A Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) that does not respond to voice commands, with Alexa unable to show the live view or announce events, has a link or a device problem to untangle, and the camera itself has no microphone input for commands and no speaker for the assistant. The camera in question is a small plug-in model for indoor use, with 1080p video, color night vision, a 143 degree view, a privacy cover and 2.4 gigahertz Wi-Fi. Voice control is a feature of Amazon Alexa devices linked to Ring, so the commands are spoken to an Echo or the Alexa app.
Start with the camera. Check in the Ring app that the camera is online and that live view works, since a camera that is offline cannot show on an Echo Show.
The checks in more detail
Check the physical privacy cover: a closed cover gives a black image while everything else seems to work, and the app does not report its position. The camera uses a Micro USB cable, not USB-C, and the connector is easy to wear, so a loose cable causes dropouts; check the cable. The camera needs about 2 megabits per second upload for good performance; if the picture is soft and stutters, the bandwidth is low. Then the Alexa link. In the Alexa app, search for the Ring skill, enable it and sign in with your Ring account, then discover devices, so that the camera appears in the Alexa device list.
Rename the camera to something simple that you can say, such as Living Room, since the voice command uses its name. Say show living room camera to an Echo Show or a Fire TV, and the live view appears on the screen; an Echo speaker without a screen cannot show video, but it can announce events if you turn on the announcements in the Ring and Alexa settings. The Echo and the Ring account must belong to the same Amazon account and region. If the camera does not appear, unlink and relink the skill and run discovery again.
Check that the camera's Motion Detection and Real-Time Notifications are on if you want announcements. Ring cameras are not built for Google Assistant, so the current compatibility page is the place to look for other platforms.
Contact Ring support with the camera model. Since the camera sits inside your home, think about privacy settings when you give it voice control. Alexa can show the live view on an Echo Show or announce motion, and anyone who can speak to that Echo can ask to see the camera, so decide which Echo devices should have access. Ring's settings let you turn the camera's motion alerts on a schedule, so that announcements stop when you are at home. A physical privacy cover is supplied with the camera; closing it also stops the video, which is useful when guests visit. If the voice command works but the picture is dark, check that the camera's night vision is on and that no lamp or window is behind the camera.
Differential
Likely causes of “Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) does not respond to voice control”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The camera offline or covered
What separates it Alexa shows no picture or black
How to confirm Check Wi-Fi, power and the privacy cover
- 2
The Ring skill not enabled or linked
What separates it The camera does not appear in Alexa
How to confirm Enable the skill and run discovery
- 3
A hard-to-say name
What separates it Alexa does not understand the command
How to confirm Rename the camera simply
- 4
A speaker without a screen
What separates it The command works but nothing shows
How to confirm Use an Echo Show or a Fire TV
- 5
Low bandwidth or a loose cable
What separates it Live view is soft or drops
How to confirm Check the upload speed and the Micro USB cable
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What you said and what Alexa answered
- Whether live view works in the Ring app
- Whether the privacy cover is open
- Whether the Ring skill is linked
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCheck live view
ReversibleIn the Ring app.
Check the privacy cover
ReversibleAnd the cable.
Enable the Ring skill
ReversibleIn the Alexa app.
Run device discovery
ReversibleAnd rename the camera.
Use a screen device
ReversibleFor video.
Contact Ring
ReversibleIf it still fails.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Alexa and Ring
- Voice control runs through the Ring skill.
- The cover
- A closed privacy cover looks like a fault.
- 2.4 gigahertz
- It does not use 5 gigahertz.
- Micro USB
- It is not USB-C and wears.
- Bandwidth
- About 2 megabits upload is needed.
- Ring help
- Quote the camera model.
- Who can ask
- Anyone who can speak to the Echo can request the view.
- Schedules
- Motion alerts can follow a schedule.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Do not point an indoor camera at private areas
- !Do not use it outdoors
- !Contact Ring if the camera overheats
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why will Alexa not show my Ring Indoor Cam?+
The camera may be offline, or the skill may not be linked.
Why is the picture black?+
The privacy cover may be closed.
Which Wi-Fi band does it use?+
2.4 gigahertz only.
What cable does it use?+
Micro USB.
Can a speaker show video?+
No, an Echo Show or Fire TV can.
Can anyone with an Echo Show see my indoor camera?+
Anyone who can use that Echo can ask for the view, so limit access.
Does the privacy cover stop video?+
Yes, a closed cover blocks the lens.