Alex Ruben
How To Update Firmware on Your Ring Video Doorbell for Security and Performance (Step-by-Step Guide)
Updating the firmware on your Ring Video Doorbell is pretty important these days—keeps everything secure, fixes bugs, and sometimes even adds new features. Sometimes it’s kinda weird how it all happens automatically, but you gotta make sure some things are right so the update actually takes place.
What You Need Before Starting
Before messing around, double-check you’ve got:
- Your Ring Video Doorbell installed and connected to a steady Wi-Fi. It’s kinda obvious, but if the signal is weak, updates might hang or fail.
- Ring app installed on your phone—available for iOS and Android.
- Your login info handy—username and password.
- Battery fully charged if your device supports removable batteries. Nothing worse than an incomplete update because the thing died mid-process.
- Some patience—best not to be using the app extensively during updates so things don’t get interrupted.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Fire up the Ring app. Log in, and get to the point where your devices show up. Sometimes it feels like waiting forever, but just stay calm and patient.
Step 2: Pick Your Doorbell
Tap on your Ring Video Doorbell from the dashboard—this gets you into the device view. Yeah, just click the one you wanna update.
Step 3: Access Device Settings
In the top right, tap the gear icon for Device Settings. It’s usually obvious where it is, but if not, just tap around until you see it.
Step 4: Check Firmware Status
Inside Device Health, look for the Firmware section. Here’s the part where it can get a little strange:
- If it says “Up to date,” then nothing needs doing—you’re good.
- If it says “Updating firmware,” just sit tight, no need to poke it.
- If it shows a version number but no “updating” message, maybe an update is pending, so just keep an eye on it.
Because of course, Windows or iOS has to keep us guessing.
Step 5: Make Sure Conditions Are Right
This part is key. Check:
- The device is online & responsive in the app. If it’s offline, forget about updates until it reconnects.
- The Wi-Fi is stable—no flaky connections or you’ll get stuck.
- Battery is totally charged—nothing kills updates like a dead battery halfway through.
Step 6: Patience & Automatic Updates
Most of the time, firmware upgrades happen overnight or during periods of low activity. You can’t really force it—if the update’s going to happen, it will. Just don’t be ringing or live-viewing while it’s upgrading or doing its thing. Sometimes, I’ve noticed a reboot or a quick toggle of the device or Wi-Fi can help speed things along.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Some tricks here:
- Keep the Wi-Fi connection steady during updates, or it’ll just stall or fail.
- If nothing’s happening after a while, try restarting the Ring app or even rebooting your router. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
- Check if your app needs updating—you’d be surprised how many issues are fixed just updating the app itself.
Oh, and don’t forget: if it still refuses to update, disconnect and forget it for a bit, then reconnect or even reset the device. Sometimes rolling it back to factory settings helps, but only as a last resort.
Conclusion
Keeping firmware up-to-date is a no-brainer but also kind of a pain sometimes. Just keep an eye on your device, make sure it’s online and charged, and avoid fussing with it during those overnight hours when it’s usually doing its thing. Usually, you’ll get the latest features and security patches, and everything will run smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check for firmware updates?
Every few weeks is a good rule of thumb, especially if you notice weird glitches or lag. Sometimes updates roll out slowly, so just keep an eye on the app notifications.
What if my Ring Doorbell just won’t update?
Make sure it’s fully online—no offline status, stable Wi-Fi, and full charge. Needs to be responsive. Restart the app, restart the device if needed, and double-check app updates in your app store. Sometimes, starting from scratch with a reboot or even a factory reset helps.
Can I manually trigger an update?
Not really. The firmware updates happen automatically when everything’s right—no manual button or command. You just have to wait and ensure all conditions are met.
Summary
- Check that your device is online and connected properly.
- Make sure the battery’s fully charged.
- Stay patient; most updates happen overnight or after a reboot.
- Restart the app or device if things seem stuck.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Because yeah, sometimes these updates feel like they’re out to get us.