Test your Wifi Connection
Ring devices require high speed internet for the best possible video and audio experience.
How do I know if my internet speed is good enough?
Check your internet connection.
- To test your internet connection speed, use the Ring app on your phone or tablet
- Make sure that your phone uses the same wifi network as your Ring devices
- Close out any apps that you may have running on your device, which can interfere with measurement
- Open the Ring app:
- Select the Ring doorbell or security camera that you want to test
- Choose Settings
- Go to Device Health and select Test Your Wifi
- Stand in the same location as your Ring device, about 1 - 2 feet away, and run the test.
- For testing accurately, make sure your front door is shut during this step.
- Make a note of these results.
I have less than 2Mbps connectivity
If you are getting less than 2Mbps you can still enjoy the Ring experience, but you may notice lower video or audio quality, or potentially delayed notification, when using your device.
I have more than 2Mbps connectivity, but my Ring device is still slow
If you have around 2Mbps or more, we know that the connection is good, however there might be other issues related to different aspects of connectivity.
Improving your signal strength
If your internet speeds are good, you may still have an issue with the strength of the signal between your router and the Ring device. Signal strength is just as important as speed when it comes to transmitting a video image from your Ring device to your Ring app.
To check the strength of your wifi signal, do the following:
- Open your Ring app
- Tap on the three lines on the top left of the screen
- Select Devices
- Tap on the Ring device you would like to test
- Tap on the Device Health tile
- On the Device Health screen
- Look at Signal Strength under the Network section.
If your signal is poor or very poor, this can be caused by the distance between the router and your Ring device, the layout of your home, or interference caused by other devices (TV's, game systems, etc.) or materials in your home such as stucco, brick, metal, large mirrors or glass doors. Routers that are in a closet or behind a sofa will have diminished signal strength.
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| Move router from behind couch |
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| Move router out of closet |
Signal strength is only a broad frame of reference. If the app tells you your signal is 'poor' or 'very poor', but your device's Live View is working as it should, and your Ring notifications are appearing in a timely way, then don't worry about any alerts or notifications that you may have received.
Why else could my signal be low?
There are a number of factors that can cause your signal to be low.
- These can be things such as obstacles in the way of the signal (big metal objects, big thick walls, double glazing, fridges, microwaves and other devices), the position of your wireless router.
- Router, or interference from neighboring networks called ‘channel interference’.
- If your wifi router is an older model with outdated firmware, this may affect your signal strength.
There are ways to rectify these issues in a simple and straightforward way, without any technical knowledge required.
Here are a few steps we can take to improve your signal:
Position of your wireless router
- If your wireless router has been installed on the floor or behind a TV, or a sofa get the wireless router up off the floor and away from the big metal TV which will blocking some of the signal to and from the router.
We recommend that you position your wireless router 1-2 feet off of the floor, away from any big metal objects, or other wireless devices, such as baby monitors or game consoles.
- If your wireless router is at the opposite side of the house from where your Ring device is, you can try and move your wireless router closer to the Ring device using a broadband or cable extension kit. Moving the wireless router even a few feet closer can have a big impact on connectivity, especially if there are other objects in the way.
- If you have big metal or structural objects like boilers or water tanks between your router and your Ring device, move your router so that the object is no longer in direct line of sight of the Ring device.
Resetting your Modem or Router
If you're still not able to successfully improve connectivity, try resetting your modem and/or router. To do this, follow the instructions below:
- Unplug your router or model from its power supply (don't just turn it off).
- If your router and modem are separate, unplug both of them.
- Wait 15-20 seconds, then plug them back in.
- Wait a minute or two for internet to be restored.
Confirm that your internet has been restored by connecting another device to your wifi network and trying to access a website, then repeat the setup process.
Attempt using a dedicated 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz network
Most Ring devices are designed to function with a 2.4GHz wifi signal for the best range. Other devices can also operate using a 5GHz signal. If your device is connected to a 5Ghz network and is disconnecting from the network or having connectivity issues, you can attempt to connect to a dedicated 2.4Ghz network, provided by your wifi router.
Use a Ring Chime Pro or other Wifi Extender
The Chime Pro is a Ring product designed to extend the range of your wireless network to your Ring Video Doorbell and Cameras, as well as notify you about doorbell and motion alerts within the home.
Simply plug in the Chime Pro as close to your Ring device as possible, and follow the simple steps in the Ring app to set up Chime Pro.
Find out more about the Ring Chime Pro here.
After completing one or more of these steps, run the connectivity test through the Ring app again. If the speed and quality has improved, you will be set! If not, you can further explore some of the issues below.
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If you've followed the above steps and are still having connectivity issues, you can try some advanced troubleshooting steps, as outlined below.
- Channel interference, and changing the channel
Channel interference is caused when there are multiple wireless networks in the area, all sharing the same channel and competing to be heard.
In Japan, 2.4 Ghz wireless signals operate across 13 channels. Some channels overlap slightly, so the most efficient ones without overlap are 1, 6, 11.
Notes:Although 802.11b standard for Japan supports Channel 14, but this channel is not supported by Ring devices. Please hesitate from using or enabling it on your Access Point
If you're getting interference from competing Wifi networks:
- Many modern routers have utilities that allow them to scan for the least crowded channel to broadcast on. Check your router's documentation to find out how to enable this feature on your router.
- If you've tried channel switching and are still getting slow internet speed, try setting the channel manually and use the "Test Your Wifi" tool on the device health page of the Ring app to test your Wifi speed and find the fastest one.
- Consider upgrading to a new router, especially if yours is more than a few years old.
- Test again
If the steps we have taken thus far are not improving the signal and connection experience, there are a few other things that can be done in order to improve the signal.
Using a Mesh Network
If you want to improve your wifi coverage for your whole home, then a mesh network may be a good option, especially if you have a larger home. These systems work by having multiple units plugged in throughout the house, and allow devices like mobile phones to connect to the strongest signal as you move around the house.
If you're getting interference from other electronics:
- Try turning off or unplugging some of your electronics.
- Some electronic devices such as PCs, TVs, and video game consoles can be wired directly into your router using Ethernet cable. Attaching these devices to a wired connection will free up bandwidth on the Wifi.
- Try moving other electronic devices. Even a few feet can make a big difference.
