Arlo|Smart Home Security|Wireless HD Security Cameras

Orbi and Arlo - Why My Signal Strength Didn't Get Better???

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TOYSTRY
Aspirant
Aspirant

So a couple months ago I installed 5 Arlo Pro's and was noticing that 1-2 of the cameras have limited wifi connection because they are too far away from the base station.  Well today I decided to buy the Orbi with 2 satellites hoping the two satellites would increase the wifi signal and to my dismay, nothing changed which leads to me believe it's operator error.

 

So here are my questions.

 

1.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Arlo Base station should be plugged into the Orbi Router, not my AT&T U-Verse modem, right?

2.  If Question #1 is correct, what am I doing wrong that the signal strength didn't change?  One of the two satellites is right outside the window to one of my cameras that had low-wifi signal.  I can't fathom why the wifi strength hasn't changed to full strength given that it's only 10-15feet away from the new Satellite from Orbi.

3.  WTF are other options that I may have missed (I've rebooted Arlo Base station, I've unplugged and replugged in, I've done a reset).

 

TIA for the help.

8 REPLIES 8
steve_t
Master Master
Master

Arlo Pros only communicate with the base station. Your home wifi strength or coverage has nothing to do with the camera signal strength. If the base is in the most central position in your house relative to the cameras and the signal strength is still too weak, consider a second base station

TomMac
Guru Guru
Guru

As prev mentioned.... The second base unit plugs into the satellite thereby giving strong signal to the nearby cameras

 

 

And yes, the base plugs only into the router, not the modem

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TOYSTRY
Aspirant
Aspirant
Well that blows. How would I add another base station? I only have internet going into one cable jack in my house.
steve_t
Master Master
Master

One base attached to the Orbi router and another base attached to the Orbi satellite would (theoretically) give you awesome wifi coverage and Arlo coverage for your house

TOYSTRY
Aspirant
Aspirant

Would I sync the two cameras that are too far away from the existing base station to the new base station/Orbi satellie (ie, two cameras on a newly purchased 2nd base station that I'm having the hard time with WIFI signal, and then sync the other three cameras that have a good WIFI signal to the original base station)?

TOYSTRY
Aspirant
Aspirant

Oh, and can I interchange the model of base stations?  Someone is selling a used older generation base station (pre-Arlo Pro model - pic attached - Model VBM3000) or does it have to be the same version I currently have?


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steve_t
Master Master
Master

Yes. You sync cameras to the closest base station. The bases make the systems work independently so each base can be set to a different mode. This is generally really handy but does have the drawback that you can't get cameras on one base to trigger cameras on the other (not that you would want to do that often)

Yes, you can use an older Arlo HD base station. The only drawbacks are the lack of USB backup and lack of siren

Redmoonstar
Luminary
Luminary

I have the ORBI router and satellite system and I have my arlo pro base station plugged into my orbi satellite as one of my cameras had low WiFi signal and this fixed my problem. I only have one base station for my arlo pro but all my cameras are on the same side of my house as it is facing a highway and I am in a small country town. As long as your satellite is synced with your router you should get better WiFi by plugging the arlo pro base into your satellite.  I would try this before buying another base station.