Doorbell detects motion but won’t record video

[Nimo126]

My video doorbell is sending me push notifications that motion is detected, but no longer recording video. I went to the settings and tried to click on record video when motion is detected, but it is grayed out, and it won’t let me click on it.

[jguerdat]

You need a subscription to record to the cloud. If the doorbell is synced to a SmartHub you can record locally and use the app to view the recordings. Use of an older base will also record but you'd need to remove the drive from the base to view the recordings.

[mikescottapker]

I have my Arlo Video Doorbell connected to the Arlo base but cannot get it to record to the base on motion detection.   I've had the doorbell connected directly to the router, and to the base but in both cases it behaves the same- it can detect motion but won't record.  Please help me get it to record.   I have 4 cameras, so this device is the 5th.   thanks

[jguerdat]

Cloud recording of the video doorbell requires a subscription. This is true of all Arlo cameras newer than the Pro 2s - Ultra, Pro 3, video doorbell. If you want recording without a subscription, you need a base that supports USB recording (VMB4000) or a Smart Hub. Use of the hub allows you to view the recordings with the app but the 4000 will require that you eject the drive so you can view it on a computer.

[Archaea]

Did this change?

I bought an arlo 2 system with a VMB4000 base new in 2018. It’s worked good and I had the original 2 cameras and 7 days of storage locally free with no subscription. I bought an arlo video doorbell and all three Cameras were recording to the base station until around the time my free subscription for the arlo video doorbell ran out. Now the arlo camera and the video doorbell all no longer record to the base station. I can live view all three, but nothing gets recorded. My base station has all three lights on green solid.

I am not willing to pay a subscription. That’s why I initially chose the arlo product. Why can I now no longer see the two arlo camera videos at least in my local base station 7 day library? It’s completely empty. I’ve tried rebooting the base station several times. I get alerts on my phone, just no video recordings.

[jguerdat]

You should still have the free cloud recordings for the original cameras but not the doorbell. Not sure if this works but have you checked your subscription settings to see if the cameras are deactivated? Rebooting the base may help but there's also the possibility that a system reset may be needed. If you want local recordings, use a USB drive connected to the base and set up that storage in the base's settings. Note that with the VMB4000 you'll have to safely eject the drive to view the recordings on a computer.