How to Fix Delayed Ring Notifications and Alerts
A security camera system's effectiveness depends on timely alerts. When you receive a notification about motion at your front door minutes after it has happened, it defeats the purpose of having an instant security deterrent. This delay, or 'notification lag', is a common complaint among Ring users, but it's almost always a solvable problem.
The lag is rarely an issue with Ring's servers; instead, it's typically a symptom of a weak link in the communication chain between your Ring device, your Wi-Fi network, and your smartphone. This guide will help you pinpoint the cause of the delay and provide clear, actionable steps to make your notifications arrive as close to real-time as possible.
Understanding the Journey of a Ring Notification
To diagnose the delay, it helps to understand the path an alert takes:
- Your Ring device detects motion.
- It connects to your Wi-Fi router and sends the event data to Ring's cloud servers.
- Ring's servers process the data and send a push notification to your smartphone via Apple's or Google's notification services.
- Your smartphone receives the notification and alerts you.
A delay at any point in this chain will result in a late notification. The most common bottlenecks are between the Ring device and your router (Step 2) and the final delivery to your phone (Step 4).
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Notification Lag
Let's work through the most effective solutions to speed up your alerts.
### Step 1: Check Your Ring Device's Wi-Fi Connection (RSSI)
This is the most crucial step. RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) tells you how strong the Wi-Fi signal is at your Ring camera or doorbell.
- Open the Ring app.
- Select the device you're having issues with.
- Tap on Device Health.
- Look for the Signal Strength or RSSI value.
Interpreting RSSI:
- -40 to -55: Excellent signal. This is unlikely to be the cause of your lag.
- -56 to -65: Good to fair signal. This could sometimes cause minor delays.
- -66 and lower: Poor signal. This is a very likely cause of delayed notifications and other performance issues.
If your RSSI is poor, you must improve the signal. Consider moving your Wi-Fi router closer to the Ring device or installing a Wi-Fi extender like the Ring Chime Pro to boost the signal specifically for your Ring devices.
### Step 2: Check Your Smartphone's Connection
The problem might be with the device in your hand.
- Test on Wi-Fi and Mobile Data: Does the delay happen when your phone is on Wi-Fi? What about when you're out and using 4G or 5G? If notifications are fast on one but slow on the other, you've narrowed down the problem to your phone's connection.
- Run a Speed Test: Use a speed test app on your phone. A slow or unstable connection will delay the receipt of notifications.
### Step 3: Adjust Your Phone's App and Battery Settings
Modern smartphones use aggressive battery management that can put apps to 'sleep', delaying their notifications.
- For Android Users: Go to Settings > Apps > Ring. Check the Battery or Power management settings. Make sure the app is set to 'Unrestricted' or that 'Allow background activity' is enabled. Disable any 'Put app to sleep' options.
- For iPhone Users: Go to Settings > Ring > Notifications and ensure Time-Sensitive Notifications are turned on. Also, check Settings > General > Background App Refresh and make sure it is enabled for the Ring app.
### Step 4: Reboot Everything
When in doubt, a simple restart can clear up temporary glitches.
- Reboot your Ring Device: You can do this from the Ring app in the Device Health screen, or by temporarily disconnecting it from its power source.
- Reboot your Router: Unplug your Wi-Fi router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
- Reboot your Smartphone: Turn your phone off and on again.
By systematically improving your Wi-Fi signal and checking your phone's settings, you can eliminate the frustrating lag and ensure your Ring alerts provide the real-time security you need.