Setting up a Ring camera outdoor provides an extra layer of security and peace of mind for your home. With an outdoor camera, you can monitor your property’s perimeter, watch for suspicious activity, and see visitors approaching your front door. This guide will walk you through the entire process of setting up a Ring camera outside, from choosing the right location to connecting it to Wi-Fi and power. With just a few tools and a bit of handiwork, you’ll have a fully functional outdoor security camera up and running in no time.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Location
When installing your Ring camera outside, the first step is picking the optimal location. Here are some factors to consider when deciding where to place your outdoor camera:
Front Door View
One of the most common placements for an outdoor Ring camera is above the front door. This gives you a straight-on view of visitors as they approach your home. Position the camera high enough to capture faces and make sure it’s angled down towards the door.
Driveway Overlook
Pointing a camera down your driveway allows you to see vehicles and people coming and going. Place it high on the garage or on a porch column to get the best vantage point.
Backyard Coverage
An outdoor camera is great for keeping an eye on your backyard. Mount it on the rear of your home or on a porch or deck to view your entire yard.
Side Entrances
Don’t forget to cover side doors, gates and other entrances to your home. A camera mounted near these spots can catch activity you might otherwise miss.
High-Traffic Areas
Focus your outdoor camera on high-traffic areas where people typically congregate near your home, such as patios, porches and sidewalks.
Motion Sensor Coverage
If using a Ring camera with a motion sensor, make sure to position it where the sensor can effectively detect movement. Avoid obstructing the sensor’s line of sight.
Wi-Fi Connection
Your camera needs steady Wi-Fi to stream video. Choose an installation spot near your router or where you get the strongest outdoor Wi-Fi coverage.
Power Source
To power your wired Ring camera, you’ll need access to an electrical outlet. If using a battery-powered model, no power source is required.
Shelter from Weather
Pick a protected spot under an eave or porch roof to shelter your camera from direct sun, rain and snow. Avoid pointing it into sunlight, which can cause glare and poor video quality.
Privacy
Be considerate of your neighbors’ space and right to privacy when positioning your outdoor camera. Avoid pointing it directly into nearby windows.
Once you select the perfect location, you can move onto mounting and installing your Ring camera outside.
Mounting Your Outdoor Ring Camera
Ring cameras are designed for easy DIY installation outside your home. Here are some tips for properly mounting your camera:
Use the Provided Mount
Ring cameras come with mounting screws and anchors to attach them to your home’s exterior. Using the included hardware ensures a secure mount.
Attach to Wall Studs
When possible, attach your mount into wall studs for added stability. Studs provide stronger support than just drywall. Use a stud finder to locate them before drilling.
Pick a Strong Surface
Brick, concrete and sturdy wood surfaces are best for installation. Avoid attaching your camera mount to vinyl, stucco or other weaker exterior surfaces when possible.
Drill Pilot Holes
Drilling small pilot holes before inserting your screws prevents cracking or splitting the mounting surface.
Use Anchors in Drywall or Masonry
For drywall or masonry installation, utilize the included anchors after drilling pilot holes. This better secures the screws in softer materials.
Go High Enough to Deter Tampering
Mount your Ring at least seven feet off the ground to discourage vandalism or theft. Going higher, such as above a front door or on the roofline, is even better.
Point Down at a 45-Degree Angle
Angle the camera down at about 45 degrees for an optimal field of view. Adjust as needed to capture the desired area below.
Check the View in the App
After mounting, open the Ring app to see the camera’s live view. Adjust the position as needed until you have the right angle.
Follow all safety precautions when using ladders or scaffolding and enlist a helper if needed. If running wiring, use exterior-rated cords or conduit. With the camera solidly mounted, you can move on to the wiring phase.
Wiring Your Outdoor Ring Camera
Connecting a wired Ring camera entails running power to the mount and an Ethernet cable back to your router. Here are some tips for a clean install:
Use Exterior-Grade Wiring
For any wiring that will be exposed outside, use exterior-rated cables designed to withstand the elements. Look for solid-copper wiring with UV-resistant sheathing.
Run Wires Through Exterior Walls
For the most seamless look, drill holes through your siding or veneer to route wires into your home’s exterior walls. Use caulk to seal openings around wires.
Hide Cables Under Trim
Another option is tucking wires beneath exterior trim pieces or siding. Use clips to neatly fasten them up and out of sight.
Run Through Conduit
Running cables through PVC or metal conduit provides extra protection and a professional appearance. Attach conduit to walls or soffits with brackets.
Use the Shortest Route
Plan the most direct wiring path back to your router inside to minimize cable length, signal loss and voltage drop.
Staple Cables Neatly
Use exterior-grade staples to neatly fasten wiring up against surfaces and prevent sagging. Place staples every 12 to 18 inches.
Connect Power at the Camera
Terminate the power cable at the camera mount with an exterior electrical box or receptacle right next to the Ring.
Waterproof Connections
Make sure all outdoor connections are waterproof using exterior boxes, sealant and weatherproof wire nuts, connectors or splices.
Connect to Router Indoors
Finish by plugging your camera’s Ethernet cable into a LAN port on your Wi-Fi router or network switch indoors.
If installing a battery-powered Ring, no wiring is required but make sure it’s in range of your Wi-Fi for connectivity. For solar models, position the panel in direct sun. Now you’re ready for the final setup steps.
Completing Your Ring Camera Installation
Once your camera is wired up and getting power, there are just a few steps left to get it online and connected:
Download the Ring App
On your smartphone or tablet, download the Ring app. This is used for camera setup, viewing live footage and recordings.
Create a Ring Account
Follow the prompts in the app to create a free Ring account. This allows you to manage and view your camera remotely.
Log In to Your Wi-Fi Network
In the app, select and log in to the same Wi-Fi network your phone is using. This allows the app to interface with the camera.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Adding two-factor authentication to your Ring account provides an extra layer of security from unauthorized access.
Select Wired or Battery Power
Tell the app your camera’s power source so it enters the proper setup mode. The app will walk through connections.
Connect the Camera to Power
If wired, plug it into the terminated power cable. For battery cams, insert the provided rechargeable battery pack.
Press the Connect Button
There is a small button on the bottom or side of the camera. Press and release this to put the camera into setup mode.
Follow the In-App Instructions
The app will detect the camera and walk you through the remaining network connection and configuration steps.
Position and Adjust View
Use the live view in the app to fine tune the camera’s position and angle as needed to capture the right outdoor area.
Once setup is complete, your Ring camera will be online and viewable from anywhere via the mobile app. Continue reading for tips on enhancing your device’s performance.
Optimizing Your Outdoor Ring Camera
Here are some advanced steps to get the very best performance from your new outdoor security camera:
Update the Camera Firmware
Check for and install the latest firmware (software) update for your camera model. Updates often include bug fixes and new features.
Enable Motion Alerts
In the app, turn on motion detection alerts. You’ll be notified anytime the camera senses activity in its field of view.
Adjust the Motion Zone
Fine tune the motion sensor by drawing a “zone” in the camera’s view where you want motion detected. Exclude areas like roads.
Set Activity Frequency Filters
To reduce unwanted alerts, adjust your camera’s sensitivity to filter out repeating motion from trees or other regular movements.
Enable Live View upon Trigger
For seeing activity as it happens, enable live view streaming to your phone whenever the motion sensor is triggered.
Turn on Snapshot Capture
Capture still image snapshots whenever the camera detects motion. This visually confirms what caused the alert.
Adjust Night Vision Settings
At night, you can control when infrared night vision activates and the illumination radius. Set as needed.
Position Wisely to Avoid Glare
If you notice glare or reflections in the video image, reposition or angle the camera to prevent bright light sources shining directly at the lens.
Check Power Levels
For battery models, periodically check the remaining battery percentage in the app and charge when low. For solar models, ensure the panel has good sun exposure.
Stash Cables Neatly
Use cable clips and staples to continue securing any loose wiring snugly against surfaces to maintain a tidy appearance.
Routinely checking your camera’s view, motion alerts and power levels helps keep it running optimally. Your diligent security companion will be on the job 24/7!
Troubleshooting Common Ring Camera Issues
Despite best efforts, you may occasionally encounter issues with your newly installed outdoor Ring camera. Here are some quick troubleshooting tips for common problems:
Camera Offline?
If the camera goes offline, first check Wi-Fi strength at the camera’s location and reboot your wireless router. Weak signal causes dropout.
Not Detecting Motion?
Adjust the motion sensor zone, reduce frequency filter strictness and check for obstructions blocking the sensor’s line of sight if needed.
Not Charging Battery?
For battery models, make sure prongs on the charging dock are clean and firmly contacting the battery terminals when docked.
Buffering Video?
Choppy streaming is usually Wi-Fi related. Move the camera closer to the router, reduce obstructions or upgrade to mesh Wi-Fi for broader coverage.
Night Vision Not Activating?
Check that night vision is enabled in the app settings. The camera may also be pointed at a light source interfering with the infrared sensors.
Can’t See Face Details?
If faces appear blurry, move the camera closer, adjust the angle downward or increase mounting height for a clearer downward view.
Excessive False Alerts?
Narrow the motion zone tighter around areas of interest only and increase filtering strictness to reduce false triggers from repetitive motion like tree branches.
Installation Area Too Dark?
If the camera’s view is perpetually darkened by shade, move it into brighter daytime light to get color images and utilize the night vision capabilities after dusk.
Wi-Fi Connection Dropping?
In addition to moving the camera closer to the router, switch from a 2.4GHz to stronger 5GHz Wi-Fi band if available from your router.
Contact Ring support if issues persist after troubleshooting. With consistent maintenance and care, your outdoor camera will provide security and awareness for years to come!
Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Ring Cameras
Q: Do outdoor Ring cameras need to be wired?
A: Ring makes wire-free battery-powered outdoor cameras, but wired options provide continuous power and better performance. Battery models must be routinely recharged.
Q: Can the camera mount wire hide inside the wall?
A: Yes, for clean installation you can drill holes to route the exterior-rated power cable inside the home’s wall framing. Use caulk to seal exterior holes.
Q: What does the Ring camera connect to inside my home?
A: The Ring camera requires connection via Ethernet cable to a LAN port on your Wi-Fi router or network switch indoors to transmit video.
Q: Do I need a Ring subscription to view camera footage?
A: A basic Ring subscription is required to view saved recordings. Live streaming is available without a subscription.
Q: Can Ring cameras work without Wi-Fi?
A: Ring requires Wi-Fi connectivity to stream video to the app. Without Wi-Fi access, Ring cameras cannot function.
Q: What happens if someone tries to tamper with my outdoor camera?
A: Ring cameras have tamper detection that will immediately alert you if someone tries to obstruct the camera’s view or interfere with its operation.
Q: Is the Ring app available for laptop and desktop computers?
A: Yes, you can access your Ring cameras through the web-based app by logging into ring.com on any computer. This allows convenient viewing on larger screens.
Q: Can I connect multiple outdoor Ring cameras?
A: Yes, you can add several Ring cameras around the exterior of your home all managed through a single Ring account and app.
Q: What kind of maintenance do outdoor Ring cameras require?
A: Periodically clean the camera lens, check for firmware updates, test motion detection, and verify Wi-Fi strength for best ongoing performance.
Conclusion
Installing an outdoor Ring security camera takes a bit of planning and handywork, but provides 24/7 monitoring and peace of mind. Position your Wi-Fi camera thoughtfully, mount it securely, complete the wiring cleanly and optimize its settings in the app. With proper care and maintenance, your all-weather Ring camera will stand guard doggedly for years to come, keeping watch as you go about your life.