Investing in Ring devices has turned out to be a great experience for me, so I thought I should share it with you.
First and foremost, Ring devices do not work without an internet connection, which is confirmed by Ring support. But, the devices have backup batteries in reserve that can work for 24 hours or so without the Wifi. The wireless signals enable Ring’s motion detector to work optimally and alarm you about security conditions.
The Ring camera and its dependability on the wireless connection can be a bummer for people.
It doesn’t work in case of a power outage or weak internet signals. It can restrict continuous recording and give you grainy videos that lag.
Nobody wants that, right? I mean, what’s the point of using a security camera if you can’t see the burglar’s face or the number plate?
Conclusively, if you are using ring security, you need strong wifi signals for it to perform well.
But, what’s the ideal internet speed your Ring security needs? What features does the Ring security have that make people go for it?
Hear everything from my experience.
Are Ring Devices Strictly Wifi Devices?
Most Ring devices are cellular and wifi-based, both. But they only work with a pro membership plan.
It gives a 24/7 cellular backup to give the subscribers peace of mind.
Even if you lose connection to the Wi-fi network, the Ring device will be operational through the pro cellular backup.
The cellular battery backup helps when you don’t have a stable wifi connection.
You can just set the Ring alarms to the ‘I need internet’ option and the device will take care of you.
Let’s first see what cellular and battery backup is about.
Cellular Backup
A Ring Protect Plus package is required for cellular standby to work.
The Ring Protect Plus plan gives you the alternative of activating Ring Alarm Professional Monitoring with LTE cellular fallback 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The cellular backup mechanism will activate for 24 hours.
Battery backup
Depending on daily consumption, there should be enough battery capacity for 24 hours of use.
The Ring App’s battery indicator on the Base Station information screen will indicate whether your Base Station is on backup power.
When the base station is turned on, the power icon on the base station will glow yellow.
Now that we are clear about what cellular and battery data are, let’s see how this system works on different Ring devices including security cameras, video doorbells, and wireless alarms.
Does the Ring Security System Set up Without Wifi?
Without wi-fi, your Ring security system can reach a specific time limit that doesn’t store videos or record continuously.
You must have a wireless connection to use all of the functions of a Ring security system.
You can’t control your gadget if you don’t have wi-fi access.
You can check your Ring device’s batteries if it keeps going offline.
If the device is hardwired, it’s conceivable that a cable has come loose or that the connection isn’t nearly tight enough.
You’ll need to double-check the connection if the gadget is hardwired. You should also check if there was a power outage.
What’s Power Outage?
A power outage is a temporary or permanent loss of electric power in a specific area or segment of the power system.
Regardless of the amount of damage or the reason for the outage, a power outage can affect a single house, a single building, or an entire city.
Power outages are often referred to as power failures, power blackouts, or just blackouts.
Ring security devices can also be subjected to power outages. Ring’s power packs come to the rescue.
They can be used to keep the Ring devices online while still allowing you to use your original, functional internet service.
If you have professional monitoring, the cellular backup will assist the alarm system in getting the signal out.
Ring Security Cameras
I did my research before buying the Ring security system. Every educational resource told me it doesn’t work without an internet connection.
Because I already had a strong wifi connection, it wasn’t a problem for me.
A Ring wireless security camera doesn’t work without wifi, and it’s as simple as that. This is because the cameras rely heavily on the Ring app to send notifications and keep you updated about the security conditions around the place. The connectivity between Ring and the internet connection is a result of this sync.
The main reason why Ring security doesn’t work without wifi is its connectivity with the Ring app.
It is very useful as you can control your devices with certain clicks.
The wireless camera calls for help when you are non-responsive.
With a Ring Protect plan, you’ll get professional monitoring that calls for immediate action. It also checks for false alarms before taking action.
Pretty sorted, right? I loved this feature.
Anyways, besides being greatly independent, an IP camera by Ring is affordable and I got mine for a $10/monthly Ring Protect Plus plan.
So, it’s an amazing offering at such an affordable price.
But the Ring has dozens of devices that have their settings to work with or without the internet.
Let’s look at them one by one.
Ring Video Doorbells
The Ring video doorbell is a connected doorbell with the best features, including a motion sensor, window sensors, and night vision.
It functions as both an intercom and a doorbell, allowing you to converse with your visitors while still being able to see them.
A Ring doorbell camera does not have a default cellular connection, which means that if your Wi-Fi doesn’t work, it will not be functional. You’ll have to make an account. After you’ve created it, you’ll see a list of Ring devices in your location to enable wifi connection.
The video doorbell, in essence, comes with a Wi-Fi gateway that can only be used to reconnect your smartphone with contact sensors.
It also serves as a doorbell through video recording, alerting you whenever anyone rings the doorbell and providing you with 24-hour front door monitoring in the grip of your hands.
Ring Alarm
If your Ring alarm system goes offline or you lose internet connectivity, it will switch back on the satellite backup mechanism for a day.
The Ring alarm work on the wireless network. It is meant to defend your home using Wi-Fi or ethernet cable, but if the Ring Alarm Base Station runs out of wireless connection or internet access, your device will simply rely on Bluetooth.
If you lose wifi or electricity, your Ring alarm will continue to work.
You have cellular and battery power backup with the Base station, so the system can keep tracking your house even if you lack the internet.
You should have a Ring Protect Plus plan to use the cellular backup function.
Ring Smart LED Lights
No, Ring smart lights do not include wireless cameras. Spotlights and floodlights are available on some Ring security cameras.
However, they are not included in the Ring smart lighting product category.
To work, Ring smart lighting products connect with the Ring bridge immediately.
It’s a bridging gadget that links to your Wi-Fi connection and lets you manage your lights using the Ring application.
A Ring smart light’s batteries last roughly a year before they need to be replaced.
Ring smart lights employ LEDs that can’t be replaced when they burn down, but they must last a long time until you need to change the unit.
What Internet Speed is Ideal for Ring Security Cameras?
Most Ring devices work best when upload speed and download speeds are approximately 2 megabits per second (Mbps).
The security system’s range of 2.4GHz connections is greater, but the upload speeds are slower.
2.4 all Ring devices support GHz wifi networks, so it’s ideal. Some Ring devices can connect to 5 GHz networks as well. Ring devices are compatible with your home’s wifi connection. A mobile phone hotspot will not operate with your Ring devices if it’s not at 2.4 GHz.
If your internet connections are significantly slower, try relocating your router nearer to your Ring device or (if necessary) contacting your internet service provider to propose getting better broadband speeds.
Can I Use a Hotspot to Connect to the Ring Security System?
In theory, you don’t need to utilize your network to connect your Ring Video Doorbell device to the internet. Using a phone or tablet to establish a hotspot is an odd but viable option.
Mobile devices have the cellular to use as Wi-Fi hotspots operate at a 2.4-GHz band, but most let you select a 5GHz hotspot, which is perfect for Ring devices. However, we know that you should not, for instance, hotspot a device.
You can ensure the connection by connecting the base station to the device as well.
Is it Possible to Leave the Ring Alarm Base Station Disconnected?
Your base station’s location is crucial. The reason for this is that your base station must be powered all of the time. The Ring base station will lose battery power over 24 hours if it is not linked in.
Your battery will discharge if your base station is not plugged in, and you will cease connectivity to your Ring Alarm.
Even if your sensors are working, your Ring Alarm will not be able to send a signal, and your smart home security systems will no longer be secured.
How to Check Battery in Ring Cameras?
The battery life status is displayed on each Ring device that is part of the Ring Alarm Security System.
Here are the Steps to Follow:
- Click Ring App
- Go to Battery Status to see the battery level for each gadget.
- Click Menu (Top Left)
- Go to “Devices”
- Then to “Alarm Base Station”
Now tap on the device whose battery state you wish to cross-check.
Indicator of operating voltage:
- Green: positive color (100 percent )
- Yellow: low (25 percent )
- Red: the color red denotes danger (10 percent )
- Empty: red with a line through it (0 percent )
The battery can last up to 3 years, as per Ring, based on usage and if you live in a temperate or frigid area.
Your Ring alarm’s center (Hub) is the Ring Alarm Base Station.
It’s meant to be connected to, but it also contains a built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to several hours, making up to a day.
To enjoy the 247 battery backup, you will have to subscribe to the protection plan. Look at the following section to see what a premium package costs.
How Much Does a Ring Protect Plan Cost?
For one device, Ring Protect Basic costs $3/month or $30/ year.
Ring Protect Plus is $10 per month or $100 per year and covers all of your Ring devices.
You’ll need a separate Ring Protect membership for each site if you have wireless cameras in numerous homes.
Is it Compulsory to Buy Subscription?
If you don’t want to sign up for the Ring Protect Plus Plan, you won’t get Cellular Backup, and none of your pictures or videos will be saved on the hard drive or the cloud server.
You will be the one to watch the protection of your house, not the Ring Alarm Professional Support service. The majority of its security mechanisms would be disabled.
If you don’t subscribe to the Ring Protect Plan, you’ll have to rely on text messages to notify you of any security hazards near your home.
You’ll also lose your cellular backup, but you’ll have your rechargeable battery.
You can use live view and two-way interaction to talk to someone if there is any motion detection near your property.
Users who either canceled or had their membership expire saw a weaker link to the live footage and lost the ability to record footage.
In my perspective, the premium subscription is worth the money, particularly for cellular backup, professional supervision, screenshots, and cloud recording for 60 days.
You can operate the security system with a mobile app from anywhere.
How to Turn Off Ring Devices Without Internet?
Ring uses live cameras, application compatibility, and internet connectivity for an effective, intuitive security system.
But as you know by now, nothing will work without wifi. So if the alarm is ringing and wifi stops responding, you will have to turn it off by trying the given ways.
- You can use the touchpad to turn off a ring alarm without an internet connection.
- When your base station is unintentionally unplugged, battery backup mode is activated. So You’ll connect back to the wifi.
- Your system will typically run for 15 minutes to save battery life before turning off non-essential services. You can hurry up and turn the alarms off in this time window.
- Attach your Ring Alarm base station to an outlet to power it. Your station will automatically recharge and reconnect to the internet.
The issue with your wifi connection may be caused by the network instead of your security system.
See if your area is experiencing any outages. Alternatively, contact your service provider for more detailed instructions on rebooting your router.
Learn more about Smart Home Security