Your Ring doorbell has stopped recording motion events, which means you’re missing important activity at your front door. This is a common issue that usually stems from settings changes, connectivity problems, or subscription lapses — and the good news is that most fixes take just a few minutes.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Step 1: Check Your Motion Settings First
Open the Ring app on your phone and tap on your doorbell device. Navigate to Device Settings > Motion Settings and make sure Motion Detection is toggled ON. Sometimes this gets accidentally turned off during app updates or when other household members adjust settings. While you’re there, check that your Motion Zones are properly set up — you might have accidentally excluded the areas where motion typically occurs.
Step 2: Verify Your Ring Protect Subscription
Ring doorbells require an active Ring Protect subscription to record and save motion events as of 2025. Go to your Ring app, tap the menu (three lines), then select Plans. If your subscription expired, your doorbell will still send notifications but won’t record the actual video clips. Renewing takes effect immediately, so this is often the quickest fix for recording issues.
Step 3: Test Your WiFi Connection Strength
Poor connectivity is a major culprit when Ring devices stop recording properly. In your Ring app, go to Device Health and check the RSSI number. Anything worse than -60 means your signal is too weak. Try these quick fixes: restart your router, move your router closer to the door if possible, or consider getting a WiFi extender specifically for your doorbell area.
Step 4: Clear the App Cache and Update
On iPhone: Delete and reinstall the Ring app completely. On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Ring > Storage > Clear Cache. After clearing, check the App Store or Google Play Store for any Ring app updates. Outdated apps often have bugs that prevent proper motion recording, especially after Ring releases firmware updates.
Step 5: Power Cycle Your Ring Doorbell
For battery-powered models: Remove the battery for 30 seconds, then reinsert it. For hardwired models: Turn off the breaker to your doorbell for 60 seconds, then turn it back on. This forces the device to reconnect to your network and often resolves temporary glitches that prevent recording.
Step 6: Adjust Motion Frequency Settings
Ring has a feature called Motion Frequency that can inadvertently block recordings. In Motion Settings, look for Motion Frequency or Smart Alerts. If it’s set to “Light” or “Standard,” try changing it to “Frequent.” This setting is ideal for busy areas but not recommended when you want to conserve battery life.
Likely Causes
Cause #1: Expired or Missing Ring Protect Plan
Ring changed their policy in recent years, making cloud recording a paid feature. Without an active Ring Protect Basic, Plus, or Pro subscription, your doorbell only provides live view and real-time notifications — no saved recordings. Check your subscription status by opening the Ring app and looking for the shield icon next to your device. If there’s no shield, you need to subscribe. Plans start at $4.99 monthly or $49.99 yearly per device.
Cause #2: Motion Zones Set Too Restrictively
Motion zones tell your Ring doorbell which areas to monitor. If these zones are drawn too small or positioned incorrectly, the doorbell might detect motion but not record it because the activity happens outside the defined zones. To check this, go to Motion Settings > Motion Zones in your app. You’ll see a grid overlay on your doorbell’s view. Make sure all important areas (walkways, driveways, porches) are included in at least one active zone. This feature is best used in areas with consistent foot traffic patterns.
Cause #3: Firmware Glitch After Recent Update
Ring regularly pushes firmware updates to improve performance and security. Sometimes these updates can cause temporary issues with motion recording. You can check your firmware version in Device Health > Firmware. If an update occurred recently (within the last week), the glitch might resolve itself. However, if problems persist beyond 48 hours, you’ll need to manually intervene using the power cycle method described above.
When to Call Expert Help
Contact Ring Support directly when you’ve tried all the above steps and your doorbell still won’t record motion events. This is especially important if your Device Health shows good WiFi signal (RSSI better than -50) and your subscription is active. Hardware failures, while rare, do happen — particularly in extreme weather conditions or devices over three years old.
Ring’s support team can run remote diagnostics and might identify issues not visible in the consumer app. They’re also the only ones who can process warranty claims or arrange replacements. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’ve spent more than 30 minutes troubleshooting without success.
Copy-Paste Prompt for AI Help
Here’s a prompt you can paste into ChatGPT or Perplexity for additional troubleshooting help:
“My Ring doorbell model [INSERT MODEL] stopped recording motion events but still sends notifications. I have verified my Ring Protect subscription is active, WiFi RSSI is [INSERT NUMBER], and motion detection is enabled. The issue started [INSERT TIMEFRAME]. What specific troubleshooting steps should I try for this exact situation? Include any model-specific fixes.”
Remember to replace the bracketed sections with your specific information for the most accurate assistance. Most Ring doorbell recording issues resolve quickly once you identify the root cause, so work through these steps methodically and your device should be back to normal operation soon.