The Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera Setup is among the most affordable models that Arlo manufactures. Simple-to-use with crystal clear Full HD video recording paired with color recording during the night, and a host of other features give this model an edge over the competition. Also, compared to other models of Arlo, this new model appeals to a wider user group.
Just like other Arlo cameras, the Arlo Essential Spotlight camera sends over alerts to your smartphone whenever motion is detected. The camera can store the video footage on the Arlo cloud so you can replay the same at any point over the next 30-day period.
If you have recently upgraded to the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera recently and need help setting it up, you can follow the information shared in this blog. This blog will walk you through the steps to set up your Arlo camera in easy steps.
Set up your Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera
- Get the Arlo App
- Turn on your Camera
- Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera WiFi Setup
- Camera Installation and Mounting
- Enabling and Testing Motion Detection
- Arm your Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera
Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera Setup Process
Among the three Essential wire-free cameras, the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera Setup is easy to install and manage with the Arlo app. Therefore, the setup process for the same begins with downloading the app from the app store. Below is some information on the setup process.
Get the Arlo App
The Arlo smartphone app can be downloaded and installed from your device’s respective application store. Launch the app store on your smartphone and install the same. If you already have the app installed, check if it is on the latest version.
Turn on your Camera
The Spotlight Camera comes with a non-removable battery. Therefore, to charge it, you’ll need to open the cover for the micro-USB charging port. Connect the micro-USB charging cable to your camera. Connect the other end of the charging cable to the power adapter. Now, insert the power adapter into a power outlet and charge the battery completely. Once fully charged, the LED on the camera will light solid blue. Several Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera review websites have mentioned the light feature to be quite helpful.
Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera WiFi Setup
Connect your smartphone to the 2.4GHz network band of your WiFi network. Since the Arlo cameras work only on the 2.4GHz network band, connecting it to the said band is important. Now, launch the Arlo app and create an Arlo account. Once created, you can proceed with the login process. Also, if you already have an Account, you can proceed directly.
Apart from the app, you can also create an Arlo account using the web-based setup utility. You can access the same using the my.arlo.com web address. Once, you are logged in to the Arlo account, select the Add Device option and follow the rest of the instructions to add your camera to the account.
You can complete the network setup by entering the network credentials when asked to do so. Once the camera has connected to the wifi network, you’ll see a fast blinking blue light on your camera. If the color on the LED is amber, it means the camera is out of range of the wireless network and you should move it closer to the wireless router. Additionally, it can also mean that the camera battery is low and you should charge it.
Camera Installation and Mounting
Once the Arlo Spotlight Camera WiFi Setup is complete, you can install your camera. It is advised to install your camera about six to seven feet above the ground for the best video recording experience. Also, make sure the point is installation is in good signal range. You can check the WiFi signal strength using the Arlo app. You can mount your camera using the wall mount and screw kit that comes with the box.
- Place the wall mount and secure it on the wall with the help of screws.
- Once installed, attach the camera to the mount.
- You can tilt and swivel the camera to adjust the viewing angle.
In addition, you can use the Camera Positioning option to align your camera correctly. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Go to the Settings option from the Arlo app.
- Here, select the My Devices option and select your Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera Setup.
- Tap on Device Utilities and again tap on Camera Positioning.
- You can now select from among the different options to select the correct Field of view settings that suit you the most. The available options are Wide, Standard, and Full-view.
Once you have adjusted the camera view, you can secure it in place. Furthermore, to avoid the hassle of charging your device time and again, you can pair your camera with the solar panel charging device from Arlo.
Enabling and Testing Motion Detection
Once you have mounted the camera, you can define the Motion zones for the camera to know what areas to focus on. The camera will then keep an eye on the movements that take place inside the defined boundary and send you alerts if any action takes place. You can test this feature before you enable it. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Tap on the Settings option in the Arlo app and head to the My Devices section.
- Select the camera from the list and tap on Device Utilities.
- Here, select Motion Detection Test from the options. Now, move in front of the camera to see if the camera detects your movement. If it does, the LED on the camera will turn amber.
- Now, adjust the slider to define the motion sensitivity level so you are not alerted about unwanted activities.
- Once done, you can add it to the rules so the camera knows what level to track.
Arm your Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera Setup
Once your camera is armed, it can detect motion automatically without you having to intervene. You can control when your Arlo camera is armed and disarmed by selecting and editing the modes on your camera. Sign in to the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera setup page and edit the settings to your preference.
If you face issues editing the rules or configuring the Arlo essential spotlight camera settings, follow this Arlo troubleshooting guide.