Ring Camera Keeps Going Offline? Here's How to Fix It
A Ring camera that constantly goes offline is unreliable. It means you can't access Live View, and more importantly, it won't be able to record motion events, leaving your property unprotected. This common and frustrating problem is almost always related to your Wi-Fi connection, but power issues can also be a factor.
This guide will help you systematically troubleshoot the issue and establish a stable connection for your Ring device.
## The Number One Culprit: A Weak Wi-Fi Signal
In the vast majority of cases, a Ring camera that keeps disconnecting is struggling to maintain a stable connection to your Wi-Fi router.
### How to Check Your Signal Strength
The Ring app has a built-in tool to diagnose this.
- Open the Ring app and select the camera that is having issues.
- Tap on the Device Health tile.
- Look for the Signal Strength measurement, which is shown as an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value.
Understanding RSSI:
- -40 dBm or better: Excellent signal.
- -41 to -60 dBm: Good, reliable signal.
- -61 dBm or worse: Poor signal, likely to cause disconnects and poor video quality.
If your RSSI value is in the poor range, you have found the most likely cause of your problem.
### How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal
If your signal is weak, you have a few effective options:
- Move Your Router: The simplest solution is to move your Wi-Fi router closer to your Ring camera. Even a few feet can make a significant difference. Avoid having dense walls (like brick or concrete) or large metal appliances between the router and the camera.
- Install a Ring Chime Pro: The Ring Chime Pro is both a doorbell chime and a dedicated Wi-Fi extender for Ring devices. Placing it halfway between your router and your offline camera can provide the stable, strong signal the camera needs.
- Upgrade Your Router: If your router is old, it may not have the range or power to cover your entire home. Consider upgrading to a modern mesh Wi-Fi system for consistent coverage.
## Checking Power and Device Health
While less common than Wi-Fi issues, power problems can also cause your device to go offline.
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For Battery-Powered Devices:
- Check the Battery Level in the Device Health screen. If the battery is critically low, the device may disconnect to conserve its remaining power.
- Ensure the battery is securely seated in its compartment. A loose battery can cause intermittent power loss.
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For Wired Devices:
- Check that the power adapter is plugged in securely and the outlet is working.
- Ensure the power cable is not damaged.
- For hardwired devices, ensure the transformer provides the correct voltage as specified by Ring.
## Final Troubleshooting Steps
If your Wi-Fi signal is strong and your power is stable, try these final steps.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your internet router from power for a full 60 seconds. This clears its internal memory and can resolve many strange connectivity issues.
- Reboot Your Ring Device:
- In the Device Health menu, you may see a "Reboot This Device" option. Use this for a soft reset.
- If that option isn't available, perform a hard reboot by taking the battery out for 20 seconds, or for wired devices, turning off the power at the circuit breaker for 30 seconds.
By methodically checking your camera's Wi-Fi signal, verifying its power source, and performing a reboot, you can resolve the vast majority of issues that cause a Ring camera to repeatedly go offline.