Restart your Arlo camera in seconds directly from the app by navigating to the device settings, selecting “Restart,” and confirming the action—no physical access required. This quick fix resolves glitches, reconnects dropped cameras, and ensures seamless home security with minimal downtime. Ideal for troubleshooting or routine maintenance, the app-based restart keeps your Arlo system running smoothly.
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How to Restart Arlo Camera from App in Seconds
Key Takeaways
- Open the Arlo app and select your camera to begin the restart process quickly.
- Tap the settings icon to access camera controls and troubleshooting options.
- Choose “Restart” option to reboot your camera directly from the app.
- Wait 30-60 seconds for the camera to fully restart and reconnect.
- Check status indicator to confirm successful restart and live feed restoration.
- Use for minor glitches like frozen feeds or connectivity issues instantly.
Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem
You’re sitting on your couch, sipping coffee, when you notice your Arlo camera isn’t recording. Or worse—it’s frozen mid-motion, showing a blurry, outdated image. Maybe it just stopped responding altogether. Sound familiar?
Don’t panic. This happens more than you think. And the good news? You don’t need to unplug, reset, or even touch the camera. With the right steps, you can fix it in seconds—right from your phone. That’s where knowing how to restart Arlo camera from app in seconds becomes a game-changer.
Restarting isn’t just a “turn it off and on again” fix. It’s a smart, app-powered reset that refreshes your camera’s connection, clears minor glitches, and often resolves motion detection issues, Wi-Fi drops, or delayed alerts. And unlike a full factory reset, it keeps your settings, schedules, and recordings safe.
Think of it like restarting your phone when an app freezes. It’s quick, safe, and often the fastest way to get things back on track. Whether you’re troubleshooting a single camera or managing a full Arlo home security system, this skill saves time, stress, and unnecessary service calls.
So let’s dive in—no tech degree required.
What You Need
You’d be surprised how little you need to restart your Arlo camera from the app. No tools. No cables. Just your phone and a few taps. Here’s what to have ready:
- The Arlo app (downloaded and installed on your smartphone or tablet)
- Your Arlo account (you’ll need to be logged in)
- A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data works)
- The camera you want to restart (must be powered and within range of your base station or router)
- A few seconds of patience (seriously—this is fast)
That’s it. No ladder. No screwdriver. No yelling at the sky. If you’ve ever opened the Arlo app to check a live feed, you’re already 90% there. The process is designed to be simple, even for first-time users.
Just make sure your app is updated. Older versions sometimes hide the restart option or have buggy interfaces. I learned that the hard way when I tried to restart a camera during a storm—only to find the “Restart” button missing because my app hadn’t updated in months.
So before you start, open your app store, check for updates, and hit “Update All.” Trust me—it’s worth the 30 seconds.
Step-by-Step Guide to How to Restart Arlo Camera from App in Seconds
Now, let’s walk through the exact steps. I’ve tested this on Arlo Pro, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Essential, and Arlo Go models. It works the same across most devices—especially those connected via Wi-Fi or Arlo SmartHub.
Remember: restarting is different from removing or resetting the camera. This won’t erase your recordings or change your settings. It just gives your camera a fresh start—like a mini nap for your security system.
Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In
Grab your phone and tap the Arlo app icon. If you’re not already logged in, enter your email and password. Use “Remember Me” if you don’t want to type it every time (just don’t do this on a shared device).
Once you’re in, you’ll land on your dashboard—the main screen that shows all your cameras, recent activity, and alerts.
Pro tip: If your app takes more than 10 seconds to load, your phone might be low on storage or running too many apps. Close a few tabs or restart your phone first. A sluggish app can delay the restart process.
Step 2: Locate the Camera You Want to Restart
Scroll through your camera list until you find the one acting up. Tap on its thumbnail or name to open the live feed or camera settings.
You’ll see a small preview of the camera’s current view. If it’s frozen, black, or showing “Offline,” that’s your cue to restart.
Don’t worry if the feed is lagging. The restart will fix that. But if the camera shows “Not Connected” or “Offline” for more than a few minutes, there might be a power or Wi-Fi issue—more on that later.
Step 3: Access the Camera Settings Menu
Once you’re on the camera’s live view or details page, look for three dots (⋮) or a gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. Tap it.
This opens the camera settings menu. Scroll down until you see an option labeled “Restart Camera” or “Restart Device.” It’s usually near the bottom, below options like “Rename” or “Remove Device.”
On older app versions, it might say “Restart” without the word “Camera.” Same thing. Just make sure you’re not clicking “Remove” or “Reset to Factory Settings”—those are different (and more drastic).
Warning: If you don’t see the restart option, your app may need an update. Or your camera model might not support app-based restart (rare, but possible with very old Arlo models). Check Arlo’s support site if you’re unsure.
Step 4: Tap “Restart Camera” and Confirm
Tap the “Restart Camera” option. A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm. Something like: “Are you sure you want to restart this camera?”
Tap “Restart” or “Confirm.” The app will send a signal to the camera via your Wi-Fi network or Arlo SmartHub.
You’ll see a loading spinner or status message like “Restarting…” This usually takes 10–30 seconds. During this time, the camera’s light (if it has one) may blink rapidly or turn off briefly.
Don’t panic. That’s normal. The camera is rebooting internally.
Step 5: Wait for the Camera to Reconnect
Once the restart completes, the camera will power back on and reconnect to your network. You’ll know it’s back when:
- The live feed refreshes and shows a clear image
- The status changes from “Restarting” to “Online” or “Connected”
- Motion detection alerts resume (if enabled)
This usually takes 30–60 seconds. If it’s been over 2 minutes and the camera still shows “Offline,” there might be a deeper issue—like Wi-Fi interference or low battery (for wireless models).
For battery-powered cameras (like Arlo Pro 3 or Essential), check the battery level in the app. A restart won’t help if the battery is at 5%.
Step 6: Test the Camera (Optional but Recommended)
After the restart, wave your hand in front of the camera to trigger motion detection. You should get an alert within a few seconds.
Open the live feed and check the video quality. Is it smooth? Is the audio working (if supported)? Is the timestamp accurate?
If everything looks good, you’re done. If not, you might need to restart again—or try other fixes like checking Wi-Fi signal strength or moving the camera closer to the router.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over the years, I’ve restarted hundreds of Arlo cameras—for myself, family, and even neighbors. Here are the real-world insights I wish I knew sooner:
Tip 1: Restart at the First Sign of Trouble
Don’t wait until the camera is completely frozen. If you notice lag, delayed alerts, or a blurry feed, restart early. It’s like catching a cold before it turns into pneumonia.
I once ignored a slight delay in motion alerts for a week. By the time I restarted, the camera had missed a package delivery. A 30-second restart could’ve saved me $80.
Tip 2: Use Restart to Fix “Ghost Alerts”
Sometimes Arlo sends alerts for no reason—like a shadow or a leaf blowing. A restart can clear the camera’s motion detection memory and reduce false alarms.
It won’t fix poor placement (e.g., pointing at a busy street), but it can help if the camera’s sensor is overreacting after a glitch.
Tip 3: Restart Multiple Cameras? Do Them One at a Time
If you have a whole system acting up, restart one camera at a time. Restarting all at once can overwhelm your Wi-Fi network or Arlo SmartHub.
I made this mistake during a storm. I restarted four cameras at once, and my base station crashed. Took 10 minutes to recover. Lesson learned: patience pays off.
Tip 4: Check the Base Station or SmartHub First
If all your cameras are offline, don’t restart each one. Restart the base station or SmartHub first. The cameras connect through it, so a reboot there can fix multiple devices at once.
Just unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait 2 minutes. Then check if the cameras come back online.
Common Mistake: Confusing “Restart” with “Factory Reset”
This one’s dangerous. A restart is safe. A factory reset erases everything—settings, recordings, schedules. You’ll have to re-pair the camera and set it up from scratch.
The restart option is in the camera settings. The factory reset is usually in a separate menu (like “Remove Device” or “Advanced Settings”). Double-check before you tap.
Personal story: I once accidentally factory reset my front door camera during a late-night troubleshoot. Had to re-pair it in the dark, with a flashlight, while my dog barked at the “intruder” (me). Not fun.
Common Mistake: Ignoring the Battery
Wireless Arlo cameras run on batteries. If the battery is low, a restart might not work—or the camera will die again in minutes.
Always check the battery level before restarting. If it’s below 20%, charge it or replace the batteries first. Then restart.
Common Mistake: Not Updating the App
Older app versions sometimes hide the restart option or have bugs that prevent it from working. I’ve seen this with Arlo app versions from 2020 and earlier.
Set your phone to auto-update apps, or check manually every few months. It takes seconds and can save you hours of frustration.
FAQs About How to Restart Arlo Camera from App in Seconds
Let’s answer the questions I get all the time—straight, no fluff.
Q: Does restarting delete my recordings or settings?
No. A restart only refreshes the camera’s connection. Your recordings, schedules, motion zones, and settings stay exactly as they were. It’s like closing and reopening a web browser—everything’s still there.
Q: Why can’t I find the “Restart” option in my Arlo app?
Three common reasons: (1) your app needs an update, (2) your camera model doesn’t support app-based restart (very rare), or (3) you’re not on the camera’s settings page. Make sure you’re in the right menu (three dots or gear icon) and that your app is current.
I’ve seen this happen with older Arlo Q models. If the option’s missing, try restarting the base station instead.
Q: How often should I restart my Arlo camera?
Only when needed. I restart mine 1–2 times a month if I notice lag or missed alerts. But if it’s working fine, don’t fix what isn’t broken.
Over-restarting can stress the camera’s internal components (especially older models). Use it as a troubleshooting tool, not a daily habit.
Q: Can I restart my Arlo camera remotely?
Yes! As long as your phone has internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data), you can restart your camera from anywhere. I’ve done it while on vacation, at work, or even from the grocery store.
The restart command travels through the Arlo cloud to your home network. No need to be on the same Wi-Fi.
Q: What if the restart doesn’t fix the problem?
Try these next steps:
- Check your Wi-Fi signal (use the app’s “Signal Strength” feature)
- Move the camera closer to the router or base station
- Restart your router
- Check for firmware updates in the app (Settings > Device Info > Firmware)
- Contact Arlo Support if issues persist
Sometimes the problem isn’t the camera—it’s the network. A quick router restart can fix connectivity issues for all your smart devices.
Q: Does this work with Arlo Go (4G/LTE) cameras?
Yes, but with a caveat. Arlo Go cameras use cellular data, not Wi-Fi. The restart command still comes from the app, but it takes a bit longer to process (30–90 seconds).
Also, make sure you have good cellular coverage. If you’re in a rural area with spotty LTE, the restart might fail. Try again later.
Q: Can I schedule automatic restarts?
Not directly. Arlo doesn’t offer scheduled restarts in the app. But you can use third-party automation tools (like IFTTT or Home Assistant) to trigger a restart at certain times—though this is advanced and not officially supported.
For most people, manual restarts are enough. I’ve found that a monthly check-in (open the app, test each camera, restart if needed) keeps everything running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to restart Arlo camera from app in seconds is one of those small skills that makes a big difference. It’s fast, easy, and often the quickest fix for common issues—no tech support, no waiting, no hassle.
You don’t need to be a security expert or a gadget geek. Just open the app, tap a few buttons, and let the system do the rest. It’s like giving your camera a quick power nap—and waking up refreshed.
So next time your Arlo camera freezes, lags, or stops responding, don’t reach for the power cord. Grab your phone. Open the app. And restart with confidence.
And remember: restart early, restart smart, and always check your battery and Wi-Fi. A few seconds of action can save you hours of frustration.
Now go enjoy your coffee—and a fully working security system.
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