Reset your Arlo Pro camera in seconds by pressing and holding the reset button for 10 seconds until the LED flashes amber—this instantly restores factory settings for a fresh setup. Perfect for troubleshooting or preparing to resell, this quick fix ensures your camera reconnects smoothly to your network with minimal downtime.
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How to Reset Arlo Pro Camera Quick and Easy Guide
Key Takeaways
- Locate the reset button: Find the small hole on the camera’s base or side.
- Press and hold: Use a paperclip to hold the button for 10 seconds.
- Wait for LED flash: Release when the LED blinks amber and green.
- Re-sync with base station: Follow the app’s prompts to reconnect the camera.
- Update firmware: Ensure latest software post-reset for optimal performance.
- Keep Wi-Fi details ready: Have your network credentials handy for reconnection.
Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem
Ever had that moment when your Arlo Pro camera just… stops working? Maybe it’s not connecting to Wi-Fi, the app won’t recognize it, or you’re seeing a solid red light that won’t go away. I’ve been there—frustrated, staring at a blinking light, wondering if I’d need to call tech support or just buy a new camera.
Here’s the good news: in most cases, a reset fixes it. And no, it doesn’t mean starting from scratch. A reset is like giving your camera a fresh breath of air. Whether you’re troubleshooting connectivity issues, preparing to sell or gift the camera, or just want to clear out old settings, knowing how to reset Arlo Pro camera quick and easy guide can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
This guide walks you through every step, shares real-life hacks I’ve learned over years of using Arlo systems, and helps you avoid the mistakes I’ve made (yes, even the one where I accidentally reset the wrong camera).
What You Need
Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have everything ready. The good news? You probably already have most of this lying around.
Visual guide about how to reset arlo pro camera
Image source: digitaltrends.com
- Your Arlo Pro camera (obviously)
- A paperclip or small pin (for the reset button)
- The Arlo app (downloaded on your smartphone or tablet)
- Wi-Fi network details (name and password)
- A fully charged battery or power adapter (don’t reset while low on juice)
- Your Arlo account login (email and password)
Pro tip: If you’re resetting to set up in a new location, write down your Wi-Fi password ahead of time. Nothing’s worse than getting halfway through and realizing you can’t remember the guest network password from three years ago.
You don’t need any special tools or software. The entire how to reset Arlo Pro camera quick and easy guide relies on built-in features and your smartphone.
Step-by-Step Guide to How to Reset Arlo Pro Camera Quick and Easy Guide
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. I’ll walk you through two main types of resets: a soft reset (recommended first step) and a hard factory reset (when things go sideways). I’ll also cover what to do after the reset—because the work doesn’t end when the light turns green.
Step 1: Try a Soft Reset First (The “Let’s Not Panic” Approach)
Before you go nuclear with a factory reset, try this gentle method. It clears temporary glitches without deleting your settings.
- Open the Arlo app and log in.
- Tap the camera you want to reset.
- Go to Settings > My Devices > [Your Camera Name].
- Look for “Restart” or “Reboot” and tap it.
- Wait 1–2 minutes. The camera will power down and restart.
This is perfect if your camera froze during a firmware update or is just acting sluggish. Think of it like restarting your phone when it’s acting weird.
Real story: I once had a camera stuck in “updating” mode for 45 minutes. A soft reset fixed it in under two minutes. No data loss, no stress.
After the restart, check if your issue is resolved. If not, it’s time for the next step in our how to reset Arlo Pro camera quick and easy guide.
Step 2: Perform a Factory Reset (The “Clean Slate” Method)
This erases all settings, removes the camera from your account, and returns it to factory defaults. Use this when:
- The camera won’t connect to Wi-Fi
- You’re giving or selling it to someone else
- You’re troubleshooting persistent app errors
Here’s how:
- Power on the camera (fully charged or plugged in).
- Locate the reset button—it’s a tiny hole on the back or bottom of the camera, often labeled “Reset.”
- Insert a paperclip or pin into the hole and press gently.
- Hold for 10 seconds. Don’t rush—count slowly: “one thousand one, one thousand two…”
- When the LED light blinks amber, release the button.
- Wait 2–3 minutes. The light will turn green when the reset is complete.
Warning: If the light stays amber or blinks red, the reset failed. Try again—sometimes the button needs a firmer press. I’ve had to press twice before it registered.
Once the green light appears, the camera is reset. But we’re not done yet.
Step 3: Remove the Camera from Your Arlo Account (Critical!)
Even after a factory reset, the camera may still show up in your app as “offline” or “disconnected.” That’s because it’s still linked to your account. Here’s how to fully unregister it:
- Open the Arlo app.
- Go to Settings > My Devices.
- Tap the camera you just reset.
- Select “Remove Device” or “Delete”.
- Confirm when prompted.
This step is essential if you’re selling the camera or setting it up under a new account. Without it, the new owner might not be able to claim it.
Pro tip: I once forgot this step and sold a camera—only for the buyer to call me saying it wouldn’t pair. I had to log in, remove it, and email them the instructions. Lesson learned.
Now, the camera is truly ready for a fresh start—part of a proper how to reset Arlo Pro camera quick and easy guide.
Step 4: Reconnect to Wi-Fi (The “Let’s Get Back Online” Phase)
With the camera reset and unregistered, it’s time to set it up again. Think of this like the first time you used it.
- Open the Arlo app.
- Tap “Add Device” or “+” on the home screen.
- Select “Arlo Pro” from the list.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to scan the QR code on the camera.
- When prompted, enter your Wi-Fi network name and password.
- Wait for the camera to connect. The LED will turn blue when successful.
If you have multiple cameras, repeat for each one. The app will guide you through naming them (e.g., “Front Door,” “Backyard”).
Real-life tip: Use a strong Wi-Fi signal. I learned the hard way that my “Garage” camera kept disconnecting because it was on the edge of my network. Moving my router or adding a mesh node fixed it.
This step is where many people get tripped up—especially with Wi-Fi passwords. Take your time. The how to reset Arlo Pro camera quick and easy guide isn’t just about resetting; it’s about setting up for long-term success.
Step 5: Test and Optimize (Don’t Skip This!)
Just because it’s connected doesn’t mean it’s working perfectly. Test it:
- Open the live feed in the app.
- Check video quality (should be clear, not pixelated).
- Trigger motion detection (walk in front of the camera).
- Verify notifications arrive on your phone.
- Check battery level (if wireless).
If the video is laggy or motion alerts are delayed, try:
- Moving the camera closer to your router
- Switching to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (Arlo Pro doesn’t support 5 GHz)
- Updating the camera firmware (in Settings > Device Info)
My experience: After a reset, one camera had “motion detected” alerts 30 seconds late. Updating the firmware fixed it. Always check for updates!
This final test ensures your reset was successful and your camera is ready for real-world use.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over the years, I’ve made every mistake in the book. Here’s what I wish someone had told me:
1. Don’t skip the “Remove Device” step. I can’t stress this enough. A factory reset isn’t complete until the camera is removed from your account. Otherwise, it’s like giving someone a car with your keys still in the glovebox.
2. Use the right Wi-Fi band. Arlo Pro cameras only work on 2.4 GHz networks. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under the same name, your phone might connect to 5 GHz while the camera fails on 2.4 GHz. Separate the networks during setup (you can re-merge later).
3. Reset one camera at a time. If you have multiple cameras, don’t reset them all at once. I did this once and spent an hour figuring out which camera was which. Label them with sticky notes if needed.
4. Keep firmware updated. After a reset, the camera might run old firmware. Always check for updates in the app. New firmware often includes bug fixes that prevent future issues.
5. Don’t panic at the amber light. During a reset, the amber light means it’s working. Only worry if it stays amber for more than 5 minutes or turns solid red.
6. Use a strong Wi-Fi signal. I’ve seen people reset cameras because they thought they were broken—only to realize their Wi-Fi was weak. Use a Wi-Fi analyzer app to check signal strength at the camera’s location.
7. Save your setup details. Before resetting, take a screenshot of your camera’s settings (motion zones, activity zones, recording schedules). It’ll make reconfiguration much faster.
Common mistake: Rushing the reset. I once held the button for 5 seconds instead of 10 and wondered why it didn’t work. Count slowly. Patience pays off.
These tips aren’t just theoretical—they’re from real-world use. Following them will make your how to reset Arlo Pro camera quick and easy guide experience smoother and stress-free.
FAQs About How to Reset Arlo Pro Camera Quick and Easy Guide
Let’s tackle the questions I get most often—straight from my inbox and Reddit threads.
Q: Will a reset delete my recorded videos?
Great question. No, a factory reset doesn’t delete videos stored in the cloud. If you have an Arlo Smart subscription or are using local storage (like a USB drive), your footage is safe. However, any local settings (like motion zones or activity zones) will be erased. That’s why I recommend saving screenshots of your setup before resetting.
Q: Can I reset a camera that’s not connected?
Absolutely. The physical reset button works even if the camera is offline. In fact, that’s often why you’d reset it—because it won’t connect! Just press and hold the button as described. The camera will reset regardless of Wi-Fi status.
Q: How long does the reset process take?
About 5–10 minutes total. The physical reset takes 2–3 minutes (10 seconds to press the button, then waiting for the green light). Re-adding it to the app takes another 2–3 minutes. Testing adds a few more. I usually set aside 15 minutes to be safe.
Q: What if the reset button doesn’t work?
Try a firmer press. Sometimes the button is stiff. If it still doesn’t work, check if the camera is powered on. A dead battery can prevent the reset from registering. Also, ensure you’re pressing for the full 10 seconds—no shortcuts!
Q: Can I reset multiple cameras at once?
Technically, yes—but don’t. Reset and reconfigure one at a time. Otherwise, you’ll have a bunch of unnamed cameras in your app, and it’ll be a nightmare to match them to their locations. Trust me, I’ve been there.
Q: Will a reset fix a “No Signal” error?
It can help, but not always. If the “No Signal” is due to a software glitch, a reset often fixes it. But if it’s a hardware issue (like a damaged antenna or power supply), a reset won’t help. Try the reset first—it’s free and easy. If the error persists, contact Arlo support.
Q: Do I need an Arlo account to reset the camera?
You only need the account to remove the camera from it. The physical reset (pressing the button) works without an account. But to use the camera again, you’ll need to set it up—which requires an account. So yes, you’ll need one eventually.
Final Thoughts
Resetting an Arlo Pro camera isn’t scary—it’s a tool. And like any tool, it’s most effective when you know how to use it properly. This how to reset Arlo Pro camera quick and easy guide isn’t about making you dependent on resets. It’s about giving you the power to fix issues fast, avoid unnecessary replacements, and keep your home security running smoothly.
Remember: start with a soft reset, only go factory when needed, remove the camera from your account, and test thoroughly. Keep your Wi-Fi strong, your firmware updated, and your patience in check.
And if you’re ever stuck? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Arlo support. I’ve found their team to be responsive and helpful—especially when you can say, “I’ve already tried the reset steps from the official guide.”
Now go reset that camera with confidence. You’ve got this.
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