VMB400 Base Station Factory Reset can´t connect again. Amber light ON

[faseuno]

I did a Base Station VMB400 factory reset and I did not connect anymore. It only have one left amber light and for a few seconds the third green light turned on and then all lights turned off and the left amber light flashed agian, and it was a cycle. I tried to do a new factory reset but I couldnt get it anymore. I pushed the reset button for a few seconds and it never did a factory reset again.

Can you help me?

I checked the router and it was working fine. I checked the ethernet port with my notebook and it had internet connection. i dont know what else I can do.

I appreciate all your help.

Kind regards, Jorge

[DannyBearAgain]

It is possible that the factory reset was not properly performed. You need to firstly remove the base unit from the owner account.

You need to use a paper clip to press and hold the reset button at the rear of the base unit until the LEDs begin flashing amber, usually at least 12 seconds or more. Then wait about three minutes for the base to reboot to have green,green and amber that signify that the base is ready to be claimed by an account.

You may also have a fault with the mains power adaptor, source a replacement to eliminate it as the problem.

[faseuno]

I removed the base unit from the account before I've made the factory reset. The thing is that now I can't do it anymore. I pressed the reset button for a long time and it never happened... I don't know what else I can do. Now the base unit has the first lef led in amber color, and after a few seconds, the third one flashes in green color but after a few seconds, the three led flashes in green and turn all off, and then again the first left in ambar color,... and it continues in that cycle over and over. 

I appreciate all the help you can give me.

Thanks

[DannyBearAgain]

It is possible that the reset button inside the base unit has collapsed and is still making contact although I have not read about this in the forum. It may explain the cyclic nature of the reset.

My only experience is that the reset button contacts get a dirt film buildup that prevents the reset from working. Working the button several times can eventually dislodge the dirt to eventually getting the button to make it work.

The only other issue is that the base unit is faulty because it needs an upgrade. Arlo has introduced a filter to eliminate base units that have not been recently used although this usually fails when trying to add the base unit using the app.

[Edinburgh_lad1]

" Arlo has introduced a filter to eliminate base units that have not been recently used although this usually fails when trying to add the base unit using the app."

Could you elaborate on that please? Thank you.

[ShayneS]

@Edinburgh_lad1 

There is no such feature to block a unit from onboarding. @faseuno Please continue to work with your support agent to further diagnose the root cause. 

[Edinburgh_lad1]

Thanks @ShayneS 

I'll be honest: with Arlo's aggressive EOL policy, it's now difficult not to jump to conclusions  that any problems with legacy products might be the results of further deliberate actions to enforce that EOL policy, even if that's not the case at all.

Anyways, I hope the new year 2026 is better for you and @BrookeN - you do a tremendous job on here dealing with problems and disgruntled customers.  

[faseuno]

The base unit is still not working and Arlo doesn't provide a solution. And it was working fine until a few days ago. Hope you can help me. Kind regards, Jorge 

[JNall]

I am having this exact issue!  We got new internet and when we tried to change it on the arlo app, it made us update the app, and now it won't install our system.   The iights are doing exactly what yours are doing.  I have power washed, factory reset, checked ehternet cable and power cable.   I have followed all of the directions on the app when it won't install.  Nothing is working.

[skarthik74]

Hello,

I am having the same problem and posted the following in another thread and was pointed to this one.

• After removing base from the Arlo App, unable to get the base station connected again.
• Tried factory reset multiple times. Changed power adapter as well as router. Connected to router via Ethernet cable.
• Power Led (1st) stays amber, other 2 are off
• The 3rd led briefly comes on for about 5 seconds
• And then all 3 flash green for 1 second
• And goes base back to (amber, off, off) state and above keeps repeating.

[Edinburgh_lad1]

Can Arlo investigate and provide a solution please  @ShayneS 

This seems to be a firmware/software issue.

[faseuno]

I've tried several times and the base unit didn't make the factory reset. The lights remains the same even if I pressed 10 seconds or 5 minutes. It didn't reset and the lights are always the same. Hope someone can help me to resolve this problem. 

The weird thing is that the base unit was working fine until I did the factory reset and it never worked again.

[DannyBearAgain]

Could be a bad firmware update that arlo has since reverted. Try leaving the base connected to the internet for a few days in the hope that it may get a new firmware update loaded.

What was the reason for doing the factory reset?

[ShayneS]

Can you double check with these steps here: 

Can you verify if the led is illuminated on the port for the router when the Base station is plugged in if possible. The port LED on the router should be ON.

1. While all the cables are connected(ethernet and power), press the reset button again for about 15 seconds and once the amber LED blinks then let go of the reset
2. Wait for 2 minutes
3. Add the base station to the Arlo app 

[faseuno]

I've waited for more than 2 minutes with the reset button pressed and nothing happens. I can't belive that i can't do the factory reset one more time. 

Nobody gives me a solution to make the hub and the cameras work again.

[Hass]

I have the exact same issue . 

[skarthik74]

@ShayneS 

>> Can you verify if the led is illuminated on the port for the router when the Base station is plugged in if possible. The port LED on the router should be ON.

Router ports / cables are fine and router port light is on. In fact the base seems to connect for few seconds before dropping as per router connection history. 

[skarthik74]

@DannyBearAgain 
>> What was the reason for doing the factory reset?

My reason was I removed the base from the old phone app and could not re-add. It was working fine until that point. Also tried multiple power recycle before going for factory reset. Unfortunately, did not pay attention to LED statuses until the factory resets failed to work.

IMO some firmware update has bricked the base boot loader and it doesn’t show up until you disconnect the base from app.