Ring's motion detection article begins with the basics: make sure the device is online, since an offline device does not detect motion, and remove the protective film that ships over the front of the device. Motion Detection must be switched on under Devices, the device, then toggle. Open Motion Settings and use Motion Wizard, the magic wand icon, to tune it. Adjust Motion Zones to include the area you want and exclude roads, flags and wind chimes, adjust or disable Bird's Eye Zones on devices that have them, and adjust Motion Sensitivity, remembering that lowering it reduces range and false alerts and raising it helps missed events.
Smart Alerts distinguish people, vehicles and packages and need a subscription. Add Motion Schedules only when you want alerts silenced. Under Advanced Settings, Motion Frequency controls how often battery devices check:
The checks in more detail
Frequently keeps detection always active with the shortest battery life, Regularly takes a short break after each alert and Periodically takes a longer break. Turn on Advanced Motion Detection for battery devices. If motion is missed, check Event History, disable Modes and Motion Schedules to see whether detection is off at that time, check Privacy Zones are not covering the area, reposition the device and check wifi signal strength.
Walk across the area at the distance you care about and check Event History afterwards, since a test at one meter says little about detection at the driveway. Check the device again at a different time of day, since sun glare, headlights and shadows change what triggers detection. Keep sensitivity changes small, one notch at a time, and check Event History after a day, because overcorrecting in either direction trades missed events for false alarms.
Differential
Likely causes of “Ring doorbells and security cameras misses motion or records too many events”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Protective film left on
What separates it No motion is detected at all because the protective film is still over the front of the device
How to confirm Remove the protective film that ships over the front of the device, then test motion again
- 2
A Mode or Motion Schedule
What separates it Detection is off at set times because a Mode or a Motion Schedule has switched it off
How to confirm Disable the Mode or the Motion Schedule for a test, and see whether motion is then detected
- 3
Zones or Privacy Zones
What separates it Events are missing in one area because a motion zone or a Privacy Zone excludes it
How to confirm Adjust the zones, so that the area you want covered is included in the detection
- 4
Low Motion Frequency
What separates it A battery device misses events because Motion Frequency is set to a low value
How to confirm Set Motion Frequency to Frequently, so that the battery device checks for movement more often
- 5
Sensitivity too high or low
What separates it You get false or missed alerts because the sensitivity slider is too high or too low
How to confirm Adjust the sensitivity slider a little at a time, and test after each change
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The time of a missed event
- The Motion Frequency setting chosen for the device
- Which zones and Modes are in use for the device
- The signal strength shown in Device Health
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the device is online
ReversibleCheck the device is online and remove the protective film, because an offline device detects nothing.
Turn Motion Detection on
ReversibleTurn Motion Detection on for the device in the app, under Devices and then the device itself.
Use Motion Wizard
ReversibleUse Motion Wizard, the in app guide, to tune the motion settings for the place where you mounted it.
Adjust zones and sensitivity
ReversibleAdjust the zones and the sensitivity to exclude roads and flags that move and cause false alerts.
Check Modes and Schedules
ReversibleCheck the Modes and the Schedules, and disable them for a test to see if they switch detection off.
Set Motion Frequency
ReversibleSet Motion Frequency to Frequently, if a battery device misses events that you want it to catch.
Reposition the device
ReversibleReposition the device and check the signal, since a weak connection can delay or lose events.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Battery devices
- Motion Frequency trades battery life for coverage.
- Wired devices
- Wired devices keep detection always active.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Stick Up Cam Battery, Spotlight Cam Pro, Floodlight Cam Wired Pro, Indoor Cam (2nd Gen).
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If no motion is detected online with film removed, contact Ring support
- !If only one area is missed, adjust zones
- !If the alerts are false, lower the sensitivity a little and check the zones again
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Motion settings, zones, sensitivity and frequency.
Motion detection overview.
Motion and doorbell alert settings.
Reconnect steps, 2.4 GHz, power and reset.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my Ring miss motion?+
The usual reasons are that it is offline, the film is on, or a zone or schedule blocks detection.
What are Bird's Eye Zones?+
Bird's Eye Zones are precise zones that reach up to about thirty feet on some devices.
Do Smart Alerts need a subscription?+
Yes, Smart Alerts, which tell people from other movement, need a Ring Protect subscription.
What does Motion Frequency do?+
Motion Frequency sets how often a battery device checks for movement, which affects battery life.
Can a schedule turn detection off?+
Yes, a Motion Schedule can turn detection off at set times, so check whether one is set.
Can wifi affect motion?+
Yes, a weak wifi signal can delay or lose motion events, so check the signal strength.
What does a factory reset erase on the doorbell?+
It erases the settings, the motion zones and the linked routines, though the videos already saved in the cloud stay on the account.
Does the doorbell work with Alexa?+
Yes, it works with Alexa through the Ring skill, which lets Echo devices announce visitors and show the live view.
Where do I see the doorbell's event history?+
In the Ring app, open the doorbell and choose Event History, which lists each motion, ring and live view event.
How fast must my internet be for the doorbell?+
Higher resolution devices need a faster connection, so run a speed test at the door if the video looks poor.
Can I use two routers with a Ring doorbell?+
It can cause connection problems, so keep to a single router, or put the extra one into bridge mode.