the Arlo app. Confirm your camera shows up in your account. If it’s already missing, don’t panic—just keep the camera powered and ready for re-pairing later.

Step 2: Locate the Reset Button (Yes, It’s Hidden)

Here’s a little secret: Arlo hides the reset button to prevent accidental presses. On most Arlo Pro models (including Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, and Pro 4), it’s a tiny pinhole on the bottom or side of the camera.

Flip your camera upside down. Look for a small hole labeled “Reset” or just a plain hole near the charging port. On the Arlo Pro 3, it’s on the bottom edge. On the Pro 2, it’s on the side near the battery compartment.

Warning: Don’t confuse this with the sync button (if your model has one). The sync button is usually larger and labeled. The reset hole is tiny—like a needle’s eye.

Grab your paperclip or SIM tool and gently straighten one end. You’ll need to insert it deep enough to press the internal button. Don’t force it—gentle pressure is key.

Step 3: Press and Hold the Reset Button for 10–15 Seconds

Now comes the moment of truth. Insert the paperclip into the reset hole and press firmly.

Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds. I count to 12 just to be safe. During this time, the status light will change. It might blink rapidly, turn amber, or go dark temporarily.

Don’t let go too soon. I once pulled out at 8 seconds—nothing happened. Waited, tried again, and it reset on the second try.

After about 10–15 seconds, the light should flash blue rapidly. This means the reset is in progress. Keep holding until the light stabilizes or begins a new blinking pattern.

Once it flashes blue steadily or starts a slow blink, release the paperclip. The camera is now resetting internally.

Step 4: Wait for the Camera to Reboot

This part is all patience. After releasing the reset button, the camera will shut down and restart. This can take 1–2 minutes.

You’ll know it’s rebooting when:

• The light turns off briefly.
• Then comes back on with a slow blinking blue pattern.
• Eventually, it may blink rapidly again—this means it’s trying to connect to Wi-Fi.

Do not touch or move the camera during this time. I’ve seen people unplug it out of impatience, and it messes up the process.

If after 3 minutes the light stays off or blinks red/amber, something’s wrong. Don’t panic—just move to the troubleshooting section below.

Step 5: Remove the Camera from Your Arlo App

Now that the camera has physically reset, you need to remove it from your Arlo account. Why? Because the app still thinks it’s connected—even though the camera is now a blank slate.

Open the Arlo app and go to your Devices tab. Find your camera. Tap the three dots (⋮) or settings icon next to its name.

Select Remove Device or Delete Camera. Confirm when prompted.

This step is crucial. If you skip it, you might get pairing errors later. I once forgot this and spent 20 minutes trying to re-add the camera—only to realize it was still “attached” to my account.

Once removed, the camera disappears from your device list. Good. That means the digital side is clean too.

Step 6: Re-Pair the Camera to Your Account

Now it’s time to bring your camera back to life. Think of this as a first-time setup.

In the Arlo app, tap the + icon to add a new device. Choose Arlo Pro (or your specific model). The app will guide you through the process.

When prompted, press the sync button on your base station (if you have one) or follow the app’s instructions for direct Wi-Fi setup.

The app will scan for nearby cameras. Your reset Arlo Pro should appear as “Unpaired” or “New Camera.” Select it.

Enter your Wi-Fi network name and password. Make sure you’re using 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi—Arlo Pro doesn’t work on 5 GHz. I learned this when I tried to connect to my “Home_5G” network. Nope.

Wait as the camera connects. You’ll hear a chime or see a confirmation in the app. The status light should turn solid blue.

Congratulations! You’ve completed the how to factory reset Arlo Pro camera in 2026 easy guide process. The camera is now fresh, clean, and ready to use.

Step 7: Test the Camera and Adjust Settings

Don’t just assume it’s working. Do a quick test.

Open the app and tap your camera. Watch the live feed. Move in front of it. Check motion detection. Adjust the field of view if needed.

Now’s the time to reconfigure your settings:

• Set recording schedules.
• Adjust motion sensitivity.
• Enable notifications.
• Choose cloud or local storage (if using a SmartHub).

I always set a test alert—like waving my hand in front of the camera—to make sure notifications come through. Nothing worse than thinking your camera’s on when it’s actually asleep.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After resetting dozens of Arlo Pro cameras (yes, I’ve done this for friends, family, and even my neighbor’s dog), I’ve picked up a few hard-earned lessons.

Tip 1: Label Your Cameras Before Resetting

If you have multiple Arlo Pros, label them with tape or a marker before you reset. Otherwise, you’ll forget which is which during re-pairing. I once reset three cameras in my backyard, only to realize I had no idea which was the front door, back porch, or side gate. Cue the confusion.

Tip 2: Reset One Camera at a Time

Don’t try to reset all your cameras in one go. Focus on one, get it working, then move to the next. This keeps the app from getting overwhelmed and reduces pairing errors.

Tip 3: Use the Same Wi-Fi Network

If you’ve changed your Wi-Fi password or network name, update it in the app before resetting. Otherwise, your camera won’t connect. I once reset a camera after upgrading to a new router, only to realize I hadn’t updated the network in the app. Took me an hour to figure out why it wouldn’t pair.

Tip 4: Check Firmware After Reconnecting

After re-pairing, go to your camera settings and check for firmware updates. Arlo often pushes updates that fix bugs or improve performance. A fresh reset + latest firmware = a happy camera.

Common Mistake: Not Holding the Reset Button Long Enough

I’ve seen so many people press for 3–5 seconds and think it worked. Nope. The 10–15 second hold is non-negotiable. The camera needs that time to erase its memory and reboot.

Warning: If you hold too long (over 20 seconds), you might trigger a different mode—like factory test. I’ve never seen this happen, but Arlo’s support team confirmed it’s possible. Stick to 12 seconds to be safe.

Common Mistake: Forgetting to Remove from the App

As mentioned earlier, skipping the “remove device” step is a classic error. It leads to pairing failures, error codes, and frustration. Always remove before re-adding.

Common Mistake: Using 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Arlo Pro cameras only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 and 5 GHz on the same name (like “HomeNetwork”), the camera might try to connect to 5 GHz and fail. I fixed this by renaming my 2.4 GHz network to “HomeNetwork_2.4” so the camera could find it easily.

When a Reset Isn’t the Answer

Sometimes, the problem isn’t the camera—it’s the network, base station, or app. If your camera won’t reset or keeps disconnecting, try these first:

• Restart your router.
• Update the Arlo app.
• Check for base station firmware updates.
• Move the camera closer to the router during setup.

A reset should be your last resort, not your first. But when it’s needed, do it right.

FAQs About How to Factory Reset Arlo Pro Camera in 2026 Easy Guide

Q: Will a factory reset delete my recordings?

Yes—but only if they’re stored on the camera’s local memory (like an SD card). Cloud recordings in your Arlo account are not affected. The reset only wipes the camera’s settings and Wi-Fi info, not your cloud history. So your past videos are safe.

Q: Can I reset my Arlo Pro without the app?

You can do the physical reset (using the paperclip), but you’ll still need the app to re-pair and set it up. The app is essential for Wi-Fi configuration and account linking. No app? No camera.

Q: What if the reset button doesn’t work?

First, make sure you’re pressing long enough (10–15 seconds). If it still doesn’t respond, try a different paperclip or tool. Sometimes the hole gets clogged with dust. Gently clean it with compressed air. If it’s still unresponsive, the internal button might be damaged—contact Arlo support.

Q: How often should I factory reset my Arlo Pro?

Only when necessary. Think of it like restarting your phone—do it when it’s glitchy, not every week. Frequent resets can wear on the hardware and aren’t needed for routine maintenance. I reset mine maybe once a year, or when I change Wi-Fi networks.

Q: Will resetting fix a camera that won’t record?

It can—especially if the issue is a software glitch or incorrect settings. But if the camera has a hardware problem (like a broken sensor), a reset won’t help. Try the reset first, but if recording still fails, contact Arlo support for replacement options.

Q: Can I reset a camera that’s not responding at all?

If the camera is completely dead (no lights, no power), the reset won’t work. First, charge it or plug it in. If it still won’t power on, the battery or charging circuit might be faulty. Try a different power source or contact support.

Q: Is there a way to reset all Arlo cameras at once?

No. Each camera must be reset individually. There’s no “bulk reset” feature. But once you’ve done one, the others go faster. Just remember to remove each from the app before re-adding.

Final Thoughts

Look, tech hiccups happen to everyone. Cameras freeze. Apps crash. Wi-Fi drops. But knowing how to factory reset Arlo Pro camera in 2026 easy guide puts you back in control.

This isn’t about being a tech wizard—it’s about being prepared. With just a paperclip and 15 minutes, you can turn a frustrating, unresponsive camera into a fresh, working device. No calls to support. No buying a new one.

Remember: charge your camera, hold the reset button for 10–15 seconds, remove it from the app, then re-pair it. Test it, tweak your settings, and you’re golden.

And if you’re passing your camera to someone else? A factory reset ensures they get a clean start—and you keep your privacy. Win-win.

So the next time your Arlo Pro acts up, don’t panic. Just grab a paperclip, take a deep breath, and follow this guide. You’ve got this.

Now go reset that camera—and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a job well done.

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