Arlo Pro Error on Cold Weather - Your Camera Needs wo Warm before you can use it..

[jomzz]

I bought 4 camera bundle Arlo pro after setup, firmware update, I initially install 2 camera outside and after 2 hrs the camera error is " Your camera needs to warm up before you can use it".

I understand The operating temperature of the Arlo Pro is -4° to 113° F (-20° C to 45° C), but my friends 4-non pro camera are working fine.

I am living in Canada and sometime it is extreme cold lower thatn -20C. 

I consulted my neighbor friends who they have no problem on their non-pro Arlo Camera after they show me their live view during the time that my camera is having this error.

[TomMac]

There is the normal warning that CHARGING is not allowed due to cold... but I haven't seen that one.

( bad juju to charge li-ion cells when they are below freezing, can damage cells )

I'll try and put my PRO cam in the freezer ( like I did with the Arlo cams with li-ion 16340s ).... let it sit in -4f for a few hours and see what happens

BTW, I've run the Arlos for hours in temps of -4f and only thing observed was the voltage sag due to cold... the camera worked fine, just did not run as long as normal on the li-ions. ( lasted last winter at 0f for no problems either )

The Pro and Arlo tho different share similar parts and specs so I don't think youu'll have a problem other than less usage of battery pack.

[jomzz]

[jomzz]

after i put the camera indoor for one hour to warmup, the camera is now back online with good battery life. Camera was functional after that.

[TomMac]

Didn't doubt you...just havent seen it..maybe new in sw....  🙂

But I'll get back to you after I put my Pro in the freezer

[RWEED]

Im getting this message this AM as well. Its  -1° here in WI.

[jguerdat]

Yup, newly known issue.  We think maybe it's an issue with the battery itself although it could simply be the firmware detecting some parameter about the battery and provides this message.  This indicates that Netgear is enforcing the product temp specs for some reason.

[babyduke]

I have the exact same issue with my Arlo Pro here in Chicago.  It was near 0 degrees and the cameras hasn't worked since last night.

[manofice]

I'm about to mount one outside, hope they fix this.

[DayDad]

I too received the same message for my front door camera this morning. The funny thing though is that I had it armed all night and it was working fine.  However, I disarmed it in the morning as I left for work and left it for about an hour before arming it again and the message for the front door camera popped up.  I wonder if you leave the camera armed whether or not there is a bit of self generated heat the camera has while armed.  I know for a fact that overnight it was a lot colder and it was still working at the time I left for work as it even recorded a car going by in the early morning.

On another note I was at 100% a three days ago but it has since dropped down to 95% with on average about 5 minutes worth of recording each day, the initial set up and positioning testing of 10 minutes or so, and a bit of live viewing.  The temperature around here has been -18C on average.  So far I would say the battery is holding up fairly well given the circumstances and the playing around with it. Don't know if it would last 6 months though. However, this message popping up about the camera needing to warm up surprised me as it was doing well with the cold temps all along until today.     

[Leth01]

I had the same message when I checked this morning. Some reason I thought the camera had a feature to warm itself up because, when I checked an hour later and it worked. When it happened again, the error stayed that way and it occurred to me that the camera was on the south side, warmed by the sun, that made it worked again. Surprisingly, the battery is at 98%, been online for two weeks.

From Indiana

[Leth01]

Oh, it was in the teens when it wouldn't come back online.

[manofice]

I would encourage all that get this message to open a support case so they can hopefully remove such message/limit.

[Jeebuzxoxo]

I placed 2 cameras outside. One is reading the same error as you "need to be warmed up.." while the other one is fine. I think the one is fine is sheltered from the wind chill. I might look into clothing my exterior arlo to see if that helps or change the location where it's not open to wind???

[dgaspari]

This has been all over the message board for over a week and not even a reply from Netgear????   That is piss poor.  I sincerly hope they get this fixed pronto, or i got $600 in paperweights being returned!

[dgaspari]

Worth noting that i also tested the motion detection for the outdoor camera which displays the "Your Camera Needs wo Warm before you can use it"..Nothing!  The LED lights come on which indicate that the motion detection is working but no notice is generated. The indoor cameras work fine.

[skidev11]

I just got my Arlo Pro's and mounted two outside. I'm in MN so the weather has been very cold the last few days (over -20F) and had the same messages come up. I have one of them plugged in and one just running off battery outside and both give the warning and no way to dismiss it. I was hoping that at least having it plugged in would take the battery out of the equation but no go. Hopefully this is fixed soon!

[Dustin1300]

I've got same issue right now and it's 0F and camera is inoperable.  I've opened up a case but don't believe these cameras should be marketed as "outside" cameras if they're not able to operate 25% of the year. 

I'll report back what I hear on support but so far unhelpful.  Also report that operating tempurature is as follows:

The operating temperature of the camera is 32° to 122° F (0° to 50° C).

 Anyone that's opened a support case gotten anything of value like an SCR or ETA on FW change?  If the above is true I'll be promptly returning the cameras I just bought Friday for something that can hold up to what an "outside camera" should be able to handle.

[jomzz]

This is the response of the Arlo support when I contacted them thru chat. Also, I asked them why this issue never happened non-Pro Camera and it seems those are more weatherproof.

-------------
18m 45s ) Christine S: When the temperature keeps dropping, the regular non-pro cameras will eventually show offline. This is normal if the camera could no longer handle the low temperature. But then again, please give me a moment to check on this so I can provide you more information.
( 19m 21s ) JOMZZ: thank you!
( 19m 47s ) Christine S: Please give me a moment, I will be right back.
( 25m 29s ) Christine S: Thank you for patiently waiting, Jomar.
( 26m 36s ) Christine S: Upon checking it here in the system, it appears that since the temperature level where the cameras are placed is already in its threshold, the camera would normally display the error message.
( 27m 36s ) Christine S: Per the non-pro Arlo cameras, since the temperature level is dropping, , it is expected that it would also eventually show offline.

[manofice]

So it seems to be totally intentional. If you live in an area that is cold enough to trigger these events, I would probably return them...

[jomzz]

Also, to give you an update, I returned my Arlo bundle to Bestbuy and asked for exchanged. My second unit/cameras shows the same problem. I like the product and now I need to decide if I should keep it or return it. If I keep it, I won't be able to use the camera during winter.

[manofice]

I wonder if one of the Arlo Pro skin's would help insulate it??

[babyduke]

Jomzz, did you replace with same Arlo Pro?  It seems like regular Arlo with audio doesn't seem to have this problem.

If the cold temperature is an issue, why would anyone who resides in the colder region buy this?  Netgear better come up with a solution soon.

[jomzz]

that's what I am thinking to too to try those Arlo silicone skin.

[jomzz]

Yes I exchanged it with the same Arlo Pro Camera