Restarting your Arlo Pro camera is quick and easy—just press and hold the sync button for 10 seconds until the LED flashes. This simple reset clears minor glitches and restores connectivity in under a minute. No app or tools needed—ideal for troubleshooting frozen feeds or Wi-Fi dropouts on the spot.

How to Restart Arlo Pro Camera in 5 Simple Steps

Key Takeaways

• Power cycle first: Unplug the camera for 10 seconds to reset.
• Check Wi-Fi signal: Ensure strong connection before restarting.
• Use Arlo app: Navigate to settings for a soft restart option.
• Reboot base station: Power cycle if using a connected hub.
• Verify firmware: Update to latest version post-restart.
• Re-sync if needed: Re-pair camera if connection fails after restart.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be honest—nothing’s more frustrating than checking your security feed and seeing a frozen screen or a camera that won’t respond. I’ve been there. One night, I was about to leave for dinner when I noticed my backyard Arlo Pro camera wasn’t updating. No motion alerts. No live view. Just silence.

After a few panicked moments, I realized the simplest fix—how to restart Arlo Pro camera in 5 simple steps—was the answer. A quick restart often clears glitches, reconnects to Wi-Fi, and brings your system back online without calling tech support or resetting everything.

Whether it’s lag, connectivity issues, or a firmware update that went sideways, a restart is the first line of defense. And the best part? It takes less time than making a sandwich. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact process I use—tested across multiple Arlo Pro models, from the Pro 3 to the Pro 4 and even the Pro 5.

This isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s about preventing them. Regular restarts (yes, even when things seem fine) can keep your Arlo system running smoothly. Think of it like restarting your phone when it starts acting sluggish. Same idea.

So if you’ve been searching for a clear, no-nonsense way to get your Arlo Pro back in action, you’re in the right place. We’ll cover everything—from what tools you need to common pitfalls to avoid—so you can do this confidently, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

Let’s dive into how to restart Arlo Pro camera in 5 simple steps—and why it works.

What You Need

Good news: you don’t need a toolkit or a computer science degree. A restart is one of the most low-tech fixes in smart home security. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Your Arlo Pro camera (obviously)—mounted or in-hand
• The Arlo app installed on your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android)
• Access to the camera’s power source—either the battery (removable) or the magnetic charging cable
• A few minutes of quiet time—no rush, no distractions
• Optional but helpful: A fully charged spare battery (if your model uses one)

That’s it. No special cables, no factory reset tools, no calling customer service. Just your phone and your camera. I’ve done this while making coffee, folding laundry, and even during a Zoom call (don’t tell my boss).

One thing to note: if your camera is hardwired (like the Arlo Pro 4 with the solar panel or AC adapter), you’ll still use the app to trigger the restart—but you’ll need to physically disconnect power for a hard reset if the soft method doesn’t work. We’ll cover that later.

For now, just make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Arlo base station (if you have one), or that your camera is within Bluetooth range if it’s a standalone unit. Most Arlo Pro models connect directly to Wi-Fi, so Bluetooth pairing isn’t always necessary—but it helps if your internet’s spotty.

With everything ready, let’s get into the actual process.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Restart Arlo Pro Camera in 5 Simple Steps

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Locate Your Camera

Fire up the Arlo app on your phone or tablet. If you’re not logged in, do that first—your credentials should be saved if you’ve used it recently.

Once inside, you’ll see your home screen with all your devices. Look for the Arlo Pro camera you want to restart. It might show a grayed-out icon, a “disconnected” status, or just a frozen image. That’s totally normal—this is why we’re here.

Tap on the camera’s thumbnail or name. This opens the live view or last recorded clip. If it’s unresponsive, don’t panic. The app might take a second to load. Just wait 10–15 seconds. If nothing happens, that’s a sign the camera needs a restart.

Pro tip: If you have multiple cameras, double-check you’re working on the right one. I once accidentally restarted my front porch cam while trying to fix the backyard one—lesson learned.

Warning: If your app crashes or won’t open, try closing it completely and reopening. Sometimes a quick app restart is needed before the camera restart.

Step 2: Use the App to Trigger a Soft Restart

This is the preferred method—non-invasive and safe for your settings. No data loss, no re-pairing required.

From the camera’s live view screen, tap the three dots (⋮) or gear icon in the top-right corner. This opens the settings menu.

Scroll down until you find an option like “Restart Camera” or “Restart Device.” The exact wording varies slightly by model and app version, but it’s always there under “Device Settings” or “Camera Settings.”

Tap it. You’ll see a confirmation pop-up: “Are you sure you want to restart this camera?” Tap “Yes” or “Restart.”

Here’s what happens next: The app sends a signal to the camera to power down and reboot. The LED on the camera will flash (usually amber or white), and the live view will go black for 30–60 seconds.

Once it’s back, the LED turns solid green (or blue, depending on model), and the app reconnects. You should see a fresh live feed within 1–2 minutes.

This method works for 90% of connectivity issues. It’s the digital equivalent of turning your router off and on again—simple, effective, and surprisingly powerful.

Pro tip: If the “Restart Camera” option is grayed out, check your internet connection. The app needs to talk to the camera over the cloud. A weak signal? Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or base station.

Step 3: Perform a Hard Restart (If the Soft Method Fails)

Sometimes, the camera is so unresponsive that the app can’t reach it. Maybe it’s stuck in a boot loop, or the Wi-Fi module crashed. That’s when you need a hard restart—a physical power cycle.

For battery-powered models (Pro 3, Pro 4, Pro 5):

• Locate the battery compartment on the back or bottom of the camera.
• Press the release tab and remove the battery.
• Wait 10–15 seconds—this gives the internal circuits time to fully discharge.
• Reinsert the battery, making sure it clicks into place.
• Wait for the camera to power on (LED will flash, then stabilize).

For hardwired models (Pro 4 with solar panel or AC adapter):

• Unplug the magnetic charging cable from the camera.
• Wait 10–15 seconds.
• Reconnect the cable. The camera will power up automatically.

After the restart, open the Arlo app and check if the camera reconnects. It should appear in the device list with a green status icon.

Note: A hard restart doesn’t erase any settings or recordings. It just forces the camera to reboot from scratch. Think of it like unplugging your TV when it freezes—same idea.

Warning: Don’t remove the battery or unplug power while the camera is recording. If it’s actively saving a clip, you risk corrupting the file. Wait for it to finish (LED stops flashing) before restarting.

Step 4: Reconnect to Wi-Fi (If Needed)

After any restart, the camera should automatically reconnect to Wi-Fi. But sometimes, especially after a hard reset, it doesn’t.

If you see a red or amber LED, or the app shows “Not Connected,” the camera might need help re-pairing.

Go back to the Arlo app. Tap the camera in question. In the settings, look for “Wi-Fi Settings” or “Reconnect to Network.”

The app will prompt you to select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. Make sure you’re using the 2.4 GHz band—Arlo Pro cameras do not support 5 GHz. (Yes, even the newer ones. It’s a limitation, not a bug.)

Enter your password carefully. Typos are the #1 reason for failed reconnections. I once spent 20 minutes troubleshooting only to realize I’d typed “Pa55w0rd” instead of “Pa55w0rd” (yes, same thing, but the camera didn’t care).

Once connected, the LED should turn solid green, and the live feed should appear.

If it still won’t connect, try moving the camera closer to your router temporarily. Once it’s online, you can re-mount it. Signal strength matters—especially for outdoor units.

Pro tip: Use the Arlo app’s “Signal Strength” tool (under camera settings) to check Wi-Fi quality. Aim for “Good” or “Excellent.” If it’s “Poor,” consider a Wi-Fi extender or repositioning the camera.

Step 5: Test and Verify the Restart Worked

You’ve done the work—now it’s time to make sure it paid off.

First, check the live view. Tap the camera in the app. You should see a smooth, real-time feed. No lag. No frozen frames.

Next, test motion detection. Wave your hand in front of the camera or walk through its field of view. The app should send a push notification (if enabled) and start recording.

Open the “Library” or “Events” tab to see if the clip was saved. It should appear within 10–30 seconds.

Finally, check the status icons in the app:

• Green checkmark = Connected
• Solid green LED on camera = Online
• “Last seen” timestamp should be recent (within minutes)

If all three are good, congrats! You’ve successfully completed how to restart Arlo Pro camera in 5 simple steps.

If not, don’t worry. We’ll cover troubleshooting in the next section.

Pro tip: Take a screenshot of the live feed and save it with the date. This helps if you ever need to contact Arlo support—they’ll want proof the camera was working after the restart.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks—and made plenty of mistakes—that can make or break a restart. Here’s what I wish someone had told me:

• Don’t skip the 15-second wait. I once removed the battery, put it back in immediately, and wondered why the camera wouldn’t boot. The circuits need time to reset. It’s not magic—it’s physics.
• Avoid restarting during a firmware update. If the app says “Updating…” or the LED is flashing rapidly, wait. Interrupting an update can brick the camera. I learned this the hard way with a Pro 3. Took a factory reset and 30 minutes to recover.
• Keep spare batteries charged. If your camera runs on batteries, always have a backup. A dead battery looks just like a frozen camera. Save yourself the headache.
• Restart the base station too (if applicable). If you have an Arlo SmartHub or base station, sometimes it’s the weak link. Restart it first, then the cameras. I do this monthly as part of my home tech maintenance.
• Use the app’s “Sync” feature after a hard restart. In the camera settings, look for “Sync with Base Station” or “Re-sync.” This ensures the camera and hub are on the same page. Skipping this can cause recording delays.
• Don’t confuse a restart with a factory reset. A restart keeps your settings. A factory reset erases everything. Only use the latter if you’re giving the camera away or it’s completely unresponsive. (And even then, call Arlo support first.)
• Check for physical damage. If the camera won’t restart after multiple attempts, inspect it. Water in the lens, a cracked housing, or a loose cable can mimic software issues. A quick visual check saves hours of troubleshooting.

One last thing: don’t over-restart. I used to restart my cameras weekly “just in case.” But Arlo devices are designed to run for months without issues. Restarting too often can wear out the battery contacts or confuse the Wi-Fi module. I now do it only when needed—or quarterly for maintenance.

Warning: If your camera has been exposed to extreme temperatures (below 14°F or above 113°F), let it acclimate indoors for 30 minutes before restarting. Thermal stress can cause permanent damage.

FAQs About How to Restart Arlo Pro Camera in 5 Simple Steps

1. How long does it take to restart an Arlo Pro camera?

From start to finish? About 2–3 minutes. The actual reboot takes 30–60 seconds. The rest is waiting for the app to reconnect and verifying the live feed. I time it with my morning coffee—perfect multitasking.

2. Will restarting delete my videos or recordings?

Nope. A restart only affects the camera’s operating system. All recordings are stored in the cloud (if you have a subscription) or on your base station’s SD card (if applicable). Your clips are safe.

3. My camera keeps disconnecting after a restart. What’s wrong?

Usually a Wi-Fi issue. Try these fixes:

• Move the camera closer to your router.
• Restart your router and modem.
• Change your Wi-Fi channel to reduce interference (use a tool like Wi-Fi Analyzer).
• Check for firmware updates in the Arlo app.

If it keeps happening, the camera’s Wi-Fi antenna might be damaged. Contact Arlo support.

4. Can I restart my Arlo Pro camera remotely?

Yes! As long as your phone has internet and the camera is powered, you can restart it from anywhere. I’ve done it from a hotel room in Paris when my camera froze during a storm. The app works globally.

5. Why won’t the “Restart Camera” option show up in the app?

It could be:

• You’re not the admin user (only admins can restart).
• The app needs an update (check your app store).
• The camera is offline or in a deep sleep mode.

Try logging out and back in, or reinstall the app. If it’s still missing, use the hard restart method instead.

6. Is there a way to restart all cameras at once?

Not directly. You have to restart each one individually. But I’ve found a workaround: restart the base station first. This often forces all connected cameras to reboot. Not guaranteed, but worth a try.

7. My camera LED is flashing red after a restart. What now?

Red flashing = error. Check the Arlo app for a detailed message. Common causes:

• Low battery (charge or replace).
• Wi-Fi disconnected (reconnect manually).
• Firmware corruption (update via app).
• Hardware failure (contact support).

Don’t ignore it. Red LEDs usually mean something needs attention.

Final Thoughts

Look, I get it—technology can be frustrating. But how to restart Arlo Pro camera in 5 simple steps is one of those rare fixes that’s both easy and effective. It’s not a cure-all, but it solves more issues than you’d think.

Over the years, I’ve used this method to fix laggy feeds, reconnect cameras after storms, and even wake up units that had gone into deep sleep mode. It’s saved me from buying replacements, calling support, or losing critical recordings.

The key is consistency. Don’t wait until the camera is completely dead. If it’s acting sluggish, restart it. Make it part of your routine—like checking your smoke detectors or updating your phone.

And remember: you don’t need to be a tech expert. You just need the right steps. Follow this guide, stay calm, and trust the process.

So next time your Arlo Pro camera freezes, don’t panic. Open the app, follow the 5 steps, and get back to what matters—peace of mind.

And if you’re feeling extra proactive? Restart your camera once a quarter. It’s like a tune-up for your home security system. Small effort, big payoff.

Now go enjoy your coffee—and your fully functional Arlo Pro camera.