Not every unit from Arlo maintains the same performance consistency, and you will see users complain about some devices like the Arlo essential spotlight camera. Many owners have pointed out performance complications with this device as it doesn’t connect to the smart system properly.
This can be pretty frustrating when you’ve put hours into the initial setup. Luckily, there are a few things that you can try to fix Arlo Essential spotlight camera not connecting. You won’t have to immediately reset the smart camera, and there is a chance that following the first few steps mentioned here will fix your device.
So, follow this troubleshooting guide when Arlo Essential spotlight camera is not connecting.
How To Resolve Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera Not Connecting
- Check Home Network
Almost all the users that complained about this issue said that they were on a 5.0 GHz channel band. If you’ve not updated the router configurations as well, then you’re in the same boat. While having a dual-band router does broadcast both channels, you need to limit the network connection to a 2.4 GHz network to avoid these issues.
Once the Arlo Essential Spotlight camera is connected to the system, you can start the 5.0 GHz channel again along with the 2.4 GHz channel. This method fixed the connection issue for most users, and you should get the same results if the router configurations are not up to date.
- Remove VPN From Your Mobile Device
Removing VPN from your mobile device should be the next move when you’re sure that the router is broadcasting a 2.4 GHz channel. While active services like Nord do protect your mobile devices, they can create issues when you’re connecting to smart units. So, to stay on the safer side, it is a good idea to completely remove the VPN application from your mobile device. Once the app is removed, you can try connecting to the Arlo Essential unit.
- Re-add Smart Units
Sometimes, the issue with the Arlo Essential spotlight camera not connecting is related to the pairing of the smart device with the user account. So, it is a good idea to move both the main bridge and the Arlo spotlight camera from your system before adding them again. This will be enough to limit the connection, and you will be able to add the smart unit. Just make sure to remove the smart bridge as well to avoid further bugs.
- Update Wi-Fi Credentials
The Wi-Fi credentials also have a role to play in these connection issues. Many users believe that using special characters in the Wi-Fi name and password is a good idea to keep their devices safe. Even though this premise isn’t completely false, you will still run into issues with the smart devices like the Arlo Spotlight system not connecting.
The only thing you can do here is to update the Wi-Fi credentials and switch all characters to simple alphabets and numbers. Then you can try going through the connection procedure again, and the Wi-Fi will easily connect to your smart system.
- Restart Arlo Spotlight Unit
A few users also stated that they were about to maneuver through this Arlo issue by restarting the spotlight camera. So, there is no harm in following the same method and restarting the Arlo camera. It will only take a minute, and you just have to power down the unit for a few seconds and then start it up again. Usually, it is a better idea to remove the power connection completely from the Arlo unit, but you can adjust the configurations accordingly.
- Check For Hardware Issues
At this stage, the possibility of hardware issues increases by a huge margin. If you’ve gone through all of these steps, then your last shot is resetting to factory defaults. You can rely on the instructions provided in the manual to reset the device.
On the other hand, if the issue persists even after resetting the Arlo system, then you need to contact the Arlo dealer for a replacement. You’re possibly dealing with a defective unit that has to be replaced. So, make sure to check for hardware issues and then forward a warranty claim on your Arlo device.