Ring remains one of the leading home security systems. The Ring Chime is a convenient addition to existing Ring devices that play a set tone when someone presses the Ring doorbell or the Ring security camera detects motion. It is easy to set up and relies on a Wi-Fi connection to work.
But despite its ease of use, you will still experience issues where the Ring chime keeps disconnecting and going offline.
The main reason your Ring Chime keeps going offline is due to the internet connection. The Ring depends on strong and reliable Wi-Fi to work efficiently and consistently. However, power issues can also affect the router and chime.
This article will explain everything you need to know about how the Ring doorbell chime works, uncover the reasons why it keeps going offline, and how to fix the issue permanently.
What is a Ring chime?
The Ring Chime is a wireless notification device that connects to your Ring devices via Wi-Fi. You plug it into power, connect it through the Ring app, send real-time notifications, and give an audible chime when somebody presses the doorbell.
It helps correct one major drawback of the battery-powered Ring Video Doorbell: the only person with the Ring app on their smartphone can tell if there’s anyone at their door. You can also turn off Ring notification to silence the chime if it becomes too loud or annoying.
Fortunately, the hardwired Ring Doorbell doesn’t need the chime device because it can ring inside the house since it connects to the existing doorbell network. The Ring channel’s major downside is that it will not ring when the Wi-Fi is out. It requires a constant internet connection to communicate with the Ring doorbell.
Why does my Ring Chime keep disconnecting?
There are several reasons why your Ring chime keeps losing its connectivity. First, let’s look at all the factors that may result in the Ring chime going offline.
- Battery issues: If your battery-powered doorbell doesn’t have enough battery or the battery is faulty, your chime won’t work.
- Wi-Fi issues: If you recently changed your Wi-Fi password to a Wi-Fi broadband above 2.4GHz, the internet connection is weak, the doorbell will go offline, and the chime won’t ring.
- Faulty router cables: If the router’s wiring is not correct or the cables are broken, disconnected, or corroded, it will affect the link between the doorbell and the chime.
- Power issues: Electricity outage or low current can cause ring chime issues.
- Hardware problems: A fault in the chime or doorbell’s hardware can cause it to keep going offline.
- Outdated firmware: If your doorbell or chime is out-of-date, it will lose connection frequently.
How do I get my Ring Chime back online?
If your Ring chime is offline, it won’t communicate with the Ring doorbell or Ring camera. Therefore you may not know when someone is at the door. The steps below will help you identify and resolve each of the described causes above.
Check the Ring doorbell battery.
Ring states that Ring doorbell lithium batteries typically need a recharge every 6 to 12 months, depending on the use of the doorbell. If your doorbell battery is running low or is faulty, it will have connectivity issues with the Ring chime. So fixing the doorbell’s battery source will get your chime back online.
- The first step is to check the Ring doorbell’s battery level.
- Go to the Ring app.
- Click the Menu tab
- Select your Ring doorbell.
- Then view the battery icon at the top right corner. When the doorbell battery is low, the Ring app will alert you that it needs charging. Next, press the buttons on the doorbell and see if it will display the battery.
- Then attempt charging the Ring doorbell battery. The charging process of the Ring doorbell battery will depend on the model you have.
- After charging, return the battery to the doorbell, wait 30 seconds, and you should see the battery life in the app fill up.
- If the Ring doorbell battery won’t charge, first ensure the Wi-Fi signal on the chime is strong. Then check if there is a fault with the charger.
- Finally, test the charger with other devices if possible. If the charger is working, the doorbell battery is likely faulty and needs a replacement.
Troubleshoot the power issue
Power loss and surges will affect network connectivity. Your Ring chime requires at least 8-24 V of AC power at 50-60 HZ frequency. To confirm if your Ring chime has power issues or not;
- Check if the Ring logo at the front of the device has a blue glow. If there is a solid blue light, it is getting enough power.
- If there is no light, unplug it from the power socket, then plug it again. The chime should restart.
- If that doesn’t work, you can also try connecting the Ring chime to a different power outlet. If the blue light turns solid, there is a problem with the power outlet.
- Connect a different device such as a lamp to the previous outlet and see if it is receiving power. If the new device doesn’t power on, check the breaker box for tripped fuses.
- Reset the fuse or replace the fuse if it’s blown.
- Use a voltmeter to check the voltage your circuit is receiving. If the circuit is low, install a Ring Doorbell Transformer.
- This will help optimize the power requirements of your Ring doorbell.
- If connecting the chime to an active power outlet doesn’t produce blue light, there is a problem with the Ring chime device.
- You will need to contact Ring customer service to help fix the device.
Check the Wi-Fi connectivity.
Here’s how to troubleshoot your Ring chime that keeps going offline:
- First, check the cables that connect to the router and ensure they are secure and undamaged. Then, unplug all the router cables and reconnect them one by one securely.
- Next, check if other devices using the same network, such as your phone, have the same connectivity issues.
- If there is a connectivity issue in other devices, reboot the router. Next, disconnect the router from the power source for at least 30 seconds and reconnect it.
- Then check if the Ring chime connects automatically.
- If your router offers more than one network, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, try switching between them. First-generation Ring chimes only support the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, while the second-generation chimes work with both networks.
- Typically, most routers have both networks and will switch automatically to the one with the strongest signal but 2.4GHz is better for Ring devices. Here’s how to change your Wi-Fi network to 2.4GHz:
- Go to your web browser and enter your router’s IP address to access the router’s web page.
- Enter your name and password to access your Wi-Fi network information. The username is admin, and you can find the passwords at the back of the router.
- Click the menu tab and select “Wireless Network Settings.”
- Navigate to the “Wireless Channel” section and find the tab that contains all the Wi-Fi networks available on your router.
- Tap on the 2.4GHz network.
- Click “Save” to save the changes.
- If you have recently changed your router’s password, try re-configuring it via the Ring app.
Move your router closer to the Ring Chime.
Your chime may frequently disconnect if the router is too far away from the Ring chime since Wi-Fi signals rely on proximity. The distance between your router and chime should be less than 30 feet. First, move the router, then check if the Wi-Fi signal strength has improved using the steps below.
- Go to your Ring app.
- Tap on the Menu icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
- Select “Devices.”
- Choose your Ring Chime.
- Then click on “Device Health.”
- You should see your Wi-Fi signal strength on the Device Health page.
Update your Ring doorbell’s firmware version
Your chime will keep going offline if your Ring doorbell runs on an outdated firmware version. If the Wi-Fi signal is okay, and your chime keeps going offline, ensure the firmware version is up-to-date using the following guide.
- Open the Ring app
- Click on the Menu icon
- Select your Ring Doorbell.
- Click on “Device Health.”
- Scroll to the “Device Details .”You’ll see the message ‘Up to date using the current firmware version.
Restart the Ring chime
If none of the troubleshooting tips above resolves your Ring chime, you will have to reboot it. A reboot will refresh the electricity in your chime device and make it function better. To reboot the Ring chime:
- First, unplug it from the electrical socket.
- Then, wait about 3-5 minutes.
- Plug it back in. Your chime should reconnect automatically to your network.
Why is my Ring chime not connecting to Wi-Fi?
Several issues prevent your Ring chime won’t connect to Wi-Fi. They include:
- Wrong Wi-Fi password
- Poor Wi-Fi signal
- Router downtime
- Your router is on a 5GHz network
- Special characters in Wi-Fi credentials
- Your chime is outside of the Wi-Fi coverage area
- The Ring app is outdated
- Voltage issues or power outage
- Your mobile device has a VPN service on
- Reduced bandwidth
- Faulty or loose cable in your router
Conclusion
There are many reasons why your ring chime is not working consistently, but internet interruption is the main culprit. Find all the other possible causes and their solutions in this article. If connectivity issues with your Ring chime persist, reach out to Ring customer support for expert assistance.