Arlo Q will not connect to WiFi router

[nixonandmaude]

Have tried to connect many times. Have reset unit. Putting the correct wifi name and password in. It will scan QR code but just goes till to drops off and lamp on Q flashes fast.. Standard camera connects perfect.

[jguerdat]

The usual issue is use of non-alphanumeric characters, including spaces, in either the SSID or passphrase.  You can try enabling the router's guest account, if possible, to see if that works.

[JamesC]

nixonandmaude,

Were you able to resolve this issue? Adding to what jguerdat mentions above, take a look at this article if you are still experiencing problems: Can special characters in a network name cause problems for Arlo Q?

Please let us know,

JamesC

[nixonandmaude · Accepted solution]

Thanks guys, you were spot on. It was the way I was entering login details.
Thankyou
Mark

[Pham75]

I have the same problems can't do it 😞

[Pham75]

May need to return

[jguerdat]

Have you read the directions and the suggestions/fixes here?  You don't give us anything to work with - we need details.

[jvj24601]

I am new to Arlo.  I just recieved my first Arlo Q.  On install, I get to the point of adding camera to my WiFi network, but it won't sync.  My wireless router password is all letters, no spaces or special characters.  The camera is 5 feet from my router so signal should be strong.  When I hold the QR code in front of the camera it just continues to slow blink blue, then times out with a buzz sound and camera goes back to blinking amber.  I have performed a reset on the camera as suggested, but issue remains.  I have tried this process 5 times now.  Thoughts?

[nixonandmaude]

Maybe reset the Q by inserting small pin next to switch. Restart process completely and double check wifi name and password. Try your details with an I phone to confirm it will connect. Good luck. Mark

[jguerdat]

Also, BOTH the passphrase and the SSID can't have special characters in them.

[jvj24601]

Thanks for the replies.  My SSID is alphanumeric, and my password is all letters. Neither contain spaces or special characters.  I did disconnect my smartphone and successfully joined it back to my network when manually entering in SSID and password.  I also have a laptop I did the same with.  Other devices work, not Arlo Q.  why?  Also, what if either SSID or password does have special characters?  Do I have to change the SSID and/or password to accomodate Arlo Q?  That's rediculous.  Does anyone know if Netgear is working on changing that???

[JamesC]

jvj24601,

With the latest Arlo Q firmware most special characters are supported. This may or may not be an issue without knowing what firmware your Arlo Q is on.

I realize you indicate that your SSID/Password does not contain any special characters but it may be worth trying to connect your Arlo Q to a guest network as described here: Can special characters in a network name cause problems for Arlo Q?

If you can connect to your guest network, allow the firmware to update and then try swapping back to your primary network.

JamesC

[jvj24601]

Thank you all for any suggestions.  I chatted with a rep and went thru many steps and nothing could be found to be the culprit on my router.  The rep finally suggested using the WPS button on my router to sync the camera.  I did not know you could do that.  I did that and it worked.  So still not sure why it wouldn't accept the QR code method and entering wifi password manually...anyway, the issue is resolved.

In case someone needs the procedure for WPS, you simply follow the original instructions up to pressing the sync button and get the blue flashing light.  At that point, when the camera is flashing blue, you press the WPS button on the router and, for me, i finally got the high pitched chime to indicate it sync'd.  This took maybe 20-30 seconds.  Then on the app, you just continue to press 'continue' thru the point where it asks you if you heard the chime and camera is sync'd.  Even when you get to the screen that asks you to input the SSID and password, just press 'continue' without inputting anything.  I also realized that, as a first time set up, the camera will continue to blink blue until it connects with ARLO srever, but it won't actually do that until you continue thru the set up and create your account/password and accept policies.  Then it seemed to connect to ARLO server and then told me to upgrade firmware, which I did.  Looks to be working now.  Thanks all!

[9LINETACTICAL]

Arlo Q was working fine. Stopped and needed to be reconnected it will show QR coad and male sound but never connects and eventually starts blinking slow purple.

[hokeysmoke]

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jvj24601 wrote:

...In case someone needs the procedure for WPS, you simply follow the original instructions up to pressing the sync button and get the blue flashing light.  At that point, when the camera is flashing blue, you press the WPS button on the router and, for me, i finally got the high pitched chime to indicate it sync'd.  This took maybe 20-30 seconds.  Then on the app, you just continue to press 'continue' thru the point where it asks you if you heard the chime and camera is sync'd.  ...

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THanks for reporting this!  This undocumented feature will likely save a lot of peoples' time, although it is not as magic as the QR code procedure.

[AdrianGall]

I too had this problem but I resolved it by changing the phone I was using.

I had an old(ish) smartphone and the QR code wasn't that clear.  Tried my wife's newer phone and the QR Code was larger and clearer and worked in a couple of seconds.

A later test on a tablet resulted in a lot bigger QR Code and again worked almost immediately.