Floodlight Settings Guide for Reolink Floodlight Camera Series

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. Prerequisites
2. Light Settings of Reolink Floodlight Camera
3. How Floodlight and Light Alarm Work Together
4. How to Configure Light Settings via Reolink Software

1. Prerequisites

• Reolink App version: 4.55 or higher (Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam: App must be updated to version 4.59.1 or higher)

• Reolink Client version: 8.20.5 or higher

• Camera firmware: Must be updated to the latest version

• Compatibility note: When used with Reolink NVRs or Reolink Home Hubs

*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.

2. Light Settings of Reolink Floodlight Camera

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

• Floodlight (under the Light menu)

• Light Alarm (under Notification Settings)

Note: Floodlight refers to the light's regular operation (e.g., turning on during low light conditions). Light Alarm refers to the light turning on when Person, Vehicle, or Animal is detected. Both settings refer to the same physical light, not separate ones. Don't mistake them for two different lights.

Next, we will explain the two light settings for Reolink PoE and WiFi Cameras (Plug-in) and Reolink Battery-powered Cameras separately.

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, color temperature.

• Close: The floodlight will not turn on. However, if Light Alarm is enabled, and the corresponding Detection Type is selected (e.g., person, vehicle, animal), the floodlight will still turn on. Note: The Close setting will not affect the behavior of the floodlight under Light Alarm settings.

• Auto Mode: Adjusts light brightness automatically based on ambient light under nighttime or low-light conditions, helping to save energy. The maximum brightness will be capped by the Brightness value you set below, meaning the light will not exceed this manually set brightness level.

• Always On at Night: The light stays on always when the camera is in night mode.

• Timer: Keeps the light on during your chosen schedule. (For example, if the schedule is set from 19:00 to 6:00, 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.

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

  • 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.

• Brightness: Controls the light intensity during alarm events.

Battery-powered Cameras

Part 1. Floodlight Introduction

The Floodlight setting controls the light behavior when camera is activated under nighttime or low-light conditions. "Activated" means when camera's PIR is triggered (make sure 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, color temperature:

• Close: The floodlight will not turn on when the camera is activated. However, if Light Alarm is enabled, and the corresponding Detection Type is selected (e.g., person, vehicle, animal), the floodlight will still turn on. Note: The Close setting will not affect the behavior of the floodlight under Light Alarm settings.

• Auto Brightness: When the camera is activated at night (as mentioned above—PIR is triggered, Preview is accessed, or entering the Playback or Settings Interface), the floodlight will automatically adjust its brightness based on the surrounding ambient light, helping to save energy. The maximum brightness will be capped by the Brightness value you set below, meaning the light will not exceed this manually set brightness level.

• Custom Brightness: When the camera is activated at night (e.g., PIR is triggered, Live View is accessed, or entering the Playback or Settings Interface), 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: When Live view is accessed, the floodlight will automatically turn on. After you exit the live view, the floodlight will turn off automatically.

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.

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

  • 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.

• Brightness: Controls the light intensity during smart alarm events.

3. 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

4. How to Configure Light Settings via Reolink Software

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, you will find 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

  

  For Battery-powered cameras

  

  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.

  

• 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.

  

  

  Go to Camera Settings > Surveillance > Light Alert.

  

• 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.

  

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