Troubleshooting your Ring Alarm Motion Detector (2nd Generation)

Follow these steps to help resolve issues with your Ring Alarm Motion Detector (2nd Generation).

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Motion Detector (2nd Generation) light patterns

The light patterns on your Motion Detector will help you identify if it’s working well, or if there’s something wrong. When you press the button on the front of the Motion Detector, you may see:

  • Single green flash:
    Communication is successful, Motion Detector is working.
  • Single red flash:
    Communication is unsuccessful, but Motion Detector is still on your network.
  • Three green flashes:
    Motion Detector is not connected to your Ring Alarm network.

If your Motion Detector (2nd Generation) won’t connect

Try these steps. If the light flashes green once, your Motion Detector is back online and working:

  • Press the button on the front cover
  • Move the Motion Detector closer to the Base Station.
  • Place a
    between your Motion Detector and the Base Station.
  • Remove the back cover from the device (which will tamper it), then replace the cover.
  • Remove the back cover, remove both batteries, wait a few seconds, then reinsert them.*
  • If nothing works and there is no light on the Motion Detector, try replacing the batteries with new ones.*

* Always insert replacement batteries correctly, matching the + (positive) and - (negative) symbols on the battery with the symbols on your Motion Detector.

How to remove then re-add your Motion Detector (2nd Generation)

You might have to remove your Motion Detector and then re-add it to your Ring Alarm.

To remove the Motion Detector:

  1. Open the Ring app.
  2. Tap the
    menu (☰)
    .
  3. Tap
    Devices
    .
  4. Tap the
    Motion Detector
    under the Sensors section.
  5. Tap the
    Device Settings
    tile.
  6. Tap
    Remove Device
    at the bottom of the screen.
  7. Confirm device removal by tapping
    Remove Device
    on the next screen.
  8. Tap
    Got it
    once your Motion Detector is successfully removed.

To re-add the Motion Detector:

  1. Open the Ring app.
  2. Tap the
    menu (☰)
    .
  3. Tap
    Set Up a Device
    .
  4. Tap
    Security
    .
  5. Tap
    Sensors
    .
  6. Follow the onscreen instructions by scanning the QR code on the Sensor
    or
    entering the 5-digit PIN code.
    • Scanning the QR code: Carefully remove the batteries,* then re-insert them. Slide the sensor back onto it base then Press and release the button on the front of your Motion Detector. Tap
      Got It
      to proceed.
    • Entering the 5-digit PIN code. Carefully remove the batteries,* then re-insert them. Slide the sensor back onto it base then Press and hold the button on the front of your Motion Detector for 5 seconds.
  7. You’ll receive confirmation that the Motion Detector was added successfully. If not, choose the option to
    Try Again.

* Always insert replacement batteries correctly, matching the + (positive) and - (negative) symbols on the battery with the symbols on your Motion Detector.

If your Motion Detector (2nd Generation) still won't connect

Follow these steps to remove and reset your Motion Detector:

  1. Remove the back cover from the device.
  2. In the Ring app, tap the menu icon, then tap
    Devices
    , then tap
    Alarm Base Station
    , then tap
    Base Station
    .
  3. Tap
    Device Settings
    (the gear icon), then tap
    Advanced Options.
    Tap
    Z-Wave
    , then tap
    Remove Z-Wave Device
    .
    Important:
    Do not tap “Reset Z-Wave Network”. This will remove your entire Ring Alarm network and you’ll need to reset every device.
  4. Tap
    Remove
    and the app will say “Removing device, Listening for device to remove.”
  5. Press and release the pinhole reset button. The device should be removed successfully and can be re-added using the Ring app.

* Always insert replacement batteries correctly, matching the + (positive) and - (negative) symbols on the battery with the symbols on your Motion Detector.

How to factory reset your Motion Detector (2nd Generation)

Important: This will remove the device from your Alarm Base Station and reset the device to the original default settings.

If you’re still having difficulty with your device and it’s not working properly, you can factory reset the Motion Detector.

  1. Remove the Motion Detector back cover. Keep the batteries in the device.
  2. Use the pinhole tool or a paper clip to press and hold the reset button (on the back of the device) until you see the LED on the front turn red, about 10 seconds.
  3. Re-add the Motion Detector to your Ring Alarm system.

The LED on the front of the sensor should begin blinking. Hold the button down until the LED turns red.

If you have tried all of these steps and it still doesn’t work, review best practices for Motion Detector setup and use. We also recommend reaching out to our Customer Support team for assistance.

Last updated 8 months ago