Reset your Arlo camera in minutes by holding the sync button for 10 seconds until the LED flashes amber, then re-pair it to your phone via the Arlo app. This simple troubleshooting step resolves most connection issues and ensures smooth re-linking during setup or after network changes.

How to Reset Arlo Camera When Learning in to Phone Made Easy

Key Takeaways

• Locate reset button: Find the reset button on your Arlo camera for quick troubleshooting.
• Press and hold: Hold the reset button for 10 seconds until the LED flashes amber.
• Re-sync via app: Use the Arlo app to re-pair the camera after resetting it.
• Check Wi-Fi signal: Ensure strong Wi-Fi to avoid login issues post-reset.
• Update firmware: Always update camera firmware for optimal performance after reset.
• Factory reset option: Use app settings for a full reset if physical reset fails.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be honest: nothing is more frustrating than setting up your Arlo camera, only to have it refuse to connect to your phone. You’ve followed the app instructions, tapped every button, and still—nothing. The camera blinks, your phone spins, and you’re stuck in that dreaded “learning mode” loop.

This is where how to reset Arlo camera when learning in to phone made easy becomes your secret weapon. Whether you’re troubleshooting a new setup, reconfiguring after a Wi-Fi change, or just trying to get your smart home back online, a proper reset can save you hours of frustration.

I’ve been there. My first Arlo setup took me three evenings, two coffees, and one near-throw-my-phone moment. The issue? The camera was stuck in “sync mode,” and the app kept saying “searching for device.” Sound familiar?

The truth is, the Arlo camera’s “learning mode” (also called sync or pairing mode) is a great feature—when it works. But when it doesn’t, it feels like the camera is ghosting you. That’s why knowing how to reset Arlo camera when learning in to phone made easy is essential. It’s not just about fixing a glitch; it’s about regaining control of your security system.

Whether you’re dealing with a new camera, a firmware update gone wrong, or a network change, this guide will walk you through the process—step by step, with zero jargon, and plenty of real-world tips.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s gather everything you’ll need. The good news? You probably already have most of this at home.

• Your Arlo camera (obviously) – any model (Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, Ultra, Essential, etc.)
• Smartphone or tablet with the Arlo app installed (iOS or Android)
• Stable Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz only for most Arlo cameras—5 GHz won’t work)
• Arlo base station (if you have one) – not required for all models, but helpful
• Small paperclip or SIM ejector tool – for the reset button
• Fully charged camera battery or power source – a low battery can cause sync failures
• Patience (and maybe a snack) – because tech doesn’t always play nice on the first try

Pro Tip: Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network your camera will use. If you’re on mobile data or a different network, the app can’t “see” the camera. I learned this the hard way when I tried setting up my backyard camera from my office Wi-Fi—total fail.

Now that you’re ready, let’s get into the actual process—no fluff, no tech-speak, just clear, actionable steps.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Reset Arlo Camera When Learning in to Phone Made Easy

Step 1: Power Up Your Camera and Prepare the Environment

First things first: make sure your Arlo camera is powered. If it’s battery-operated, charge it fully. A low battery can cause the camera to behave erratically during setup.

Place the camera within 10–15 feet of your Wi-Fi router or base station. This ensures a strong signal during the reset and re-pairing process. I once tried setting up a camera in my basement from my second-floor router—signal kept dropping. Not ideal.

Also, turn off any Bluetooth devices or other wireless gadgets nearby. They can interfere with the sync process. Think of it like a quiet room for your camera to focus.

Warning: Avoid placing the camera near microwaves, cordless phones, or thick concrete walls. These can block Wi-Fi signals and confuse the camera during learning mode.

Step 2: Trigger a Factory Reset on the Camera

This is the core of how to reset Arlo camera when learning in to phone made easy. A factory reset clears all network settings and puts the camera back into “new out of box” mode, ready to pair.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Locate the reset button on your Arlo camera. It’s usually a tiny hole on the side or bottom, labeled “Reset” or “Sync.”
2. Use a paperclip or SIM ejector tool to gently press and hold the button.
3. Keep holding for 10–15 seconds until the LED light starts flashing amber (yellow) or blue, depending on your model.
4. Release the button. The camera will reboot and enter “sync mode” (also called learning mode).

For models with a base station (like Arlo Pro or Ultra), you can also reset the base station by pressing its sync button for 10 seconds. This is helpful if the camera is syncing through the base, not directly to Wi-Fi.

Pro Tip: If your camera has a status light, watch it closely. A solid amber light means it’s resetting. A blinking blue light usually means it’s ready to pair. If it’s blinking red, there’s an issue—check the battery or power source.

Step 3: Open the Arlo App and Start the Re-Setup Process

Now that your camera is reset and in learning mode, it’s time to bring your phone into the game.

1. Open the Arlo app on your phone.
2. Log in to your Arlo account. If you don’t have one, create it now (free tier available).
3. Tap the “+” or “Add Device” button (usually in the top-right corner).
4. Select your camera model from the list (e.g., Arlo Pro 3, Arlo Essential, etc.).
5. Choose “Add a Camera” and follow the on-screen prompts.

The app will now search for cameras in learning mode. This can take 30–60 seconds. Don’t panic if it doesn’t show up right away.

Real Talk: The app sometimes says “no devices found.” If that happens, wait another 30 seconds. The camera might be rebooting. I’ve had it take up to 2 minutes—just stay calm and patient.

Step 4: Connect to Wi-Fi (or Base Station)

This is where many people get stuck. The camera needs to connect to your home Wi-Fi (or base station) to finish the reset and sync process.

If your camera connects directly to Wi-Fi (like Arlo Essential or Arlo Pro 3 without a base):

1. The app will prompt you to select your Wi-Fi network.
2. Enter your Wi-Fi password carefully. Typos are the #1 reason for setup failure.
3. Wait for the camera to connect. This can take 1–3 minutes.

If you’re using a base station:

1. Make sure the base station is powered and connected to your router via Ethernet.
2. When prompted, select the base station from the app.
3. The camera will sync with the base, which then connects to your network.

Once connected, the camera’s LED should turn solid blue or green, and the app will show “Setup Complete.”

Pro Tip: Use a Wi-Fi password you know by heart. Copy-pasting from a password manager sometimes includes invisible characters that break the connection. I once spent 20 minutes troubleshooting a “wrong password” error—only to realize my password had a space at the end.

Step 5: Name Your Camera and Set Up Motion Zones (Optional but Recommended)

Now that your camera is online, give it a name—like “Front Door” or “Backyard.” This makes it easier to manage multiple cameras.

Next, set up motion detection zones. This is where you tell the camera what areas to monitor (e.g., your front porch) and what to ignore (e.g., swaying trees).

1. In the app, go to your camera’s settings.
2. Tap “Motion Detection” or “Activity Zones.”
3. Draw boxes on the screen to define active areas.
4. Adjust sensitivity if needed (I keep mine at medium—high sensitivity catches too many false alarms).

You can also set up notifications—like “Send me a push alert when motion is detected between 9 PM and 6 AM.”

Step 6: Test the Connection and View Live Feed

Don’t skip this step! A successful reset isn’t complete until you confirm everything works.

1. Tap on your camera in the app.
2. Check if the live feed loads within 10 seconds.
3. Wave your hand in front of the camera to test motion detection.
4. Check if you get a notification (if enabled).

If the feed is blurry or laggy, check your Wi-Fi signal. Move the camera closer to the router or consider a Wi-Fi extender.

Real-Life Example: I once reset a camera perfectly, but the feed was pixelated. Turns out, the camera was on a 5 GHz network, but my phone was on 2.4 GHz. They couldn’t communicate. Switching my phone to 2.4 GHz fixed it instantly.

Step 7: Re-Add to Arlo Smart (If You Use It)

If you have an Arlo Smart subscription (for advanced features like person detection or package alerts), you’ll need to re-enable it.

1. Go to the camera’s settings in the app.
2. Tap “Arlo Smart” and re-subscribe if needed.
3. Re-enable any custom alerts or AI features.

Note: Some features may take a few minutes to activate after the reset.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After setting up dozens of Arlo cameras (and fixing even more), here are the real-world insights you won’t find in the manual.

Pro Tip 1: Reset the base station and the camera if you’re having sync issues. Sometimes the base station holds onto old network data, confusing the camera.

Pro Tip 2: Use the Arlo app’s “Camera Status” screen to check signal strength, battery level, and last activity. It’s a goldmine for troubleshooting.

Pro Tip 3: If the camera keeps disconnecting, try assigning it a static IP address in your router settings. This prevents IP conflicts that cause dropouts.

Pro Tip 4: For outdoor cameras, avoid placing them in direct sunlight. Heat can damage the electronics and cause erratic behavior during setup.

Now, the mistakes I’ve seen (and made myself):

• Using 5 GHz Wi-Fi: Most Arlo cameras only work on 2.4 GHz. If your router broadcasts both, make sure your phone connects to the 2.4 GHz network during setup.
• Skipping the factory reset: Just turning the camera off and on won’t clear the old network. You need a full reset.
• Ignoring the LED light: The light tells you everything. Blinking red? Battery low. Solid amber? Resetting. Blinking blue? Ready to pair.
• Using a weak Wi-Fi signal: A weak signal causes timeouts. If the setup fails repeatedly, move the camera closer to the router.
• Forgetting to update the app: Outdated apps can’t communicate with newer camera firmware. Always check for updates before resetting.

Warning: Never reset your camera during a firmware update. Wait until the update finishes—otherwise, you risk bricking the device.

FAQs About How to Reset Arlo Camera When Learning in to Phone Made Easy

Let’s tackle the questions I get most often from friends, family, and Reddit threads.

Q: Why won’t my Arlo camera enter learning mode after a reset?

Great question. If the camera doesn’t flash blue or amber after holding the reset button, it might be:

• Low battery – charge it fully before resetting.
• Hardware issue – try a different power source.
• Faulty reset button – press harder, or try a different tool.

If nothing works, contact Arlo support. Some cameras need a firmware recovery tool.

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

Yes, but only for basic resetting. The physical reset button clears network settings, but you’ll still need the app to reconnect it to Wi-Fi and your account. The app is essential for full setup.

Q: How do I reset an Arlo camera that’s already paired?

Same process! The factory reset button works regardless of pairing status. Just hold it for 10–15 seconds. The camera will forget all networks and return to factory settings.

After resetting, you’ll need to re-pair it using the app—exactly as we did above.

Q: Why does the app say “Camera Not Found” even after a reset?

This usually means:

• Your phone isn’t on the same Wi-Fi network.
• The camera isn’t in learning mode (check the LED).
• There’s interference from other devices.

Try turning off Bluetooth, moving closer to the router, or restarting your phone. I’ve fixed this by simply toggling airplane mode on and off.

Q: Does resetting delete my recordings?

No. Resetting only clears network and sync settings. Your recordings (stored in the cloud or SD card) remain safe. However, if you delete the camera from your account after resetting, that’s a different story.

Q: Can I reset multiple Arlo cameras at once?

Yes, but do them one at a time. If you reset two cameras and they both enter learning mode, the app might get confused. I recommend:

• Reset and set up Camera 1.
• Wait until it’s fully online.
• Then reset and set up Camera 2.

This keeps the process clean and error-free.

Q: What if the camera keeps disconnecting after reset?

This is often a Wi-Fi issue. Try:

• Moving the camera closer to the router.
• Using a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network.
• Changing the Wi-Fi channel (via your router settings).

Also, check for firmware updates in the Arlo app. A simple update can fix connectivity bugs.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to reset Arlo camera when learning in to phone made easy isn’t just about fixing a glitch—it’s about mastering your smart home. Whether you’re a tech newbie or a DIY pro, knowing this process gives you confidence and control.

Remember: resetting is simple. Hold the button, watch the light, follow the app. Most issues come from Wi-Fi, not the camera itself. Keep your phone on 2.4 GHz, charge the battery, and don’t rush.

And if it fails? Try again. I’ve reset the same camera three times in one day—and it finally worked. Tech isn’t perfect, but persistence is.

Now, go reset that camera. Your front door, backyard, or baby’s room will thank you. And hey—if you run into trouble, leave a comment or hit up Arlo’s support. You’re not alone in this.

Stay secure, stay connected, and keep learning. Because the easier it gets, the more you’ll love your smart home.