Is Your Ring Camera Constantly Dropping its Connection?
It is incredibly frustrating when your Ring security camera, a device designed to provide peace of mind, keeps disconnecting. An offline camera means you are missing notifications and cannot view your live feed, completely defeating its purpose. Fortunately, most disconnection issues are caused by common problems that you can resolve yourself.
This guide will walk you through the most effective troubleshooting steps to diagnose and fix your Ring camera's connectivity issues, helping you restore a stable and reliable connection.
## 1. Check Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength
The most frequent culprit behind a disconnecting Ring camera is a weak Wi-Fi signal. Your camera needs a consistently strong signal to upload video and stay connected.
### How to Check Your Signal
You can easily check the signal strength within the Ring app:
- Open the Ring app and select your camera.
- Tap on the Device Health tile.
- Look for Signal Strength (measured in RSSI).
Understanding RSSI:
- -40 to -60 RSSI: This is a good, strong signal.
- -61 to -75 RSSI: This is a weak signal and likely the cause of the problem.
- -76 RSSI or higher: This is an extremely poor signal.
If your signal is weak, try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to your Ring device or consider installing a Ring Chime Pro or another Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal.
## 2. Minimise Wi-Fi Interference
Other electronic devices and even physical obstructions can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. Thick walls made of brick or concrete, large metal objects, and other wireless devices can all weaken the connection to your Ring camera.
Common sources of interference include:
- Microwave ovens
- Cordless phones
- Other Wi-Fi networks in close proximity
- Large aquariums
Try to ensure the path between your router and your Ring device is as clear as possible. You can also try changing the channel on your Wi-Fi router to one that is less congested.
## 3. Power Cycle Everything
A classic troubleshooting step for a reason, power cycling can resolve many temporary software or network glitches.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your Wi-Fi router from the power outlet. Wait for at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in. Allow a few minutes for it to fully restart and establish an internet connection.
- Reboot Your Ring Device: If your Ring device is battery-powered, remove the battery for about 10-15 seconds and then reinsert it. If it is hardwired, you will need to turn off the power at the circuit breaker for 30 seconds.
Once both have restarted, check the Ring app to see if the connection is stable.
## 4. Check Your Router's Settings
Sometimes, the issue lies within your router's configuration. Ensure your router's firmware is up to date, as manufacturers often release updates to improve performance and fix bugs.
Additionally, Ring devices work best on a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network due to its longer range. If you have a dual-band router, ensure your Ring device is connected to the 2.4 GHz band, not the 5 GHz band, especially if the device is far from the router.
## 5. When to Contact Support
If you have tried all the steps above and your Ring camera still keeps disconnecting, there might be a more complex issue with the device itself or your home network setup. At this point, it is a good idea to contact Ring's customer support for more specialised assistance. They can often diagnose problems remotely and provide further guidance.