How to fix Ring night vision that's stopped working

⚡ Fast fix

• Clean the lens. Smears can bounce infrared light back at the camera.
• Add a little light. Color night vision needs some ambient lighting.
• Reboot the camera. A fresh start can restore a stuck video mode.
• Still not working?
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You probably don't think much about your Ring® camera's night vision until the first time you can't make out who's at your door.

Whether the picture is too dark, too bright, blurry, or unusually grainy, the image itself usually tells us where to start looking. Asurion Experts troubleshoot smart home cameras every day. Here's how we'd narrow down what's affecting your Ring camera after dark.

Is black-and-white Ring night vision normal?

Yes. Standard infrared night vision usually produces a black-and-white image in low light. Some compatible Ring models also offer Color Night Vision. That feature adds available ambient color to the video, but it still needs some light in the area. It cannot create full-color detail in complete darkness.

If video is clear but black and white, night vision may be working normally. If it's not, work your way through these troubleshooting steps.

Clean the camera lens

Night vision relies on infrared (IR) light, and it doesn't take much to interfere with it. Dust, fingerprints, dried rain spots, and even spiderwebs can scatter that light before it reaches the lens, making the picture look hazy or washed out.

Start by cleaning the camera with:

• A soft brush to remove loose dirt.
• A clean microfiber cloth.
• A barely damp cloth for stubborn spots, followed immediately by a dry cloth.

Avoid spraying cleaners directly onto the camera, which can damage the lens coating.

Look for infrared reflections

If the image looks foggy or unusually bright, the camera may be reflecting its own infrared light instead of seeing what's in front of it.

Some of the most common culprits are:

• A wall or post mounted close to the camera.
• A roof overhang or shelf near the lens.
• Shiny siding or a reflective doorframe.
• A silicone cover that's visible in the camera's view.
• Spiderwebs stretched across the front of the camera.
• A window in front of an indoor Ring camera.

Try changing the camera's angle or temporarily moving it farther from nearby surfaces. If the picture improves, you've confirmed that reflections—not darkness—were the problem.

If your Ring camera sits behind glass, disable infrared night vision (if your model supports it) and rely on a nearby lamp or porch light instead.

Check the Color Night Vision setting

Some Ring cameras can show color after dark instead of switching to black and white, but they still need a little ambient light to make it work.

To review the setting:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap Menu > Devices.
3. Select your camera.
4. Open Device Settings > Video Settings.
5. Review Color Night Vision.

If Color Night Vision is enabled but you're still seeing a black-and-white image, try adding a porch light or landscape light nearby. Often, a small amount of indirect light is all the camera needs.

Adjust the lighting around the camera

Night vision works best with even lighting. Too little light creates grainy video, while a bright light shining directly into the lens can wash out part of the image.

Instead of adding more light everywhere, experiment with the lighting you already have:

• Turn on a nearby porch or hallway light.
• Aim floodlights away from the camera.
• Move bright bulbs out of the camera's direct view.
• Reduce reflective objects close to the lens.
• Test the image with automatic outdoor lights on and off.

Small changes in light placement often make a bigger difference than brighter bulbs.

Reboot the camera

If your Ring camera stays in night mode during the day, displays unusual colors, or doesn't switch between day and night correctly, a reboot is worth trying.

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap Devices.
3. Select your camera.
4. Open Device Health.
5. Tap Reboot This Device, if available.

Give the camera a few minutes to reconnect. (The device must be online for this option to appear.)

Check Wi-Fi and power

A blurry or choppy nighttime image isn't always a night vision problem. Weak Wi-Fi or low power can reduce video quality enough to make it look like one.

Open Device Health and review:

• Online status.
• Wi-Fi signal strength.
• Battery level or wired power status.
• Network connection.

If the signal is weak, improving the camera's Wi-Fi connection may have a bigger impact than changing any night vision settings.

👉 If the camera keeps disconnecting, our article on getting an offline Ring camera back online can help.

👉 For a doorbell that repeatedly loses its connection, try our guide to fixing a Ring doorbell that keeps going offline.

Look for condensation or damage

A hazy image that does not wipe away may be inside the camera housing.

Watch for:

• Moisture beneath the lens cover.
• Cracks or gaps in the housing.
• Water marks inside the device.
• Permanent dark areas.
• Flickering or distorted colors in every lighting condition.

Internal moisture or physical damage is not a settings problem. Stop using the device if water may have entered it and contact support before opening the housing.

FAQ

Why is my Ring camera dark at night?

The camera may have too little ambient light, weak power, a dirty lens, a blocked view, or a night-vision setting that needs attention.

Is Ring night vision supposed to be black and white?

Usually, yes. Infrared night vision commonly appears in black and white. Color Night Vision is available only on supported models and needs some surrounding light.

Why does my Ring night vision look white or foggy?

Dirt, moisture, spiderwebs, or infrared light reflecting off a nearby wall or window can wash out the image.

How do I turn on Color Night Vision?

Open the device in the Ring app and look under Device Settings > Video Settings. Availability depends on the model.

Why is Ring night vision on during the day?

Reboot the camera, clean the lens, and make sure the light sensor is not covered. If it stays stuck, the device may need additional support.