Step-by-Step Guide to Check DNS in the Ring App

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The Ring app is an essential tool for managing your Ring security devices, allowing you to view live video feeds, receive notifications, and control smart home features. However, sometimes issues can arise where your Ring devices fail to connect or perform optimally. One common reason for these problems is related to your DNS (Domain Name System) settings.

DNS is a system that translates domain names into IP addresses, enabling your devices to connect to the internet. If the DNS settings on your network aren’t configured correctly, it can interfere with the Ring app’s performance and connectivity. In this guide, we’ll show you how to check and troubleshoot your DNS settings for Ring.

Why Check DNS Settings?

Before jumping into the steps, it’s important to understand why you might need to check the DNS for Ring:

  • Connectivity issues: If your Ring devices are not connecting properly to the internet, incorrect DNS settings could be the cause.
  • Slow response times: A slow or unresponsive Ring app can be attributed to DNS issues, which cause delays in translating domain names into IP addresses.
  • Notification or video delays: DNS issues might impact the Ring app’s ability to send alerts or stream live video.

Now, let’s dive into how you can check the DNS settings associated with your Ring app.

Check for System Updates 

Step 1: Check the Network Connection in the Ring App

Before adjusting any DNS settings, it’s important to verify the network status in your Ring app. This helps ensure that your device is correctly connected to your Wi-Fi and is using the correct network.

  1. Open the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet.
  2. Select your device (e.g., Ring Doorbell, Ring Camera) from the main screen.
  3. Tap on Device Health or Device Settings (depending on your version of the app).
  4. Scroll down to find the Network section. Here, you should see the Wi-Fi network your Ring device is connected to.

If the Wi-Fi network is correct and you’re still facing issues, it could be related to DNS settings.

Step 2: Verify DNS Settings on Your Router

The DNS settings for your Ring devices are determined by your home router. If your DNS settings are misconfigured or set to unreliable servers, it can affect the performance of the Ring app. To check your DNS settings on your router:

  1. Access your router’s admin page:
    • Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address in the address bar (common router IPs are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
    • Log in with the router’s administrator username and password. If you don’t know these, they’re usually printed on a label on your router or found in the manual.
  2. Find DNS settings:
    • Once logged in, look for a section called Internet Settings, WAN Settings, or Advanced Settings.
    • In this section, locate the DNS Settings or DNS Configuration.
  3. Check if DNS servers are set correctly:
    • Your router will typically have DNS servers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) by default. However, you can change these to more reliable public DNS servers, like those from Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
    • If you notice that DNS servers are missing or set incorrectly, change them to one of the public DNS servers mentioned above.
  4. Save settings:
    • After making changes, be sure to save your settings and restart your router.

Once you’ve updated the DNS settings on your router, the new configuration should apply to all devices connected to your network, including your Ring devices.

Step 3: Restart Your Ring Devices

After making DNS changes on your router, it’s important to restart your Ring devices to ensure they are using the updated network settings.

  1. Open the Ring app.
  2. Select your Ring device and go to Device Settings.
  3. Tap on Remove Device or Restart Device (depending on your app version).
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset or restart your device.

Alternatively, you can power cycle your Ring device by physically disconnecting it from its power source for about 30 seconds, then reconnecting it.

Step 4: Test the Connection

After updating the DNS settings and restarting your Ring devices, it’s time to check if the issue is resolved.

  1. Open the Ring app again.
  2. Check if your Ring devices are now connected without issues.
  3. Test the video feed, notifications, and live view to see if the app is working smoothly without delays or interruptions.

If you continue to experience problems with your Ring app or device, you might need to contact Ring Support or troubleshoot further by resetting your Ring device to factory settings.

Step 5: Test DNS Resolution Using an External Tool

If you are still unsure whether DNS is the cause of the issue, you can use an external DNS testing tool to check the speed and reliability of your DNS servers.

  1. Visit a DNS testing website like dnsperf.com or use tools like Ping or Traceroute.
  2. Check the response times of your DNS servers. If you notice high latency or errors in the DNS response, consider switching to a more reliable DNS provider.

Conclusion

Checking and configuring DNS settings can help resolve a wide range of issues with the Ring app, including connectivity problems and delays in video streaming or notifications. By following this step-by-step guide, you can ensure your DNS settings are correctly configured and that your Ring devices stay connected and perform optimally.

Remember, DNS-related issues can sometimes be tricky, but with a bit of troubleshooting and attention to detail, you should be able to restore your Ring app to its full functionality. If problems persist after checking your DNS, consider reaching out to Ring Support for further assistance.