Local Storage on USB Consistently Corrupted

[DCSecure]

I have and Arlo Pro 3 system with four cameras and the SmartHub (device info below). My USB drives are being corrupted every time I try to use the local storage feature.

My system was unused for a number of years and I recently have a critical need to use it again now. I was delighted when I put everything together, ordered new Arlo brand batteries, and got my system set up, updated all the firmware with ease, and began local storage.

After about 6.5 Gb of local video being recorded perfectly, my USB Flash drive was corrupted. I pulled it out and tried to reformat on both the base station and my laptop. The USB drive could not even be read by my laptop to perform any type of disk utilities, reformatting, or data retrieval. I have essentially bricked three USB drives trying to record locally and they don't seem to be salvageable.

To further my frustration, I cannot speak to any support agent unless I pay $20/mo for the Arlo Secure plan for my 4 cameras. When looking at the support forums, this issue has been well known since 2023.

I bought this system because of the ability to record locally and not have to pay a subscription. I have a mission-critical need, as well, that REQUIRES me to be able to record locally without internet access. The SmartHub is damaging my USB drives beyond repair when they become corrupted, so I am losing money there as well.

Arlo - please help me and the other users facing this issue.

SmartHub:

- Hardware: VMB4540r2

- Firmware: 1.26.0.0_**** (latest)

Cameras:

- Hardware: H9

- Firmware 1.080.15.0_4_******

[StephenB]

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@DCSecure wrote:

I have and Arlo Pro 3 system with four cameras and the SmartHub (device info below). My USB drives are being corrupted every time I try to use the local storage feature.

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Are you always ejecting the storage from the app before you remove it from the smarthub?

I am also wondering what the brand/model USB drives you have had problems with?

When you say the USB drive can't be read on the laptop, do you mean that Windows isn't mounting it?  Or are you using other tools (for instance the Windows disk manager), and finding that the USB drive isn't listed there?

I guess failing interface hardware in the VMB4540 could result in damaging the USB interface of the thumb drive.  That seems unlikely,  but if it is happening about all you can do is replace the smarthub.

[Edinburgh_lad1]

I know of no other company that doesn't support its customers by not letting them phone its support, unless you pay. I find that very strange and arrogant.

There are lots of other systems that allow you to have access to local storage, for example Eufy, so Arlo isn't the only one. 

Anyway, my opinion aside, try and reset the SmartHub to factory defaults and do the same for the cameras. Then add then again.

You'll find that the Arlo system constantly requires access to the internet. You won't be able to use it without it.

[StephenB]

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@DCSecure wrote:

I have and Arlo Pro 3 system with four cameras and the SmartHub (device info below). My USB drives are being corrupted every time I try to use the local storage feature.

---

Are you always ejecting the storage from the app before you remove it from the smarthub?

I am also wondering what the brand/model USB drives you have had problems with?

When you say the USB drive can't be read on the laptop, do you mean that Windows isn't mounting it?  Or are you using other tools (for instance the Windows disk manager), and finding that the USB drive isn't listed there?

I guess failing interface hardware in the VMB4540 could result in damaging the USB interface of the thumb drive.  That seems unlikely,  but if it is happening about all you can do is replace the smarthub.