Is Your Ring Camera Not Recording Continuously? Here's How to Fix It
It can be unsettling to discover that your Ring camera isn't recording footage as you expected. You rely on it to keep your property secure, and gaps in your video timeline can be a major concern. Many users are surprised to learn that most Ring cameras do not, by default, record video 24/7. They are primarily event-based recorders, designed to capture footage only when motion is detected or the doorbell is pressed.
This guide will walk you through why this happens and what you can do to ensure you're capturing the moments that matter. We'll explore the necessary subscription plans, essential settings, and troubleshooting steps to resolve recording issues.
Understanding Ring's Recording Philosophy
The key reason most Ring devices don't record continuously is to conserve battery power. For battery-operated devices like the Ring Video Doorbell or Stick Up Cam Battery, recording 24/7 would drain the battery in a matter of hours. Instead, they enter a low-power standby mode and only activate when triggered by an event.
Even for powered devices, continuous recording is not a standard feature. Ring's system is built around motion-triggered events to provide you with relevant alerts and make it easier to find specific moments without searching through hours of footage.
Step 1: Check Your Ring Protect Subscription
The single most important factor for video recording is your Ring Protect subscription. Without an active plan, your Ring device can only show you a live stream; it will not save any video recordings.
- No Subscription: You get motion alerts and can answer the doorbell, but no video is stored.
- Ring Protect Basic: Covers one device and allows you to save and review all recorded events for up to 180 days.
- Ring Protect Plus: Covers all devices at one location and includes the same recording features, plus an extended warranty.
Action: Log in to your account on the Ring website and check that your subscription is active and applied to the correct device. If it has lapsed, you will need to renew it to enable video recording.
Step 2: Optimise Your Motion Detection Settings
If your subscription is active but you're still missing events, the issue likely lies with your motion detection settings. If they are not sensitive enough or the zones are poorly configured, the camera won't know when to start recording.
- Motion Sensitivity: In the Ring app, find the 'Motion Settings' for your camera. If the sensitivity is too low, it may not pick up distant or subtle movements. Try increasing it gradually.
- Motion Zones: Customise your motion zones to focus on important areas, like a walkway or driveway, and exclude areas with constant irrelevant movement, like a busy street or a swaying tree. This ensures you only get alerts and recordings for what matters.
- Motion Frequency: This setting (on battery devices) determines how often the camera checks for motion after an event. If set to 'Periodically' or 'Lightly', it might enter a brief cooldown period, potentially missing a subsequent event. Set it to 'Frequently' for maximum coverage, but be aware this will use more battery.
Step 3: Check Your Wi-Fi Connection
A weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection can prevent your camera from successfully uploading recorded clips to the Ring cloud.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Ring app, go to 'Device Health'. You will see a 'Signal Strength' indicator (RSSI). If the number is high (e.g., -65 to -90), it indicates a poor signal.
- Improve Your Connection: Try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to your Ring device or consider installing a Ring Chime Pro, which acts as a Wi-Fi extender specifically for your Ring products.
Step 4: Review Device Health and Battery
For battery-powered models, a low battery can impact performance, including its ability to record.
- Battery Level: Check the 'Device Health' screen to see your current battery percentage. If it's critically low, the camera may disable features like motion recording to conserve the remaining power.
- Power Source: If you have a wired device, ensure it's receiving consistent power. Check that the transformer is working correctly and that there are no loose connections.
By systematically working through these steps, you can diagnose why your Ring camera isn't recording as expected. It usually comes down to a subscription issue or a simple settings adjustment. Ensuring your device is properly configured will give you peace of mind that your property is being monitored effectively.