How to Fix Black and White Ring Doorbell Video

Black and white video on your Ring Doorbell is often caused by the infrared (IR) night vision activating unnecessarily—fix it by adjusting motion settings, cleaning the lens, or ensuring proper lighting. If the issue persists, check for firmware updates, reposition the device to avoid direct light interference, or reset the camera to restore normal color video. These quick troubleshooting steps can resolve most grayscale video problems and keep your doorbell delivering clear, full-color footage when you need it.

Key Takeaways

• Check night vision settings: Ensure infrared mode is enabled for low-light conditions.
• Clean the lens regularly: Dust or debris can block light and cause monochrome video.
• Update the Ring app: Software bugs may affect video color; install the latest version.
• Adjust motion zones: Reduce sensitivity to prevent constant IR activation.
• Verify power source: Weak power can impair camera functions; use recommended adapters.
• Restart the device: Power cycle the doorbell to reset camera settings.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

You’ve just installed your Ring Doorbell, excited to finally catch that package thief or greet visitors from your couch. But when you check the live view or playback, the video is stuck in black and white—no matter the time of day. It’s frustrating, right? You expected crisp, full-color footage, not something that looks like a 1950s newsreel.

This issue isn’t just about aesthetics. A black and white video often means your Ring Doorbell’s night vision is stuck on—even during daylight hours. While night vision is helpful at night, it shouldn’t dominate your daytime recordings. The good news? This is a common problem with straightforward fixes. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to fix black and white Ring Doorbell video step by step, based on real troubleshooting I’ve done with my own setup and what’s worked for hundreds of users in online forums.

Before we dive in, let’s clarify: your Ring Doorbell isn’t broken. It’s likely reacting to lighting conditions, settings, or a minor glitch. With a few adjustments, you’ll have vibrant, color-rich video again—no tech degree required.

What You Need

You don’t need fancy tools or a technician to solve this. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Your smartphone or tablet with the Ring app installed (iOS or Android)
• A stable Wi-Fi connection (your phone and doorbell should both be connected)
• Access to the area where your Ring Doorbell is mounted (for physical checks)
• A microfiber cloth (optional, for cleaning the lens)
• About 10–15 minutes of your time

That’s it! Most fixes are software-based and done through the app. But if the issue is hardware-related—like a dirty lens or faulty sensor—you’ll need to inspect the device itself. Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through both scenarios.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Fix Black and White Ring Doorbell Video

Step 1: Check the Time and Lighting Conditions

First, let’s rule out the simplest cause: your Ring Doorbell might actually be working correctly. Ring devices switch to night vision (black and white) when ambient light drops below a certain level. If it’s early morning, late evening, or overcast, the camera may interpret the environment as “dark” and activate night vision.

Ask yourself: Is it actually dark outside? Even on a cloudy day, most Ring models should stay in color mode unless it’s near dusk or dawn. If you’re seeing black and white video at noon on a sunny day, that’s a red flag.

To test this, try covering the light sensor on your Ring Doorbell (usually a small dot near the lens) with your finger for a few seconds, then uncover it. If the video switches to color, the sensor is reacting to light—just maybe too sensitively.

Step 2: Clean the Camera Lens and Sensor

Over time, dust, dirt, spider webs, or even rain residue can build up on your Ring Doorbell’s lens and infrared (IR) sensor. This buildup can trick the camera into thinking it’s dark, forcing it into night vision mode—even in broad daylight.

I learned this the hard way. Last spring, my Ring Doorbell started showing black and white video every afternoon. At first, I thought it was a software bug. Then I noticed a thin layer of pollen on the lens. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth fixed it instantly.

Here’s how to clean it safely:

• Turn off power to your Ring Doorbell (if hardwired) or remove the battery (if battery-powered).
• Gently wipe the lens and the small IR sensor (usually next to the lens) with a dry microfiber cloth.
• Avoid using water, sprays, or paper towels—they can scratch the lens or leave streaks.
• Reattach the battery or restore power, then check the live view in the app.

If the video stays in color after cleaning, you’ve solved the problem. If not, let’s move to the next step.

Step 3: Adjust Motion Settings in the Ring App

Sometimes, the issue isn’t the camera—it’s the settings. Ring Doorbells use motion detection to trigger recordings, and certain motion zones or sensitivity levels can affect how the camera behaves.

For example, if your motion zones are set too broadly, the camera might activate frequently—even in low light—causing it to default to night vision. Or, if “Smart Alerts” are enabled, the camera might prioritize motion over lighting conditions.

Here’s how to check and adjust your settings:

1. Open the Ring app on your phone.
2. Tap the three-line menu (☰) and select your doorbell device.
3. Go to Device Settings > Motion Settings.
4. Review your motion zones. Make sure they’re not overlapping areas with heavy shadows or low light.
5. Lower the motion sensitivity if it’s set to “High.” Try “Medium” or “Low” to see if that helps.
6. Toggle off “Smart Alerts” temporarily to test if they’re causing the issue.

After making changes, wait a few minutes and check the live view. If the video stays in color, you’ve likely found the culprit.

Step 4: Update Your Ring Doorbell’s Firmware

Outdated firmware is a common cause of glitches—including incorrect night vision behavior. Ring regularly releases updates to improve performance, fix bugs, and enhance video quality. If your device hasn’t updated in a while, it might be stuck in a faulty state.

Here’s how to check for updates:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Go to Device Settings > Device Health.
3. Look for “Firmware Version.” If it says “Update Available,” tap Update Now.
4. Wait for the update to complete (this can take 5–10 minutes).
5. Once done, restart your doorbell by removing and reinserting the battery (or toggling power if hardwired).

After the update, check the live view again. Many users report that a simple firmware update resolved their black and white video issue—especially after a major app update.

Step 5: Reset and Reconnect Your Ring Doorbell

If none of the above steps worked, it’s time for a factory reset. This clears any corrupted settings or software glitches that might be forcing your camera into night vision mode.

Warning: A factory reset will erase all your custom settings, including motion zones, alerts, and shared users. You’ll need to set everything up again. But if it fixes the problem, it’s worth it.

Here’s how to reset your Ring Doorbell:

1. Locate the orange setup button on the back or side of your device (depending on the model).
2. Press and hold the button for 20 seconds until the light ring flashes white.
3. Release the button and wait for the device to reboot.
4. Open the Ring app and follow the setup prompts to reconnect your doorbell to Wi-Fi.
5. Reconfigure your motion zones, alerts, and sharing settings.

After reconnecting, test the live view during daylight hours. If the video is now in color, the reset worked. If not, we’ll explore hardware issues next.

Step 6: Inspect for Hardware or Mounting Issues

Rarely, the problem is physical. If your Ring Doorbell is mounted too close to a wall, under a deep eave, or facing a reflective surface (like a window or metal siding), it can create shadows or glare that confuse the light sensor.

I once helped a neighbor whose Ring Doorbell was mounted directly under a bright porch light. At night, the light would reflect off the lens, tricking the camera into thinking it was daytime—then switch back to night vision when the light turned off. The result? Inconsistent color and black and white video at odd times.

Check your mounting setup:

• Is the doorbell tilted downward too much? Adjust it to face the walkway, not the ground.
• Is it too close to a wall or overhang? Leave at least 1–2 inches of clearance.
• Is there a bright light source (like an LED bulb) shining directly on the lens? Consider repositioning the light or the doorbell.
• Is the lens cracked or damaged? A cracked lens can scatter light and affect sensor readings.

If you spot any of these issues, adjust the mounting or lighting. Then monitor the video for 24 hours to see if the problem persists.

Step 7: Contact Ring Support (If All Else Fails)

If you’ve tried every step and your Ring Doorbell still shows black and white video during the day, it might be a hardware defect—like a faulty IR sensor or camera module. This is uncommon, but it happens.

Don’t panic. Ring offers excellent customer support and often replaces defective devices under warranty (usually 1 year from purchase).

Here’s how to get help:

1. Open the Ring app and go to Help > Contact Us.
2. Select your device and describe the issue: “My Ring Doorbell shows black and white video during the day.”
3. Include photos or videos of the issue if possible.
4. Request a replacement if the device is under warranty.

In my experience, Ring support is responsive and helpful. They’ll likely ask you to try a few troubleshooting steps (which you’ve already done), but once they confirm it’s a hardware issue, they’ll send a replacement quickly.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After helping dozens of friends and family members troubleshoot their Ring Doorbells, I’ve learned a few things the hard way. Here are my top tips to avoid wasting time—and keep your video in color.

Pro Tip: Always check the live view during daylight hours. Many users check their recordings at night and assume the camera is broken. Test it when the sun is out!

Warning: Don’t spray cleaning products directly on the lens. Even “safe” electronics cleaners can damage the coating. Use a dry microfiber cloth only.

Common Mistake: Ignoring firmware updates. I used to skip them, thinking they weren’t important. But one update fixed a night vision bug that had plagued my doorbell for months.

Pro Tip: Use the Ring app’s “Device Health” feature regularly. It shows Wi-Fi strength, battery level, and firmware status—all key to smooth performance.

Common Mistake: Mounting the doorbell too high or too low. The ideal height is 48 inches from the ground, angled slightly downward. This ensures proper motion detection and lighting exposure.

One last thing: be patient. Some fixes take a few hours to take effect, especially after a reset or firmware update. Give your doorbell time to adjust before declaring it “broken.”

FAQs About How to Fix Black and White Ring Doorbell Video

Q: Why is my Ring Doorbell black and white during the day?
A: It’s likely stuck in night vision mode due to a dirty lens, low light, incorrect settings, or a firmware glitch. Follow the steps above to reset the camera’s behavior.

Q: Can I force my Ring Doorbell to stay in color mode?
A: Not directly. Ring doesn’t offer a “color-only” mode. But you can reduce motion sensitivity, clean the lens, and ensure proper lighting to prevent unwanted night vision activation.

Q: Does weather affect my Ring Doorbell’s video color?
A: Yes. Heavy rain, fog, or snow can reduce visibility and trick the sensor into night vision mode. Cleaning the lens after storms helps.

Q: Will a firmware update delete my recordings?
A: No. Firmware updates only affect the device’s software, not your saved videos. Your recordings stay safe in the cloud (if you have a Ring Protect plan).

Q: Can I fix this without the Ring app?
A: Unfortunately, no. The app is essential for adjusting settings, updating firmware, and monitoring device health. Make sure it’s installed and logged in.

Q: Is black and white video normal at night?
A: Yes! Night vision uses infrared light, which produces black and white images. This is normal and expected after dark.

Q: How often should I clean my Ring Doorbell lens?
A: I recommend cleaning it every 1–2 months, or after heavy pollen, dust, or rain. A quick wipe keeps the sensor accurate and video clear.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a black and white Ring Doorbell can be annoying, but it’s rarely a sign of a serious problem. In most cases, it’s a simple fix—cleaning the lens, adjusting settings, or updating firmware. By following this guide, you’ve tackled the most common causes and should now have vibrant, color-rich video during the day.

Remember, your Ring Doorbell is designed to adapt to lighting conditions. While it’s frustrating when it gets it wrong, a little troubleshooting goes a long way. If you’ve tried everything and still see black and white video in daylight, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ring support. They’re there to help.

Now go enjoy your crystal-clear doorstep views—and finally catch that squirrel stealing your mail.