Troubleshooting Your Ring Device: A Complete Guide
When your Ring security device stops working, it can be a significant concern. Whether it's a doorbell, camera, or alarm, a non-functional device leaves your home vulnerable. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you diagnose and fix the most common issues that cause Ring products to fail. From power problems to network dropouts, we'll provide clear, actionable steps to get your Ring system working again.
The good news is that most issues can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting, and you can often get your device back online without needing to contact support.
Step-by-Step Fixes for a Non-Working Ring Device
Let's work through the potential problems one by one. Start with the first step and only proceed to the next if the issue isn't resolved.
1. Check Power and Battery Levels
The most fundamental reason for a device not working is a lack of power.
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For Battery-Powered Devices (e.g., Ring Video Doorbell, Stick Up Cam Battery):
- Check Battery Charge: Open the Ring app and check the battery level in the Device Health section.
- Recharge the Battery: If the battery is low, remove it from the device and charge it fully using the provided orange USB cable. The battery is fully charged when only the green light is lit.
- Secure the Battery: Ensure the battery is clicked securely back into place.
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For Hardwired Devices (e.g., Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Floodlight Cam):
- Check Your Circuit Breaker: Go to your home's consumer unit (fuse box) and check if the breaker connected to your Ring device has been tripped. If it has, switch it back on.
- Verify Wiring: If you are comfortable doing so, ensure all wiring is secure. For doorbells, check the connections to the internal chime kit and the transformer. If you are not confident with electrics, please consult a qualified electrician.
2. Diagnose Wi-Fi and Network Issues
A stable internet connection is essential for your Ring device to function.
- Check Your Internet Connection: Are other devices in your home connected to the internet? If not, the problem is with your internet service provider or router. Try rebooting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Ring app, go to the device and tap on Device Health. Look for the Network Signal Strength (RSSI). If the number is high (e.g., RSSI -65 to -90), it indicates a weak signal.
- Improve Your Signal: To fix a weak signal, try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to your Ring device. If that's not possible, a Ring Chime Pro can be used as a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal to your device.
3. Review Your Motion Settings
If your camera or doorbell isn't detecting motion, the issue may be with its settings.
- Enable Motion Detection: Open the Ring app, select your device, and go to Motion Settings. Make sure that Motion Detection is toggled on.
- Adjust Motion Zones: Your device uses Motion Zones to monitor specific areas. Ensure your zones are drawn correctly to cover the paths where visitors would approach. Sometimes, a recent update can reset these zones.
- Check Motion Sensitivity: In the Motion Settings, you'll find a Motion Sensitivity slider. If it's set too low, it may not pick up movement. Try increasing it slightly and testing the results.
4. Reboot or Reset Your Ring Device
If the steps above haven't worked, a simple reboot or a full reset might be necessary.
- Soft Reboot: For battery devices, simply removing the battery for 30 seconds and reinserting it can often resolve temporary glitches. For wired devices, you can try switching the power off at the circuit breaker for 30 seconds.
- Hard Reset (Factory Reset): This should be your last resort, as it will erase all your settings. Locate the small setup button on your device (often orange). Press and hold this button down firmly for 20 seconds. After releasing it, the device will restart and enter setup mode. You will need to go through the setup process in the Ring app again.
By methodically working through these troubleshooting steps, you can identify and solve the vast majority of problems affecting your Ring device.