Restart your Arlo camera remotely in seconds using the Arlo app—no physical access needed. Simply open the app, select your camera, and tap Restart under device settings to resolve glitches, improve performance, or reconnect to Wi-Fi. This quick fix ensures minimal downtime and keeps your security system running smoothly.
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How to Restart Arlo Camera Remotely in Simple Steps
Key Takeaways
- Restart via app: Use the Arlo app to reboot your camera remotely in seconds.
- Check connection: Ensure stable Wi-Fi before restarting to avoid interruptions.
- Schedule reboots: Set automatic restarts during off-hours for minimal disruption.
- Update firmware: Keep camera software current to prevent restart-related issues.
- Verify power: Confirm camera is powered on and responsive before troubleshooting.
- Contact support: Reach out to Arlo if remote restart fails repeatedly.
Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem
Let’s be real—nothing’s more frustrating than checking your Arlo camera only to find it’s offline. You’re not sure if it’s a glitch, a Wi-Fi hiccup, or something worse. Maybe you’re on vacation and want to check in on your home, but the app just won’t connect. That’s where knowing how to restart Arlo camera remotely in simple steps comes in handy.
Unlike traditional security systems, Arlo cameras are designed to be managed from anywhere. But sometimes, they need a little nudge to get back online. A remote restart is often the quickest fix for connectivity issues, frozen feeds, or sync problems. And the best part? You don’t need to be home to do it.
I’ve been there—staring at a “Camera Offline” message while my dog was home alone. A simple remote restart solved it in under five minutes. This guide walks you through that exact process, so you never feel helpless again.
What You Need
Before we dive into how to restart Arlo camera remotely in simple steps, let’s make sure you have what you need. The good news? Most of it’s already on your phone or tablet.
Visual guide about how to restart arlo camera remotely
Image source: safetywish.com
- Arlo app (iOS or Android) – make sure it’s updated to the latest version
- Your Arlo account login (email and password)
- Stable internet connection (your phone’s data or Wi-Fi works fine)
- Arlo camera connected to a base station or directly to Wi-Fi (for newer models like Arlo Pro 4, Ultra, or Essential)
- Power source – camera should be plugged in or have sufficient battery
No extra tools, no special cables. Just your phone and your account. If your camera is solar-powered or battery-only, ensure it’s charged—remote restarts won’t work if the camera’s dead.
Pro insight: If your camera hasn’t been online for days, check the battery first. A remote restart only works if the device has power and a connection to the cloud.
Step-by-Step Guide to How to Restart Arlo Camera Remotely in Simple Steps
Now, let’s get into the actual process. Whether you’re troubleshooting a laggy feed or a camera that won’t sync, these steps will help you restart your Arlo camera from anywhere—no ladder or screwdriver required.
Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In
Start by opening the Arlo app on your smartphone or tablet. If you’re already logged in, you’ll see your dashboard with all your cameras. If not, enter your email and password.
Make sure you’re using the correct account. I once wasted 10 minutes trying to restart a camera on my neighbor’s account—yep, embarrassing. Double-check the email address at the top of the screen.
Once you’re in, look for the camera you want to restart. If it shows “Offline” or “Disconnected,” don’t panic. We’re about to fix that.
Step 2: Navigate to the Camera’s Settings
Tap on the camera’s thumbnail in the dashboard. This opens the live view (if available) or a status screen. Then, look for a gear icon (⚙️) or “Settings” option—usually in the top-right corner.
On some versions of the app, you might need to tap “Device Info” or “More” first. The exact wording varies slightly depending on your camera model and app version, but the gear icon is your friend.
Once in settings, scroll down until you see options like “Device Restart” or “Restart Camera.” This is where the magic happens.
Step 3: Initiate the Remote Restart
Tap on “Restart Camera” or “Device Restart.” You’ll likely see a confirmation pop-up: “Are you sure you want to restart this device?” Tap “Yes” or “Restart.”
Here’s what happens next: the Arlo cloud sends a restart command to your camera via the internet. The camera receives it (if it’s online enough to communicate) and reboots itself. No physical button needed.
This process usually takes 30–60 seconds. During this time, the camera may go completely offline for a moment—don’t worry, that’s normal.
Warning: If you restart a camera during active recording or live streaming, it will interrupt the session. Schedule restarts during quiet periods if possible.
Step 4: Wait and Monitor the Reconnection
After hitting restart, close the settings and return to the dashboard. You’ll see the camera status change from “Offline” to “Connecting” or “Syncing.”
Give it 1–2 minutes. The camera will reboot, reconnect to Wi-Fi (or the base station), and sync with the cloud. You should see a green “Online” indicator or a live feed preview.
If the camera doesn’t come back online after 3 minutes, don’t panic—we’ll troubleshoot that in the next section.
Step 5: Test the Camera Functionality
Once the camera is back online, tap its thumbnail to open the live view. Check for:
- Clear video feed
- Proper motion detection (wave your hand in front)
- Sound (if your model has audio)
- Night vision (if testing at night)
If everything looks good, you’ve successfully completed how to restart Arlo camera remotely in simple steps. If not, try the restart again or move to advanced troubleshooting.
I once had a camera that needed two restarts—first one didn’t clear a firmware glitch. Persistence pays off.
Step 6: (Optional) Restart the Base Station (For Older Models)
If you have an Arlo Pro, Pro 2, or older system with a base station, sometimes the camera won’t respond to a remote restart if the base station is having issues.
In that case, go to the base station’s settings in the app and look for “Restart Base Station.” This reboots the central hub, which can resolve communication problems with connected cameras.
Note: This is only necessary if multiple cameras are offline or the base station shows errors. For newer Wi-Fi-only models (like Arlo Pro 4 or Essential), skip this step.
Pro tip: Restarting the base station will temporarily disconnect all cameras for 1–2 minutes. Plan accordingly.
Step 7: Use Arlo Support Tools (If Needed)
If the restart doesn’t work, the app may offer additional tools. Look for:
- “Troubleshoot” – runs a diagnostic on Wi-Fi, battery, and signal strength
- “Update Firmware” – outdated firmware can cause instability
- “Re-sync Camera” – reestablishes connection with the base station
These tools are built into the app and can often fix issues that a simple restart doesn’t catch. I’ve used the troubleshoot feature to find a weak Wi-Fi signal—after repositioning the camera, the restart worked perfectly.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Having used Arlo cameras for years (and helped dozens of friends and family), I’ve picked up a few tricks and learned from plenty of mistakes. Here’s what you need to know.
Tip 1: Schedule Regular Remote Restarts
Even if your camera is working fine, consider restarting it once a month. Think of it like restarting your phone—it clears temporary glitches and keeps things running smoothly.
I set a monthly reminder on my calendar. It takes two minutes and prevents bigger issues down the road. This is especially helpful for outdoor cameras exposed to weather.
Tip 2: Check Battery and Wi-Fi Before Restarting
Don’t jump to a restart if the battery is low or Wi-Fi is down. Use the Arlo app’s “Device Health” section to check:
- Battery level (should be >20%)
- Wi-Fi signal strength (should be “Good” or “Excellent”)
- Firmware version (update if outdated)
A restart won’t help if the root cause is a dead battery or a router issue.
Tip 3: Use “Restart” Instead of “Remove & Re-Add”
Some users think they need to remove the camera from their account and re-add it. That’s overkill. A remote restart is faster, preserves your settings (like motion zones), and avoids the hassle of re-pairing.
I once saw a neighbor go through the entire setup process just to fix a frozen feed. A simple restart would’ve saved him 30 minutes.
Common Mistake: Restarting Too Frequently
Restarting every day isn’t necessary and can actually shorten the camera’s lifespan. The restart function is meant for troubleshooting, not a daily habit.
Only restart when you notice an issue: frozen feed, delayed notifications, or offline status. If it’s working, leave it be.
Common Mistake: Ignoring the Base Station
For older Arlo systems, the base station acts as the middleman between your cameras and the cloud. If the base station is offline, your cameras can’t be restarted remotely.
Check the base station’s status in the app. If it’s offline, you may need to restart it manually (unplug and plug back in) or via the app if supported.
Tip 4: Use Arlo’s “Activity Zones” After Restart
Sometimes, after a restart, motion detection goes haywire—sending alerts for every leaf that blows by. Take a minute to review and adjust your activity zones.
Go to Settings > Motion Detection > Activity Zones. Turn off areas you don’t want monitored. This saves battery and cuts down on false alerts.
FAQs About How to Restart Arlo Camera Remotely in Simple Steps
Let’s tackle the questions I hear most often from friends, family, and even Reddit threads.
Can I restart my Arlo camera if it’s completely offline?
Great question. If the camera is completely offline—no battery, no Wi-Fi, no power—then no, you can’t restart it remotely. The restart command needs a working connection to reach the device.
But if it’s mostly online (like showing “Offline” in the app but still has power), the restart usually works. The camera just needs enough signal to receive the command.
Think of it like texting a friend with spotty service. If they get one bar, they might still receive your message.
How long does a remote restart take?
Typically 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The camera reboots, reconnects, and syncs with the cloud. You’ll see it go offline briefly, then come back online.
I’ve had a few that took 3 minutes—especially older models or those in weak Wi-Fi areas. Be patient.
Will restarting delete my recordings or settings?
Nope. A restart is just like turning a light off and on. It doesn’t erase anything. Your recordings (cloud or local), motion zones, notifications, and schedules all stay intact.
The only thing that changes is the camera’s connection to the internet. Everything else is preserved.
What if the restart button is grayed out?
If you can’t tap “Restart Camera,” it usually means:
- The camera is too far offline to receive commands
- The base station (if used) is offline
- Your app version is outdated
- There’s a temporary server issue (rare)
Try updating the app, checking the base station, or waiting 5 minutes and trying again. If it’s still grayed out, you may need to restart the camera manually (unplug and plug back in).
Can I restart multiple cameras at once?
Unfortunately, no. Arlo doesn’t have a “bulk restart” feature. You’ll need to restart each camera individually.
But if multiple cameras are offline, check the base station or your Wi-Fi router first. A network-wide issue might be the real cause.
Does a remote restart work on Arlo Essential or newer models?
Yes! All Arlo cameras with Wi-Fi connectivity—including Arlo Essential, Pro 4, Ultra, and Arlo Go—support remote restarts. The steps are the same.
The only difference is that newer models connect directly to Wi-Fi, so you don’t need a base station. But the restart process in the app is identical.
Is there a way to automate restarts?
Not directly in the Arlo app. But you can use third-party smart home platforms like IFTTT or SmartThings to trigger a restart based on certain conditions (e.g., camera offline for 10 minutes).
I’ve used IFTTT to send me a notification when a camera goes offline, then manually restart it. Not fully automated, but it helps.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to restart Arlo camera remotely in simple steps is one of those skills that feels like a superpower once you master it. No more driving home to fix a frozen feed. No more panicking when the camera goes offline during a storm.
Remember: restart is your first line of defense. It’s quick, safe, and often solves the problem. But don’t forget to check the basics—battery, Wi-Fi, and firmware—before and after.
Use the Arlo app’s tools to your advantage. The troubleshoot feature, activity zones, and device health monitor are all there to help you keep things running smoothly.
And if you ever get stuck? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Arlo Support. They’re actually pretty helpful—I’ve called them a few times, and they’ve walked me through fixes I’d never have thought of.
Now go ahead—try it. Open your Arlo app, pick a camera, and restart it. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is. And next time you’re on vacation and the camera blips out, you’ll know exactly what to do.
Stay safe, stay connected, and keep your home secure—one simple restart at a time.
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