23 Ring Base Station Common Questions (Solved)

Are you having issues with your Ring Base Station, or are there questions you’d like answered about your device? You’ve come to the right place. Below are 25 of the most common Ring Base Station questions and straightforward answers.

How to Reboot Ring Base Station

Rebooting your base station is simple: Simply press and release the reset button at the back of the base station with a paper clip or a similar tool.

This process works for every base station model or generation on the market.

Pro Tip: You should simply press the reset button, NOT hold it, as that would factory reset the base station instead.

How to Replace Ring Base Station Battery?

Ring base stations aren’t designed for easy battery replacement. The company also advises that users don’t remove the batteries of these devices.

If you need to remove and replace the battery on your base station for some reason, below is a guide to do it.

To replace the base station’s backup battery, follow the steps below:

1. Unplug the Base Station. You don’t want to start fiddling with the device while it is plugged in.
2. Turn the device upside down and locate the battery compartment at the device’s base.
3. Unscrew the battery compartment and pull out the protective casing. The battery should be lying inside.
4. Gently remove the battery from the compartment, watching the connecting wires connecting the battery to the base station. Do not fully try to remove the battery without first unplugging the cables from the device. 
5. A small plug connects the wires to a port in the battery compartment. Using a flat tool like a flathead screwdriver, carefully remove the plug from the port before completely withdrawing the battery. 
6. You can replace the old battery with a new one by inserting the new battery’s plug into the port from which you removed the old one.
7. Replace the protecting casing over the battery compartment and screw it back in place.

Pro Tip: Only replace your old base station battery with a compatible one. You can find these batteries on Amazon.

How do you remove the base station from the Ring app?

To remove a base station from the Ring app, you must unregister it, and it will be removed from your account. 

It also frees up your current location so you can add a new base station in that exact location. (More about this in the “Can You Have More Than One Ring Base Station?” section).

To unregister your base station, follow the steps below:

• Open the Ring app 
• Go to the Main Menu 
• Select the Devices tab
• Select Alarm Base Station and click on the Base Station 
• Tap the Gear Icon at the top right corner of the device 
• Tap Advanced Options 
• Tap Unregister Base Station.

Remember, you’d need your base station connected to wifi to get this done.

Can You Have More Than One Ring Base Station?

Yes, you can have more than one Ring base station. There is a catch here, however.

While you can have more than one Ring base station, Ring only allows one alarm base station per location. When setting up a second base station, you’d be unable to choose the address you already used for the first base station as the location for the second one.

This means that if you ever need to get a second base station, you’d either have to replace the first base station or choose a different location (e.g., address) for the new base station. 

To replace your base station, simply follow the steps below:

Before choosing a different location for your second base station, you should know that the new base station will also need a separate Ring Protect Plan since these plans are set per location. 

Does Ring Doorbell Work Without Base Station?

Yes, your Ring Doorbell can work without a base station.

All your Ring video doorbell needs to function is a wifi connection, a smartphone or tablet, and the Ring app. With just these three things, you enjoy the full benefits of Ring video doorbells, including:

• 720p HD Video
• Motion detection
• Live View
• Infrared Night Vision
• Two-way audio

That being said, your Ring doorbell can still be used with a base station, and doing this would offer you a few additional benefits you wouldn’t gain otherwise.

Some of these benefits include connecting your Ring video doorbell with the other smart appliances you have installed in your home, allowing you a broad scope of home automation opportunities.

So yes, you can use your Ring doorbell without a base station and get the full benefits of using the doorbell. With a base station, however, you have the ability to do even more. For example, you can link your doorbell with your driveway floodlight and have the floodlight automatically come on when the doorbell detects motion.

Why Is My Ring Base Station on Cellular Backup?

Cellular backup is a feature on your base station that allows you to continue receiving alarm protection even when there is no home internet access or when your base station is running on its backup battery.

Typically, your base station would automatically enter this mode when you have an internet or power outage. This is a feature that has been set on the device to ensure that your alarm system doesn’t go offline during a loss of internet connection or power.

When power or internet connection (depending on when initially went off) is restored, your device should switch from cellular back up to the base station’s normal internal network.

If this doesn’t happen, below are a few things to check out:

• In the case of a power outage triggering the cellular backup feature, ensure power has been restored and that the base station is plugged into a working outlet.
• In the case of a lost internet connection, ensure that you are connected to a working internet connection with a strong signal. This could be wifi or ethernet.

Note: If you are connected to an internet connection and the device is still in cellular backup mode, check if other devices connected to that network can access the internet. If they can’t, then there is probably an issue with your internet connection, in which case, you should contact your internet service provider.

Is your base station still in cellular backup mode after trying these out? The next step would be to contact Ring support.

Do You Need a Base Station for Ring Cameras?

No, you do not need a base station to use your Ring cameras. 

All the Ring camera needs to function is simply a wifi network and a smart mobile device (i.e. smartphone or tablet) with the Ring app installed on it.

The same goes for Ring Video Doorbells. 

Without a base station, you enjoy the full benefits of having a Ring video camera, including:

• 720p HD Video
• Motion detection
• Live View
• Infrared Night Vision
• Two-way audio

With a Ring Base Station, however, you get to connect your Ring camera to other devices and appliances in the alarm system. This connection can help you automate actions like turning on an indoor camera in a room when the room’s window sensor is triggered. 

What Do the Lights Mean on Ring Base Station?

The lights on your Ring base stations are the indicators the device uses to communicate with you. These indicators tell you everything from internet connection status to the battery health of your device. 

There are various LED indicators on the Ring Base Station. The number of these indicators, the different colors each indicator displays, the pattern in which they display these colors, and the meaning behind it would often depend on the type of base station you own.

Below are the different indicators, their colors and patterns, and what those mean for the various types of Ring Base Stations.

For Ring Alarm Pro Base Stations:

Ring Alarm Pro base stations have only three LED indicators used to signal the device’s status:

• Ring Indicator

The Ring indicator is located on the front (top) part of the device (i.e. the device’s main face). It appears in the shape of a large halo on the face of the device.

This indicator tells you a lot about the Arlo Pro’s status, from its pairing status to whether your alarm is armed or disarmed to the mode the device is currently on.

The Ring indicator typically displays the following colors:

• Blue

A solid blue color on the Ring Indicator indicates that Bluetooth has paired successfully and the device is working correctly.

A blue light spinning clockwise around the Ring Indicator indicates that the device is in the process of Bluetooth pairing.

Four corners of the Ring Indicator flashing blue five times tells you that there is a Bluetooth pairing error.

A solid blue light with one green dot spinning clockwise indicates that the Base Station is going through a firmware update.

• Purple

A purple dot spinning clockwise indicates that the Base Station is shutting down.

• Red

A solid red light indicates that your system is armed in Home or Away Mode.

Solid red sections turning on one at a time indicate that an Exit Delay is in progress. The entire indicator will turn red again when the exit delay is finished, and your Arlo Pro is armed again.

A red circle blinking on and off indicates an Entry Delay.

A red flash on the Ring Indicator indicates an alarm in the system

• Others

The Ring Indicator being off indicates that the system is disarmed.

A dim LED indicates the Arlo Pro is running on low power mode.

• Power Indicator

The Arlo Pro’s power indicator is located on the back of the device next to the Internet Indicator. It tells you the status of the device’s battery.

This indicator typically displays one of two solid colors: orange or green. It can also be off.

• The indicator displays a solid orange color when the base station is first powered on and when it is running on an internal battery.
• It displays a solid green when the device’s base station is plugged into a working AC outlet.
• The Power Indicator goes off if the base station’s battery is low and it is running in Low Power Mode.

Note: The Power Indicator can also indicate a firmware update. A solid green light would mean the update has been completed in this case. 

• Internet Indicator

The internet indicator, like the power indicator, is an LED located at the back of the device. It indicates the device’s internet connection status.

It typically displays one of the following colors: white, green, and red. The indicator can also be off.

• The indicator is solid green when the base station is connected to the internet. [There is a contradiction in the source material
• It displays a solid red color when the base station fails to connect to the internet.
• The Internet Indicator goes off if the base station’s battery is low on power and the base station is running on Low Power Mode.

Note: The Internet Indicator can also indicate a firmware update. In this case, the indicator would display a flashing white light, which means the device is currently undergoing a firmware update.

For Ring Alarm Base Stations:

Unlike the Alarm Pro, Ring Alarm base stations have LED indicators to signal the device’s status. Along with the Ring Indicator in front of the device and the power and internet indicators behind the device, there is also a pairing indicator. 

Below are the four indicators, the colors and patterns they typically display, and how to interpret them:

• Ring Indicator

Located on the front of the device, the Ring indicator on the Alarm Base Station displays three colors:

• Blue

A solid blue color on the Ring Indicator indicates that the device works correctly.

A blue flashing full circle indicates that pairing is initialized.

Four corners of the Ring Indicator flashing blue five times tells you that there is a Bluetooth pairing error.

A solid blue continuous ring of light indicates that the pairing was successful.

A solid blue light with one yellow dot spinning indicates that the Base Station is going through a firmware update.

• Orange

A blue dot spinning in a solid orange light indicates that a software update is in process right after a factory reset.

• Red

A red flash on the Ring Indicator indicates an alarm in the system

• Pairing Indicator

The pairing indicator on your Ring base station is located behind the device. Where the power and internet indicators are located on one side of the device’s back, the pairing indicator is located on the other side.

This indicator signals the pairing status of the base station. It typically displays just the color blue.

• A spinning blue light indicates “Ready to Pair.”
• A solid blue light indicates “Pairing Successful.”
• A flashing blue light indicates “Pairing Failed.”
• Internet Indicator

Located at the back of the base station, this displays three primary colors and can also go off.

• A solid green light indicates your base station is connected to the internet via wifi.
• A solid amber light indicates your base station is connected to the internet via LTE.
• A blinking red light indicates no internet connection.
• The Base Station is in low-power mode if the LED light is off.
• Power Indicator

Also located at the back of the base station, this displays two primary colors and can also go off.

• A solid green light indicates the device is connected to a working electrical socket.
• A solid amber light indicates that the device isn’t receiving an electrical charge and is running on the backup battery.
• If your power LED light is off, the Base Station is in low power mode.

Can Ring Base Station Connect to WIFI?

Yes, your Ring base station can connect to wifi.

Your base station needs an internet connection to function. It can get this internet connection from one of two sources:

• A wifi network.
• An ethernet connection.

Why Is My Ring Alarm Base Station Offline?

When your Ring base station goes offline, you cannot access or control the connected devices in your alarm system through the app. 

Your base station may go offline for one of several reasons:

• The base station lost power.
• The base station lost its internet connection.
• The base station was moved to a different location from the one initially selected during the initial setup.

To get your base station back online, ensure the device regains an electrical or internet connection, depending on which one it lost. 

In the case of the base station being moved to a new location, you’d have to unregister the base station and then reinstall it following the setup instructions at the new location.

To unregister the base station, go to Ring app > Main Menu > Devices > Alarm Base Station > Base Station > Gear Icon at the top right > Advanced Options > Unregister Base Station.

Note: Do not carry out this process if you are not moving your Ring base station to a new location, i.e., a new address.

Pro Tip: After unregistering and resetting your base station, you’d have to factory reset all the Ring devices to be connected to it. 

Why Is My Ring Base Station Making Noise or Keep Beeping?

Your Ring base station is making noises or beeping sounds, probably due to the blocked fan on the device.

When the vent of the base station’s fan is covered or obstructed, the device often has airflow problems, which can cause beeping or static noises. 

Simply removing the obstruction should get the noises to stop. 

Sometimes, the obstruction is more due to the positioning of your base station, in which case you might want to change the position to somewhere the device can have enough room to let the fans work properly. 

Another possible reason your Ring base station makes sounds is that your motion detection on the alarm system has a Chirp Tone active. This could cause a slight chirping sound any time motion is detected. 

How to Remove Ring Base Station Battery?

Ring doesn’t recommend that users remove the batteries on their base stations to prevent them from getting damaged. If you must remove the battery on your base station, here is a guide to successfully do it.

All you’d need for this is a screwdriver.

To remove the base station’s backup battery, follow the steps below:

• Unplug the Base Station. You don’t want to start fiddling with the device while it is plugged in.
• Turn the device upside down and locate the battery compartment at the device’s base.
• Unscrew the battery compartment and pull out the protective casing. The battery should be lying inside.
• Gently remove the battery from the compartment, watching the connecting wires connecting the battery to the base station. Do not fully try to remove the battery without first unplugging the cables from the device. 
• A small plug connects the wires to a port in the battery compartment. Using a flat tool like a flathead screwdriver, carefully remove the plug from the port before completely withdrawing the battery. 

After removing your battery, you should probably replace it with a new one. Make sure to use only the correct batteries. 

Is Ring Base Station a Z-Wave Hub?

Yes, the Ring Base station is a Z-wave hub.

Can You Hardwire the Ring Base Station?

Your Ring base station is NOT designed to be hardwired. While it is possible to hardwire the base station, this is highly frowned upon and could damage your device and void your warranty.

Does Ring Base Station Chime?

Currently, your ring base station cannot be used to play chimes for Ring Doorbells and Cameras.

That being said, the Ring App has a Chime Tone option that can be activated for the motion detection feature on Ring devices like Doorbells and Cameras. When the Chirp Tone is activated, the base station may make little noises when any of those Ring devices detect motion.

Where to Place Ring Base Station?

You can install your base station almost anywhere. It could be on a flat surface like a tabletop or a shelf or hung on a spot on the wall. That being said, you’d still want to be strategic with how and where you place it.

Below are a few things to consider:

• You’d want quite a bit of space around your base station. This helps with proper airflow so the base station’s fans work correctly and reduce interference for a stronger connection.
• You’d also want to choose a spot with excellent wifi reception (if you’d be connecting to the internet via wifi). Preferably, choose a position near your wifi router. 
• You’d want to place the device in a central position where it can connect to all the other Ring devices in your home. 
• You’d also want to choose an area where the base station’s siren can be easily heard from any other part of the home.
• If you want to subscribe to Ring Protect Pro, you’ll also want to choose a location with good cellular service.
• Finally, you should choose a location where your device is safe from pets and children (if you have any).

How do you hang the Ring Base Station on the wall?

Hanging your Ring Base Station on the wall is relatively simple. The box includes everything you need. 

To hang your base station on the wall, follow the steps below:

1. Select a location to hang your base station. See the section “Where to Place Ring Base Station?” to learn more.
2. Mark out the spot where the base station would be mounted with a pencil or some chalk. Also, mark out where the screws are to be located. This would serve as a guide for when you start screwing the mount in. 

Pro Tip: Ensure that your markings are correctly aligned so your mounted base station doesn’t look bent.

1. Screw in the mount using the guides you drew earlier. 
2. Attach the base station to the mount.

And that’s it, you are all set!

Pro Tip: When mounting your base station, you might want to mount the device so that you can see the LED indicators at the back of the device relatively easily.

What Color Should the Ring Base Station Be?

There’s just one color option for your Ring base station: white. A brand new Ring base station should come in this color out of the box. 

That said, there are probably third-party companies that can help you change the color of your base station if you don’t want the original white.

What Is the USB Port on the Ring Base Station For?

The USB port on the Ring base station is for potential future expansions. The company recommends not to use this port at all at the moment.

That being said, the port is fully functional and could be used to power your Ring keypad.

Is Ring Base Station POE?

No. The Ring base station is not powered over ethernet (PoE).

These devices have their backup batteries and are charged through a barrel plug port (a separate one from the ethernet port).

How do you connect the Ring Keypad to the base station?

To connect your Ring Keypad to your base station, follow the steps below:

1. Start by disarming your Ring Alarm
2. Open the Ring app
3. Tap Menu
4. Tap Set Up a Device and choose Security Devices
5. Select Keypads
6. Tap Keypad
7. Follow the in-app instructions and prompts to complete the setup

How Long Does It Take for Ring Base Station to Update?

How long it takes your Ring base station to update would depend on the size of the firmware update, the speed of your internet connection, and how many Ring sensors and other devices you have connected to your base station.

And since firmware updates only take place when the system is disarmed, it would also depend on how often you keep your system armed.

Typically, though, firmware updates take between a few days and a few weeks. Depending on the factors listed above, they could also happen sooner or later.

Does Ring Base Station Record Audio?

No, your Ring base station doesn’t record audio.

The base station doesn’t come with a microphone or listening device, so it cannot be used to capture, record, or store any sort of audio input.

However, the device can be connected to your Ring video doorbells or camera, both of which can record audio. 

And there you have it: 23 of the most common questions users have about Ring base stations. We hope this article has answered your questions as well. If not, feel free to contact us with our questions, and we’ll help you find a suitable answer quickly!

Sources

• Troubleshooting Ring Alarm Base Station Stuck on Alarm Cellular Backup – Ring Support, Ring Support.
• Ring Alarm System FAQs – Ring Support, Ring Support.
• Questions and Answers about Ring Video Doorbell 1st Gen Venetian Bronze – Best Buy, Best Buy.