Poor Video Quality
Arlo Smart Doorbell
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Poor Arlo doorbell video is usually caused by weak Wi-Fi signal, low bandwidth, dirty lens, or low video quality settings. Clean the lens and check Wi-Fi signal strength first.
Affected Models
- Arlo Video Doorbell
- Arlo Wire-Free Video Doorbell
- Arlo Essential Video Doorbell
Common Causes
- Dirty or smudged camera lens
- Weak Wi-Fi signal forcing reduced bitrate
- Video quality set to Low or Auto in app
- Network bandwidth saturated by other devices
- Doorbell battery low (Wire-Free model)
How to Fix It
-
Clean the lens.
Use a soft cloth (microfiber works best) to gently wipe the doorbell camera lens. Dirt, fingerprints, and water spots all reduce image quality. This is the most overlooked cause of poor video.
-
Check Wi-Fi signal strength.
In the Arlo app, view the doorbell's signal indicator. Less than 3 bars often causes reduced video quality as the doorbell drops bitrate. Add a Wi-Fi extender or move the router closer.
-
Set video quality to Best.
Open Arlo app > doorbell settings > Video Quality. Select Best (1536p or 1080p depending on model) instead of Auto or Optimized for Battery. Note: higher quality drains battery faster on Wire-Free models.
-
Reduce network congestion.
If others are streaming Netflix or downloading large files, your doorbell stream gets less bandwidth. QoS settings on your router can prioritize the doorbell.
-
Charge the doorbell (Wire-Free).
Wire-Free doorbells reduce video quality on low battery to extend life. Charge to 100% to ensure full video quality.
When to Call a Professional
If video quality is poor across all conditions and lens cleaning and Wi-Fi improvements do not help, Arlo support can replace the doorbell under warranty.