Arlo Camera Night Vision Reflection Fix - Smart Home | digitalhomefaults.org

Technical Background:

The Arlo camera utilizes IR LEDs operating at approximately 850nm for night vision. The reflected IR light overwhelms the image sensor, causing localized saturation and obscuring details. The camera uses a CMOS sensor with a specific spectral response curve. Reflection issues can arise due to the camera's proximity to reflective surfaces or incorrect mounting.

Symptoms:

Infrared (IR) LEDs illuminating excessively bright spots within the camera's field of view. The reflection typically appears as a bright, overexposed area obscuring details. No error logs in Arlo app, but visual artifacts present in recorded video at night. IR LED intensity set to auto.

Possible Causes:

Proximity of the camera lens to the mounting surface creating a short reflection path.
IR light reflecting off the camera mount itself, especially if the mount is light-colored.
Excessive IR LED intensity for the given environment.
Condensation or frost build-up on the camera lens due to Canadian winter conditions.
Damage to the IR filter on the camera lens.
Incompatible mounting hardware causing the lens to be too close to surrounding materials.

Solution:

1

Remount the Arlo camera with an extension arm to increase the distance between the lens and the mounting surface. Ensure a minimum clearance of 10cm.
2

Use black electrical tape or matte black paint to reduce reflectivity of the camera mount.
3

In the Arlo app, manually reduce the IR LED intensity setting. Start with the lowest setting and incrementally increase until optimal night vision is achieved without reflection.
4

Clean the camera lens with a microfiber cloth and isopropyl alcohol to remove any condensation, frost, or debris.
5

Inspect the IR filter for damage. If damaged, replace the camera or lens assembly.
6

Verify the mount is the correct one for the model of Arlo camera. Improper mounts can cause the lens to be too close to the surfaces. Check the Arlo website for the correct mount model number.
7

If using a Rogers Ignite modem, ensure the 2.4GHz channel is not congested. Use a Wi-Fi analyzer app to check and change to a less congested channel.

Safety Warning:

Ensure the Arlo camera is securely mounted to prevent it from falling and causing injury. Do not attempt to disassemble the camera. Refer to the Arlo warranty for service. Secure all IoT devices on a separate VLAN or guest network to isolate potential breaches. Change default passwords.

Prevention:

- Regularly inspect the camera lens for cleanliness, especially before and after periods of extreme cold. - Periodically check the Arlo app for firmware updates and install them promptly. Updates often include improvements to night vision algorithms. - Monitor battery health, particularly before Canadian winters, and replace batteries showing signs of degradation. Low battery voltage can impact IR LED performance. - Ensure the camera is mounted securely to prevent movement that could alter the reflection angle.

Expert Tip:

Cover the IR LEDs temporarily with opaque tape. If the reflection disappears, the problem is definitely IR reflection. This isolates the issue to the IR LED functionality. Use the Arlo app on a separate device to observe network latency and connection stability. This can indicate potential Wi-Fi interference.

Frequently Asked Questions

•How does extreme cold affect Arlo camera battery life?

Extreme cold increases the internal resistance of lithium batteries, reducing their capacity and lifespan. Pre-heating the camera indoors before outdoor installation can mitigate this.

•What are the optimal Wi-Fi channel settings for an Arlo camera connected to a Bell Giga Hub?

For 2.4GHz, channels 1, 6, or 11 are generally recommended. Use a Wi-Fi analyzer to identify the least congested channel. For 5GHz, channels 36-48 or 149-161 are often suitable. Ensure WPA3 security is enabled.

•How do I reset an Arlo camera to factory settings?

Locate the reset button on the camera (usually on the bottom or back). Press and hold the reset button for 10-15 seconds until the camera LED blinks rapidly. The camera will then reboot and return to its factory default settings.

Technical Background:

Symptoms:

Possible Causes:

Solution:

Safety Warning:

Prevention:

Expert Tip:

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

•How does extreme cold affect Arlo camera battery life?

•What are the optimal Wi-Fi channel settings for an Arlo camera connected to a Bell Giga Hub?

•How do I reset an Arlo camera to factory settings?

Related Questions

Technical Background:

Symptoms:

Possible Causes:

Solution:

Safety Warning:

Prevention:

Expert Tip: