How to Fix a Freezing or Lagging Ring Video Feed
A frozen video feed from your Ring doorbell or camera can defeat its very purpose. Whether you're trying to answer a doorbell alert or check a motion event, a choppy, lagging, or completely frozen video is a significant problem. This guide provides an empathetic and professional approach to troubleshooting the root causes of video freezing.
The vast majority of video performance issues are related to your network connection. Let's work through the steps to diagnose and fix it.
Step 1: Check Your Internet Speed
Your Ring device needs sufficient upload speed to send high-quality video to your phone. Many people focus on download speed, but for Ring, upload speed is what matters most.
- Run a Speed Test: On your smartphone, while connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Ring device, open a web browser and search for "internet speed test." Run the test.
- Analyse the Results: Ring recommends a minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps per device. If your upload speed is below this, your network is likely the cause of the freezing. You may need to contact your internet service provider (ISP) to discuss upgrading your plan.
Step 2: Assess Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength
Even with high internet speeds, a weak Wi-Fi signal between your router and the Ring device will cause video problems.
- Open the Ring App: Select the Ring device you are having trouble with.
- Go to Device Health: Tap on the Device Health tile.
- Check Signal Strength: Look for the Network section and find the Signal Strength indicator (RSSI).
- Green (RSSI -60 to 0): You have a strong signal.
- Amber (RSSI -61 to -75): Your signal is marginal and could be causing the issue.
- Red (RSSI -76 and below): Your signal is very weak and is almost certainly the cause of the video freezing.
Step 3: How to Improve a Weak Wi-Fi Signal
If your RSSI value is high (amber or red), you need to improve the signal reaching your Ring device.
- Move Your Router: If possible, move your router closer to your Ring device. Even moving it a few feet can make a difference. Ensure it's in an open area, not inside a cabinet or surrounded by clutter.
- Remove Obstructions: Wi-Fi signals are weakened by physical barriers. The most common culprits are thick exterior walls (brick, stucco), large metal objects (like security doors), and low-emissivity glass.
- Invest in a Ring Chime Pro: The Ring Chime Pro is the best solution for this problem. It's a Wi-Fi extender designed specifically for Ring devices. Place it halfway between your router and your Ring device to boost the signal and provide a more stable connection, which directly addresses video freezing.
Step 4: Perform a Power Cycle
Sometimes, a simple reboot can clear up temporary glitches.
- Reboot Your Ring Device: If your device has a removable battery, take it out for 30 seconds and then reinsert it. If it's a hardwired device, you can turn it off at the circuit breaker for 30 seconds.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your router from power, wait a full minute, and plug it back in. This simple step resolves a surprising number of network-related issues.
By systematically checking your internet speed and Wi-Fi signal strength, you can effectively diagnose and fix the most common causes of Ring video freezing.