How do I connect my mobile device to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network to set up my Arlo camera?

This article applies to: FLW2001, AVD4001, AVD3001, AVD2001, AVD1001, AC2001, SH1001, FB1001, VMC4041P, VMC4050P, VMC4060P, VMC2020, VMC2040, VMC2030, VMC2032, VMC3060, VMC2060, VMC3050, VMC2050, VMC3052, VMC2052, VML2030, VMC3040, VMC3040S, ABC1000

If you want to connect an Arlo camera directly to a Wi-Fi router (without an Arlo SmartHub or Arlo Base Station), you must connect your mobile device to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi during the setup process. Many routers broadcast Wi-Fi networks in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Your Arlo device directly connects to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. This means that you must first connect your mobile device to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, then connect your Arlo device to that same 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network during the setup process in the Arlo Secure App.

Arlo Pro 5S can operate on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, but only after installation has been completed on the 2.4 GHz band.

• If the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands have the same SSID and password, the camera will connect to both networks during installation.
• If they are different, you can configure the network connection after installation. For more information, visit: How does the Arlo Pro 5S Camera use 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks?

Arlo Video Doorbells, Arlo Essential Series Cameras, Arlo Pro 4, Arlo Pro 5S, Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, Arlo Q, Arlo Q Plus, and Arlo Baby can connect directly to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.

• To check for potential issues with your Wi-Fi network, visit: How do I use the Arlo Wi-Fi Troubleshooting Tool to diagnose issues with my network or installation?

Find your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network

When connecting your mobile device and Arlo device to a Wi-Fi network, ensure that you select the SSID that indicates it is a 2.4 GHz network. This is typically indicated by a 2, 2.4, or 2G at the end of the SSID.

If you have both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks:

• Your 2.4 GHz network name or SSID might have a 2, 2.4, or 2G at the end.
• Your 5 GHz network name or SSID might have a 5 or 5G at the end.

Some Wi-Fi routers have only one Wi-Fi network name that is used for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. If you are having trouble connecting and your Wi-Fi network name doesn't indicate whether it's 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, read the Troubleshooting section in this article.

Connect to your 2.4 GHz network

To connect your iOS (Apple) device to a 2.4 GHz network:

1. Open the Settings app for your iOS device.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the Wi-Fi switch to the on position.
   Note: Wi-Fi is enabled when the Wi-Fi button is green.
4. Select a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
   This is commonly indicated by a 2, 2.4, or 2G at the end of the network name or SSID.
5. If prompted, enter the password for the network.
   When you are connected to the Wi-Fi network, a blue checkmark appears to the left of the network name.

To connect your Android device to a 2.4 GHz network:

1. Open the Settings app for your Android device.
2. Tap Connections.
3. Tap Wi-Fi.
4. To see available networks, tap the Wi-Fi switch to On.
5. Select a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
   This is commonly indicated by a 2, 2.4, or 2G at the end of the network name or SSID.
6. If prompted, enter the password for the network.
   When your device is connected to the Wi-Fi network, the word Connected appears under the network name.

Troubleshooting

If your Wi-Fi network name or SSID doesn't indicate whether it's 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz:

• Try opening your router settings, and look for a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network that your mobile device can connect to. If you need help with this, contact your router manufacturer.
• Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and ask for help connecting your mobile device to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.

If your router uses the same Wi-Fi network name or SSID for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands:

Routers can use the same network name or SSID to broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks.

If your mobile device is connected to a mesh network, your Arlo device will not be able to connect to the 5 GHz band, so it will automatically connect to the 2.4 GHz band.

For networks that have the same SSID for 2.4/5 GHz:

• Try temporarily disabling 5 GHz in the router settings.

For Mesh systems:

• If you are having difficulty connecting, try temporarily turning off the access points, and connect the camera to the main router first.
• Once installation is complete, power on the access points again.

Band Steering automatically connects your devices to the best available Wi-Fi frequency in your home. Most Wi-Fi modems come with two frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and ask you to choose between them when connecting a device to your home network.

• Disable Band Steering prior to installing your Arlo device.
• Upon successful installation and setup, you can re-enable Band Steering.
  Note: Contact your router manufacturer for specific Band Steering instructions.

If your Arlo device still is not found during setup:

• Ensure that you entered the correct SSID and password in the Arlo Secure App during the setup process.
  Note: The SSID is case-sensitive. Ensure that it is EXACTLY correct when you enter it in the Arlo Secure App.
• Ensure that your mobile device is NOT connected to a VPN.
• Ensure that auto-join settings are turned off on your mobile device.
• Ensure that Wi-Fi Assist and Adaptive Wi-Fi features are turned off on your mobile device. Wi-Fi Assist and Adaptive Wi-Fi features use cellular data when your Wi-Fi connection is poor. This can interfere with the Arlo device setup process.
• To turn off Wi-Fi Assist on iOS, visit: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT205296
• To turn off Adaptive Wi-Fi on Android, visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-237485/

Visit Arlo Support to speak with an expert.

Last Updated: 04/16/2024 | Article ID: 000062370