Ring Video Doorbell 4 Troubleshooting: WiFi, Motion & Video Fixes

Easy 15-30 minutes

The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is a reliable device, but WiFi connectivity, motion detection, and video quality issues can occur. This guide walks through the most common problems and how to fix them.

Doorbell Not Connecting to WiFi

During Initial Setup

  1. Ensure you're connecting to a 2.4GHz network (Ring Doorbell 4 supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, but 2.4GHz has better range)
  2. Move your phone closer to the doorbell during setup
  3. Temporarily disable 5GHz on your router if you have a combined network name
  4. Check that your WiFi password doesn't contain special characters that might cause issues
  5. Restart the doorbell: remove the faceplate and hold the orange button for 20 seconds

Doorbell Keeps Disconnecting

  • Check signal strength: Open Ring app → Devices → Doorbell → Device Health. RSSI should be -60 or better (closer to 0 is better)
  • Weak signal solutions:
    • Move your router closer to the front door
    • Add a Ring Chime Pro (acts as a WiFi extender)
    • Use a dedicated WiFi extender or mesh system
  • Router issues: Restart your router. If problems persist, check for firmware updates
  • Network congestion: Too many devices on your network can cause dropouts

Motion Detection Issues

Not Detecting Motion

  1. Open the Ring app and check that Motion Detection is enabled
  2. Verify motion zones are configured—go to Device Settings → Motion Settings → Motion Zones
  3. Check that Motion Sensitivity isn't set too low
  4. Ensure the doorbell has a clear view—remove any obstructions
  5. Clean the camera lens with a soft, dry cloth

Too Many False Alerts

  • Adjust motion zones: Exclude areas with frequent movement (busy streets, trees)
  • Lower sensitivity: Motion Settings → Motion Sensitivity
  • Enable People Only Mode: This uses AI to only alert for people (requires Ring Protect)
  • Set Motion Schedules: Disable alerts during specific times
  • Adjust the angle: Point the doorbell slightly downward to reduce sky/tree detection

Motion Detection Delayed

  • Pre-roll feature (4 seconds of footage before motion) requires Ring Protect plan
  • Check WiFi signal strength—weak signal causes delays
  • PIR sensors detect heat movement—people walking parallel to the doorbell may trigger later

Video Quality Problems

Blurry or Low-Quality Video

  1. Clean the camera lens with a microfiber cloth
  2. Check WiFi signal strength in Device Health
  3. Verify your internet upload speed is at least 2 Mbps
  4. Check Device Health for "poor" or "very poor" connection indicators

Night Vision Not Working

  • Night vision activates automatically in low light—ensure area is actually dark
  • Nearby light sources can prevent IR from activating
  • Check that Color Night Vision setting matches your preference
  • Infrared LEDs may be blocked—clean the lens area

Video Freezing or Buffering

  • Primary cause is weak WiFi—check RSSI in Device Health
  • Test internet speed—you need at least 2 Mbps upload
  • Reduce video quality in Ring app if bandwidth is limited
  • Too many devices streaming simultaneously can cause buffering

Battery and Power Issues

Battery Draining Quickly

  • High motion activity drains battery faster—adjust motion zones and sensitivity
  • Cold weather significantly reduces battery life (normal behavior)
  • Live View usage drains battery quickly—limit use if on battery
  • Poor WiFi signal forces the doorbell to work harder, draining battery
  • Consider hardwiring if you have existing doorbell wiring (8-24 VAC required)

Hardwired But Not Charging

  1. Check Device Health → Power Status to verify it shows "Hardwired"
  2. Ensure your transformer provides 8-24 VAC (16-24 VAC recommended)
  3. Test the transformer with a multimeter
  4. Check wiring connections behind the doorbell
  5. If using an existing mechanical chime, ensure the internal chime kit is installed

Battery Won't Charge

  • Bring the battery indoors to room temperature before charging
  • Use only the official Ring charging cable
  • Try a different USB port or wall adapter (5V 2.1A recommended)
  • Charging takes 5-10 hours for a full charge
  • If battery won't hold charge, contact Ring for replacement (1-year warranty)

Audio Issues

No Sound or One-Way Audio

  1. Check that your phone's microphone permissions are enabled for the Ring app
  2. Ensure you're not muted in the Ring app during Live View
  3. Test with another phone to isolate the issue
  4. Restart the doorbell by holding the setup button for 20 seconds

Echo or Feedback During Two-Way Talk

  • Lower your phone's volume—high volume causes feedback loop
  • Move away from the doorbell when speaking through the app
  • Enable "Audio Streaming" in device settings (processes audio differently)

Doorbell Not Ringing

No Notification on Phone

  1. Check Ring app notification settings are enabled
  2. Verify phone notification permissions for Ring app
  3. Check that you haven't enabled "Do Not Disturb" or a Motion Schedule
  4. Ensure "Ring Alerts" are turned on in device settings

Mechanical Chime Not Ringing

  • Ring Doorbell 4 requires the Ring Chime Kit to work with mechanical chimes
  • Verify the chime kit is installed correctly (bypasses the mechanical chime's transformer)
  • Check that "In-Home Chime Settings" is enabled in the app
  • Some digital chimes are not compatible—use a Ring Chime instead

Factory Reset

If all else fails, factory reset the doorbell:

  1. Remove the faceplate (press the release on the bottom)
  2. Press and hold the orange setup button for 20+ seconds
  3. Release when the light on the front starts flashing
  4. Wait for the doorbell to complete reset (may take a few minutes)
  5. Set up the doorbell again from scratch in the Ring app

When to Contact Ring Support

Contact Ring support if:

  • Hardware appears physically damaged
  • Device won't power on at all
  • Issues persist after factory reset and fresh setup
  • Battery won't charge or hold charge (may be defective)

Ring support: 1-800-656-1918 or ring.com/help