How to Configure Spotlight Settings for Your Camera

A spotlight could serve as a deterrence to intruders captured by your camera, and a source of illumination for your camera to generate colored images at night. This article will show you how to configure the camera's spotlight settings.

Applies to: RLC-540A, RLC-840A, RLC-811A, RLC-812A, RLC-823A, RLC-823S1, RLC-823S2, RLC-824A, RLC-830A, RLC-833A, RLC-843A, RLC-1212A, RLC-1224A, RLC-1240A, B800W, B1200, D1200, RLC-81MA, RLC-81PA, RLC-511WA, RLC-523WA, RLC-811WA, RLC-810WA, RLC-823S1W, RLC-840WA, RLC-843WA, Lumus, E1 Outdoor, E1 Outdoor PoE, E1 Outdoor Pro, E1 Outdoor S, Reolink Duo series, Reolink TrackMix series, Argus 3, Argus 3 Pro, Argus 3 Ultra, Argus PT(5MP), Argus PT Ultra, Go PT Ultra, Argus Eco Pro, Argus Eco Ultra, Argus Track, Argus 4, Argus 4 Pro, Reolink Altas PT, Reolink Altas PT Ultra.

You may refer to the following methods to set up Spotlight Settings for your Reolink cameras.

Note: For the Reolink ColorX series camera with warm light like the CX410, CX410W, CX810, and E1 Outdoor CX, please refer to Introduction to the Warm Light of Reolink ColorX Series to set up the warm light.

Via Reolink App
Here is a video for your reference:

Part 1. How to Manually Turn On/Off the Spotlight

Launch the Reolink App and log in to your camera. Then enter the live-view page and tap the Flashlight icon to manually turn it on/off.

Part 2. How to Configure the Spotlight Settings

For the PoE and Wi-Fi (plug-in) Cameras:

Step 1. Log into your camera and go to the Camera Settings > Light page.

Step 2. Tap Spotlight. Then tap Modes to set the spotlight mode.
On the same page, you can also adjust spotlight brightness. Only some of the camera models can support adjusting spotlight brightness.

Step 3. Select a spotlight mode according to your demands.
- Off: Keep the light(s) off. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option.
- Night Smart Mode: The spotlight will automatically turn on at night when an alarm event is detected. (Note: The lighting logic of RLC-823S2 with latest firmware is slightly different: the spotlight and IR light are on at the same time, and the live view is still in black and white mode.)
- Timer Mode: The spotlight will automatically turn on at the start time and turn off at the end time you set. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option except for Reolink Lumus, E1 Outdoor series, and battery-powered ones.
- Always On at Night: Spotlight always stays on in night mode. This option only applies to cameras RLC-812A and RLC-824A (needs to upgrade the camera firmware to the latest version), and Duo Floodlight WiFi/PoE.
For Battery-powered Cameras:

You can enable Auto-On for Live View, which means the spotlights will automatically turn on when viewing the live feed and turn off afterward. The photo below is an example of Argus 3 Ultra.

Note: Reolink Altas PT and Reolink Altas PT Ultra only has Off and Auto Mode, which means camera auto adapts the brightness based on ambient lighting conditions for optimal night vision.
Via Reolink Client
Before setting it up, please download and install the latest Reolink Client on your PC in advance.
Here is a video reference for you:

Part 1. How to Manually Turn On/Off the Spotlight

Launch Reolink Client and log in to your camera. On the live view page, please click the Flashlight button, and then the spotlight will be manually triggered. Then click it again to turn it off.

Part 2. How to Configure the Spotlight Settings

For the PoE and Wi-Fi (plug-in) Cameras:

Step 1. Launch Reolink Client and choose Camera Settings > Light > Spotlight.

Step 2. Configure all the settings for the spotlight.
1. Brightness: Only some of the camera models can support adjusting the brightness of the spotlight.
2. Click the drag-down arrow of Modes to unfold the spotlight modes option:
- Off: Keep the light(s) off. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option.
- Night Smart Mode: The spotlight will automatically turn on at night when an alarm event is detected. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option. For PoE cameras and Wi-Fi cameras with the smart detection feature, you can also select the detection type to activate the spotlight. (Note: The lighting logic of RLC-823S2 with latest firmware is slightly different: the spotlight and IR light are on at the same time, and the live view is still in black and white mode.)
- Timer Mode: The spotlight will automatically turn on at the start time and turn off at the end time you set. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option except for Reolink Lumus, E1 Outdoor series, and battery-powered ones.
- Always On at Night: Spotlight always stays on in night mode. This option only applies to cameras RLC-812A and RLC-824A (needs to upgrade the camera firmware to the latest version), and Duo Floodlight Wi-Fi/PoE.
For Battery-powered Cameras:

You can enable Auto On for Live View, which means the spotlights will automatically turn on when viewing the live feed and turn off afterward. Photo below is an example of Argus 3 Ultra.

Note: Reolink Altas PT and Reolink Altas PT Ultra only have Off and Auto Mode, which means camera auto adapts the brightness based on ambient lighting conditions for optimal night vision.
Via Reolink Web browser
Note: Reolink E1, Reolink E1 Pro, Reolink Lumus, battery-powered cameras and add-on cameras in the NVR kits do not support web access so their spotlight feature cannot be used via web browsers.

Part 1. How to Manually Turn On/Off the Spotlight

Step 1. Make sure your PC is connected to the same router as your camera. Input the IP Address of your camera on a web browser and log in to your camera.

See how to find the IP address of your camera.

Step 2. Click on the bulb icon in the top right corner and the spotlight on the camera will be turned on. Click it again to turn it off.

Part 2. How to Configure the Spotlight Settings

Step 1. Click the Device Settings gear icon on the top right corner.

Step 2. Go to Camera > Light > Spotlight. Now you may configure the spotlight settings including the spotlight brightness and the night mode for the spotlight.

Brightness: drag the slider to adjust the brightness of the spotlight of your camera. Only some of the camera models can support adjusting spotlight brightness.

Night mode: how the spotlight will work when the camera enters night mode.
- Off: Keep the light(s) off. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option.
- Night Smart Mode: The spotlight will automatically turn on at night when an alarm event is detected. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option. For PoE cameras and Wi-Fi cameras with the smart detection feature, you can also select the detection type to activate the spotlight. (Note: The lighting logic of RLC-823S2 with latest firmware is slightly different: the spotlight and IR light are on at the same time, and the live view is still in black and white mode.)
- Timer Mode: The spotlight will automatically turn on at the start time and turn off at the end time you set. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option except for Reolink Lumus, E1 Outdoor series, and battery-powered ones.
- Always On at Night: Spotlight always stays on in night mode. This option only applies to cameras RLC-812A and RLC-824A (needs to upgrade the camera firmware to the latest version), and Duo Floodlight Wi-Fi/PoE.
Via Reolink NVR (new UI)
Applies to: RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N2MB02/N3MB01/N7MB01), RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N6MB01), RLN36 and RLN12W.

Part 1. How to Manually Turn On/Off the Spotlight

Go to the preview page of your camera on the NVR monitor. Click the Flashlight button to manually turn on the spotlight of the camera. Click it again to turn it off.

Part 2. How to Configure the Spotlight Settings

Step 1. Log in to your camera on the NVR monitor and enter the live-view page. Click the Settings icon.

Step 2. Go to Camera > Light > Spotlight. The spotlight settings interface may vary slightly between different models, refer to the actual settings interface.
- Brightness: Slide the slider to adjust the brightness of the spotlight. Only some of the camera models can support adjusting spotlight brightness.
- Night Mode: Turn on the switch (turn it to blue) to enable the spotlight. If you disable this button, the spotlight will always stay off at night unless you trigger it manually.
- Off: Keep the light(s) off. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option.
- Night Smart Mode: The spotlight will automatically turn on at night when an alarm event is detected. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option. For PoE cameras and Wi-Fi cameras with the smart detection feature, you can also select the detection type to activate the spotlight. (Note: The lighting logic of RLC-823S2 with latest firmware is slightly different: the spotlight and IR light are on at the same time, and the live view is still in black and white mode.)
- Timer Mode: The spotlight will automatically turn on at the start time and turn off at the end time you set. All the cameras supporting the spotlight have this option except for Reolink Lumus, E1 Outdoor series, and battery-powered ones.
- Always On at Night: Spotlight always stays on in night mode. This option only applies to cameras RLC-812A and RLC-824A (needs to upgrade the camera firmware to the latest version), and Duo Floodlight Wi-Fi/PoE.
Note: Reolink Altas PT and Reolink Altas PT Ultra only has Off and Auto Mode, which means camera auto adapts the brightness based on ambient lighting conditions for optimal night vision.