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Have you ever experienced your Ring doorbell rings but no video to alert you of a visitor, only to open the app and there is no video too? This frustrating “rings but no video” issue is common among Ring users.
But don’t worry – with some targeted troubleshooting, you can get to the bottom of the problem and restore your Ring doorbell’s video feed.
In this guide, we’ll cover all the potential causes and fixes for a ring doorbell that rings but shows black, frozen, or no video at all.
Follow along with the step-by-step sections below to get your Ring doorbell’s video back up and running.
Checking Ring Doorbell Connectivity and Networks
Let’s start by troubleshooting your Ring device’s connectivity and network connections.
Weak WiFi strength, interference, and other network issues account for many instances of ring doorbell video not working properly.
Boost Your WiFi Strength
A ring doorbell needs steady and strong WiFi to stream video to your phone reliably. If the WiFi is weak, the video feed will cut in and out.
Go into your router settings and make sure the ring doorbell is connecting on the 5GHz band, not 2.4GHz.
The higher frequency 5GHz WiFi provides faster speeds and more robust connectivity.
Also try moving your WiFi router closer to the ring doorbell to improve the signal strength.
Our ring doorbells are installed near the front door, often far from the router in the back of the house.
Extend your WiFi’s range with mesh networking or WiFi range extender devices. This will amplify the wireless signal to reach the ring doorbell more consistently.
Switch Ring Doorbell to a Less Crowded Wireless Channel
WiFi routers operate on just a handful of channels or frequencies. In neighborhoods or apartment buildings, interference from neighboring WiFi networks on those same channels can disrupt connectivity.
Go into your router settings and switch the wireless channel your Ring doorbell is connecting on to a less occupied channel.
Run apps like WiFi Analyzer on your phone to scout out the least congested WiFi channels near your front door before making the switch.
This can massively boost connectivity for ring doorbells.
Troubleshoot WiFi and Router For Optimal Ring Performance
- Update router firmware and reset to factory defaults if needed
- Disable WiFi isolation in router settings
- Set router to use WPA2 encryption not WPA
- Turn off router features like traffic shaping or firewall during setup
- Temporarily disable other WiFi devices to isolate Ring issues
Reset Network Settings on Ring App and Doorbell
Resetting your network settings is an easy connectivity troubleshooting step for a ring doorbell with frozen or no video feed.
In the Ring app, go to Device Health > Network Health > Manage Network Settings. Tap “Forget This Network” then re-add your WiFi network credentials.
You can also long press the setup button on the Ring Chime or doorbell itself until it beeps and LED lights flash.
This will reset the network connection so you can re-add the WiFi details from scratch. Force closing and reopening the Ring app can help too.
Troubleshooting Power and Wiring for Ring Doorbell
Intermittent or inadequate power to your Ring device can also manifest as frozen or black video even when it seems to be online.
Let’s run through some ring doorbell troubleshooting steps related to wiring, power, and connections.
Inspect Wiring for Damage or Loose Connections
If you have a wired Ring Doorbell model, carefully inspect the low-voltage wires connecting the doorbell to the transformer.
Look for any cuts, damaged insulation, or loose wire nuts that could be interrupting power. Shut off power at the breaker before handling wires.
Similarly, make sure the wire connectors at the Ring doorbell itself are firmly attached and corrosion free. Faulty wiring that provides uneven power can ruin the video feed.
Verify Power with a Voltage Meter
Use a multimeter to test voltage at various points along the circuit wiring:
- At the transformer
- At the indoor chime
- At the Ring doorbell terminals
This will tell you if adequate 16-24V AC power is reaching the device consistently. Any significant drops or discrepancies point to a wiring issue that requires repair.
Try a Higher Wattage Transformer
The included Ring transformer provides the required power for basic functionality.
But for optimal performance with live video streaming, upgrading to a 30VA or 40VA transformer is recommended.
This gives a voltage boost for more reliable video and WiFi connectivity.
Make sure to get a compatible wired doorbell transformer with the correct voltage (16-24V AC) and connectors.
Simply wiring the existing low voltage wires to the new, higher capacity transformer can get your Ring video back online.
Hard Reset the Ring Doorbell
If you’ve ruled out wiring problems, try resetting the doorbell to factory settings.
Press and hold the setup button for 20-30 seconds until the LED light begins flashing.
This will wipe any corrupt video settings and often resolves ring doorbell video issues. You’ll have to setup WiFi and customizations again after hard resetting.
How To Fix Ring Doorbell Rings But No Video
Aside from power and connectivity, the Ring’s camera and video components can also malfunction and cause black or frozen video.
Let’s look at a few video-specific fixes.
Adjust Motion Detection Zones and Settings
Excessive motion alerts can overload the video processing and cause freezes or lag.
Try turning down the motion sensitivity and limiting alerts to smaller active zones via the Ring app.
This prevents the camera from being triggered by faraway movement as often.
You can also set motion detection to only during certain hours if needed. Restricting recording times reduces bandwidth usage and may prevent intermittent video issues.
Toggle Night Vision On and Off
Ring cameras automatically turn on infrared night vision in low light. Sometimes this can get stuck on and result in completely black video during the day.
Open the Ring app and manually toggle night vision on and off to reset this setting.
You can also try adjusting night vision sensitivity in the app’s settings depending on ambient lighting conditions near your front door.
This ensures it activates at the right times based on evening darkness.
Clean Ring Camera Lens
Grime, dust, spiderwebs, and moisture can gradually accumulate on the Ring doorbell’s camera lens.
Carefully clean the lens using microfiber cloth or cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol.
This removes visual obstructions that could be degrading video quality and causing issues.
Update Firmware and Reset Device
Check for any firmware updates available for your Ring doorbell model and install them.
Major firmware releases often include performance fixes and patches for video bugs. Keeping the device up-to-date is key.
After updating firmware, factory reset the ring doorbell again from scratch.
This clears any remaining glitches and ensures proper function with the latest firmware. Freshly resetting and pairing provides the most stable connectivity.
Getting Ring Doorbell Video Back Up and Running
If you’re still seeing no video after the steps above, some additional troubleshooting and drastic measures may be required.
Follow these last resort tips to revive your faulty Ring doorbell.
Re-Install Your Ring Doorbell From Scratch
It’s a hassle, but completely removing then re-installing the Ring doorbell often solves underlying hardware faults causing video issues.
Refer to installation guide for your specific wired or battery model. This gives you a clean slate to reconnect wires, configure settings, and pair it from the start.
Make sure to use the recommended wiring setup and optimal placement when re-installing your Ring.
Proper voltage, WiFi signal, and angle are key for reliable video streaming. Take your time and get it right.
Contact Ring Customer Support
At this point, it may require professional assistance. Contact Ring’s customer support by filing a ticket on their website or calling.
Provide as many details and troubleshooting steps you’ve tried already. Their tech specialists can provide tailored solutions not covered in standard user guides and FAQs.
Depending on your warranty status, Ring may offer advanced replacement to swap out the faulty device while letting you hold onto the original for return shipment. Get in touch with their team for assistance.
Request a Warranty Replacement Ring Doorbell
Persistent video issues that cannot be resolved may mean your Ring doorbell is defective.
If it’s still under the 1 year standard warranty, request a replacement unit. Provide Ring customer service with a detailed description of the problem plus troubleshooting steps you took.
Once approved, they will ship out a brand new, equivalent Ring doorbell model free of charge.
Return your non-working device per their instructions. The warranty replacement process gets you back up and running quickly.
Consider Third Party Repair Options
If your Ring is no longer under warranty, you may choose to pursue DIY repairs or hire a service for maintenance.
Replacing the battery, resetting hardware, updating firmware, and reflowing solder joints can often fix dodgy video and other problems at a lower cost than total replacement.
Be sure to use a reputable electronics repair shop experienced with ring doorbell devices.
Properly executed repairs restore functionality without voiding what’s left of your warranty.
Common Causes of Ring Doorbell Rings But No Video Issues
To recap, these are among the most common triggers for ring doorbell rings but no video:
- Weak WiFi signal and interference
- Router misconfigurations and outdated firmware
- Inadequate power from transformer
- Damaged or faulty wiring
- Mechanical damage to device
- Defective camera/video component
- Outdated firmware and configuration errors
- Overheating issues and component failure
- Moisture seeping into device
Carefully inspecting the doorbell setup and methodically trying different troubleshooting steps will reveal the specific cause in your situation.
With patience, you can get your Ring video feed back.
Preventing Future “Rings But No Video” Problems
Taking proactive measures will help ensure your newly fixed ring doorbell keeps working reliably without more video fails.
Follow these tips:
Optimize Placement and Installation Position
Mount your Ring doorbell in an optimal spot with adequate lighting, minimal obstructions, and optimal WiFi signal based on a site survey.
Pay attention to the installation angle as well for the best field of view. Follow best practices outlined in Ring’s guides or consider professional installation.
Use Recommended Accessories
Invest in a higher wattage wired doorbell transformer and WiFi range extender if needed.
For battery models, keep backup batteries on hand so you can swap in freshly charged ones as capacity decreases. Use weatherproof housings in extreme climates.
Adjust Settings Conservatively
Find the sweet spot for motion detection that doesn’t overload the video processing.
Turn off night vision manually during daytime if activating incorrectly. Only share video with select people to minimize battery and bandwidth drain.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Periodically check wiring connections and inspect the doorbell housing for damage. Clean the camera lens every couple months.
Check for firmware updates routinely. Replace batteries once a year. Being diligent prevents issues.
Add a Video Doorbell Chime
Chimes give you an audible alert if you can’t check the app. Consider adding a Ring video doorbell chime.
This acts as a WiFi range extender while letting you know if someone is at the door even if video fails. Provides a useful backup.
Summary of Ring Doorbell Video Troubleshooting
To recap, here is the troubleshooting process for a ring doorbell that rings but shows no video:
- Optimize WiFi router settings and test connectivity
- Inspect wiring for faults and test voltage
- Adjust motion settings and night vision
- Clean lens, update firmware, and reset device
- Re-install doorbell completely from scratch
- Contact Ring support for warranty or repair
- Improve installation positioning and settings
- Add accessories like better transformer and chime
Thoroughly trying the various steps above will help identify and resolve the specific issue with your Ring doorbell’s video feed.
Patience and slowly eliminating potential causes is key.
In most cases, you can successfully troubleshoot frozen video, black screen, and other problems to get your Ring doorbell working properly again.
Just be sure to optimize the setup and perform preventive maintenance going forward.
We hope this guide gives you a better understanding of the common ring doorbell video issues and how to address them.
FAQs
Why Would A Video Not Be Found On Ring?
There are a few reasons why a video may not be found when reviewing Ring doorbell footage:
- Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues – If the Wi-Fi connection to Ring is spotty or disrupted, video may not properly upload to the cloud for viewing. Check Wi-Fi strength at the doorbell.
- Motion Settings – If motion zones are set too narrowly or motion sensitivity is dialed down, movement may not trigger recording. Expand zones/increase sensitivity.
- Subscription Status – Without an active Ring Protect subscription, video clips are only stored for a limited rolling window before being deleted. Upgrade to Ring Protect for more video access.
- Camera Obstructions – Buildup on the camera lens like dirt or insects can block the view and prevent video capture. Clean the lens regularly.
- Outdated Firmware – Failing to update firmware can introduce performance bugs causing missing videos. Install updates when available.
- Excessive Alerts – Too many motion alerts can overload the system and prevent recordings. Reduce motion frequency/zones as needed.
- Device Malfunction – In rare cases of hardware failure, the camera/sensors can malfunction and not capture footage. Contact Ring support.
Why Does My Ring Doorbell Ring And No One Is There?
There are some common reasons why your Ring may ring even when nobody is at the door:
- False Motion Alerts – Branches/leaves blowing, lights/shadows changes, cars passing by can falsely trigger the motion sensor.
- App Notification Delay – There is a slight lag between the doorbell ring and notification delivery to your phone. Someone may have come and gone.
- Pranks – Kids or pranksters may ring the doorbell and run away before you check the camera.
- Delivery Drivers – Drivers often ring the bell quickly after dropping off a package on doorstep before you view.
- Connection Errors – Brief internet/mobile disruptions can delay Ring notifications so they arrive late after visitor has left.
- Mechanical Issues – In rare cases, a faulty button or sensor malfunction causes random phantom rings. Contact Ring support.
- Wi-Fi Interference – High network congestion can sometimes disrupt connectivity and delay notifications to your device.
How Do I Set My Ring Doorbell To Record?
The main way to set your Ring doorbell to record video clips is by adjusting the motion detection settings in the Ring app:
- Open the Ring app and select your doorbell
- Go to Motion Settings
- Set motion to “On” to enable motion-triggered recording
- Adjust motion frequency and zones to capture activity
- Set “Recording Time” to determine clip duration
- Enable “Snapshot Capture” to get still images with motion
- Adjust motion sensors to customize sensitivity
- Set schedules if you only want certain times recorded
- Ensure you have an active Ring Protect plan for video storage
- Activate Live View in the app for on-demand video
Recording for Ring devices requires a subscription to Ring Protect plans for secure cloud video storage.
Adjusting motion settings properly is key to capturing important activity.
How Do I Reset My Ring Doorbell?
To reset a Ring doorbell to factory default settings:
- Open the cover on the doorbell baseplate
- Locate the small reset button inside
- Press and hold this reset button for 10-15 seconds
- Wait for LED lights to start flashing, then release
- This resets WiFi settings, erasing any prior configurations
- You can now setup and connect Ring to WiFi again fresh
- Alternatively, reset by removing then reinserting battery
Resetting can resolve app connectivity issues, restore administrator access, and more. You’ll have to enter WiFi credentials again after resetting.
All custom settings like linked accounts will be erased.
What Causes A Doorbell To Keep Ringing?
Some common causes of a doorbell constantly ringing include:
- Faulty button gets stuck depressed down
- Defective internal components shorting out
- Bad transformer overpowering door chime
- Wired buttons with crossed or bare wires touching
- Multiple doorbells wired improperly to one transformer
- Physical damage from impact, corrosion, moisture
- Insects or dirt trapped under button
- Old/worn out mechanical parts like springs
If your existing doorbell won’t stop ringing, inspect the button assembly for damage, dust/grime, or anything visibly stuck. Try wiping clean and spraying electrical contact cleaner. Check wiring for shorts and proper voltage. Replace faulty transformers, buttons, solenoids as needed.
What Causes Doorbell To Ring?
Common causes of a doorbell ringing when the button isn’t pushed include:
- Phantom rings from inadequate power or wiring issues
- Electrical shorts on the doorbell circuit wires
- Defective buttons activating spontaneously
- Bad transformer providing uneven power
- Interference on wires from nearby equipment
- Age-related worn contacts corroded over time
- Insects or debris making contact under button
- Some digital doorbells prone to phantom rings
- Changes in temperature/humidity expanding circuits
Inspect wires for damage, test voltage at transformer, clean contact points in button assembly, and check for sources of electrical interference to resolve phantom rings. Faulty equipment like transformer or digital chime may need replacement.
Does Ring Doorbell Only Ring Once?
The Ring video doorbells will ring repeatedly when the button is pressed until motion is detected or the Ring app is opened. Here are some reasons it may only ring once:
- Weak WiFi signal results in delayed notifications
- Motion doesn’t trigger if visitor is beyond sensor range
- Battery is depleted so shuts off after first ring
- Defective mechanical parts not making continued contact
- Electrical issue on the internal doorbell circuitry
- Outdated firmware causing video/connectivity glitches
Check WiFi strength at doorbell, adjust motion zones wider, recharge battery, inspect button mechanics, ensure continuous power.
Update firmware and contact Ring support if issues persist after troubleshooting.
Proper setup provides continuous rings until Ring app opens.
How Do I Turn On Ring Video?
To enable video recording on your Ring doorbell:
- Open the Ring app and select your doorbell
- Tap the three dots icon to enter Settings
- Select Recording Settings
- Toggle “Record Video” to on (blue)
- Adjust motion zones and sensitivity
- Set video length and end time
- Ensure you have an active Ring Protect plan
- Battery powered models require hardwired setup for continuous recording
Live View can also be activated on demand for real time video. For battery models, optimize settings to balance video capture with battery life.
Stick to important zones, reasonable durations, and schedules. Wired power enables more continuous recording.
Conclusion
When your ring doorbell rings but shows no video, it can be frustrating and concerning.
Always remember to inspect the WiFi connectivity, testing wiring and power, adjusting motion settings, cleaning the camera, and trying resets.
If you methodically troubleshoot, you can isolate the cause and get your Ring video feed running smoothly again.
For optimal reliability going forward, position the doorbell properly, use recommended accessories, and perform periodic maintenance.
With this guide’s help, your Ring should work flawlessly for peace of mind. Contact Ring support if issues persist after troubleshooting.
Investing in a quality video doorbell pays dividends through added security and convenience.