Reset your Arlo base station and camera in minutes by holding the reset button on the base station for 10 seconds until the LED flashes amber, then repeat on the camera. This quick fix resolves connectivity issues and restores factory settings, getting your security system back online fast—no technical expertise required.

How to Reset Arlo Base Station and Camera in Minutes

Key Takeaways

• Power off first: Always disconnect power before resetting to avoid damage.
• Locate reset button: Find the recessed button on base station or camera.
• Hold for 10 seconds: Press and hold until LED flashes to confirm reset.
• Re-pair devices: Reconnect cameras to base station after reset completes.
• Update firmware: Check for updates post-reset to ensure optimal performance.
• Keep credentials handy: Have your Arlo account details ready for re-setup.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Ever had your Arlo camera go dark mid-conversation? Or worse, the base station starts blinking red like it’s trying to warn you of an alien invasion? I’ve been there. One minute, you’re checking your front porch for package thieves. The next, your app says “Camera Offline.” Frustrating, right?

When your Arlo system acts up, it’s not broken. It’s just confused. Maybe the Wi-Fi dropped. Maybe a power surge scrambled the signal. Or maybe you just moved the base station and now nothing syncs. That’s when you need to know how to reset Arlo base station and camera in minutes.

Resetting isn’t about giving up. It’s about hitting the reset button—literally and figuratively. It clears temporary glitches, re-syncs devices, and often gets your home security back on track faster than you can say “motion alert.”

I’ve reset Arlo systems for friends, family, and my own setups. Some were easy. Some… well, let’s just say I learned the hard way. But now? I can reset any Arlo base station or camera in under five minutes. And I’ll show you exactly how.

Pro Insight: A reset isn’t the same as a factory reset. We’re focusing on quick, non-destructive resets first—perfect for most common issues. Save the full factory reset for when you’re giving the system to a friend or selling it.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s gather the essentials. You don’t need fancy tools or a tech degree. Just a few basic items:

• Your Arlo base station (the box that connects to your router)
• One or more Arlo cameras (wired or battery-powered)
• A paperclip or SIM ejector tool (for the reset button)
• Your smartphone or tablet (with the Arlo app installed)
• A stable Wi-Fi connection (5GHz or 2.4GHz—Arlo supports both)
• A power source (outlet for base station, charged batteries for cameras)
• 5–10 minutes of quiet time (no distractions—this should be quick!)

That’s it. No soldering irons. No network diagrams. Just you, your gear, and a few minutes to fix the problem.

Quick Note: If you’re using a battery-powered Arlo camera (like the Arlo Pro 4 or Essential Spotlight), make sure it’s charged. A low battery can mimic connection issues. Charge it first, then reset.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Reset Arlo Base Station and Camera in Minutes

Step 1: Power Cycle the Base Station (The “Soft Reset”)

Start here. It’s simple, safe, and fixes 60% of Arlo issues. Think of it like restarting your phone after a crash.

1. Unplug the base station from the power outlet.
2. Wait at least 10 seconds. (I count to 15 just to be safe.)
3. Plug it back in.
4. Wait for the status light to stabilize. Usually, it turns solid green or blue.

This clears temporary glitches in the base station’s memory. It won’t erase settings, but it forces a fresh connection to your router and cameras.

Why 10 seconds? Less than that, and the device doesn’t fully discharge. More than that, and you’re just waiting. 10 seconds is the sweet spot.

If your cameras come back online after this? Great! You’re done. If not, keep going. This is just the warm-up for how to reset Arlo base station and camera in minutes.

Step 2: Reset the Base Station Using the Reset Button

Now we’re getting serious. This is the hardware reset—the real deal. It forces the base station to re-enter setup mode.

1. Locate the reset button on the base station. It’s usually a tiny hole on the back or bottom. (Check your model’s manual if you can’t find it.)
2. Insert a paperclip or SIM tool into the hole.
3. Press and hold for 10 seconds. You’ll feel a slight click.
4. Release. The base station will restart.

After resetting, the status light will blink blue or amber. That means it’s in setup mode—ready to pair with your router and cameras.

Don’t panic if the light changes color. That’s normal. It just means the base station is rebooting and reconfiguring.

Warning: This reset doesn’t erase your account or recordings. But it does disconnect all cameras. You’ll need to re-sync them. That’s why we do this step-by-step.

Step 3: Reconnect the Base Station to Wi-Fi

Now the base station is “naked”—no Wi-Fi, no cameras. We need to dress it back up.

1. Open the Arlo app on your phone.
2. Tap “Add Device” or “Add a Base Station.”
3. Follow the prompts to connect the base station to your Wi-Fi.
4. Enter your Wi-Fi password when asked.
5. Wait for the base station to connect (usually 30–60 seconds).

The app will guide you. It’s like setting up a new smart plug. Simple.

If the base station doesn’t appear in the app, double-check:

• Your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network.
• The base station’s light is blinking.
• You’re within 10 feet of the base station.

Pro Tip: If you have a dual-band router (2.4GHz and 5GHz), connect the base station to 2.4GHz. It’s slower but has better range and penetration. Arlo cameras often struggle with 5GHz.

Step 4: Reset and Re-Sync Each Camera

Now for the cameras. Each one needs a quick reset and re-pair.

For Battery-Powered Cameras (Arlo Pro, Essential, etc.):

1. Remove the camera from its mount.
2. Open the battery compartment.
3. Press and hold the Sync button (usually inside the compartment) for 5 seconds.
4. The LED will flash amber, then blue.
5. Put the battery back in.

For Wired Cameras (Arlo Ultra, Pro 4, etc.):

1. Unplug the power cable.
2. Wait 10 seconds.
3. Plug it back in.
4. Press and hold the Sync button on the camera for 5 seconds once it boots.

Now, back to the app:

1. Tap “Add Device” again.
2. Select “Add a Camera.”
3. Choose the model.
4. Follow the on-screen steps to sync.

The app will search for cameras in pairing mode. It usually finds them in 10–30 seconds.

Real Talk: I once had a camera that wouldn’t sync no matter what. Turned out the Sync button was sticky. I used a toothpick to press it deeper. Worked like a charm. Don’t be afraid to gently press hard.

Step 5: Test the Connection and Adjust Settings

Don’t assume it’s fixed just because the app says “Online.” Test it.

1. Open the live feed for each camera.
2. Check the video quality, motion detection, and audio (if available).
3. Walk in front of each camera to trigger motion alerts.
4. Verify notifications arrive on your phone.

If a camera still shows “Offline” or “Poor Connection,” try:

• Moving the base station closer to the camera.
• Repositioning the camera (away from metal, concrete, or thick walls).
• Re-syncing the camera again.

Once everything works, go to the app and:

• Set up motion zones (so your cat doesn’t trigger alerts).
• Adjust sensitivity.
• Check cloud storage or local recording settings.

Quick Fix: If the camera feed is laggy, try switching to “Low Bandwidth” mode in the camera settings. It’s not HD, but it’s smooth.

Step 6: Full Factory Reset (Only If Necessary)

This is the nuclear option. Use it only if:

• You’re giving the system to someone else.
• You want to start completely fresh.
• Nothing else has worked after 3+ attempts.

To factory reset the base station:

1. Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds (not 10).
2. Wait for the light to flash rapidly.
3. Release. The base station will reboot and erase all settings.

To factory reset a camera:

1. Hold the Sync button for 15 seconds.
2. Release when the LED flashes red.
3. Wait for it to reboot (LED turns blue).

After a factory reset, you’ll need to set everything up from scratch—like unboxing it for the first time. But now you know how to reset Arlo base station and camera in minutes, so it’s no big deal.

Caution: Factory reset deletes all recordings (cloud and local). Back up important footage first!

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After resetting dozens of Arlo systems, I’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t. Here are my hard-earned insights:

• Don’t rush the 10-second hold. I once pressed the reset button for 3 seconds and wondered why nothing changed. Patience is key.
• Reset one device at a time. If you reset the base station and all cameras at once, the app gets confused. Do base station first, then cameras.
• Keep your phone close to the base station during setup. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals matter. I once stood across the room and the app couldn’t find the base station.
• Check for firmware updates after resetting. Go to Settings > Device Info > Firmware. A new update can fix bugs that caused the original problem.
• Use the Arlo app, not the web portal. The app has better troubleshooting tools. The web version is outdated and clunky.
• Label your cameras. After a reset, it’s easy to mix up the front door and backyard cameras. I use sticky notes on the mounts.
• Don’t ignore the battery. A camera with 5% battery will drop offline. Charge it fully before resetting.

My Biggest Mistake: I once reset my base station while my toddler was napping. The cameras started beeping during setup. Cue screaming. Now I always reset during quiet hours. Lesson learned.

Also, avoid these common pitfalls:

• Using a weak Wi-Fi password. If the base station can’t connect, it won’t sync cameras. Use a strong, stable network.
• Resetting during a storm. Power surges can damage electronics. Wait for calm weather.
• Skipping the app update. Old app versions have bugs. Update it before resetting.

And one more thing: don’t panic if it takes two tries. Sometimes the first reset doesn’t stick. That’s normal. Just repeat the steps. It’s part of how to reset Arlo base station and camera in minutes—not always the first time.

FAQs About How to Reset Arlo Base Station and Camera in Minutes

Q: Will resetting delete my videos?

Nope. A standard reset (10-second button press) only clears temporary settings. Your cloud recordings stay safe. Only a factory reset (30 seconds) erases data. And even then, cloud videos stay unless you manually delete them.

Q: Why won’t my camera sync after resetting?

Usually, it’s one of three things: low battery, weak signal, or a sticky Sync button. Charge the camera, move it closer to the base station, and press the Sync button firmly. I once used a paperclip to press it through the housing—worked every time.

Q: Can I reset the base station remotely?

No. You need physical access to press the reset button. But you can restart it via the app (Settings > Restart Base Station). That’s not a full reset, though—it’s more like a soft reboot.

Q: My base station light is blinking red. What does it mean?

Red usually means no internet connection. Check your Wi-Fi, restart your router, and make sure the base station is connected to 2.4GHz (not 5GHz). If it stays red, reset the base station and reconfigure Wi-Fi.

Q: Do I need to reset every time the camera goes offline?

Not always. Try a power cycle first (unplug/replug). If it comes back, great. If not, then reset. Frequent dropouts? Check Wi-Fi signal strength or upgrade your router.

Q: What if the Arlo app doesn’t find my camera?

Make sure the camera is in pairing mode (LED flashing blue). Then:

• Restart the app.
• Move your phone closer to the camera.
• Try a different phone or tablet.
• As a last resort, factory reset the camera.

Q: Is there a way to reset without the app?

Not really. The app is essential for pairing and setup. But you can use the web portal (my.arlo.com) if you hate the app. Just log in and follow similar steps.

Final Thoughts

Look, resetting your Arlo system isn’t scary. It’s just like restarting a phone or router. The key to how to reset Arlo base station and camera in minutes is patience and order.

Start with the base station. Power cycle it. Then reset it. Reconnect to Wi-Fi. Then tackle each camera one by one. Test everything. And if it fails? Try again. Most issues vanish on the second try.

Remember: you’re not breaking anything. You’re just giving your security system a fresh start. And once it’s back online, you’ll sleep better knowing your home is protected.

So next time your Arlo camera goes dark, don’t call tech support. Don’t buy a new system. Just grab a paperclip, follow these steps, and fix it yourself. In minutes.

You’ve got this. And now you know exactly how to reset Arlo base station and camera in minutes—without stress, without confusion, and without calling your cousin who “knows tech.”

Happy resetting!