If your Arlo cameras are no longer showing up in your account or if you’re experiencing other connection issues, a reset is usually your best troubleshooting option.
I’ll cover how to reset an Arlo base station remotely as well as in person. So whether you’re at home or hundreds of miles away from your system, you can easily and quickly get it working again.
Let’s get right to it!
How To Reset Arlo Base Station Remotely
Assuming your base station has power and is online, it should be possible to reset it using the Arlo Secure app.
This is a soft reset that won’t affect your settings or data. Instead, it simply forces the base station to turn off and back on.
To reset your Arlo base station remotely, follow these steps:
- Open the Arlo Secure app and tap on Settings.
- Tap on My Devices to pull up a list of your Arlo equipment.
- Select the base station that you need to reset.
- Tap on the Reset button and wait about 30 seconds for your base station to reset.
The reset button may not show up if your base station does not have power or if it does not have internet access.
However, you can sometimes force this option to appear by relaunching the Arlo Secure app. If you have reason to believe your base station is online—for example, if other internet-connected devices are working fine at the same location—then you should try this trick.
Simply pull up your base station settings and check to see if it shows the Reset button (and it is not greyed out). If not, force quit the app and launch it again.
This essentially forces the app to check for your base station again, which can sometimes work if it just recently experienced an outage or other issue.
Another trick that some Arlo users have had success with is putting their base station on a WiFi-enabled smart switch, such as a Wemo plug.
This makes it possible to power cycle the base station from anywhere, even if the reset option isn’t available in the app. Typically, a soft reset of the base station will resolve connection issues, so this a good option that will make your security system more reliable when you’re away from the property.
If My Arlo Base Station Is Offline, Will The Cameras Still Record?
Your Arlo base station will record security footage and upload it to the cloud whenever it has both power and an internet connection. If it has power but no internet connection, it can still record to a local storage device. You can then upload the recordings to a computer at a later time.
How To Reset Arlo Base Station In Person
It is going to be easier to reset your base station if you are able to physically access it, or can give instructions to someone who can (such as a neighbor or tenant).
The first step is going to be trying to power cycle the base station itself. To do this, simply follow these steps:
- Unplug the base station from the wall outlet.
- Wait a full 60 seconds.
- Plug the base station back into power.
- Make sure that it is turned on and wait a minute or two for it to power up.
Once you’ve power cycled the base station, check to see if it is functioning correctly.
How To Factory Reset Arlo Base Station
It is possible to reset your Arlo base station back to factory settings. This is ideal if you are planning to sell or give your Arlo system to a new owner, or if no other troubleshooting step works
To perform a factory reset, follow these steps:
- Turn the base station around and locate the button labeled Reset on the back.
- Press the Reset button with a paperclip or a reset tool for 10 seconds or until the LED starts to flash.
- Wait for a few seconds for the base station to reset itself.
You will know the factory reset is complete once the LED light stops flashing. At this point, you will need to remove the base station from your account.
To remove the base station from your account, follow these steps:
- Open the Arlo Secure app on your phone.
- Tap on Settings and then tap on My Devices.
- From the list of Arlo equipment, select the base station that you just reset.
- Scroll and tap on Remove Device and confirm your choice.
If you are planning on giving your Arlo equipment to someone else or returning it, then you don’t need to do anything else. The base station has been reset and it is ready for the new owner to set it up.
But if you still want to continue using your Arlo equipment, you will need to add your base station back to your account now that it has been reset.
To add your reset base station back to your Arlo account, follow these steps:
- Open the Arlo Secure app on your phone.
- Navigate to the Devices page.
- Tap on Add New Device and select Base Station/Hub.
- The app will then guide you through the setup of your base station.
- You will need to add your other Arlo devices and set them up with the new base station.
Final Words
Arlo offers a full suite of home security devices such as cameras, doorbells, lights, and more. As with most home security systems, each individual device is designed to be reliable and resistant to the elements.
The most common issue with Arlo systems is a loss of connection. This could be a specific device that is no longer showing up, or it could be that the base station itself isn’t responding.
In either case, the most effective option is to power cycle the base station. You can do this in person by unplugging it for thirty seconds, or remotely using a WiFi smart switch like a WeMo plug.
If all else fails, you can always perform a factory reset by pressing down the reset button on the back of the base station for thirty seconds. However, a factory reset will require you to set your base station and devices back up in your account.
Hopefully this guide was helpful, and stay tuned for more in-depth guides for all your Arlo devices!
FAQs
Why Is The Reset Button Greyed Out In The Arlo App?
The reset button may be greyed out and not respond if the base station is offline or if the app hasn’t properly synced with your system. If you know your base station is online, try quitting the app and relaunching it several times until the Reset button is available.