An assortment of Ring Smart Lighting products lighting up a homeowner's front yard at night.

Troubleshooting Guide for Ring Smart Lights Steplights

Ring Steplights are part of the Smart Lights line of products that strengthens your Ring of Security while illuminating your home and property. Steplights are compact motion-sensing smart lights that are perfect for illuminating stairways, decks, and other walkways. They're also battery-powered for easy no-wiring installation.

This article will help you keep your Ring Steplights working their best.

If you want general information on Ring Smart Lighting, click here.

During Setup my Smart Light was not found by my Ring App. What’s going on?

If a light can’t be found by the Ring App during setup, check the following for potential causes:

Does the light blink twice when the light is powered up? If not, check the following:

  • For battery devices, make sure the batteries are inserted correctly (even if you’re sure, it’s a good idea to take them all out and put them back in again - sometimes one can get turned around).
  • Also check for old batteries that may have run down or whether you have batteries of different brands installed.
  • If you’re unsure if the batteries are fresh, we recommend swapping them all out for new ones to ensure best results.
  • For wired devices, check to make sure your circuit breaker isn’t off.

Also, be sure to double check the following:

  • Check the QR code being scanned to make sure it matches the one on the device.
  • The five-digit pin under the QR should match the code fixed in the battery compartment or on the unit.
  • Check the range between your lights and your phone (or tablet). If the Bluetooth signal from the device can’t reach your phone (or tablet). If it’s too far apart, you may have trouble setting up.

Sometimes your phone's Bluetooth cache can cause a "Device not Found" error.

To fix this on iOS, simply reboot your phone. 

For an Android phone, clear your cache by following these instructions: 

  • Go to
    Settings.
  • Select
    Application Manager
  • Display system apps. 
  • Select Bluetooth from the list of Applications.
  • Select
    Storage.
  • Tap
    Clear Cache.
  • Go back.
  • Restart the phone.

I didn't get a motion alert when my Steplights triggered. What's wrong?

There are several possibilities. Check the following items in order:

  • Check the device setting in your Ring App.
  • Is the device in a Group? Is the Alert option on for that Group?
  • Is the device Linked to another? What behavior is it supposed to exhibit?
  • Are the motion sensors enabled?
  • Check your Bridge.
  • Is it working?
  • Is it too far from the Steplight?
  • Is it too far from your server?
  • Check your batteries.
  • Check your wifi.

Click here for more information on wifi issues.

One or more Steplights is flashing on and off. What's going on?

There are several possibilities. Check the following items:

  • Check your batteries.
  • Check the area around the lights. There may be something in the area (like a small animal) that is triggering your lights.
  • Check your motion sensitivity controls in the Ring app. You may have them set too high for your layout.

Click here to learn more about motion controls.

  • Ungroup all of the lights with the malfunctioning light in it and see if the problem persists. Another light in the Group may be causing the malfunction.

Click here to learn more about Groups.

A Steplight is on and isn't responding to App control. What's going on?

There are several possibilities. Check the following items.

  • Check your batteries.
  • Check your Auto Shut Off control in your device controls in the Ring app. You may have incorrectly set the time on the control.
  • Take yourself out of the equation. Leave the area for 10 minutes to give the lights time to reset without you triggering them and then return and check the lights.

A Steplight will not turn on. What's going on?

There are several possibilities. Check the following items:

  • Check your batteries. They may be defective or incorrectly placed.
  • Take yourself out of the equation. Leave the area for 10 minutes to give the lights time to reset without you triggering them and then return and check the lights.
  • Make sure you're testing the lights in darkness.

A Steplight is not communicating with other lights. What's going on?

  • Make sure your light is properly set up in the Ring App.
  • Make sure your lights are properly Grouped together.

Click here to learn more about Groups.

  • Check barriers between the lights that may be preventing RF communication. If possible, try moving the lights closer together.

My batteries are dying really quickly. What's going on?

There are a variety of factors that affect battery life including battery brand, light settings, and the weather.

Click here to learn more about battery life and how to extend it.

The motion detection range of my lights seems pretty small. What's going on?

Motion detection range can be adjusted from the Ring App.

Click here to learn more about motion controls.

There's a burning smell or smoke coming from my Steplights. What's going on?

Turn off your lights immediately. Call Ring Customer Support for assistance.

Last updated 4 months ago