How to Fix Ring Live View Buffering and Connection Issues
The Live View feature is at the heart of your Ring experience, offering instant, on-demand video from your doorstep. When it works, it's brilliant. But when it's stuck on a loading screen, constantly buffering, or simply fails to connect, it can be incredibly frustrating. Almost every instance of Live View failure is a symptom of a poor Wi-Fi connection between your Ring device and your home router.
This guide will help you diagnose the specific cause of your Live View problems and provide actionable steps to achieve a smooth, stable video stream.
Understanding Why Live View Buffers
Streaming live video from your camera to your phone is a data-intensive process. It requires a strong and stable wireless connection. Buffering occurs when your phone's app is requesting video data faster than your Ring device can send it.
Common culprits include:
- Weak Wi-Fi Signal: The further your Ring camera is from your router, the weaker the signal. Walls, floors, and large appliances can also obstruct the signal.
- Insufficient Upload Speed: While most people focus on download speed for streaming movies, your Ring camera relies on upload speed to send video to the cloud.
- Wi-Fi Interference: Competing signals from your neighbours' Wi-Fi networks or other electronic devices can disrupt the connection.
- Router Problems: An overloaded or outdated router may struggle to maintain a consistent connection.
How to Troubleshoot Live View Buffering
Follow these steps to systematically identify and fix the problem.
1. Check Your Signal Strength in the Ring App
The first step is to quantify your connection.
- Open the Ring app and go to the device you're having trouble with.
- Tap on Device Health.
- Look at the Signal Strength RSSI value.
- An RSSI value between -60 and 0 is considered a good signal.
- An RSSI value of -65 or lower indicates a poor signal that is very likely the cause of the buffering.
2. Test Your Internet's Upload Speed
You need to ensure your internet plan can support video streaming.
- On your phone or a computer connected to the same Wi-Fi, go to a website like
speedtest.net. - Run the test and look specifically for the upload speed.
- Ring recommends a minimum of 2 Mbps of upload speed for each of your devices. If your speed is below this, Live View will struggle. You may need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
3. Reduce the Distance and Obstructions
If your RSSI value is poor, the easiest fix is to physically move your router closer to your Ring device.
- Remove any large metal objects or dense electronics from the path between the router and the camera.
- Even moving the router a few feet can make a significant difference.
4. Reboot Your Network and Ring Device
A simple reboot can clear temporary glitches.
- First, unplug your modem and your router from power. Wait 60 seconds.
- Plug the modem back in first. Wait for its lights to stabilise.
- Plug your router back in. Wait for its lights to stabilise.
- Finally, restart your Ring device (remove the battery or unplug it for 30 seconds).
Advanced Steps for a Stable Connection
If you're still experiencing issues, it's time to improve your Wi-Fi environment.
- Install a Ring Chime Pro: This is often the most effective solution. The Chime Pro acts as a Wi-Fi extender, specifically for the Ring ecosystem. Place it halfway between your router and the problematic device to boost the signal directly where it's needed.
- Consider a Mesh Wi-Fi System: If you have a larger home or multiple Wi-Fi "dead zones," a mesh system (like Google Nest Wifi or Eero) can provide strong, seamless coverage throughout your property, which is ideal for smart home devices.
By methodically checking your signal strength and upload speed, you can pinpoint the cause of your Live View buffering and take the right steps to fix it for good.