Ring Security Cameras and Video Doorbells are among the most popular smart security devices used today. Many people love being able to remotely see and hear what’s happening at home via their Ring devices. However, many homeowners have wondered if Ring Cameras work without Wi-Fi.
Ring Cameras and Video Doorbells will not work without being connected to a Wi-Fi network with a stable internet connection. Without an internet connection, you will not be able to receive security alerts/notifications or stream live video and audio feed from your Ring device to your smartphone.
I’m going to explain everything homeowners must know about the functionality of Ring Cameras without Wi-Fi. Once I’ve discussed why Ring Cameras require an internet connection to work, I’ll discuss what happens when your device doesn’t have a Wi-Fi connection and whether there’s a workaround for this issue. I’ll also outline how to troubleshoot your Ring device’s connection!
Will Your Ring Cameras Work Without Wi-Fi?
All Ring Cameras and Video Doorbells are designed to work with your home Wi-Fi network. Due to this design, all security cameras and video doorbells manufactured by Ring require an existing Wi-Fi network to be set up and used. When setting up your Ring Camera via the Ring app, you’ll be asked to select a Wi-Fi network to connect to.
Connecting your Ring Camera to the internet via a stable Wi-Fi connection will allow your camera to communicate with your smartphone. You’ll be able to stream Live View video and audio from the Ring Camera to the Ring app. For many Ring devices, the Wi-Fi connection is also used for two-way communication and advanced features, like setting custom motion zones.
In addition to these features, the Ring Camera will use your home Wi-Fi network to send security notifications to the Ring app installed on your smartphone. A stable Wi-Fi connection is also necessary to download video footage from your Ring Camera and update your device’s firmware.
All Ring Camera and Video Doorbell models are compatible with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks, while only select models are compatible with faster 5GHz networks. Ring devices predominantly use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks because the connection travels farther than a 5GHz network, albeit at lower speeds than 5GHz Wi-Fi connections.
Do Ring Cameras Need Internet To Work?
It’s important to note that Wi-Fi and an internet connection are not the same. Wi-Fi refers to wireless technology that allows devices to connect to the internet via radio waves. Due to this, you need a Wi-Fi network with access to a stable internet connection to properly use your Ring devices.
While some Ring models, like the Doorbell Elite, can use a wired Ethernet connection instead of connecting to a Wi-Fi network, all Ring devices need a connection to the internet. Your Ring Camera will still be able to record footage and store it locally without an internet connection, but you won’t be able to access this footage until the device is reconnected to the internet.
What Happens When Ring Cameras Don’t Have An Internet Connection?
A Ring Camera or Video Doorbell without a stable internet connection will be unable to send alerts or transmit live video/audio to your smartphone or computer. As soon as your Ring Camera loses its internet connection, the device will be displayed as “Offline” on the Ring app until it is reconnected to the internet.
Can A Mobile Hotspot Connect Ring Cameras To The Internet?
Mobile hotspots can be used as a temporary substitute for a Wi-Fi network. Connecting your Ring Camera to a mobile hotspot via your Android or Apple smartphone will allow you to access your Ring devices. It’s important to note that this solution will only work as long as your Ring device is within range of the device it’s connected to.
Is There A Way To Use Ring Cameras Without Internet?
While mobile hotspots can be used as a workaround to connect Ring devices to the internet without a Wi-Fi network, there’s no way to fully use a Ring Camera or Video Doorbell without an internet connection. If your Ring device has lost its connection to the internet, you’ll need to troubleshoot the underlying issue to restore your device’s functionality.
Are There Security Cameras That Work Without Wi-Fi?
There are many wireless security cameras that can work without Wi-Fi. For example, the Ring Elite model works with an ethernet cable. There are also cameras like the Reolink Go that work with a cellular data plan instead of a Wi-Fi connection. However, all security cameras with smart functionality will require some type of internet connection.
Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Issues With Your Ring Cameras
You can follow these steps to troubleshoot any connectivity issues with your Ring Cameras to ensure your devices are working properly!
Step One: Check That All Cables Are Connected
If you experience any connectivity issues, make sure that all cables are connected to your router. Your router is responsible for connecting your devices to the internet via a Wi-Fi connection. If you have a hardwired Ring Camera or Doorbell, you should ensure all wiring is correct since incorrect wiring can prevent your device from connecting to the internet.
Step Two: Check Your Device’s Battery Level
Those with battery-powered Ring devices must ensure the device is properly charged. A low battery level can cause issues with the functionality and connectivity of Ring Video Doorbell and Security Camera devices. Your device’s manual will specify instructions for charging and replacing the battery in your battery-operated Ring device.
Step Three: Run An Internet Speed Test
Any problems with your router can cause your Ring device to disconnect from the internet. An easy way to test your router is to try using the internet on another device that’s connected to the same network as your Ring Camera. If there are issues with your connection, your Ring device’s functionality will be restored once the problem with the router has been solved.
You can also do an Internet Speed Test from a device connected to your home Wi-Fi network to determine whether there are issues with your internet connection. While service outages in your area may be affecting your connectivity, you can try rebooting your router to resolve your Ring Camera’s connectivity issues.
Step Four: Consider Your Wi-Fi Range
Your Ring Camera must be placed within a certain range of your router to ensure a strong Wi-Fi connection. Luckily, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks that all Ring devices use can travel further than the lesser-used 5GHz networks. If your Ring device is positioned too far from your router, it will have a weak connection that will cause issues with its functionality.
There are two ways to fix this issue. Firstly, you could move your Ring device to a new location to ensure the camera is within range of your router. However, Ring Range Extenders can also be purchased online. These devices will boost your Wi-Fi connection and provide a more reliable internet connection for your Ring devices.
Step Five: Update Your Ring Camera’s Firmware
When you first set up your Ring Camera, the device will be automatically updated. Your device will then use the Wi-Fi network to remain updated. However, a poor internet connection can prevent your Ring device from updating, so you won’t receive fixes to bugs and issues. Ring users can manually update their device’s firmware from the Ring app.
Step Six: Inspect For Voltage Issues
Low voltage issues only affect certain Ring Camera devices, including the Video Doorbell Pro models. Low voltage means your device isn’t receiving enough power from the internal transformer, which can cause your device to go offline. You can also buy a Ring Plug-in Power Adapter to supply compatible models with additional power.
Step Seven: Factory Reset Your Ring Device
You can factory reset your Ring Security Camera or Video Doorbell when all else fails. While performing a factory reset will force you to set up your device again, it can fix bugs and issues you’re struggling with. The steps to reset your Ring device will depend on your specific model, which you can determine via the Ring app.
Most Ring Camera devices are equipped with a setup button that doubles as a reset button. Holding this button down for ten to twenty seconds will reset a Ring camera, which will be indicated by a flashing light at the front of the camera. Some Ring Video Doorbells feature a similar design and are reset in the same way.
Step Eight: Contact Ring Support
If you’re unable to successfully troubleshoot your Ring Camera’s connectivity issues with the previous steps, you should contact Ring Support for more assistance. The support team will guide you through further troubleshooting steps to determine whether your device is faulty.
Conclusion
A Wi-Fi network with a stable internet connection is required for Ring devices to work properly. Your Ring device cannot send security alerts to your smartphone without an internet connection.
While footage will be captured and stored locally when your Ring Camera is offline, you won’t be able to stream video or audio live to your phone without a working internet connection.
