Arlo is a wireless security camera system that uses your home WiFi network to transmit video footage and communicate with the Arlo app on your smartphone or computer. While Arlo itself does not slow down WiFi directly, it can potentially impact your overall network performance depending on various factors.
1. Bandwidth Usage: Arlo cameras continuously stream video footage to the base station, which then transmits it over your WiFi network. This constant data transmission can consume a significant portion of your internet bandwidth, especially if you have multiple cameras or high-resolution video settings enabled. As a result, other devices connected to the same network may experience slower internet speeds.
2. Network Interference: WiFi signals can be affected by various sources of interference, including neighboring WiFi networks, household appliances, and other electronic devices. When the Arlo base station is placed too close to your WiFi router, it can potentially interfere with the WiFi signal, leading to reduced performance. This is particularly true if both devices are operating on the same frequency band, such as 2.4 GHz.
To mitigate the potential impact of Arlo on your WiFi performance, consider the following steps:
1. Placement: Move the Arlo base station away from your WiFi router to minimize interference. Ideally, they should be placed in separate areas of your home, especially if you are experiencing significant slowdowns. Experiment with different locations to find the optimal placement for both devices.
2. Frequency Selection: Most modern routers support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. If possible, connect your Arlo base station and other important devices to the less crowded 5 GHz band. This can help alleviate congestion and reduce the chances of interference.
3. Internet Plan: Consider upgrading your internet plan to a higher speed if you frequently experience slow WiFi speeds while using Arlo or other bandwidth-intensive applications. A faster internet connection can accommodate the increased data usage from Arlo cameras without affecting other devices as much.
4. Bandwidth Management: Some routers allow you to prioritize certain devices or applications, ensuring that Arlo cameras receive sufficient bandwidth while minimizing the impact on other devices. Check your router’s settings to see if you can allocate more bandwidth to Arlo or limit the maximum bandwidth it can use.
While Arlo itself does not inherently slow down WiFi, its continuous video streaming and potential interference with the WiFi signal can have an impact on overall network performance. By optimizing the placement of the Arlo base station, selecting the appropriate frequency band, upgrading your internet plan if necessary, and managing bandwidth allocation, you can minimize any potential slowdowns and ensure a smoother WiFi experience.