My new Arlo Essential 3rd generation cameras keep dropping off and going offline.

[Jgreg77]

My new Arlo Essential 3^rd generation cameras keep dropping off and going offline.  Reconnection is difficult.

Installation:

I started with an Arlo Pro camera set and base station, which worked reliably for over 10 years.  Later, I added three Essential 2k Wireless cameras with solar panels.  These new cameras however, did not link to the base station, but directly to my Wi-Fi system.  I also added a doorbell which linked to the base station.  For the last three years, this system worked well, reliably, however, the Pro cameras batteries became weak and had to be recharged often.

To update the system, I purchased a set of four Essential 3^rd generation cameras with solar panels.  Along with this a new wired doorbell.  All of the new devices linked directly to my Wi-Fi system.  It appeared that the base station was no longer needed, so it is turned off at the moment. 

At this stage, all of the cameras had solar panels, and one wired doorbell camera.

For a couple of weeks, the cameras worked reliably.

I added two more Essential 3^rd generation cameras to use with battery only to use inside the house, for a total of 10 cameras (all Essential models, except for the doorbell).  The installation was set up and worked well for two days, however, now the new Essential 3^rd generation cameras keep dropping off and going offline. 

The wired doorbell camera and the three Essential 2k Wireless cameras still work reliably, it is just the new Essential 3^rd generation cameras that keep dropping.

It does not seem possible to reconnect these new cameras without doing the factory reset and re-linking them like they were new.  (The pro cameras just needed the battery removed and put back to reset when they dropped off).  This is problematic since these cameras all require a ladder to reach.

The Wi-Fi signal to each camera varies, but the connection test shows the signal connection strength as "Good".  (My Wi-Fi system has nodes in various locations around the house). 

How do I diagnose what is wrong with these cameras, or the system?

Is it possible that all of these new cameras are defective?

[jguerdat]

While it could be interference from some other device(s) that also use the 2.4GHz band, I'd start by swapping one of the problem cameras with one of the working ones. That will help you decide if it's the camera or the location to blame.

[Jgreg77]

Four of the new Essential 3rd generation cameras are located in the same place as the original Pro cameras.  The wifi shows good signal in the two added locations and there are no other electronics around to affect the signal.

[StephenB]

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@Jgreg77 wrote:

Four of the new Essential 3rd generation cameras are located in the same place as the original Pro cameras.  

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Are they also connected to the same hub?

[Jgreg77]

I am not using the hub. 

As noted in the original post, when I connected the new cameras, they all attached to my home wifi router (SSID) directly.  Since the hub was no longer connected to anything, it is turned off at the moment.

For a short time, this seemed to work, but no longer.

I am unable to find anything that says the essential camera series needs to have the hub.

At this point, before I experiment further, I would like to know what is going on, and what is required.

[StephenB]

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@Jgreg77 wrote:

I am not using the hub. 

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It's not required.  But the home wifi quality at the Pro 2 locations might be different from the base station wifi quality you had with the Pro 2 cameras.

[Jgreg77]

I have noticed that the cameras seem to come back online when motion is detected, but then go back off after a few moments.  The end result, is that when I go to the app, the cameras are "offline", so I am unable to do a quick check.

Could this be some sort of power save mode?  If so, how do I turn it off?

The whole purpose of installing these cameras was to be able to check things periodically.   If they keep going off, they are useless to me.

[Jgreg77]

I have the same problem as reported here.  https://community.arlo.com/t5/Arlo-Essential-Outdoor-2nd-Gen/Camera-keeps-going-offline/m-p/2453659#... (however, this thread is locked with no solution)

I also posted this question, however, the responses seem to have stopped https://community.arlo.com/t5/Arlo-Essential-Security-Camera/My-new-Arlo-Essential-3rd-generation-ca...

When I go to the app to check the cameras, the new cameras are all offline, however, when you walk in front of the cameras, they come back on for a few moments, then go back offline.

I can force reconnect the cameras, however, I have to remove them from the app, do a factory reset, and then go through the installation process again.  (This is a nuisance since I need a ladder each time to access the cameras).

I purchased a set of four Essential 3^rd generation cameras with solar panels, and two additional with just for use with battery power.  I have three original Essential 2K cameras (also with solar panels) that have been working fine for three years.   Four of the new Essential 3^rd generation cameras are installed where I removed the old Pro cameras, so the locations are good.

I am using all of the cameras attached my Wi-Fi system (no hub).

I have fiber-optic gigabyte service and tested the Wi-Fi and have strong upload and download speed at all of the camera locations.  I have reset the cameras, reinstalled them, factory reset, moved them, etc. all with no effect.  There are no neighbors close by, so interference is not an issue.   The connection test on the Arlo app shows the connection as "Strong".

This seems to be related to just to the new Essential 3^rd generation cameras.  (Defective?)

Could this be some sort of power save mode?  If so, how do I turn it off?

[jguerdat]

If you're getting recordings while noted as offline, I'd say it's a display issue, not related to the cameras itself. Does the web client (my.arlo.com) show the same thing?

[ujm]

Well we had a good run, I purchased a Arlo security system approximately 10 years ago it consisted of 4 Arlo Pro 2 (VMC4030P) camera's and a base station (VMB4000), setup went flawless and they worked great no problems, so I upgraded to 4 more essential spot light camera's when they came out and they worked fantastic no issues, after years of faithful service in harsh weather than began to fail so they were replaced with the essential spot light GEN2 cameras and they worked flawless also, as the cameras life span ended they were replaced by the essential GEN3, huge mistake all the GEN3 cameras go offline repeatedly and what's left of my GEN1 and GEN2 are still working great so obviously the GEN3 cameras are complete junk it appears by all the negative post on this forum regarding the GEN3 I'm not the only one having problems, Arlo support runs through there check list which consist of everything that already tried so they are absolutely no help, I'm so pissed off I'm going to order the Reolink Argus 3 Pro then I'm canceling my Arlo subscription and throwing the Arlo cameras in the garbage.

[Jgreg77]

The cameras drop off the same online as with the app (both are mirrored).  The new Essential 3rd generation cameras will wake up when there is motion, and show up on the App/website, then drop off after a few minutes.

The Arlo tech support said is was my poor connection, so I got a new router.  The Essential 3rd generation cameras are now all connected to 5G network and all show a "strong" connection.   The behavior did not change in the least.

At this point, I am thinking this is a programmed-in feature, since they all stay up for about 10 minutes or so, then drop off.  The only way to get them to reconnect is with motion, or factory reset.  

Apparently, Arlo does not know about this, since the tech support seems baffled as well.

[StephenB]

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@Jgreg77 wrote:

At this point, I am thinking this is a programmed-in feature,

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FWIW, mine don't behave that way.

One thought - look at the router's attached device list, and find a camera's IP address.  Then the next time it goes off-line, see if the camera still shows up as connected (ideally ping it, if you know how to do that).

[Jgreg77]

This is baffling.....

The cameras seem to be going to sleep (Offline)

The cameras wake up when motion is detected, record the event, then go back to sleep (offline).  When this happens, they disconnect from the App, the Arlo web-based interface, and the router.

Looking at the router clients list. Over time, it shows some of the cameras dropping off and coming back online.  This seems to match the activity on the App.  Some are still connected on the router, but not showing on the App.

I can ping the camera from my computer using the router address.  When the camera is offline it says "The host is unreachable".  When the camera is online, the pings returns normally.  The ping does not wake up the camera.

The more I dig into this, it seems the control is entirely with the Essential 3rd generation camera.  The essential 2k cameras stay online (available on the App) all of the time.

I think the problem is with Essential 3rd generation cameras - they are defective.

[BrookeN]

I can roll back the firmware on these cameras, however they need to be online. Can you please let me know when your cameras are online and I will roll those back. 

[mjames64]

I too keep having this issue, I have 3 of the pervious version and have zero issues but the Essential 3rd Gen I have issues with continuously .  I have tried both the HUB and my wifi I've even left it in my house right next the HUB and wifi router that are in the same room and still have an issue after a few days.  These cameras are complete JUNK!  I've also run into charging issues I feel like every couple weeks I have to reset one of these device to factory reset and install it all over again.  Arlo needs to do something update firmware or give everyone who has one of these a refund.  I see a class action suite coming if they don't figure this out soon.

[Jgreg77]

Update - Since I get many of the same questions, I am summarizing the things I have tried and the camera behavior.

The Arlo Essential 3^rd generation cameras keep going offline (new cameras). The "offline" issue happens only with the new Essential 3^rd generation cameras.  (Defective?).  All other cameras work properly.

The cameras wake up when motion is detected, record the event, then go back to sleep (offline).  When this happens, they disconnect from all sources: the App, the Arlo web-based interface, and the router.

Looking at the router clients list. Over time, it shows some of the cameras dropping off and coming back online.  This seems to match the activity on the App.  Some are still connected on the router, but not showing on the App.

I have been though many sessions with tech support and tried all of the suggestions.  As a result, I have done the following:

• Uninstalled and reinstalled all cameras (with factory reset)
• Re-booted everything many times
• Changed internet service providers - (was cable) I now have gigabit fiber-optic service
• Changed routers - New router with dedicated SSID for just the cameras
• Moved the cameras to new locations - Including locating one next to the router
• 4 of the cameras are on solar panels (battery always above 60%), the other two are at full change, one is plugged in all the time.

While the tech support people are very nice, however, they do not seem to have a clue as to how the cameras are supposed to work vs. they actual behavior.   They all go over their script exactly the same, but they don't seem to have any other diagnostic capabilities.

Could this be some sort of power save mode?  If so, how do I turn it off?  Something in the firmware?

History:

I purchased a set of four Essential 3^rd generation cameras with solar panels, and two additional with just for use with battery power.  I have three original Essential 2K cameras (also with solar panels) that have been working fine for three years.   Four of the new Essential 3^rd generation cameras are installed where I removed the old Pro cameras, so the locations are good.

I have a new fiber-optic gigabyte service and new router and tested the Wi-Fi signal strength at each camera location and have strong upload and download speed at all of the camera locations.  I have reset the cameras, reinstalled them, factory reset, moved them, etc. all with no effect.  There are no neighbors close by, so interference is not an issue.   The connection test on the Arlo app shows the connection as "Strong".

I can ping the camera from my computer using the router address.  When the camera is offline it says "The host is unreachable".  When the camera is online, the pings returns normally.  The ping does not wake up the camera.

The more I dig into this, it seems the connectivity control is entirely within the Essential 3rd generation cameras.  The essential 2k cameras stay online (available on the App) all of the time. 

Arlo Existing Cameras - (All work normally)
Model	Hardware	Firmware	Wi-Fi	Download (Mbps)	Upload (Mbps)
Doorbell (Wired)	AVD1001Ar1.3	1.23.0.0_2_8f9b336_52b61f3	2.4 Ghz	38	8.4
Essential 2K	VMC3050Aer1.4	10.1.460_8e9349a	2.4 Ghz	29	3.6
Essential 2K	VMC3050Aer1.4	10.1.460_8e9349a	2.4 Ghz	8.2	1.8
Essential 2K	VMC3050Aer1.4	10.1.460_8e9349a	2.4 Ghz	32	5.1
New Cameras - Essential 3rd generation - (All keep dropping offline)
Model	Hardware	Firmware	Wi-Fi	Download (Mbps)	Upload (Mbps)
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC2080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	378	256
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC2080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	340	140
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC3080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	433	283
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC2080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	446	286
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC2080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	410	261
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC3080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	545	406

[Jgreg77]

Update - Since I get many of the same questions, I am summarizing the things I have tried and the camera behavior.

The Arlo Essential 3^rd generation cameras keep going offline (new cameras). The "offline" issue happens only with the new Essential 3^rd generation cameras.  (Defective?).  All other cameras work properly.

The cameras wake up when motion is detected, record the event, then go back to sleep (offline).  When this happens, they disconnect from all sources: the App, the Arlo web-based interface, and the router.

Looking at the router clients list. Over time, it shows some of the cameras dropping off and coming back online.  This seems to match the activity on the App.  Some are still connected on the router, but not showing on the App.

I have been though many sessions with tech support and tried all of the suggestions.  As a result, I have done the following:

• Uninstalled and reinstalled all cameras (with factory reset)
• Re-booted everything many times
• Changed internet service providers - (was cable) I now have gigabit fiber-optic service
• Changed routers - New router with dedicated SSID for just the cameras
• Moved the cameras to new locations - Including locating one next to the router
• 4 of the cameras are on solar panels (battery always above 60%), the other two are at full change, one is plugged in all the time.

While the tech support people are very nice, however, they do not seem to have a clue as to how the cameras are supposed to work vs. they actual behavior.   They all go over their script exactly the same, but they don't seem to have any other diagnostic capabilities.

Could this be some sort of power save mode?  If so, how do I turn it off?  Something in the firmware?

History:

I purchased a set of four Essential 3^rd generation cameras with solar panels, and two additional with just for use with battery power.  I have three original Essential 2K cameras (also with solar panels) that have been working fine for three years.   Four of the new Essential 3^rd generation cameras are installed where I removed the old Pro cameras, so the locations are good.

I have a new fiber-optic gigabyte service and new router and tested the Wi-Fi signal strength at each camera location and have strong upload and download speed at all of the camera locations.  I have reset the cameras, reinstalled them, factory reset, moved them, etc. all with no effect.  There are no neighbors close by, so interference is not an issue.   The connection test on the Arlo app shows the connection as "Strong".

I can ping the camera from my computer using the router address.  When the camera is offline it says "The host is unreachable".  When the camera is online, the pings returns normally.  The ping does not wake up the camera.

The more I dig into this, it seems the connectivity control is entirely within the Essential 3rd generation cameras.  The essential 2k cameras stay online (available on the App) all of the time. 

Arlo Existing Cameras - (All work normally)

Model	Hardware	Firmware	Wi-Fi Channel	Download (Mbps)	Upload (Mbps)
Doorbell (Wired)	AVD1001Ar1.3	1.23.0.0_2_8f9b336_52b61f3	2.4 Ghz	38	8.4
Essential 2K	VMC3050Aer1.4	10.1.460_8e9349a	2.4 Ghz	29	3.6
Essential 2K	VMC3050Aer1.4	10.1.460_8e9349a	2.4 Ghz	8.2	1.8
Essential 2K	VMC3050Aer1.4	10.1.460_8e9349a	2.4 Ghz	32	5.1

New Cameras - Essential 3rd generation - (All keep dropping offline)

Model	Hardware	Firmware	Wi-Fi Channel	Download (Mbps)	Upload (Mbps)
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC2080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	378	256
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC2080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	340	140
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC3080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	433	283
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC2080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	446	286
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC2080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	410	261
Essential 3rd Gen	VMC3080Aer1.2	10.1.6_8d821ab	5 Ghz	545	406

[SK-8888]

I have been having the exact same problem. I have 7 other cameras 4 of which are essential 2nd gen and they all work perfectly fine so this is a specific problem with the 3rd gen. I have tried everything including factory reset nothing worked. From the discussion so far Arlo doesn't seem to have an idea so I am going to return these cameras while it's still within the window rather than getting stuck with them. Very disappointing. 

[mjames64]

If I could go back I too would have returned these cameras.  Seems like at least once a month I'm trying to get one of them back online and functioning properly.