How to Tell if Ring Camera Is On? (Top 10 Methods!)

Have you ever wondered how to tell if Ring camera is on or not? We’ll show you the quickest ways.

There are times when you simply want to know if your Ring camera is working or not. Some units have batteries and it’s tricky to determine.

To tell that your Ring camera is on, you want to look at the indicator LED on your camera. Opening the Ring app to the Live View to see if your camera is working.

Let’s find out the other ways!

10 Ways How to Tell If Ring Camera is On

The good news is that there are different ways for you to tell if your Ring camera is working or not. When you’re not confident with one of the methods, move to the next one.

#1: See If the Red or Blue LED Light is On

One of the easiest ways to tell if your Ring camera is on or not is to simply look at the LED light on the front.

Depending on the model of your Ring camera, the light is either red or blue. You want to take a closer look if it’s lighting up or blinking.

To know if your Ring camera is working by looking at its LED notification light, here’s what you do:

1. Locate the LED light on your Ring camera.
2. You’ll usually find it on the front of your camera.
3. Look for a red or blue light.
4. If you see a red light, it means your camera is recording.
5. If you see a blue light, it means your camera is on but not recording.
6. If you don’t see any light, your camera is switched off or in standby mode.

Some Ring cameras don’t have a LED notification light and if your model does not have one, proceed to the other methods below.

#2: Check Your Camera’s Power Source

Another way to tell if your Ring camera is on is to confirm its power source. Some cameras are plugged-in to an outlet, while some are powered by a battery or solar panel.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Locate your camera’s power source.
2. This is usually a power cable that plugs into an outlet, a solar panel, or battery.
3. Confirm that the power source is plugged in or connected properly.
4. If it’s plugged in, check if your camera is getting enough power.

If your Ring is battery-powered, you will need to check the levels as your camera will not work and record properly. For cameras that have solar panels, you want to check for any obstructions.

#3: Listen for Audio Recordings on the Ring App

If your Ring camera is on, it listens for audio and records them on the app. As long as you have enabled audio recording for your camera, you will be able to hear what’s happening around it.

To listen for audio recordings, follow these steps:

1. Open the Ring app on your phone.
2. Tap on the menu icon at the top left of the screen.
3. Select Devices.
4. Tap on the name of the Ring camera.
5. Choose Event History.
6. Select an event that has a microphone icon.
7. Tap on Play to listen to the recording.

Note: If you hear any sound from the camera, it means that it’s on and recording audio.

#4: Your Ring is Sending Motion Alerts

One of the proven ways on how to tell if Ring door bell camera is on is to check if it’s sending motion alerts.

If you have enabled motion alerts for your camera you will get notified when it detects motion.

To see if your Ring camera is sending motion alerts, follow these steps:

1. Select the menu icon at the top left corner of the Ring app.
2. Tap on Devices.
3. Choose the name of your Ring camera.
4. Select Motion Settings.
5. Toggle Motion Alerts is toggled On.

Note: As long as you’re receiving motion alerts from your Ring camera, it means that it’s on and working properly.

#5: Cloud Subscription Saving Your Recordings

Another method to know that your Ring camera is on and is to check if it’s saving your recordings to your cloud account.

If you’re subscribed to the Ring Protect Plan, you’ll be able to download your recordings.

1. Tap on the menu icon at the top left corner of your Ring app.
2. Select Devices.
3. Choose the name of your camera.
4. Tap on Event History.
5. Select an event with a video icon on it.
6. Tap on Play to confirm your recording is saved in the cloud.

#6: Ring’s Motion Zones Constantly Getting Triggered

If you have set motion zones on your Ring camera, you’ll know that it’s on is that it’s constantly getting triggered.

This means that whenever something moves in the motion zones, your camera is able to detect it.

To see if your Ring camera’s motion zones are triggered, follow these steps:

1. Open the Ring app on your phone.
2. Tap on the menu icon at the top left corner.
3. Select Devices.
4. Tap on the name of your camera.
5. Choose Motion Settings.
6. Select Motion Zones.
7. Check that Motion Zones are activated.
8. Adjust the sensitivity slider.

Note: If you see a lot of motion events in your Event History that’s coming from the motion zones settings of your camera.

#7: Motion Warning Alert is Notifying You

If you want how to tell if someone is watching you on Ring camera, you’ll find out since it will alert you with a voice warning.

As long as you have enabled motion warning alerts, anyone who comes near the camera will get this warning.

Here’s how to enable Ring’s motion warning alert:

1. Tap on the menu icon at the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select the Devices option.
3. Tap on the name of your Ring camera.
4. Choose Devices Settings.
5. Select Audio Settings.
6. Toggle the Motion Warning Alert to On.

Note: You’ll know this works if you hear a voice message from your camera you approach it.

#8: Check the Infrared Lights Comes on at Night

Another method to tell if your Ring camera is on is to check if the infrared lights come on at night. If it’s enabled, you will be able to see what’s happening in low-light conditions.

Here’s how to check if your Ring’s infrared cameras are turning on:

1. Open your Ring app’s Settings.
2. Tap on Devices.
3. Select the name of your Ring camera.
4. Choose Device Settings.
5. Tap on Video Settings.
6. Turn Off Color Night Vision.

Note: You’ll know that the infrared lights are switched on if you see a faint red glow from your Ring camera.

#9: Open the Ring App to See a Live View

One of the most effective ways to know that your Ring camera is on and working properly is to watch the Live View. This allows you to stream a live video from your camera anytime you want.

Here’s how to open your camera’s Live View:

1. Open the Ring app on your phone.
2. Tap the menu icon at the top left of the screen.
3. Select the Devices option.
4. Choose the name of the camera you want to view.
5. Tap on Live View.

If see a live video feed straight from your Ring, it means that it’s on and working properly. However, if it’s unavailable, your Ring is not switched on and there’s something wrong with it.

#10: You’re Constantly Getting Notifications from the Ring App

The last method to tell if your Ring camera is turned on is to see if you’re constantly getting notifications on your phone.

As long as your camera is active and you have enabled the notifications settings on your app, you’re going to be receiving a lot of notifications from the app.

Here’s how to constantly receive notifications from your Ring app:

On iPhone:

1. Open the Ring app on your phone.
2. Tap on the Menu icon in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Select Settings.
4. Go to Notifications.
5. Toggle Enable Notifications to On.
6. Choose the notification you want to receive.

On Android:

1. Launch the Ring app on your device.
2. Tap the hamburger menu icon.
3. Choose Settings.
4. Select Notifications.
5. Set Enable Notifications On.
6. Choose the notifications to activate.

Tip: You will need to grant the Ring app permissions so it sends notifications on your phone.

If you’re still unsure that your Ring is switched on or not, you’ll need to contact Ring Support for technical assistance.

Quick Recap

How to tell if Ring camera is on or not? There are a lot of physical signs like the LED light on your camera. If it’s on, there will be lots of activities on your Ring app like recorded clips and it’s sending you notifications.

Read Next: How to Silence Ring Notifications? – (Quick Steps!)