Arlo Pro 2 only detecting motion at short distance

[Russ46]

One of my Pro 2 cameras has started only detecting motion at short distance (around 6-8 feet).  This only started about 4 weeks ago.  Before this it was detecting motion normal max disspecs.  I have not moved the camera or changed settings.   I have even swapped cameras and same short motion occurs.   Any assistance would be appreciated.

[Dannybear]

@Russ46,
“I have even swapped cameras and same short motion occurs.”
So do you mean that a different camera in the same location has the same issue or the issue follows the problem camera?

Have you tried using the motion sensitivity test utility available in the cameras settings page to confirm the problem behaviour?
Have you checked the motion sensitivity settings in the operating mode camera rules that determine trigger events?

[Russ46]

Hi, thanks for your quick response.  Yes I have tested  ‘motion detection test’ on both cameras and both only detect motion at short distance, with motion sensitivity set to max.  When I swap the cameras around to my other detection positions, they both work great in detecting motion at long distance.   What I can’t understand is that this problem only started about four weeks ago where the camera has been located in the same position for over four years without any problems.  I have even factory reset the cameras and reinstalled them.  Same problem exists in the original camera position, then works fine when swapped with other positions.

[jguerdat]

Is this only during the day or at night, too? Just wondering if the sun's angle is swamping the IR from human subjects. Many of us use modes with differing motion sensitivity settings to handle this sort of situation and then schedule them to automate the switching. Usually, however, the opposite strategy is needed - reduced sensitivity is needed to eliminate reflected IR from leaves/branches/etc.

[Dannybear]

@Russ46

Agree that it is weird, have you tried cleaning the front face of the cameras to remove any scum buildup. The I.R. motion sensor is located below the camera lens and as jguerdat says sun reflections can desensitise the sensor.
Although it’s been working previously ensure the desired motion is across the camera’s field of view.
Also are you using activity zones?

[Russ46]

Thanks all for your responses.  I have cleaned the camera,  and is not directly facing the sun during the day.    The problem of not detecting motion happens whether day or night.  I do note that the camera installed in the position I am having motion detection problems have no problem detecting sound, just motion at short range. My cameras are not set up for activity zones as they are not connected to AC power.  

[Dannybear]

Well, it does suggest your camera location is being haunted by a silent ghost.

A rapid change of heat signature presented to the sensor is what is required and sensitivity settings set that threshold, default is 80%.

It would not surprise me that there is another hidden setting arlo uses to adjust the range of the sensitivity setting but would not explain the issue that is location based.

Is the camera location always first on the device dashboard? I have my top camera always missing motion first time but picks up the second and subsequent events.