Troubleshooting Motion Detection

If your Ring device is missing motion events or detecting too much motion, you can take steps to improve motion detection of your device. Make sure your device is online by checking the status from the main dashboard in the Ring app. If your device is offline, it will not detect motion. Learn how to reconnect your offline device.

Note: Ring devices are packaged with a protective film covering that will prevent the device from detecting motion. Before you begin troubleshooting, make sure that you have removed the plastic film from the front of your device.

Turning Motion Detection on or off.

Motion Detection must be enabled for your Ring device to detect and record motion events. Follow these steps to turn Motion Detection on or off:

1. Open the Ring app to the main dashboard.

2. Tap more (•••) on the camera you want to access.

3. Tap your device's Settings.

4. Toggle Motion Detection on or off.

Fixing missed motion or false motion

Try these tips to fix common motion detection issues.

Check Event History

Check Event History to confirm the time of any missed motion events or false motion triggers. If you did not receive an alert, but there is a recording, you might need to turn on Motion Alerts. Learn more about managing alerts for doorbells and cameras here. Recording requires a Ring Home Plan.

Adjust Motion Settings

1. Open the Ring app to the main dashboard.

2. Tap more (•••) on the camera you want to access.

3. Tap your device's Settings.

4. Tap

   Motion Settings

   . Select from the list of available settings.
   • Adjust Motion Sensitivity:

     Ring devices can detect motion up to 30 feet with the Motion Sensitivity slider at the maximum level. If you turn Motion Sensitivity down, this range will be lower, decreasing false motion. If your device is missing motion, increase the Motion Sensitivity using the slider.
   • Adjust Motion Zones:

     Make sure the motion zones for your device are set where you want to detect and record motion events or avoid unwanted motions coming from the road, flags, windchimes, and other motions.

     Learn more about using Motion Zones.
   • Change the Motion Frequency:

     You can adjust how often your battery-powered device checks for motion. If your device is missing motion events, increase the Motion Frequency to

     Frequently

     (Shortest battery life—Motion detection always stays active) in the Ring app. If too much motion is being detected, change the frequency to

     Regularly

     (Medium battery life—Motion detection takes a short break after each motion alert) or

     Periodically

     (Maximum battery life—Motion detection takes a longer break after each alert).
   • Adjust or disable Bird’s Eye Zones:

     On select devices, you can set up Bird's Eye Zones for more precise motion detection and more relevant Motion Alerts up to 30 feet from your doorbell or camera.

     Learn more about using Bird's Eye Zones

     .

Disable Mode Settings and Motion Schedules

If Modes or Motion Schedules are enabled, there might be times where motion detection is turned off. If you have Modes enabled for your device, go to Mode Settings to disable it, then test a motion event. Learn more about Mode Settings here.

Delete any Motion Schedules that you have set up. Learn more about how to manage Motion Schedules here.

Check for Privacy Zone

Make sure Privacy Zones are not blocking areas you want to detect and record. Learn more about Privacy zones.

Change the position of your Ring device

You can also adjust the position of your camera to improve the accuracy of motion detection. Learn more about positioning your doorbell or camera.

Check the wifi signal strength

Poor wifi signal strength can prevent Ring devices from performing optimal motion detection. A poor signal can be caused by the distance between the router and your Ring device, the layout of your home, or interference caused by other devices (TVs, games consoles, etc.) or materials in your home, such as stucco, brick, metal, large mirrors, or glass doors. Learn more about wifi speed.

1. Open the Ring app to the main dashboard.

2. Tap more (•••) on the camera you want to access.

3. Tap your device's Settings.

4. Tap the Device Health tile.

5. Scroll down to

   Signal Strength

   under Network.

Tips for improving signal strength:

• Move your Ring device closer to your router.
• Add a Chime Pro

  to your network.
• Consider a mesh network as a replacement for your existing wifi router.