🔄 Try this first — Unplug the power adapter from the wall, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait 60 seconds for it to restart fully. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds at the same time.

If your Arlo Essential 3 Pan-Tilt Indoor is showing this problem, working through the checks below in order will resolve it in the large majority of cases. Each step is safe to carry out yourself and is verified against Arlo’s official support guidance.

What This Problem Means

Arlo cameras use PIR sensors and AI detection to identify people, vehicles, animals and packages. When motion is not detected, it is almost always a settings, sensitivity or subscription issue rather than a hardware fault.

Common Symptoms

  • No motion alerts received despite people or vehicles approaching
  • Motion events not being recorded
  • Detection works sometimes but misses events at other times
  • No AI detection alerts even with Arlo Secure active

Safe Checks You Can Try

1. Check motion detection is enabled

Open the Arlo Secure app and go to your camera’s settings. Confirm Motion Detection is switched on. Also confirm that alert notifications are enabled for your phone.

2. Adjust sensitivity and activity zones

In the camera settings, increase the motion sensitivity level. Check your activity zones — if they exclude the area where motion is occurring, the camera will not detect it. Expand zones to cover the relevant area.

3. Check Arlo Secure subscription for AI detection

Without an Arlo Secure subscription, only basic motion alerts are available. Person, vehicle, animal and package detection all require an active Arlo Secure plan. Check your subscription status in the Arlo Secure app.

4. Check camera placement and angle

Even with pan-tilt, the initial PIR sensor detect motion best when subjects move across the field of view rather than directly towards the camera. Position the camera so movement crosses the detection zone.

5. Check for interference

Nearby heat sources — heating vents, direct sunlight on a surface — can trigger false alerts or interfere with PIR sensitivity. Reposition the camera if possible.

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When To Contact Support

If the issue persists after working through all the checks above, contact Arlo support for further help. Your device may be eligible for a replacement if it is within its one-year warranty.