Reset your Arlo camera in seconds by pressing and holding the reset button for 10–15 seconds until the LED flashes amber, restoring it to factory settings. This quick fix resolves connectivity issues, forgotten passwords, or setup errors—just ensure the camera is powered on and synced with the app first. Always re-pair the camera after resetting to resume seamless monitoring.

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How to Reset Your Arlo Camera Quick and Easy Steps

Key Takeaways

• Locate the reset button: Find the small hole on your Arlo camera for the reset.
• Use a paperclip: Insert it gently to press the reset button inside the hole.
• Hold for 10 seconds: Keep the button pressed until the LED flashes amber.
• Wait for reboot: Allow the camera to restart fully before reconnecting.
• Reconnect via app: Use the Arlo app to set up your camera again.
• Check firmware updates: Ensure your camera has the latest software post-reset.
• Contact support if issues: Reach out to Arlo if problems persist after resetting.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Ever had your Arlo camera go dark mid-recording? Or maybe it’s stuck in a loop, refusing to connect to the app no matter how many times you restart your phone?

You’re not alone. I’ve been there—sitting in my backyard, watching the live feed freeze during a squirrel chase (yes, that’s a real security concern in my house). The frustration is real when a smart camera stops being smart.

That’s where knowing how to reset your Arlo camera quick and easy steps comes in. A simple reset can fix connectivity issues, unresponsiveness, or even help you set up a new network without buying a new device.

But here’s the thing: not all resets are the same. There’s a soft reset, a factory reset, and even a sync-button reset. Picking the wrong one can wipe your settings or leave you more confused than before.

So let’s walk through this together—like we’re troubleshooting over coffee. I’ll share what worked for me, what didn’t, and how to avoid the common pitfalls I’ve made (and fixed).

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to reset your Arlo camera quick and easy steps—no tech degree required.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s gather a few things. Don’t worry—most of this is already in your home.

• Your Arlo camera (obviously)—any model: Arlo Pro, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Essential, etc.
• The Arlo app (download it if you don’t have it—iOS or Android)
• A smartphone or tablet (used to control the reset via the app)
• A small paperclip or SIM ejector tool (for models with a physical reset button)
• Wi-Fi network details (SSID and password—you’ll need this after the reset)
• A stable power source (USB cable, battery, or solar panel, depending on your model)
• Your Arlo base station (if you have one)—some models sync through it

Pro tip: Make sure your phone and camera are charged. A dying battery during a reset can cause hiccups.

Also, if you’re using a battery-powered camera, pop in a fresh battery. I once tried resetting my Arlo Pro 3 with a half-dead battery—it shut off mid-process and took me three tries to get it back online.

Warning: A factory reset erases all settings, including motion zones, schedules, and saved clips. Back up anything important before you start.

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

Step 1: Decide Which Reset You Need

Not all resets are created equal. Choosing the right one saves time and avoids unnecessary data loss.

• Soft Reset (Reboot): Fixes minor glitches. Doesn’t erase settings. Great for a frozen feed or temporary Wi-Fi drop.
• Sync Reset: Re-pairs the camera to your base station or Wi-Fi. Keeps settings. Best if your camera shows “Offline” but was working recently.
• Factory Reset: Full wipe. Returns camera to factory state. Use when you’re selling, gifting, or having persistent issues.

For most day-to-day problems, I start with a sync reset. If that doesn’t work, I move to a factory reset. A soft reset is my “first aid” move.

Think of it like your phone: restart it first. If the app still crashes, then you consider a factory reset.

Step 2: Soft Reset (Reboot) Your Arlo Camera

This is the easiest and safest option. It’s like giving your camera a nap—wakes it up refreshed.

For battery-powered models (Arlo Pro, Arlo Essential, etc.):

1. Remove the battery.
2. Wait 10 seconds. (I count to 10 slowly—no rushing!)
3. Reinsert the battery.
4. Wait 30–60 seconds for the camera to power on and reconnect.

For wired or USB-powered models (Arlo Ultra, Arlo Go, etc.):

1. Unplug the USB cable from the power source or camera.
2. Wait 10 seconds.
3. Plug it back in.
4. Wait 60 seconds for the LED to stabilize (usually solid blue or white).

Check the Arlo app. If your camera shows “Online” and the feed loads, you’re golden.

I use this every time my camera stops responding after a storm. Works 8 out of 10 times.

Pro Tip: If the LED flashes red or orange after reboot, check the battery or power connection. A weak power source can mimic a frozen camera.

Step 3: Perform a Sync Reset (Re-pair to Base Station or Wi-Fi)

This is ideal if your camera was working, but now shows “Offline” in the app. It keeps your settings but refreshes the connection.

For Arlo Base Station Users (Pro, Ultra, Q, etc.):

1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Settings > My Devices > select your camera.
3. Tap Remove Device. Confirm.
4. Press and hold the Sync button on the base station for 10 seconds until the LED flashes amber.
5. Press and hold the Sync button on your camera for 3 seconds until the LED flashes white.
6. Wait 60–90 seconds. The base station LED should turn solid blue.
7. Back in the app, tap Add Device and follow prompts to re-pair.

For Wi-Fi-Only Models (Arlo Essential, Arlo Go, etc.):

1. In the Arlo app, go to Settings > My Devices > select your camera.
2. Tap Remove Device. Confirm.
3. Press and hold the Sync button on the camera for 10 seconds until the LED flashes amber.
4. Release. The LED will flash white.
5. Open the Arlo app, tap Add Device, and follow the on-screen steps to reconnect to Wi-Fi.

After re-pairing, your camera will reconnect with the same settings—motion zones, alerts, etc. No need to reconfigure!

I did this when my Arlo Essential lost Wi-Fi after a router update. Took 3 minutes. Back online with all my custom zones intact.

Warning: If your camera doesn’t show up in the “Add Device” list, double-check that it’s powered and the LED is flashing white. If not, repeat the sync button press.

Step 4: Factory Reset (Full Wipe) Your Arlo Camera

Use this when:

• You’re selling or gifting the camera.
• You’re switching to a new Arlo account.
• You’ve tried everything and the camera still misbehaves.

For Most Arlo Cameras (Pro, Ultra, Essential, Q, etc.):

1. Power on the camera.
2. Press and hold the Sync button for 10 seconds.
3. The LED will flash amber during the press.
4. Release. The LED will turn solid amber for 5 seconds, then flash white.
5. Wait 60–90 seconds. The camera will restart and enter setup mode.

For Arlo Go (LTE model):

1. Press and hold the Sync button and Power button together for 10 seconds.
2. Release. The LED will flash amber, then white.
3. Wait 90 seconds for reset.

For Arlo Baby:

1. Press and hold the Sync button for 10 seconds.
2. LED flashes amber, then solid white.
3. Wait 60 seconds.

After the reset, your camera will behave like it’s new—no saved settings, no Wi-Fi, no motion zones.

You’ll need to set it up from scratch using the Arlo app.

Pro Tip: I always factory reset before selling. Buyers love getting a “fresh” device. Plus, it wipes any accidental clips (like me dancing in my pajamas).

Step 5: Re-Set Up Your Camera in the Arlo App

Once reset, your camera is a blank slate. Time to bring it back to life.

1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Add Device.
3. Select your camera model.
4. Follow the prompts:
   • Connect to your Wi-Fi (enter SSID and password).
   • Name your camera (e.g., “Front Door” or “Backyard Tree”).
   • Set up motion zones (drag the box to cover the area you want to monitor).
   • Enable/disable notifications.
5. Test the live feed. Wave your hand in front—see the motion detection in action.

I like to name my cameras after their location. “Garage Cam” is easier to find than “Arlo Pro 3 (2)”.

Also, don’t skip motion zones. I once left them default—my camera recorded every passing car. Not useful. Now I set zones to ignore the street and focus on the walkway.

Step 6: Reconnect to Base Station (If Applicable)

If you’re using a base station (like with Arlo Pro or Ultra), make sure it’s synced.

1. In the app, go to Settings > My Devices > Base Station.
2. Check if your camera appears under “Connected Devices”.
3. If not, press the Sync button on the base station and camera again (as in Step 3).
4. Wait 60 seconds. The base station LED should turn solid blue.

Why use a base station? It extends range, reduces Wi-Fi congestion, and can store clips locally. But it’s not mandatory—Wi-Fi-only setups work great too.

I use a base station for my backyard camera. It’s 50 feet from the router—Wi-Fi alone was spotty. With the base station, it’s rock solid.

Step 7: Test and Troubleshoot

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

• Check the live feed. Is it clear? No lag?
• Trigger motion. Do you get an alert?
• Check the recording. Is it saved to the cloud or SD card?
• Verify night vision. Shine a flashlight at the camera—it should switch to black and white.

If anything’s off:

• Reboot the camera (Step 2).
• Check Wi-Fi signal strength in the app.
• Move the camera closer to the router or base station.
• Contact Arlo Support if it still fails (they’re surprisingly helpful).

I once had a camera that kept disconnecting. Turns out, my Wi-Fi router was on the 5GHz band—my Arlo Essential only supports 2.4GHz. Switched to 2.4GHz, and boom—problem solved.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After resetting over 20 Arlo cameras (yes, I have a problem), I’ve learned a few things the hard way.

Pro Tip #1: Label your cameras. I use colored stickers—red for front, blue for back. Makes troubleshooting easier when you have 5+ devices.

Pro Tip #2: Update firmware before resetting. Go to Settings > My Devices > Firmware Update. A bug in older firmware can cause reset failures.

Pro Tip #3: Use a strong 2.4GHz Wi-Fi signal. Arlo cameras (except some newer models) don’t support 5GHz. If your router is dual-band, make sure your phone connects to 2.4GHz during setup.

Common Mistake #1: Holding the sync button too long or too short. 10 seconds is key. I once held it for 15 seconds—it entered a diagnostic mode I couldn’t exit. Had to call support.

Common Mistake #2: Resetting without checking power. A weak battery or loose USB cable can look like a camera failure. Always check power first.

Common Mistake #3: Forgetting to remove the camera from the app before factory reset. If you don’t remove it, you might get a “Device Already Registered” error later.

Another thing: if your camera has an SD card, the reset won’t erase it. You’ll need to format it manually in the app or via a computer.

And if you’re using Arlo Smart, your subscription stays with your account—not the camera. So you won’t lose your cloud storage or AI detection features.

FAQs About How to Reset Your Arlo Camera Quick and Easy Steps

Q: How long does it take to reset an Arlo camera?

A: About 2–5 minutes, depending on the type. A soft reset takes 30 seconds. A factory reset and re-setup takes 3–5 minutes. Not bad for a full refresh!

Q: Will I lose my recordings after a reset?

A: It depends. Cloud recordings are saved to your Arlo account—not the camera. They’re safe. But local recordings (on an SD card) stay on the card unless you format it. I recommend backing up important clips to your phone or computer first.

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

A: Check the battery. If it’s low, charge it fully. Also, make sure you’re pressing the sync button correctly. On some models, it’s recessed—use a paperclip. And wait: sometimes it takes a few tries.

Q: Can I reset multiple Arlo cameras at once?

A: No. You need to reset each camera individually. But you can do them one after another—just don’t press all the sync buttons at the same time. I learned that the hard way. My whole system went offline.

Q: What if the Arlo app says “Device Not Found” after reset?

A: First, ensure the camera’s LED is flashing white. Then, check your Wi-Fi. Make sure your phone is on 2.4GHz. If it still doesn’t show, try a soft reset again or restart your phone.

Q: Do I need to reset my base station too?

A: Only if it’s malfunctioning. To reset the base station, press and hold the sync button for 10 seconds. But be careful—this will disconnect all cameras. I’ve only had to do this once, after a power surge.

Q: Is there a way to reset without the sync button?

A: Not really. The sync button is the official method. Some people try holding the power button, but that’s not reliable. Stick with the sync button—it’s designed for this.

Final Thoughts

Resetting your Arlo camera doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful troubleshooting tools you have.

Whether you’re fixing a frozen feed, preparing to sell, or just giving your system a fresh start, knowing how to reset your Arlo camera quick and easy steps puts you back in control.

Start small: try a soft reset first. If that fails, move to a sync reset. Only go full factory reset when you need a clean slate.

And remember: back up your settings, check your power, and don’t rush the sync button press. A little patience goes a long way.

Now, go reset that camera. Your squirrel (or neighbor) won’t know what hit ‘em.

And if you run into a snag? Take a breath. Try again. Or reach out to Arlo Support—they’ve helped me more times than I’d like to admit.

You’ve got this. Happy resetting!

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