Arlo Pro 5S - (missing events, taking snapshots). Pro 4 in same location works fine.

[chicane]

I've had ongoing headaches with my Pro 5S cameras not detecting events or taking snapshots instead.

Today I did a side by side test with a Pro 4 camera in the same location. Both devices are on 2.4GHz and connected to an outdoor Ubiquiti AP (great signal strength for both). I did try the device on 5GHz and found it to be similarly flaky so reverted to a hopefully more stable 2.4GHz connection. Unfortunately not.

Since I have done this side by side test, the Pro 4 is detecting every event (and recording a video). 

The pro 5 recorded video once, completely missed one event and recorded a snapshot instead for the third event. With the video was choppy and audio partially missing at the start, while the Pro4 was smooth and had audio for the full clip.

Both devices are active under my subscription, set identical under the routine (to record video), and smart notifications set the same.

I've had this replaced with a new sealed unit by support for the second time with the same outcome.

Are these devices inherently faulty? anyone else experiencing similar?

[BrookeN]

The firmware has started rolling out. It should be completed within the next week. As soon as that is fully rolled out the behavior you are seeing will be resolved. 

[BrookeN]

I have this escalated to the engineering team. I will update the community as soon as possible. 

[roundball]

@AlixO 

Thanks !

[jayhova1]

My pro 5s came with the firmware I mentioned above...

FYI I have not factory reset all cameras and the hub.  I am still having all sorts of issues.  Some cameras get notifications but no smart preview and no video clips recorded at all and saved in the feed.  I also am subscribed to CVR and the CVR is not functional at all.  It has no preview in the timeline and no saved video.  I also have issues where the preview image on the camera widgets are the wrong image.  Its all over the place.  Rebooting the hub may correct some of this but then it comes back.  I spent more time on chat support but no help.  I have strongly requested to escalate this or I'm returning 2x Pro 5S cameras and finding a new company to buy my cameras from. 

This is the second time I've had issues with an upgrade.  Last time was a couple years back when I upgraded to some Pro 4.  I had to work with engineering to get them working...  Really frustrating here.  I hope Arlo can get back to us ASAP with solutions.

[roundball]

@jayhova1 

I feel your pain...

[jayhova1]

Meant to say I HAVE reset all cameras and the hub. 

Also after resetting the VMB5000r3 hub I now cannot add back an older audio doorbell and a pro 4 I still want to use.  I only have only 1x out of 4x Pro 5S working and the rest of my system is a mess.  Have factory reset the doorbell and pro 4 as well.  Still cannot be added back.

[BrookeN]

@jayhova1 what is the error you are seeing when trying to onboard the Pro 4 as well as the doorbell?

[jayhova1]

I was finally able to get the Pro 4 added back after a few more hub reloads and camera factory resets. 

I have not tried the audio doorbell again.  The first time it would not be detected even after a factory reset of the doorbell.  Even with the doorbell right next to the hub.

[BrookeN]

Can you tell me what behavior you are seeing when trying to add the doorbell? Can you also provide what doorbell you have as well?

[Olivier_b]

is the camera pluged with power cable ? @jayhova1 

If yes, have a look at Arlo Pro 5 not working on cable - Arlo Community

[Killhippie]

no it’s not. I don’t know what’s going on but I’m not impressed. It feels like you’re being cheated out £11.99 a month for a system that is not working at all.

[chicane]

Still unsolved.

[Edinburgh_lad1]

But notifications are working again. 

[jayhova1]

Yes I have power on all my cameras.  I just took a look and commented in some of the other threads.  Sounds like I'm having the same problems for months now straight out from the box new... Arlo still has not been able to solve it.  They recently told me through my support case that they are working on firmware but its been too long...

[chicane]

No detection, no notification @Edinburgh_lad1. 

[Edinburgh_lad1]

I mean forum notifications! Considering that they didn't work for a couple of months, this is big news, no?

[BrookeN]

This original thread is for snapshots instead of recordings, which has been resolved. If you are still seeing any behavior with the Pro 5 please create a new thread. Thank you. 

[chicane]

@BrookeN thread topic is:

Arlo Pro 5S - (missing events, taking snapshots).

status:

missing events (still a major problem)

taking snapshots (minor problem, resolved)

I’m still waiting on support to make good their offer of a refund for my pro 5 devices.

[chicane]

I notice there is a new 2025 model. 

is this also flawed or a finally fixed hardware version?

Pro Security Camera (6th Gen – 2025 Release)

Battery-Powered Camera

Item No. VMC4070P-100AUS (Australian market model)

[StephenB]

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@chicane wrote:

Pro Security Camera (6th Gen – 2025 Release)

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FYI, one difference with the Pro-6 is that it uses USB-C instead of the magnetic connector.  So you do need to be cautious on accessories.  At the moment there are no compatible replacement housings.

[GeneralMeow]

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@chicane wrote:

I notice there is a new 2025 model. 

is this also flawed or a finally fixed hardware version?

Pro Security Camera (6th Gen – 2025 Release)

Battery-Powered Camera

Item No. VMC4070P-100AUS (Australian market model)

---

@chicane  I've had the Pro6 up for 1 month and already missed quite a few events.

I can say it doesn't pixelate and need a reboot after a week like my Pro5s did, so that's a win.  I already had long USB-C cables from E2's I took down.

The new feature I found was an AI interpretation of the saved video.  It's hilarious reading what it comes up with.  it's cool then the novelty wears off.  The WiFi seems to be a little different.  It's dual band but doesn't ask for 2 different SSIDs, so I guess it relies on band steering - the proper way.

[Edinburgh_lad1]

Usb C *probably* in response to the new EU law requiring new devices to have this port. It should have been introduced in the EU much sooner.

The issue of missed events seems to be affecting other cameras, too. My Pro 2 was good but started to miss events over the past year or so. I don't even want to hear that Pro 2 is EOL because we know well this camera is not milk. My Ultra is missing events or not recording them in their entirety, too. In fact, the only time I've ever seen a recording of 5 minutes long was when the cameras missed the event, catching its tail only, leading them to continue recording for the entire length. This is despite it being connected to the electrics.

it sounds like the problem with Pro 5 is far worse. I presume that if the issue with Pro 5 was to do with hardware, then Pro 6 would have had different hardware (obviously I'm not talking about USB C ports here) to avoid the issue of missed events. Do we know if it's different hardware?

[roundball]

@Edinburgh_lad1 @chicane @GeneralMeow

Quality issue with hardware, software, firmware, accessory commonality, etc.

My Pro2 cams were basically good.

My Pro3 cams were basically good.

My Pro4 cams visuals were good but have terrible audio issues / audio is unusable. 

My Pro5s cams were / are unreliable / unusable...have kept them stored in case some surprise fix finally came along but it never has so the landfill is on the horizon.

Reinstalled all my Pro4 cams with no audio, but at least their visual is workable.

Agree that we now also have have to live with constant software / firmware quality issues.

[Ocxid]

We still see problems. Plese fix the problems. But Please stop wailing about thread...

[BrookeN]

@Ocxid what problems are you seeing with the Pro 5? 

[Killhippie]

with USB C no more magnet on the base so it will never maintain its position when you push the USB in to charge and all your charging cables like the outdoor one or magnetic outdoor solar panel would need replacing, nice one Arlo!

[GeneralMeow]

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@Killhippie wrote:

with USB C no more magnet on the base so it will never maintain its position when you push the USB in to charge and all your charging cables like the outdoor one or magnetic outdoor solar panel would need replacing, nice one Arlo!

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@Killhippie , not sure i'm following?

I prefer the USB-C cables with the weather packing as its better than the magnetic connector that corrodes and causes the camera to report incompat charger after a while.  I have a few magnetic cables that have weak springs evidently and never fully seat on the camera, bad design IMHO.  Also, not sure how the camera will not maintain its position if using the hard mount, not magnetic mount.

I do agree that changing cables multiple times over the revisions is unacceptable, but USB-C is where they should have went after using micro USB for years.