Added new cameras now ALL barely work!

[JacketFan]

OK, so a long time Arlo user (since 2017) with an original package of 6 Arlo Pro (old school) cameras with the original VMB4000 base station. 

Them some years ago added 3 Spotlight Pro cameras, for a total of 9.

***All of which are hard wired to power.***

They have ALL worked together flawlessly with the old and much, MUCH BETTER app up until this week. All sensing motion, triggering other cameras, and keeping the files in the cloud for 30 days.

This week we bought 3 more new cameras, Essential Outdoor 2nd Generation models, (which required downloading the STUPID new app that doesn't allow custom modes) but were all recognized right away, and SHOW UP in the app. 

Given there aren't but 3 "modes" with the incredibly crippled new app, one has to get creative to set up those (3) modes to effectively record and/or trigger recording as needed.

Now we have a total of 12 cameras and 1 VMB4000 base station.

But for some reason, motion sensing, triggering, and ESPECIALLY NOTIFICATIONS are random AT BEST. 

Only two of us need to receive notifications, yet my wife hardly gets any. I get more, but STILL GET HALF (if that much) of the notifications we were getting 5 days ago.

Not only that...

But I can open the app and they'll all be there, then suddenly ALL be offline, then just as quickly ALL be back online. SMH

Is this a base station/hub problem?

Will adding another one help?

I know it says 5 cameras are supported on a single base station. Yet we've had 9 for YEARS that worked flawlessly. (Because no more than 2, 3, 4 were active at one time with various modes.)

Keep in mind, all three of the new ones DO NOT  connect via the VMB4000, and use Wi-Fi, which means the original configuration hasn't changed (in regards to number of cameras connected to the base station).

We just need the freaking things to WORK AS THEY DID. 

If that means adding a VMB4540 then so be it. But what changed?

Same cameras, yet hardly any notifications. SMH

[jguerdat]

For clarity, the bases can only stream 5 cameras at a time - you can have more connected to it just fine. I happen to have 11 connected to my hub (not a base like yours but the concept holds).

It may depend on the phones and OS versions but I find on my Pixel 6 with Android 14 sometimes notifications may be delayed because the phone is sleeping. Something wakes it up sufficiently and I may get multiple queued notifications.

The offline but then online issue would seem to be a timing issue between the app and servers but I can't be sure. Sometimes rebooting the phone and reinstalling the app solves weird issues.

[JacketFan]

Yeah I've certainly considered the 5 cameras to a base limitation. 

But the thing is... for YEARS I had 9 connected via the same VMB4000 (then 3 more WiFi direct) and both the wife I never missed a notification. (And she's the secondary on the app.) 

AlI I did was add 3 more to WiFi, left the others alone and NOTHING wants to work as it did.

I did work out the (VERY LIMITED) new app 3 modes where they're acceptable, basically having 6 armed for "Home mode" then all in "Away mode".

I also dug out a brand new VMB4000 and can't get it to connect to the app after days trying. Even installed a brand new AX3000 capable (screaming fast) WiFi access point in the same room with it. SMH