If you’re having trouble with the live stream on your Arlo camera, there could be several reasons why it’s not working properly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and resolve Arlo camera live stream issues:
1. Check Your Internet Connection
- Wi-Fi Signal: Ensure your camera is within range of your Wi-Fi router and that the signal is strong. Weak Wi-Fi can cause streaming issues.
- Internet Speed: Arlo cameras require a stable internet connection with a minimum speed of 1Mbps for live streaming. If your speed is lower, it could cause buffering or a failure to load the live feed.
- To check your speed, you can use an online speed test (such as Speedtest.net). If the speed is low, try moving your router closer to your camera or use a Wi-Fi extender.
2. Restart Your Arlo Camera
- Power Cycle: Sometimes, simply restarting your Arlo camera can resolve live streaming issues. To do this, remove the battery, wait for about 10 seconds, and then reinsert it.
- If you’re using an Arlo camera connected to a base station or smart hub, you can also try rebooting the base station via the Arlo app or by unplugging it and plugging it back in.
3. Check Arlo App and Device
- App Version: Make sure you are using the latest version of the Arlo app. Outdated apps may cause performance issues.
- Go to your app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) and check if there is an update available.
- Device Compatibility: Ensure that your phone or tablet meets the system requirements to stream live footage. Some older devices may struggle with high-quality streaming.
4. Check the Camera’s Power and Battery
- Battery Level: A low battery can cause issues with streaming. Check the battery level of your Arlo camera via the Arlo app. If it’s low, recharge the battery or replace it.
- Power Source: If your camera is connected to a power outlet, ensure the power source is working correctly.
5. Restart Your Wi-Fi Router
- If the issue persists after checking the camera, restarting your router may help resolve any connectivity problems.
- Unplug your router for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to reconnect.
6. Check Arlo Servers
- Server Outages: Sometimes, Arlo’s servers might be down, causing streaming issues. Check Arlo’s status page to see if there’s a known outage.
- You can visit the Arlo Status Page to see if there are any ongoing server problems.
7. Check Your Camera’s Firmware
- Update Firmware: Ensure your camera’s firmware is up to date. Arlo releases firmware updates to fix bugs and improve performance.
- In the Arlo app, go to Settings > My Devices > [Select your camera] > Device Info. If there’s an update available, follow the prompts to install it.
8. Verify Camera Settings
- Live Streaming Permissions: Ensure that the camera is properly configured to allow live streaming.
- In the Arlo app, go to Settings > My Devices > [Select your camera] > Live Stream to check if it’s enabled.
- Motion Detection: If the camera is set to record only when motion is detected, you may not be able to stream live continuously. Set the camera to stream or record continuously if you need 24/7 access.
9. Adjust Video Quality
- If your internet speed is on the lower side, live streaming in high quality may cause buffering. Consider reducing the streaming resolution.
- In the Arlo app, go to Settings > My Devices > [Select your camera] > Video Quality and choose a lower resolution to improve streaming performance.
10. Clear App Cache (Mobile)
- For Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Arlo > Storage > Clear Cache.
- For iOS: You might need to uninstall and reinstall the app to clear the cache.
11. Test Other Cameras
- If you have multiple Arlo cameras, test the live stream on another camera to see if the issue is specific to one camera or a general problem with your system.
12. Re-sync Your Camera
- If none of the above fixes work, try re-syncing your Arlo camera with the base station or smart hub.
- Press the sync button on the base station and then on the camera. Follow the prompts in the app to complete the process.
13. Factory Reset (Last Resort)
- If all else fails, consider doing a factory reset on your Arlo camera. This will erase all settings and configurations, so it’s best to use this as a last resort.
- Press and hold the reset button on the camera for about 10-15 seconds until the LED indicator blinks.
- Reconfigure the camera after the reset.
Additional Tips:
- Avoid Interference: Ensure there is minimal interference between your camera and Wi-Fi router. Devices like microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can disrupt the Wi-Fi signal.
- Use a 5 GHz Network: If your router supports dual-band Wi-Fi, connect your Arlo camera to the 5 GHz band, which is less crowded and can offer faster speeds for streaming.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most live stream issues with your Arlo camera. If the problem persists, you might want to reach out to Arlo support for further assistance.