Troubleshooting and light patterns for Ring Motion Detector (3rd Gen)

Ring Motion Detector (3rd Gen) detects motion in your home and sends an alert. Use this article to troubleshoot common issues and identify LED light patterns.

Troubleshooting

Issues scanning the QR code

Make sure your mobile device operating system (OS) is up to date.
Make sure the camera lens on your mobile device is clean and free of debris.
Make sure the QR code on Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is not damaged, dirty, or covered in debris. Wipe it with a damp cloth or paper towel if needed.
Make sure there is proper lighting in the room. If the room is dark, turn up the lights or move to a more well-lit area.
If the in-app QR scan continues to fail, use your mobile device's native camera to scan the QR code. This will open the Ring app with the QR code already scanned.
If these steps do not resolve the issue, contact Ring Customer Support.

Resolve software update failures

Update your mobile device operating system (OS). Software updates use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and require a current OS version.
Stay within one to five feet of Motion Detector (3rd Gen) during the update. BLE is short-range.
Install fresh batteries. If Motion Detector (3rd Gen) was previously set up, replace the batteries and try again.
Power cycle Motion Detector (3rd Gen): Remove the batteries, wait 10 seconds, re-insert them, and try again.
If the issue persists, contact Ring Customer Support for further assistance.

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is stuck in Waiting to Join

If Motion Detector (3rd Gen) remains in a Waiting to Join state for five minutes or more:

Make sure Motion Detector (3rd Gen) has fresh batteries. If Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is new, the batteries should be fully charged. If it was previously set up, replace the batteries and try again.
Power cycle Motion Detector (3rd Gen): Remove the batteries, wait 10 seconds, re-insert them, and try again.
If you have a supported Sidewalk bridge or gateway nearby, move Motion Detector (3rd Gen) closer to it.

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) goes offline

If Motion Detector (3rd Gen) shows as offline in the Ring app:

Make sure Motion Detector (3rd Gen) has fresh batteries. Replace the batteries and try again.
Power cycle Motion Detector (3rd Gen): Remove the batteries, wait 10 seconds, re-insert them, and try again.
If the issue persists, contact Ring Customer Support.

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is not detecting motion

Make sure there are no obstructions in the detection zone.
Make sure Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is mounted at the correct height, between seven and eight feet from the floor.
Make sure Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is not pointed directly at a heat source such as a vent or window.
If the issue persists, contact Ring Customer Support.

Key reminders

Mount Motion Detector (3rd Gen) between seven and eight feet from the floor for optimal detection.
Avoid pointing Motion Detector (3rd Gen) directly at heat sources such as vents, radiators, or windows with direct sunlight.
Motion Detector (3rd Gen) uses passive infrared (PIR) technology. Large pets or small children might trigger alerts.
The device serial number (DSN) is located on Motion Detector (3rd Gen) label.

Light patterns

Startup: Green, blinks twice rapidly

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is starting up.

Animation of green LED blinking twice rapidly on Motion Detector during startup.

Setup mode: Green, blinking slowly

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is in setup mode and ready to connect to your network. This lasts up to 10 minutes.

Animation of green LED blinking slowly on Motion Detector in setup mode.

Successful setup and update: Green, solid (three seconds)

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) has been set up or updated successfully.

Animation of green LED solid on Motion Detector after setup complete and update successful.

Setup timeout: No LED

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) was not set up within the time limit. The LED turns off.

Factory reset in progress: Green, blinking rapidly

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is performing a factory reset. Continue holding the setup button for 10 seconds.

Animation of green LED blinking rapidly on Motion Detector during factory reset.

Factory reset complete: Red, solid (one second)

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) has been reset successfully and will reboot into setup mode.

Animation of red LED solid on Motion Detector after factory reset complete.

Network disconnected: No LED

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is not connected to the network. There is no LED behavior.

Post registration reboot: No LED

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is rebooting after registration. There is no LED behavior, but Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) remains active for up to five minutes.

Update mode: Green, blinking slowly

Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is in update mode and ready to receive an update. Press the setup button or send a cloud command to begin. This lasts up to five minutes.