topic Re: Connecting VM2030 to app in Arlo Essential Wire-Free Cameras

Connecting VM2030 to app

Jon-Davis — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 23:29:29 GMT

Hi I'm trying to connect the above camera to the app. I get the chime but the app can't find the camera and it times out.

I'm working off an android S20+ and connection is a 2.4ghz hotspot on another android phone as my router is 5 and 2.4 ghz. I understand once its been set up on a 2.4 it will automatically find the 2.4 on a router with 2.4 and 5ghz.

I have blue tooth enabled the phone, have factory reset the cameras. Cameras are fully charged. updated the app. Then reinstalled it.

Any ideas what else can be done.?

Thanks

Re: Connecting VM2030 to app

StephenB — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 23:33:26 GMT

Is your android phone also connected to the wifi hotspot?

Have you just tried using your router? (I can onboard cameras to my Orbi router, even though it also has the same network name for both bands).

Re: Connecting VM2030 to app

Jon-Davis — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 19:26:56 GMT

Tried the router first with the same issue, i read the issue was the dual band on the router and the cameras cant distinguish between the 5G and 2.4g. the phone has to be connected to the hotspot to use the app. You can't connect your phone to a hotspot you're generating on your own phone.

So yes the phone is connected to the hotspot on the other phone.

Re: Connecting VM2030 to app

Jon-Davis — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 19:29:30 GMT

Hopefully I get a solution.

Arlo are similar to Google in that they throw thier problems to "the community" so they don't have to staff a helpline.

Re: Connecting VM2030 to app

StephenB — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 20:19:24 GMT

@Jon-Davis wrote:

i read the issue was the dual band on the router and the cameras cant distinguish between the 5G and 2.4g.

Not really - it's not about the camera. The camera only has a 2.4 ghz radio, so it can only join the 2.4 ghz network. And in almost all cases it does successfully join the network. People usually do find the camera on their router's attached device list. The problem is that the method that Arlo uses to "discover" the camera after it joins the network can fail when the phone is on the 5 ghz network. Badly designed technique IMO.

The first thing I'd try is going back to the router, and try installing the camera using a PC (browsing to my.arlo.com). That sometimes will succeed when the app fails.

If that doesn't work, then try again with the hotspot - but this time do the install from the same phone that creates the hotspot. I don't believe your info on that not working is correct. Match the credentials (username and password) of your home wifi, and make sure the home wifi is turned off when you try this.

Re: Connecting VM2030 to app

Jon-Davis — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:30:56 GMT

I give it a go thanks

Re: Connecting VM2030 to app

Jon-Davis — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 04:37:52 GMT

StephenB this worked! used a laptop and web browser (chrome) to set up, no problems with 5GHz or 2,4 Ghz> no hotspots needed, all sorted now, thanks for the solution.

Re: Connecting VM2030 to app

Jon-Davis — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 04:40:35 GMT

StephenB s solution worked, just set it up with a laptop and the arlo site. didnt need to mess around with hotspots or worry about 2,4 or 5ghz, hope it works for you....good luck