One of the most common questions Arlo users have after setup is simple: motion happened, so why wasn’t it recorded?
When this happens, it’s easy to assume something is broken or misconfigured. In most cases, though, the camera is behaving exactly as it was designed to. Arlo cameras don’t record every movement they see — they record selected events based on how motion is detected, interpreted, and processed.
This article explains why Arlo cameras sometimes don’t record motion, what usually influences that behavior, and what’s considered normal in everyday use.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Arlo Technologies.
Arlo Cameras Use Event-Based Recording
Arlo cameras are not continuous-recording cameras.
Instead, they:
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Monitor their field of view
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Detect visual changes
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Record only when motion meets specific criteria
This design helps manage:
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Cloud storage usage
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Network bandwidth
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Battery life (for wireless models)
As a result, motion detection does not always lead to recording.
Motion Detection and Motion Recording Are Different
This is the most important concept to understand.
An Arlo camera may:
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Detect motion
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Analyze what changed in the image
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Decide that the motion isn’t significant enough to record
Detection happens first. Recording happens only if the movement meets certain thresholds. When those thresholds aren’t met, no clip is saved — even though motion was present.
Reason 1: The Motion Was Too Brief
Short or fast movement is one of the most common reasons recordings don’t happen.
If motion:
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Appears only briefly
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Passes quickly through the frame
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Ends before the camera finishes evaluating it
The event may be detected but never recorded. This is especially common with:
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Fast-moving objects
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Movement at the edge of the camera’s view
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Motion that doesn’t stay in frame long enough
Reason 2: The Motion Was Too Small or Distant
Arlo cameras rely on visual change, not just movement.
If motion:
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Happens far from the camera
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Appears small in the frame
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Blends into the background
It may not create enough contrast to trigger recording. This can be surprising, especially in wide-angle views where objects appear smaller than expected.
Reason 3: Direction of Movement Matters
Motion moving across the camera’s field of view is easier to detect than motion moving toward or away from the camera.
For example:
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A person walking sideways across the frame is more likely to be recorded
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A person walking directly toward the camera may trigger less obvious visual change
This isn’t unique to Arlo — it’s a limitation shared by many smart cameras.
Reason 4: Lighting Conditions Affect Detection
Lighting plays a major role in how motion is interpreted.
Recording may be inconsistent when:
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Lighting is very low
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There is strong backlighting
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Shadows change suddenly
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Light levels shift quickly (such as sunrise or sunset)
Poor lighting doesn’t just affect video quality — it affects how clearly motion stands out in the image.
Reason 5: Placement Influences What Gets Recorded
Where the camera is positioned has a direct impact on recording behavior.
Placement affects:
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How motion enters the frame
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How long motion stays visible
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How clearly subjects appear
A camera can be set up correctly but still miss motion if placement works against detection.
Reason 6: Battery-Powered Behavior
Many Arlo cameras are battery powered, and this affects how often they record.
To conserve power, battery-powered cameras may:
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Wake only when motion is detected
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Limit how frequently they process events
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Prioritize clearer or larger movement
This helps extend battery life but can result in fewer recordings compared to wired cameras.
Reason 7: Network and Processing Timing
After motion is detected, recording still depends on:
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Network availability
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Cloud communication
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Processing speed
Very short events may finish before a recording is fully created, especially when network conditions are less than ideal.
Why This Is Usually Normal Behavior
Missed recordings don’t automatically mean something is wrong.
In most cases, they are the result of:
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Design choices
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Environmental conditions
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How motion appears in the camera’s view
Understanding this helps avoid unnecessary resets, setting changes, or device replacements.
What Consistent Recording Usually Looks Like
Arlo cameras tend to record most reliably when:
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Motion is clear and visible
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Subjects move across the frame
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Lighting is stable
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The camera is placed intentionally
When these factors align, recording behavior feels far more predictable.
Why Understanding Recording Behavior Matters
Many frustrations come from expecting smart cameras to behave like traditional CCTV systems. They don’t.
Arlo cameras are designed to:
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Be selective
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Reduce unnecessary clips
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Focus on relevant activity
Once expectations align with how the system actually works, missed recordings feel less mysterious — and far less frustrating.
Final Thoughts
Arlo cameras sometimes don’t record motion because they’re designed to make decisions, not capture everything that moves. Motion characteristics, placement, lighting, power management, and network timing all influence whether an event becomes a saved recording.
Understanding these factors is the first step toward a smoother, more predictable experience — without assuming the camera is malfunctioning.
