What Happens if Ring Doorbell Loses Wi-Fi Connection: Does It Work?

Modern smart doorbells require a Wi-Fi connection to send notifications and alerts to your mobile phones. Ring Doorbell’s services are entirely based on cloud support.

If you are wondering what happens if Ring Doorbell loses wifi connection, the short answer is it stops functioning properly. These are the things that can happen:

  • Analog Doorbell functions.
  • No notifications or alerts on your smartphone.
  • No Communication
  • No Cloud Support

Key Takeaway

Local Recording Continues: Even without Wi-Fi, Ring doorbells can still capture motion events and record footage locally or to cloud storage.
Limited Functionality: During Wi-Fi downtime, features like live view and remote access via the Ring app are unavailable, but recorded footage is stored for later viewing.
Alerts and Notifications: Users won’t receive alerts or notifications for motion events or doorbell presses while the Ring doorbell is disconnected from Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi Restoration: Restoring Wi-Fi connectivity to the Ring doorbell enables full functionality, including live view, two-way audio, and remote access via the Ring app.
What Happens if Ring Doorbell Loses Wi-Fi Connection
What Happens if Ring Doorbell Loses Wi-Fi Connection

What Happens if Ring Doorbell Loses WiFi Connection?

Ring Doorbells rely heavily on stable Wi-Fi connections to work properly. Without a connection, the doorbell loses most of its features. A Wi-Fi connection holds together the smart home ecosystem that modern homes have.

Here is what happens if Ring Doorbell Loses Wi-Fi Connection:

Limited Recording

If you do not have an active Wi-Fi connection to Ring doorbells, the recording will be limited to any physical storage you connect to it. You can attach an SD card to the doorbell device which saves recordings.

Ring is owned by Amazon and they add a subscription just for the footage-saving feature.

Only a handful of models like the Ring Doorbell Pro and Ring Floodlight Cam have this option. You still need to get the Ring Protect Pro for $20 a month to save recordings whether or not you are connected to the Wi-Fi.

Only Analog Doorbell Functions

The Ring doorbell works like a normal doorbell if you hardwire it to an analog doorbell. If you do not have an analog doorbell setup in your home it will stop working.

You can also do the same thing with a Ring Chime box accessory. But it will not work with wireless battery models like the Ring 2, 3, and 4.

Notifications and Alerts Turn Off

When the Ring Doorbell loses its Wi-Fi connectivity it will not be able to communicate with the Ring app on your phone.

You will not get any motion alerts or notifications when someone is at the door or they press the ring button. You may even miss important deliveries and other events.

No Access to Live Footage

You also will not have access to any live footage. You will not be able to check or see the video feed on the ring doorbell camera.

This is one of the main features of a smart doorbell camera. The doorbell cannot send the live footage to the Ring app. So losing a Wi-Fi connection disrupts most of Ring doorbell’s primary features.

No Communication Through the Ring App

The two-way talk is a feature where you can chat with whoever’s at your doorstep. The Doorbell has built-in speakers and a microphone.

The Wi-Fi is not just for video or notifications it is also what keeps the doorbell’s two-way talk feature alive. If the Wi-Fi is down, you will not be able to communicate through the Ring app.

You cannot listen or talk to anyone remotely, cutting off that interactive feature.

Common Reasons Behind Doorbell Losing Wi-Fi Connection

Now you know how important it is to have a stable Wi-Fi connection for a Ring doorbell to function properly.

Here are some common reasons behind connectivity issues:

Power Outage

If you experience constant power outages in your area and the Wi-Fi keeps restarting, it might be why your doorbell keeps disconnecting.

After an outage, it takes some time for the router to start sending and receiving signals from connected devices. Check the circuit breaker, transformer, and power outlet for any issues.

Wi-Fi Range

Sometimes, the signal just does not cut it. A weak signal results in a bad connection and the doorbell struggles to communicate through the Wi-Fi to other connected devices.

You need a good router that covers your whole house so every device connected to it gets ample signal to communicate with each other. Otherwise, these devices will stop working how they are supposed to.

Router Issues

Not only do you need a good router, you need to set it up properly as well. A congested network is really bad for a home ecosystem.

When too many devices hog the Wi-Fi bandwidth your Ring Doorbell might find it hard to squeeze in a bit of that. Heavy streaming or downloading makes it hard for the doorbell to save footage to the cloud.

Misconfigured network settings can also lead to connectivity issues. Outdated router firmware is another culprit for doorbells losing Wi-Fi connectivity.

Signal Interference

Even if the router is close to the doorbell and has a good range, signal interference can be another problem.

Thick walls or neighboring networks can mess with the signal. Microwaves, cordless phones, or large appliances near the router can disrupt the signal being sent to the doorbell as well.

Troubleshooting Tips for Ring Doorbell Losing Wi-Fi Connection

Connectivity issues are not only related to the router or modem. Your doorbell can also be at fault for dropping the Wi-Fi connection.

Here are some tips to improve the doorbell and Wi-Fi connectivity:

  1. Sometimes a simple restart can do wonders. Turn the power off from both the router and the doorbell. Wait 30 seconds and then power them back on and check if the issue is gone.
  2. Ensure the Ring Doorbell has a stable power supply. If it is a wireless model like the Ring 2,3 and 4, replace the batteries and check if that solves the issue.
  3. Double-check the Wi-Fi is working. Do a speed test on Speedtest.net to verify your router has access to the internet.
  4. Check your phone’s Wi-Fi near the doorbell area. If the signal is weak consider putting the router in a center position of the house or use a Wi-Fi extender to increase the range.
  5. Update the router firmware and the Ring app from the Play Store or Apple Store.
  6. Try factory resetting the Ring doorbell using the button under the cover plate. Read how to factory reset the Ring doorbell.
  7. If the Ring doorbell keeps losing connection but other devices are working just fine, you may have a faulty device. Contact Ring support for a replacement.

Alternative to Wi-Fi Connection for Ring Doorbells

During situations where your Wi-Fi is down and temporarily unavailable, you can use a mobile hotspot. You can create a wireless access point with your smartphone or get a dedicated hotspot device.

Share your cellular data connection with the Ring doorbell:

  1. Activate the mobile hotspot on your smartphone or the hotspot device.
  2. Block other devices from using the hotspot from your phone by setting a password.
  3. Connect the Ring Doorbell and other Ring accessories to the mobile hotspot by selecting the network in the doorbell’s Wi-Fi settings.

Keep in mind that uploading video footage to the cloud uses quite a lot of cellular data. A Ring Doorbell on a hotspot can use up more than 5 gigabytes of data in a single day.

Monitor the data usage and only use this as a temporary solution or you may have to pay a premium on the cellular bill.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to reset Ring Doorbell after an internet outage?

Unplug the router and modem for 30 seconds, plug them back in, and see if the doorbell attempts to connect.

How do I figure out if my Ring Doorbell is disconnected from Wi-Fi?

When the Ring doorbell gets disconnected from the Wi-Fi, you will see a red icon on the Device Dashboard in the Ring app. Tap the icon and follow the instructions to troubleshoot it.

How long does a Ring Doorbell Battery Last?

Your Ring Doorbell battery will last anywhere between six to twelve months with normal use. If the doorbell detects a lot of motion it can deplete faster.

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