Resetting your Arlo camera is quick and simple—just press and hold the sync button for 10–15 seconds until the LED flashes amber, then release to restore factory settings. This process erases all custom configurations, making it ideal for troubleshooting, re-pairing, or preparing the device for a new user.

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How to Reset Arlo Camera Quick and Easy Guide

Key Takeaways

• Locate the reset button: Find the small hole on your Arlo camera for manual resets.
• Press and hold: Use a paperclip to hold the button for 10+ seconds until lights flash.
• Wait for reboot: Allow 2–3 minutes for the camera to fully restart post-reset.
• Re-sync with base station: Reconnect to Wi-Fi and pair again via the Arlo app.
• Factory reset via app: Use the Arlo app for a quicker, software-based reset option.
• Check power source: Ensure stable power during reset to avoid interruptions.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s face it—technology can be frustrating when it stops working. I remember the day my Arlo camera suddenly stopped sending alerts. No motion detection. No live feed. Just… silence. After hours of troubleshooting, I realized the issue wasn’t the Wi-Fi or the batteries. It was time for a reset.

Whether your Arlo camera is frozen, disconnected, or acting up after a software update, knowing how to reset Arlo camera quick and easy guide can save you time, stress, and unnecessary support calls. A reset doesn’t delete your footage, but it does restore the camera to factory settings, fixing most glitches in the process.

And here’s the best part: you don’t need to be a tech genius. With a few simple steps and the right tools, you can get your camera back online in under 10 minutes. This guide walks you through the entire process—safely, clearly, and without jargon.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s gather what you’ll need. Don’t worry—it’s nothing fancy. Most of this is already in your Arlo kit or on your phone.

• Your Arlo camera (obviously!)
• A paperclip or small pin (for the reset button)
• The Arlo app (installed on your smartphone or tablet)
• Your Arlo account login (email and password)
• A stable Wi-Fi connection (2.4 GHz network recommended)
• A fully charged camera or fresh batteries (for wireless models)

Pro tip: If you’re using an Arlo Pro or Ultra, make sure your base station is powered on and connected to your router. Some resets require the base station to be active.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Reset Arlo Camera Quick and Easy Guide

Step 1: Decide Between a Soft Reset and a Factory Reset

Not all resets are the same. Think of it like restarting your phone (soft reset) versus wiping it clean and setting it up again (factory reset).

A soft reset is like a restart—it refreshes the camera’s connection but keeps your settings. Use this if your camera is frozen or unresponsive but still connected.

A factory reset erases all settings, including Wi-Fi credentials and paired devices. Use this if you’re selling the camera, having persistent connectivity issues, or following this how to reset Arlo camera quick and easy guide for full troubleshooting.

When in doubt, go with the factory reset. It fixes more problems and gives you a clean slate.

Step 2: Perform a Soft Reset (Optional)

If your camera is still showing up in the app but not responding, try this first.

1. Open the Arlo app on your phone.
2. Tap on the camera that’s acting up.
3. Tap the three-dot menu (or gear icon) in the top-right corner.
4. Select “Restart Camera”.
5. Wait about 30–60 seconds. The camera will power down and reboot.

After it restarts, check if it’s working. If not, proceed to the factory reset.

Warning: A soft reset won’t help if the camera isn’t connecting to your network or base station. In that case, skip straight to the factory reset.

Step 3: Locate the Reset Button on Your Arlo Camera

This is the physical reset—the one that does the heavy lifting.

Most Arlo cameras (like the Pro, Ultra, Essential, and Go) have a tiny reset button, usually hidden under a rubber flap on the back or bottom. Here’s where to find it:

• Arlo Pro/Ultra: On the back, under the rubber flap near the charging port.
• Arlo Essential (Indoor/Outdoor): Bottom of the camera, under a small rubber cover.
• Arlo Go: On the side, near the SIM card tray.
• Arlo Wire-Free (original): Under the back cover, near the battery compartment.

Use a paperclip, SIM ejector tool, or small pin to gently press the button. Don’t stab it—just a firm, steady press.

Step 4: Perform the Factory Reset

Now, the actual reset. This is the core of this how to reset Arlo camera quick and easy guide.

1. Make sure the camera is powered on (LED light should be on).
2. Press and hold the reset button for 10–15 seconds.
3. Watch the LED light. It will blink rapidly (usually blue or amber) when the reset starts.
4. After about 10 seconds, the light will change to a slow, steady blink or turn off and back on. This means the reset is complete.
5. Release the button.

Wait 1–2 minutes for the camera to fully reboot. During this time, the LED may flash in different patterns—this is normal.

Real talk: I once held the button for only 5 seconds and wondered why the reset didn’t work. Hold it longer than you think you need to. 15 seconds is safe.

Step 5: Remove the Camera from the Arlo App (If Needed)

If you’re setting up the camera again on the same account, you need to remove it first. Otherwise, it will show up as “offline” or “unreachable.”

1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Go to Settings > My Devices > [Your Camera Name].
3. Tap “Remove Device”.
4. Confirm the removal.

This clears the old connection data so your phone can recognize the freshly reset camera.

Skipping this step is a common mistake. Your phone still thinks the old camera is there—even though it’s been reset. This causes confusion during setup.

Step 6: Re-Add the Camera to Your Arlo App

Now it’s time to set it up again—like it’s brand new.

1. In the Arlo app, tap the “+” icon to add a new device.
2. Select your camera model (e.g., Arlo Pro 4, Arlo Essential, etc.).
3. Follow the on-screen prompts. The app will ask you to:
   • Enter your Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz only for most models).
   • Enter your Wi-Fi password.
   • Scan the QR code on the camera (if prompted).
4. Wait while the camera connects. This can take 1–3 minutes.

Once connected, you’ll see a confirmation message and the camera will appear in your device list.

Pro tip: Place the camera close to your router during setup. Weak signal = failed connection, even after a successful reset.

Step 7: Test the Camera

Don’t assume it’s working just because it’s online. Test it.

• Open the live feed in the app.
• Check motion detection: walk in front of the camera.
• Test night vision (if applicable).
• Verify two-way audio (if your model has a mic and speaker).

If everything works, great! If not, don’t panic. Try moving the camera closer to the router or base station. Or, if you’re using a base station, make sure it’s connected via Ethernet—not Wi-Fi.

Step 8: Re-Sync with Base Station (For Arlo Pro/Ultra Users)

If you have a base station, your camera won’t work without it. After reset, it needs to pair again.

1. Make sure the base station is powered on and connected to your router.
2. In the Arlo app, go to Settings > Base Station > Add Camera.
3. Follow the prompts. The app will guide you to press the sync button on the base station and the camera.
4. Wait for the sync to complete (LED on camera turns solid).

Once synced, the camera will appear in your device list and start recording to the base station.

Warning: If the sync fails, check the distance between the camera and base station. They should be within 300 feet (line of sight) for reliable pairing.

Step 9: Update Firmware (If Available)

After reset, your camera may be running outdated firmware. Updates often fix bugs and improve performance.

1. In the Arlo app, go to Settings > My Devices > [Camera Name].
2. Look for “Firmware Update”.
3. If an update is available, tap “Update Now”.
4. Wait. The camera will reboot during the update.

Never unplug or reset the camera during a firmware update. It could brick the device.

Step 10: Re-Configure Your Settings

Now that your camera is back online, restore your preferences:

• Set activity zones (to ignore pets or passing cars).
• Adjust motion sensitivity.
• Enable or disable notifications.
• Set recording schedules (if using cloud or local storage).
• Add the camera to a smart home routine (e.g., Alexa, Google Home).

Take your time here. These settings make the difference between a useful camera and one that drives you nuts with false alerts.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After resetting dozens of Arlo cameras (both my own and for friends), I’ve learned a few things the hard way. Here are the real insights:

Pro tip #1: Label your cameras before resetting. If you have multiple, it’s easy to mix them up during re-setup. I once set up my front door camera in the backyard—don’t ask.

Pro tip #2: Use a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Arlo cameras (except some newer models) don’t support 5 GHz. If you only have a 5 GHz network, use a dual-band router or set up a guest network on 2.4 GHz.

Pro tip #3: Reset the base station too if multiple cameras are down. Sometimes the base station needs a restart. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.

Common mistake #1: Not removing the camera from the app before re-adding. This causes “device not found” or “setup failed” errors. Always remove first.

Common mistake #2: Holding the reset button too short. 5 seconds isn’t enough. Hold it for 10–15 seconds until the LED changes pattern.

Common mistake #3: Skipping the Wi-Fi password. After reset, the camera forgets your network. You’ll need to enter it again—don’t assume it remembers.

Common mistake #4: Setting up in a poor signal area. Even if the camera connects, a weak signal leads to dropouts. Test the Wi-Fi strength with your phone first.

And one last thing: don’t reset just because your camera is slow. Try rebooting your router first. Sometimes the issue is network congestion, not the camera.

FAQs About How to Reset Arlo Camera Quick and Easy Guide

Q: Will resetting delete my recorded videos?

No. A factory reset only erases the camera’s settings and Wi-Fi data. Your videos are stored in the cloud (if you have a subscription) or on the base station’s SD card. They stay safe.

However, if you’re using local storage (like an SD card in the base station), make sure to back it up before resetting. The reset won’t delete the card, but reformatting during setup might.

Q: How often should I reset my Arlo camera?

Only when needed. I reset mine once every 6–12 months—usually after a major firmware update or if it starts acting weird. Don’t reset regularly. It’s not like restarting your phone daily.

Think of it like a “last resort” for when troubleshooting fails.

Q: My camera won’t reset. What’s wrong?

Check these first:

• Is the camera powered on? (LED should be on.)
• Are you holding the reset button long enough? (10–15 seconds.)
• Is the rubber flap covering the button? (Remove it.)
• Are the batteries low? (Charge or replace them.)

If it still won’t reset, try a soft reset via the app first. Sometimes the physical button is unresponsive if the camera is frozen.

Q: Can I reset an Arlo camera remotely?

Yes—but only a soft reset. You can restart the camera from the Arlo app, no matter where you are. A factory reset requires physical access to the camera.

So if you’re away and your camera is frozen, use the app’s restart option. But if it’s completely unresponsive, you’ll need to be there in person.

Q: What if the camera still doesn’t connect after reset?

Try these steps:

1. Check your Wi-Fi password. Typos are common.
2. Move the camera closer to the router or base station.
3. Restart your router.
4. Ensure your router isn’t blocking the camera (check firewall settings).
5. Try setting up on a different Wi-Fi network (like a hotspot).

If nothing works, contact Arlo support. They can check if there’s a hardware issue.

Q: Does resetting fix battery drain?

Sometimes. If the camera is stuck in a loop (e.g., constantly reconnecting), a reset can stop the drain. But if the battery is old or damaged, resetting won’t help.

For battery issues, also check:

• Motion detection sensitivity (high sensitivity = more recording = faster drain).
• Night vision usage (IR LEDs use more power).
• Temperature (extreme cold reduces battery life).

Q: Is there a difference between resetting wired and wireless Arlo cameras?

Not really. Both use the same reset button and process. The only difference is power: wireless models need charged batteries, while wired ones need to be plugged in.

For wired models (like Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight), make sure the power adapter is connected during the reset.

Final Thoughts

Resetting your Arlo camera isn’t scary. It’s actually one of the most effective ways to fix common issues—and this how to reset Arlo camera quick and easy guide proves it.

You now know how to:

• Choose the right type of reset.
• Use the reset button safely.
• Reconnect the camera to your app and Wi-Fi.
• Avoid common mistakes that waste time.

Remember: a reset is not a sign of failure. It’s a tool—like restarting your phone or router. Use it wisely, and your Arlo camera will keep protecting your home for years.

Next time your camera freezes, don’t panic. Grab a paperclip, follow these steps, and get back to peace of mind. And hey—if you run into trouble, leave a comment. I’ve been there, and I’ll help you through it.

Now go enjoy that crisp, reliable video feed. You’ve earned it.

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