Introduction
If your Arlo camera system is installed but not recording to your Library or Feed, this comprehensive troubleshooting guide will walk you through common causes and step-by-step fixes to get your system back to capturing motion-events reliably.
Common Reasons Why Arlo Cameras Stop Recording
Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand why your Arlo camera might not be recording properly. Here are some common reasons:
- Connectivity issues: Arlo cameras rely on Wi-Fi and an internet connection to upload videos. A poor connection or router issue can stop recordings from being saved.
- Incorrect camera settings: Sometimes, your camera settings may be accidentally adjusted, preventing recordings from being uploaded to the feed or library.
- Battery issues: If your camera is running on battery power, low battery levels can impact its ability to record and upload footage.
- Arlo server outages: Occasionally, Arlo servers experience outages or maintenance that could prevent recordings from syncing with the cloud.
- Subscription plan limitations: Depending on your Arlo plan, you may have limitations on cloud storage or the number of days that recordings are saved.
Understanding these issues will help you pinpoint the cause and apply the right fix. Now, let’s walk through some simple troubleshooting steps.
Why Your Arlo System May Be Not Recording
There are several frequent reasons why an Arlo camera may still show “Live View” but fail to generate recordings in the Library or Feed:
1. Subscription or Plan Issues
If your camera isn’t under an active recording plan, it won’t save clips to the cloud. As Arlo’s own support article states:
- “You must have an active Arlo Secure subscription for the camera to record.”
- For the Feed specifically: “Ensure the Location is part of an active Arlo Secure plan.”
If the plan expired or the camera isn’t assigned to the correct plan, recording will stop even though live view works.
2. Mode, Rules or Recording Settings
Even with a plan, if the camera is disarmed or its rule set doesn’t include Record video, no clip will be stored.
For example:
- “Check the active mode and ensure Record video is checked.”
- Many community posts show users got notifications but no recordings because the mode changed from “Armed” to “Disarmed”.
3. Device Offline or Connectivity Issues
If the camera is offline, disconnected from its base station or network, or has lost pairing, it may show live but not reliably record. Arlo support suggests verifying the camera is online as part of the fix.
4. Firmware/App or System Glitches
Issues such as outdated firmware, app bugs, or corrupted pairing can prevent recordings. Community threads show that power-cycling, removing and re-adding devices often resolves it.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Follow these steps in order until your camera begins recording again.
Step 1: Check Subscription & Plan
- Open the Arlo Secure App (or login at my.arlo.com).
- Navigate to Settings → Subscription. Confirm a valid plan is active and your camera is listed under that plan.
- If a camera shows “No Plan”, drag it into the active plan list.
- Log out and log back in to refresh the account.
Step 2: Verify Mode & Recording Rules
- Go to Mode in the app. Ensure the Active Mode is “Armed” (or the custom mode that supports recording).
- Tap the pencil icon to edit rules and ensure Record video is enabled for that camera & mode.
- Trigger motion (walk in front of camera) and check the Library/Feed to see if a clip appears.
Step 3: Ensure Camera is Online & Connected
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In the Devices list check each camera’s status. If it shows offline or disconnected, power-cycle it:
- For wireless: remove battery 30 seconds then reinsert.
- For wired: unplug power for 1 minute then plug back in.
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If using a Base Station/Hub, unplug its power and Ethernet for 1 minute before reconnecting.
Step 4: Update App & Firmware
- Update the Arlo app on your smartphone (Android or iOS).
- Check for camera/base station firmware updates in the app (device settings). Newer firmware may fix bugs causing recording failures.
- Remove cache or reinstall the app if you suspect app glitches.
Step 5: Remove & Re-Add Devices (Reset Setup)
If none of the prior steps work, a full re-setup often resolves deeper issues:
- Remove cameras & base station from your Arlo account.
- Power off all devices, wait 1 minute, then power on.
- Add Base Station first, then each camera one-by-one via the Arlo app.
- Re-apply modes/rules and test recording.
Step 6: Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If the problem persists, perform factory resets:
- For base station: use a paperclip to hold the reset button for ~10 seconds.
- For cameras: follow model-specific reset instructions (battery out, hold sync button, etc.).
- Re-add devices fresh and reconfigure the system.
Additional Tips & Best Practices
- Filter settings: Ensure you’re not filtering out device or event types in Library/Feed. In Library tap Filter → Device → Select All.
- Battery health: For wire-free cams, low battery may cause missed recordings.
- Network strength: Cameras need solid WiFi or base station link. Weak signal can prevent upload of recordings.
- Motion test: Use the built-in motion detection test to confirm the camera senses movement.
- Recording duration: Cloud-recorded clips may have max duration limits (depending on plan).
- Stay aware of plan changes: Arlo’s subscription terms and cloud-storage rules have changed over time—what used to work may no longer.
- Back-up options: Some Arlo Base Stations/SmartHubs support local USB/microSD storage as backup.
When to Call for Support
If you’ve walked through these steps and still find your Arlo camera not recording, it may be time to contact technical support. Be ready to provide: model numbers, firmware version, exact symptoms (live works, but no recording), noted steps you’ve taken. For example, community posts show that support has instructed full removal and re-adding of devices as a solution when nothing else works. You can reach out for assistance at +1-872-777-1190 for dedicated support.
Summary
When your Arlo system shows live video but refuses to record:
- Ensure proper subscription & plan assignment.
- Confirm that the system mode is “Armed” and recording rules are enabled.
- Make sure devices are online and connected.
- Update firmware/app & reset if necessary.
- Remove/re-add devices if needed.
- Perform a factory reset as a last resort.
- If you’re still stuck, call support at +1-872-777-1190 for further assistance.
By systematically working through these checks you should be able to diagnose and fix the issue of your Arlo camera not recording to the Library or Feed.
