New camera will not record activity

[MaryandTom]

Just installed our fourth camera, in Arlo Pro 4. It is connected to our Network and has 100% battery. We can see what the camera sees, but it does not record motion nor notify us of activity.   All the settings for motion are correctly set. They are set exacting like they are for our other three cameras. Any ideas? 

[jguerdat]

Have you rebooted them (or rebooted the hub, if so connected)? Reinserting the battery may be useful.

[MaryandTom]

Yes and Yes. Also  The base is listed as compatible.  Do you think that the base can't handle more than 3 cameras?

[StephenB]

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@MaryandTom wrote:

Just installed our fourth camera, in Arlo Pro 4. It is connected to our Network and has 100% battery. We can see what the camera sees, but it does not record motion nor notify us of activity.   All the settings for motion are correctly set. They are set exacting like they are for our other three cameras. Any ideas? 

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Is the camera in a subscription plan?

[MaryandTom]

We do not subscribe to a subscription. None of our cameras are connected with a subscription. The videos are automatically saved for 7 days. Except videos from our new camera, of course

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@MaryandTom wrote:

We do not subscribe to a subscription. None of our cameras are connected with a subscription. The videos are automatically saved for 7 days. Except videos from our new camera, of course

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Arlo stopped providing free 7-day storage for new camera models back in 2018, so the Pro 4 doesn't have that feature.

Local recording is possible if the camera is connected to a hub - but you can only see those recordings in the app if you are using a vmb4540 or vmb5000 smarthub.  I am guessing you do not have one.  There are limitations on that feature - post back if you want more details.

But you should be getting motion notifications if the camera is armed.  Have you tried the motion detection test?  If you see "Feed" and "Dashboard" in your app menu, the test is found in the default mode settings menu.  If you instead see "Library", it is found in the device utilities menu.

[jguerdat]

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@MaryandTom wrote:

Yes and Yes. Also  The base is listed as compatible.  Do you think that the base can't handle more than 3 cameras?

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While newer hardware may have additional capabilities for handling more devices, even the older base stations could handle way more than 3 cameras. It's always been suggested by Arlo that 15 cameras on one base would be a practical limit but not a hard limit.

[MaryandTom]

It is paired to our 4540 just like the other three cameras. I did do the test and it saw me. But nothing recorded. But I rarely see the red light flash. When it says activity. We can see us the live view but there is no recording or notification.

[MaryandTom]

Our base station is a 4500.  My three previous cameras in my new Pro 4 are connected to it. But I rarely get a red flashing light indicating it is recording. I can see myself in the camera when I'm viewing it live. I did a test and it indicated it was taking a test with a yellow flashing light. I could see myself. But there was once again no recording

[StephenB]

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@MaryandTom wrote:

Our base station is a 4500.  My three previous cameras in my new Pro 4 are connected to it. But I rarely get a red flashing light indicating it is recording. I can see myself in the camera when I'm viewing it live. I did a test and it indicated it was taking a test with a yellow flashing light. I could see myself. But there was once again no recording

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Well, as I said above you won't see recordings in the app unless you have a subscription (either paid or trial) for the Pro 4.  

If you attach a USB drive to the VMB4500 you can set up local recordings.  But the only way to see them is to eject the storage using the app and then attach it to a PC.

[MaryandTom]

Videos are retained for 7 days for our other three cameras. Attaching the Pro 4 to the same base. 7 days worth of videos should also be retained. But videos are not even being captured. No notifications either

[StephenB]

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@MaryandTom wrote:

Attaching the Pro 4 to the same base. 7 days worth of videos should also be retained.

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Once again no. Your older legacy cameras were sold with 7 days of free cloud storage - NOT the base.  The Pro 4 simply doesn't have that feature - it doesn't matter how you connect it.  

[MaryandTom]

That's too bad.  Even if I could get the camera working, it would be useless without a subscription.  I need videos retained for a couple days so I can view them. Subscription prices are too high.  I will check out other brands and give this camera to someone else or toss it 

[jguerdat]

Or, if the cameras are connected to your VMB4540 hub, set up local storage in the hub's settings under Storage Settings. Use a >16GB thumb drive in the USB slot on the hub and then use the app to view the recordings in Feed by selecting Local at the top.

[MaryandTom]

That is only useful if I am at home and can insert the USB drive into my computer to view the video 

[jguerdat]

Nope. I specifically said your VMB4540, not the 4500.  You mention both so please clarify what base and/or hub you have in your account.

[MaryandTom]

4500

[jguerdat]

Then you're right about how to view the recordings. Since you already have a system set up, t may well be easiest (and even cheaper) to invest in a VMB4540, remove all cameras and the base from your account and start fresh with the 4540, set up for local recordings.

[MaryandTom]

I need to be able to view recordings while I am away from home which is 70 % of the time. Local storage is not  as solution.  I will look in to o eufy.  I have an indoor eufy and can view recordings at a later date and I don't have the additional expense of a base

[MaryandTom]

I do not want to get a subscription to view our videos.  I am unable to get notifications from our new camera, Pro 4.  I attempted to remove the base, reset it, then add it back in. Have not been able to add it back in..no Arlo devices found. So, I have replaced my Arlos with a competitors cameras. They were so easy to install and worked perfectly instantly.