sync failure

[DEMcK]

I have 4 Arlo wire-free cameras, purchased ~3 years ago.  Starting about a week ago, the cameras will no longer sync with the base station.  All four stopped on the same day.  When I pull/replace the batteries, the camera LED shows blue for 3-4 seconds, then goes off, and blinks amber 2x every 15-20 seconds.  When I push sync button on the base station, the corresponding LED blinks green; pressing sync button on the camera has NO result -- supposed to blink blue, but now does nothing.  All four cameras the same.  Tried removing my whole network from the account, swapping to a new base station, updated the firmware in the base, then tried re-installing the cameras, and still no sync.  Arlo Support insists the problem is the non-rechargeable batteries; but come on -- all 4 cameras on the same day?  And with new batteries straight off the shelf?  Nonsense.  Has anyone else had sync failures?  

[Concrete_Pete]

I have the same problem.  No warning of battery failure, and it dropped the cameras and doorbell.  I have removed and then re-installed them and the system has recovered. 

[jguerdat]

Thee slow amber blink is normally an indication of weak/dead batteries. Have you checked them with a voltmeter? Also, when placing them in the camera, just lightly insert them in the slots and let the battery door do the pushing.

[DEMcK]

Have done this (replace batteries) many times of the years, and again this week.  Not the solution -- new fresh batteries, and also the 2 cameras with month-old batteries also stopped syncing on the same day as the 2 with brand-new batteries.  Any chance the firmware upgrade isn't compatible with my older base station or cameras?

[jguerdat]

Unlikely that a firmware update has changed anything, especially since the last base station update for the VMB3000 was almost 2 years ago and the cameras about 6 months ago. It's hard to say if you have failing hardware but certainly something has changed. It could be your account but I don't see how. Try a new account with a second email address. If possible take the system to a different location and try setting it up. WHen you're trying to sync the cameras make sure you only briefly press the base sync button - don't hold it for 2 seconds.