Takes several minutes for camera status and/or Mode screen with Android app

[DaveWick]

New, two-day user here.

I have the latest Android app, 2.0.4 April 8, 2016, for Arlo wireless installed on my Samsung Note 4. Most times when I wish to access the Mode screen of my base station it takes several minutes, or flat out doesn't come up. All I get is the little counter-clockwise rotating icon.

Camera status sometimes takes a long time as well.

This occurs anywhere in my home, even standing right next to my Netgear router and Arlo router.

I have made sure that I am logged out from the PC browser app in order to prevent a conflict there.

The mode screen comes up almost instantly in my Firefox browser on a PC that is located upstairs from the routers.

I have noticed that when I reboot my phone, the Mode screen comes up fairly quickly. But if I exit the app and then return to it again it hangs on trying to acquire the mode screen.

I hope I've provided enough clues that someone might be able to tell me what is going on.

Thanks in advance.

[jguerdat]

It's not the speed of the connection that causes this but the overall interaction between the device and the servers.  There also seems to be some issue(s) in the device or app itself that causes this.  Sometimes, just like rebooting the phone helps, logging out and back in helps. It's still a step that we shouldn't have to do but that's the way it is at the moment.

I have the app loaded on 3 devices, 2 with 6.0.1 and one with 4.4.2.  I don't have issues like you state but do have to occasionally kick it in the pants to work.  Are all system updates installed on your device? Do you have any antivirus/-spyware installed?  It might be worth a try to disable those temporarily but I doubt it will make a difference.

[DaveWick]

My Note 4 has not updated to 6.0.1 yet. Currently, I am running 5.1.1. As far as I know, I'm not running any anti-anything that prevents connecting.

My phone's Fing app consistently and quickly reports the base station's IP address on my Netgear router-based home network.

One other thought: My router and base station are on the same TV stand as our 60in Samsung TV. The base station is in front of the TV virtually line-of-sight with the two Arlo cameras, and unobstructed to my phone. Could the proximity to the TV have anything to do with it?

I uninstalled the app, rebooted the phone, and reinstalled the app. But that made no difference.

I just tested it again. In the web browser, it took only a couple of seconds to sign in and acquire the Mode screen. I then logged out, and repeated the process with my phone. It took about 20 seconds to sign in, and I'm still waiting for the base station to come up with the mode screen after almost two minutes of waiting.

Overall, I'm pleased with my Arlo camera system. It's just the phone app that's been a disappointment. Oh well ...

[jguerdat]

I suppose proximity to the TV could be an issue but that seems sketchy. Might be worth a temporary reposition of the base to see. Since it's fine on the computer, I doubt you'll see a difference. You might also try a CPU app on your device to see if the CPU is hammered starting up the app. Perhaps it's just a speed issue with older hardware. I happen to use CPU Stats app on my devices but there are many others.

[DaveWick]

I'm staying at a different house for awhile across town, and monitoring my other house from here. On my PC and on my laptop at the new location I am able to almost instantly sign in and access Mode, Cameras and Library. On my phone at the same location using the same wifi I can access the Cameras and Library, but the Base Station simply will not come up. It just hangs on the revolving circle.

Anybody have any ideas ... I'm all ears.

Dave

[JamesC]

DaveWick,

Consider rebooting the base station. Allow the base station to come back online with a solid green internet LED and then check the app again. If you're still having issues, consider reinstalling the Arlo mobile app. Also be sure your phone is running the latest available OS version.

JamesC

[DaveWick · Accepted solution]

James,

I have no idea what's going on. Away from the house for the past week I was not able to access Mode at all on my phone. I went to the house yesterday, and mostly I couldn't raise the base station with my phone, and had to change modes using my laptop.

Now, I'm back where we are staying at another house, and I was just now able to access Mode with my phone. Weird.

I did do all that you suggested, like rebooting the base station, etc., and until just now it didn't make any difference. Now, it seems to be working.

I guess I just have to live with a quirky system. As long as I can always access Mode with my laptop or PC I won't worry about not being able to always get to it with my phone.

Dave