To make the most of your Reolink floodlight camera, it’s important to understand how to configure its two key lighting settings: Floodlight and Light Alarm. Although these options appear separately in the app, they control the same physical light on the device. This guide will walk you through how to set them up effectively.

Applies to: Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi, Reolink Elite Pro Floodlight PoE, Reolink TrackFlex Floodlight WiFi, Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam.

👉 For Reolink Duo Floodlight WiFi and Duo Floodlight PoE, refer to: How to Configure Spotlight Settings for Your Camera.

Table of Content

1. Understanding Light Settings of Reolink Floodlight Camera

2. How Floodlight and Light Alarm Work Together

3. How to Configure Light Settings via Reolink Software

1. Understanding Light Settings of Reolink Floodlight Camera

On the camera’s settings page, there are two lighting-related options:

Settings What it controls
Floodlight
(under the Light menu)
Controls the light during normal operation.
Light Alarm Controls the light when Person, Vehicle, or Animal detection triggers an alarm.

Note: Both settings refer to the same physical light, not separate ones. Don't mistake them for two different lights.

The available options of these settings may vary depending on the camera model. We will explain the two light settings for Reolink PoE and WiFi Cameras (Plug-in) and Reolink Battery-powered Cameras separately. Select a proper section according to your device.

  • PoE & WiFi Cameras (Plug-in)

    Part 1. Floodlight Introduction

    The Floodlight setting controls how the light operates under normal (non-alarm) conditions, including adjustments to brightness and color temperature.

    Available Settings Options Explanation
    Off

    Turns off the floodlight during normal operation.

    Note: This Off setting will not affect the behavior of the floodlight under Light Alarm settings. For example, if Light Alarm is enabled and the selected detection type is triggered (e.g., person, vehicle, animal), the floodlight can still turn on according to the Light Alarm settings.

    Auto Brightness

    Adjusts light brightness automatically based on ambient light under nighttime or low-light conditions, helping to save energy.

    You can set the Maximum Brightness, which means the light brightness will not exceed this value.

    Always On at Night The light remains on while the camera is in night mode.
    Timer Mode Keeps the floodlight on according to a schedule. For example, you can set the schedule from 19:00 to 06:00 and then the light will remain on during that time period.
    Brightness

    This setting manually controls the brightness level of the floodlight.

    The brightness level will affect how bright the floodlight is when manually turned on in the Live View interface and under normal (non-alarm) conditions.

    Color Temperature Adjust the floodlight color temperature from 3000K warm light, ideal for creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, to 6000K cool light, which offers brighter illumination for enhanced security. Slide to the right for a warmer tone, or to the left for a cooler, more intense light.

     

    Part 2. Light Alarm Introduction

    The Light Alert setting controls how the light responds to smart detection—whether from a person, vehicle, or animal. It manages alert-specific behavior, such as whether the light turns on, flashes, and how it behaves during an alarm event.

    Available Settings Options Explanation
    Floodlight Alarm When enabled, the light turns on when the camera detects a Person, Vehicle, or Animal.
    Detection Choose what types of objects will trigger the light (person, vehicle, animal).
    Lighting Mode

    Choose how the light will operate when an alarm is detected.

    • Continuous Flashing: The light flashes repeatedly upon detection to deter intruders; flash duration is adjustable.
    • Stay On: The light turns on and stays lit for a set duration upon detection.

    Note: Upon detection, choose either Continuous Flashing or Stay On for the light—only one can be enabled at a time.

    Brightness Controls the light intensity during alarm events.

  • Battery-powered Cameras

    Part 1. Floodlight Introduction

    The Floodlight setting controls the light behavior when the camera is activated under nighttime or low-light conditions. "Activated" means when camera's PIR is triggered (ensure PIR is enabled), Live View is accessed (Auto-On for Live View must be enabled), or when entering the Playback or other Settings Interface. When these conditions occur, the camera will turn on the floodlight, and the floodlight settings include adjustments to brightness and color temperature.

    Available Settings Options Explanation
    Off

    The floodlight will not turn on when the camera is activated.

    Note: This Off setting will not affect the behavior of the floodlight under Light Alarm settings. For example, if Light Alarm is enabled and the selected detection type is triggered (e.g., person, vehicle, animal), the floodlight can still turn on according to the Light Alarm settings.

    Auto Brightness

    When the camera's PIR is triggered at night, the floodlight will automatically adjust its brightness based on the surrounding ambient light, helping to save energy.

    You can set the Maximum Brightness, which means the light brightness will not exceed this value.

    Custom Brightness When the camera's PIR is triggered at night, the floodlight will turn on at the manually set Brightness value.
    Brightness

    This setting manually controls the brightness level of the floodlight.

    The brightness level will affect how bright the floodlight is when manually turned on in the Live View interface, as well as in the previously mentioned scenarios that can activate the camera.

    Color Temperature Adjust the floodlight color temperature from 3000K warm light, ideal for creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, to 6000K cool light, which offers brighter illumination for enhanced security. Slide to the right for a warmer tone, or to the left for a cooler, more intense light.
    Auto-On for Live View

    The floodlight will automatically turn on when you access Live View.

    The floodlight will turn off automatically after you exit Live View.

     

    Part 2. Light Alarm Introduction

    The Light Alarm setting controls how the light responds to smart detection—whether from a person, vehicle, or animal. It manages alert-specific behavior, such as whether the light turns on, flashes, and how it behaves during an alarm event.

    Available Settings Options Explanation
    Floodlight Alarm When enabled, the floodlight will turn on only when a Person, Vehicle, or Animal is detected and at the same time the camera must be activated at night (e.g., PIR triggered, Preview accessed, or entering Playback/Settings).
    Detection Choose what types of objects will trigger the light (person, vehicle, animal).
    Lighting Mode

    Choose how the light will operate when an alarm is detected.

    • Continuous Flashing: The light flashes repeatedly upon detection to deter intruders; flash duration is adjustable.
    • Stay On: The light turns on and stays lit for a set duration upon detection.

    Note: Upon detection, choose either Continuous Flashing or Stay On for the light—only one can be enabled at a time.

    Brightness Controls the light intensity during alarm events.

2. How Floodlight and Light Alarm Work Together

How They Work Together

When both Floodlight and Light Alarm modes are enabled, they work in a priority order:

  • Normal Mode: Floodlight settings apply when there is no person/vehicle/animal detection.

  • Alarm Mode: When motion is detected, Light Alarm settings override the Floodlight mode.

  • After Alarm: Once the alarm ends, the camera returns to the Floodlight behavior.

If the brightness levels differ in the two modes, the camera will switch accordingly—using the Light Alarm brightness during alarms and reverting to the Floodlight brightness afterward.

Example Usage Scenarios

Scenario Behavior Recommended Settings
Adaptive Night Lighting with Custom Detection Alerts

Turns on at night with adaptive brightness based on ambient light.

When detecting people, vehicles, or animals, the floodlight switches to different lighting modes for distinction.

Floodlight: Set to Auto
Light Alarm: Enable Floodlight Alarm, customize settings as needed.
Floodlight On Only When Person/Vehicle/Animal is Detected at Night The floodlight turns on only when a person, vehicle, or animal is detected at night. At other times, the floodlight remains off. Floodlight: Set to Close
Light Alarm: Enable Floodlight Alarm, customize settings as needed.

3. How to Configure Light Settings via Reolink Software

Before You Start

If you want to configure the light settings for your device, ensure the following:

Usage Scenario Supported Models (with latest firmware) Notes
With NVR

RLN8-410 (Hw: NVR_NNT3NA78P / N7MB01)
RLN16-410 (Hw: NVR_NNT4NA716P / N6MB01)

NVS4E, NVS8, NVS16, NVS12W, NVS36,

RLN4E, RLN12W, RLN36,

RP-PN8, RP-PN16, RP-N64

Must upgrade firmware to the latest version.
With Hub Home Hub Pro, Home Hub, Home Hub Mini

Note: If you don't see the corresponding settings or modes, make sure both your device and the Reolink software are updated to the latest version.

Step-by-Step to Configure the Light Settings

You can check the methods below to manually turn on/off or configure the light for your Reolink Floodlight camera via different platforms:

  • Via Reolink App

    Go to Camera Settings, and you will find Light and Light Alarm.

    Camera Settings Light and Light Alarm

    Tap Light > Floodlight: select the desired Floodlight mode. Note: The available modes under Floodlight may vary depending on the camera model. Refer to your specific model.

    For PoE and WiFi (Plug-in) cameras

    floodlight Floodlight mode

    For Battery-powered cameras

    custom brightness Floodlight mode

    Tap Light Alarm: enable Floodlight Alarm, configure the detection type, lighting mode (flash/stay-on and duration), and the brightness when the corresponding detection alarm is triggered.

    continuous flashing stay on

  • Via Reolink Client

    Go to Camera Settings > Device > Light > Floodlight. Note: The available modes under Floodlight may vary depending on the camera model. Refer to your specific model.

    elite floodlight client

    floodlight

    Go to Camera Settings > Surveillance > Light Alarm.

    Light Alarm

  • Via NVR Monitor (Reolink NVR Users Only)

    For NVR users, the floodlight can also be configured from the monitor connected to the NVR:
    Go to Settings > Camera (select the floodlight camera) > Light, then find Floodlight and Light Alert options. Note: The available modes under Floodlight may vary depending on the camera model. Refer to your specific model.

    UI light alarm

With the correct settings, your Reolink floodlight camera delivers both effective security and customizable lighting for any scenario.

If you have any questions, click “Submit a request” below to contact the Reolink Support Team.