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

Ring Alarm 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.

How to fix issues scanning the QR code

If you are having trouble scanning the QR code on your Motion Detector (3rd Gen) during setup, try the following steps one at a time.

Update your mobile device operating system (OS).
Clean the camera lens on your mobile device to remove any debris.
Wipe the QR code on Motion Detector (3rd Gen) with a damp cloth or paper towel if it is damaged, dirty, or covered in debris.
Move to a well-lit area if the room is dark.
Use your mobile device’s native camera to scan the QR code if the in-app scan continues to fail. This will open the Ring app with the QR code already scanned.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, contact Ring Customer Support.

How to resolve software update failures

If a software update fails on your Motion Detector (3rd Gen), try the following steps one at a time. Software updates use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and require a current OS version.

Update your mobile device operating system (OS).
Stay within 1 to 5 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) by removing the batteries, waiting 10 seconds, reinserting them, and trying again.

If the issue persists, contact Ring Customer Support for further assistance.

How to fix Motion Detector (3rd Gen) stuck in waiting to join

If Motion Detector (3rd Gen) remains in a waiting to join state for five minutes or more, try the following steps one at a time.

Confirm Motion Detector (3rd Gen) has fresh batteries. If the device 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) by removing the batteries, waiting 10 seconds, reinserting them, and trying again.
Move Motion Detector (3rd Gen) closer to a supported Sidewalk bridge or gateway if one is nearby.

How to fix Motion Detector (3rd Gen) when it goes offline

If Motion Detector (3rd Gen) shows as offline in the Ring app, try the following steps one at a time.

Replace the batteries with fresh ones and try again.
Power cycle Motion Detector (3rd Gen) by removing the batteries, waiting 10 seconds, reinserting them, and trying again.

If the issue persists, contact Ring Customer Support.

How to fix Motion Detector (3rd Gen) when it is not detecting motion

If Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is not detecting motion, check the following.

Confirm there are no obstructions in the detection zone.
Confirm Motion Detector (3rd Gen) is mounted at the correct height, between 7 and 8 feet from the floor.
Confirm 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.

How to fix a tampered Motion Detector (3rd Gen)

If your Motion Detector (3rd Gen) shows as tampered in the Ring app, the cover is likely not fully seated on its base. Disarm your Ring Alarm system before troubleshooting to prevent the alarm from triggering while you work on the sensor.

Check the battery status in the Ring app. Replace the battery if it is low.
Press the cover firmly onto the base until you hear a definitive click. The cover should sit flush with no wobble.
Confirm the sensor is properly mounted on its bracket and has not shifted or tilted.

Tip: If you are seeing frequent tamper alerts on your Motion Detector (3rd Gen), check that it is installed in a location where it will not be bumped, and confirm the mount is secured tightly to the wall.

How to verify the tamper has cleared

After reseating your Motion Detector (3rd Gen), it might take a few minutes for the sensor to reconnect with the Base Station.

Open the Ring app.
Tap the menu (☰).
Tap
Devices
.
Select the Motion Detector (3rd Gen) you reseated.
Confirm that the
Tampered
indicator is no longer showing.
Confirm that the device shows as online.

If the tamper indicator has not cleared after five minutes, proceed to the additional tamper troubleshooting steps below.

Additional troubleshooting if reseating did not clear the tamper

If reseating the cover did not resolve the tamper notification, try retrying the connection, removing and reinstalling the sensor, or reconfiguring the device. Before performing these steps, confirm the device is properly positioned, your Ring Alarm system is disarmed, batteries are installed correctly, and the cover is securely in place.

How to retry the connection:

Open the Ring app.
Tap the menu (☰).
Tap
Devices
.
Select the tampered Motion Detector (3rd Gen).
Tap
Device Settings
.
Tap
Advanced Options
.
Tap
Retry Connection
and follow the directions on screen.

Check the sensor in the app to confirm the tamper indicator has cleared.

How to remove and reinstall the sensor:

To remove the sensor:

Open the Ring app.
Tap the menu (☰).
Tap
Devices
.
Select the tampered Motion Detector (3rd Gen).
Tap
Device Settings
.
Tap
Remove
at the bottom of the screen.
Tap
Remove
again to confirm.

If your Motion Detector (3rd Gen) has a pinhole reset button, use a paperclip to quickly press and release it. To reinstall the sensor:

Open the Ring app.
Tap
Set Up a Device
at the bottom of the screen.
Follow the prompts to add your Motion Detector (3rd Gen).
Confirm that the sensor is no longer showing as tampered.

How to reconfigure the sensor

Open the Ring app.
Tap the menu (☰).
Tap
Devices
.
Select the Motion Detector (3rd Gen) you want to reconfigure.
Tap
Device Settings
.
Tap
Advanced Options
.
Tap
Reconfigure Device
and follow the instructions on screen.

Confirm that the sensor is no longer showing as tampered.

Key reminders

Mount Motion Detector (3rd Gen) between 7 and 8 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 the 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.