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Have you ever felt the frustration when you find out that your Ring doorbell motion sensor not working?
It’s a crisp evening, and I’m eagerly awaiting a vital package delivery.
My Ring doorbell motion sensor, my trusted sentinel, suddenly lets me down, failing to detect any movement. That feeling of unease is all too real.
But rest assured, I’ve been there, and I’m here to share my own experience.
In this article, we’ll delve into the reasons your Ring doorbell’s motion sensor may not be performing as expected.
We’ll explore common issues and offer practical solutions to keep your home security at its best.
Join me as we uncover troubleshooting tips and gain insights that will help you understand and resolve the issue for a more secure home.
Why Your Ring Doorbell Motion Sensor Not Working
There are several potential reasons why your Ring device has stopped detecting motion reliably:
- Incorrect motion zones – The motion sensor may be set up to only detect activity in certain zones or areas in the camera’s field of view. If the motion zones aren’t covering the right areas, it will miss motion that happens outside those zones.
- Weak WiFi connection – Ring devices need a strong, stable WiFi signal to work properly. Interference or a weak router signal can cause connectivity issues.
- Mechanical problems – Issues with the motion sensor itself, the doorbell/camera body, or the mount can stop motion from registering correctly.
- Power problems – Low voltage, wiring faults, or battery issues can prevent the motion sensor from working right.
- Firmware bugs – Glitches or bugs in the device’s firmware may also be to blame for motion detection problems.
If you’re seeing false alerts, missed events, or no motion triggers at all, running through some troubleshooting steps can often resolve these kinds of issues.
Initial Troubleshooting Steps
When your Ring motion sensor stops working right, there are a few basic things to check first:
Adjust motion settings
Log into your Ring account and adjust the motion detection settings. Turn up the sensitivity and expand the motion zones. This allows you to rule out problems with the settings themselves.
Check WiFi signal strength
In the Ring app, go to Device Health > Test WiFi. Make sure you’re getting a strong signal (RSSI between -30 and -70). If not, move the router closer or consider a WiFi range extender.
Reinstall the doorbell/camera
Take the doorbell/camera down, double check the wiring (for wired models), then reinstall it securely. This can fix motion detection problems caused by a loose mount.
Verify power
Check that the doorbell/camera has adequate power – at least 16V for wired models or a fully charged battery for battery-powered units. Faulty wiring, low voltage, and dead batteries can prevent the sensor from working properly.
If none of these basic steps restore normal motion detection, it’s time to dig deeper.
Advanced Troubleshooting and Repairs
For motion sensor issues that persist, there are a few more in-depth troubleshooting steps to try:
Update firmware
Outdated firmware is a common source of technical issues with Ring products.
In the Ring app, check for any available firmware updates and install them. This can fix bugs that may be causing problems.
Reset the device
In the Device Health section of the Ring app, choose to restart or reset your doorbell/camera. After resetting, re-add the device and set up the motion settings again.
Change WiFi bands
Sometimes switching your Ring device from the 2.4GHz band to 5GHz (or vice versa) can resolve WiFi-related motion detection problems.
Try a WiFi range extender
For persistent WiFi issues, install a dedicated WiFi range extender near the problematic Ring device. This can strengthen the signal.
Check for damage
Inspect your wired doorbell wires and connectors. Fraying, corrosion, loose wires, or short circuits can cause power delivery issues.
If you’ve tried all of these troubleshooting steps and the motion sensor still isn’t working properly, the issue likely requires replacement parts or professional repair:
Replace the Doorbell/Camera
For battery-powered devices, a new battery may be needed. For wired models, replacing the whole doorbell camera unit often resolves stubborn issues.
Contact support
Ring’s support team can run remote diagnostic tests, replace damaged parts, or send you a replacement device if needed. This is the best option if you’ve exhausted your DIY troubleshooting capabilities.
Getting immediate assistance from a trained Ring Pro is your fastest path to fixing any motion sensor problems. But trying a few of the troubleshooting steps above yourself can also help restore functionality.
Common Motion Detection Problems
When the motion sensor on your Ring doorbell or security camera stops working correctly, there are a few common issues that tend to come up:
Missed motion events
This is probably the most frequent complaint – the camera fails to record video when motion events occur.
Any of the issues mentioned above like power problems, WiFi signal, mechanical faults, etc can prevent the sensor from triggering properly.
Adjusting motion zones, repositioning the device, switching WiFi bands, and checking the wiring are good first steps.
You may just need to find the sweet spot where the sensor reliably detects movement.
False alerts
Sometimes the motion sensor gets overly sensitive and starts sending constant false alerts whenever insignificant motion is detected like branches moving or cars driving by at a distance.
Turning down the motion sensitivity setting in the Ring app is the best way to cut down on false notifications.
You can also try adjusting the motion frequency filter which prevents repeat alerts within a set timeframe. Only get notified when significant movement is picked up.
Intermittent issues
An intermittent problem with motion detection is frustrating but usually indicates a connectivity problem.
Check for sources of WiFi interference and obstructions. Try changing the channel your WiFi is broadcasting on.
A WiFi extender placed strategically can also help smooth out any weak spots in coverage.
No motion alerts
When your Ring device suddenly stops detecting motion altogether, there are a few key things to check:
- Motion alerts are enabled in the app notification settings
- Power source is good – at least 16V for wired or fully charged battery
- Motion zones are configured properly
- Live view is working (indicating the camera itself functions)
- Firmware is up to date
Supplying consistent power and eliminating any network problems are your best bets for restoring normal motion detection.
Where to Place the Motion Sensor
Proper placement is crucial for getting accurate and reliable motion detection with Ring devices. Here are some tips on positioning:
- Mount at chest level – This gives the sensor the best angle to catch movement.
- Point towards areas with expected motion – Adjust the mounting bracket or doorbell housing so the sensor aims at walkways, stairs, driveway, etc.
- Avoid obstructions – Keep the sensor clear of branches and decorations that can block motion events.
- Don’t face into direct sunlight – This can create false alerts as the sun moves across the sky.
- Consider the distance – The max range for basic motion detection is around 30 feet. For more accuracy, keep areas of expected motion within 20 feet if possible.
Take some time to find the ideal place on your home to install the Ring device for reliable motion detection day and night.
Small adjustments to the positioning can make a big difference.
Motion Settings to Adjust
To get motion detection working perfectly, take advantage of the settings available in the Ring app:
Motion Zones
By default, the entire camera view is enabled for motion alerts. Limiting alerts to only key zones eliminates false alerts from insignificant movement in unneeded areas.
Motion Frequency
This setting lets you specify how often motion alerts are sent. Only getting notified every 10 minutes prevents a flood of repeat alerts.
Motion Snooze
Use Motion Snooze when certain motion is expected that you want to temporarily ignore, like maintenance workers in view. Snooze disables alerts for a set time period.
Advanced Motion Settings
Here you can fine tune sensitivity, set up Activity Zones for more focused motion detection, and enable People-Only alerts if you have a Ring device that supports human detection.
Dialing in the right motion settings for each camera’s view is key to reliable detection. Take the time to test different setups and find what works best.
Troubleshooting By Device Model
Certain motion sensor issues tend to affect some Ring doorbell and camera models more than others.
Here is a breakdown of common problems by device:
| Device Model | Motion Detection Problems | Troubleshooting Tips |
| Ring Video Doorbell Pro | Intermittent motion events, false alerts, delays | Switch to 5Ghz band, update firmware, replace unit |
| Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 | False alerts, failures to trigger | Check wiring, adjust zones and sensitivity |
| Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen) | Erratic motion, false alerts | Change WiFi channels, disable 5Ghz band |
| Ring Video Doorbell 3/4 | Delayed or missed alerts | Update firmware, verify power supply |
| Ring Spotlight Cam Battery | Intermittent detection | Relocate out of WiFi dead zones, switch WiFi bands |
| Ring Stick Up Cam | Missed and false motion events | Adjust motion frequency, reduce sensitivity |
Adjusting settings in the Ring app is always the first step.
But some models are prone to hardware and connectivity flakiness resulting in motion sensor problems.
Using the tips above can help, but replacement may be needed.
Motion Detection During Power Outages
Ring doorbells and cameras rely on constant power to detect motion and send alerts. So what happens during a power outage or if electricity is cut?
Battery-powered Ring devices will continue detecting motion and sending mobile alerts as long as the battery holds power. Battery life varies:
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro – 6-12 hours battery life
- Ring Video Doorbell 4 – 6-12 months battery life
Hardwired Ring devices lose functionality when wired power is interrupted. But the Ring Retrofit Kit enables several hours of battery backup:
- Provides 2-10 hours of battery power
- Enables motion alerts during outages
- Gets recharged when wired power returns
So while wired Ring devices can’t detect motion without power, adding the Retrofit Kit provides backup protection and continuity.
Alternative Motion Sensors
If troubleshooting hasn’t resolved motion detection problems with your Ring device, another option is adding a separate motion sensor:
- Connects to Ring Alarm hub and uses Z-Wave protocol
- Detection range up to 30 feet with 120 degree field of view
- Runs for 5 years on a single CR2 battery
- Fully compatible with Ring cameras and doorbells
Pairing an extra motion sensor with your Ring equipment gives you fault tolerant motion detection. Place it in problem spots where your camera or doorbell may miss movement.
Getting Ring Motion Detection Assistance
If you’ve worked through all of the troubleshooting tips above and your motion sensor still isn’t working properly, it’s time to take your issue to the Ring experts:
- Ring technical support – Contact support via email or phone. Techs can run diagnostics and send replacement parts.
- Ring Pro installers – Ring Pro independent installers can examine connections, evaluate placement, and replace hardware. This gets you hands-on professional assistance.
- Return/exchange – For new devices under warranty, return to Home Depot or other retailers for an exchange.
- DIY replacement – Purchase a replacement battery or whole new device if needed and install it yourself.
- File a warranty claim – Get free replacement parts or a new device from Ring if covered under warranty.
With hands-on help or replacement hardware from Ring, almost any motion detection issue can be resolved quickly. Persistent problems tend to require replacement parts.
Preventing Future Motion Sensor Problems
While issues can happen even with proper setup, you can take proactive steps to keep your Ring device’s motion sensor working reliably:
- Maintain clear line of sight – Keep branches, decorations, and other obstructions away from sensor view.
- Update firmware frequently – Install all device and app updates to fix bugs and improve performance.
- Reboot regularly – Power down and restart the Ring device every few weeks.
- Check wires and mounts – Verify wires are snug and undamaged. Remount doorbell if needed.
- Position optimally – Fine tune placement and zones to catch all wanted motion and avoid false triggers.
- Add lighting – Ensure the area visible to the motion sensor is adequately lit at night.
With good maintenance and preventative care, you can keep your Ring motion detector working perfectly for years.
But if issues do pop up, use this guide to systematically get motion detection functioning properly again.
FAQs
Why Is My Ring Doorbell Not Detecting Motion?
There are a few common reasons why your Ring doorbell may not be detecting motion events reliably:
- Incorrect motion zones – If the motion detection zones are not set up properly in the Ring app and don’t cover the area you want to monitor, the doorbell will miss motion events outside of the designated zones.
- Obstructions – Objects like decorations, plants, or parts of your door frame that block the doorbell’s field of view can prevent it from detecting movement.
- Weak WiFi signal – A poor WiFi connection in the area of your Ring doorbell can cause motion detection failures and missed recordings.
- Power issues – For wired Ring doorbells, any problems with the doorbell wiring or transformer can prevent the motion sensor from functioning correctly by supplying inadequate power.
- Faulty motion detector – In rare cases, a mechanical defect in the motion sensor itself may occur, stopping it from registering movement. This requires replacement.
Adjusting motion zones, clearing obstructions, troubleshooting WiFi signal, and verifying power can resolve most motion detection problems. If issues persist, contact Ring Support.
How Do You Test The Motion On A Ring Doorbell?
To test if your Ring doorbell’s motion detector is working properly, follow these steps:
- Open the Ring app and make sure motion alerts are enabled and push notifications are turned on.
- Ensure the motion zones are set to cover the full area you want to detect motion.
- Arm the system and wait for any motion indicators to clear.
- Walk in front of the doorbell within the motion detection range. Wave your arms or move around vigorously.
- Check that you receive a push alert for motion detected within 1-2 minutes.
- View the activity timeline in the Ring app to confirm a motion event was recorded when you walked by the doorbell.
- Test different areas within the doorbell’s field of view to ensure motion is reliably detected.
If you don’t receive alerts and motion events aren’t recorded when you walk in front of the doorbell, there could be an issue with motion detection that needs further troubleshooting.
How Do I Know If My Ring Motion Detector Is Working?
To determine if your Ring doorbell or camera’s motion detector is working properly, check for these signs:
- You receive push notifications when motion events occur.
- The device’s LED light illuminates when it detects motion.
- Motion events show up in the activity timeline of the Ring app soon after occurring.
- Live view displays a “Motion Detected” banner when movement happens in frame.
- Recorded motion clips accurately capture activity in the camera’s field of view.
- The motion sensor triggers reliably whenever you walk in front of the device during testing.
If you aren’t getting alerts, seeing motion indications, or having events recorded, then the motion detector is likely malfunctioning and needs troubleshooting.
How Do I Activate Motion On My Ring Doorbell?
Enabling motion detection on your Ring doorbell is easy:
- Open the Ring app and select your doorbell.
- Go to Motion Settings.
- Verify that Motion Alerts are enabled. Toggle on if disabled.
- Adjust the motion frequency and sensitivity if needed.
- Ensure your motion zones cover the full area you want to monitor.
- Return to the main device screen and arm your system.
The doorbell will now begin detecting motion and sending alerts whenever its sensor is triggered.
Test it out by walking in front of the doorbell and verifying you receive a motion alert. Adjust settings as needed until motion is reliably detected.
How Do I Reset My Ring Motion Sensor?
If your Ring doorbell or camera’s motion sensor stops working reliably, resetting it may help:
- In the Ring app, go to Device Health > Reset Device.
- Unmount the Ring device and disconnect wired power if applicable.
- Wait 60 seconds, then reconnect power and remount the device.
- In the Ring app, select Set Up a Device and go through the setup flow to reconnect it.
- Adjust your motion settings again and test detection just like when it was first installed.
Resetting deletes any corrupt data and re-initializes the motion sensor. In many cases this restores normal functionality.
If not, additional troubleshooting is required.
How Long Does It Take Ring Motion Sensor To Reset?
After resetting your Ring device to factory defaults and power cycling it, the motion sensor takes 2-3 minutes to finish rebooting and come back online.
Within 5 minutes, the motion detector should be fully reset and ready for setup. You can then begin adjusting motion zones and testing to confirm it is working properly again.
Allow up to an hour after resetting for motion detection performance to re-stabilize. Any erratic behavior should resolve within this period as the sensor recalibrates.
How Do You Check A Ring Motion Sensor Battery?
To check the battery level of a battery-powered Ring motion sensor:
- Open the Ring app and select your sensor.
- Go to Device Health > Battery Level.
- The app will display the current battery percentage and runtime remaining.
- Green = Good, Yellow = Low, Red = Critical battery that needs immediate replacement.
- Runtime shows an estimate of days or months of usage left based on past battery drain.
Monitoring battery level ensures you replace the battery before the sensor loses power and stops detecting motion. Low battery is often a cause of motion detection issues.
How Do You Set Up A Ring Doorbell Sensor?
To install a standalone Ring motion sensor that pairs with your Ring Alarm system:
- Mount the sensor in the desired location using screws or double-sided tape.
- Open the Ring app and select Set Up a Device > Add Alarm Device > Motion Sensor.
- Scan the QR code or enter the 8-character code on the back.
- Name the sensor and assign it to a location in your home.
- Follow the in-app instructions to complete pairing to your Ring Bridge.
Once setup is finished, you can adjust the motion sensitivity and zones. The sensor will communicate with the security system to trigger alerts.
How Often Does Ring Doorbell Check For Motion?
Ring doorbells and cameras continually monitor for motion as long as they are powered on.
The internal passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor works by detecting temperature changes across multiple zones in its field of view.
This allows the sensor to pick up the presence of a person or object based on small fluctuations in emitted heat.
When motion is detected, the device will trigger a recording and/or send an alert within a few seconds.
The sensor scans its entire field of view for changes 60+ times per second. This rapid constant motion scanning enables Ring devices to reliably detect activity with very little delay.
Conclusion
Dealing with a Ring motion sensor that isn’t working correctly can be frustrating.
But in most cases, the problem can be fixed with a few troubleshooting steps.
Start with simple solutions like adjusting motion settings, verifying power, and repositioning the device.
For stubborn issues, updating firmware, changing WiFi bands, replacing hardware, and contacting Ring support are the best ways to get your motion detector working reliably again.
With power restored and the sensor aimed properly, motion events will once again trigger recordings and send alerts exactly when you want them to.