Why Is My Ring Camera Black and White? (2026 Easy Fixes)

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Editor’s Note: This troubleshooting guide has been fully updated for 2026 to reflect the newest Ring App interface and current hardware features.

After installing a Ring camera, it should capture clear video footage in color. With advanced infrared technology, a Ring camera also offers night vision capabilities for customers. However, there are some instances where the video footage only shows in black and white.

Ring cameras may stay with black-and-white footage if the settings are stuck in night vision mode. In some cases, an error with the infrared light sensors can also affect the camera’s ability to capture colored video.

If your camera shows black-and-white footage, you could reduce your home surveillance’s effectiveness. Keep reading further if you are currently wondering, “why is my Ring camera black and white?”

Table of Contents

Why a Ring Camera Has Black and White Video Footage

When customers mention their Ring camera is black and white, the most common reason is the Ring doorbell’s night vision is active during the day. By not switching from night vision, the infrared light affects the visibility of the camera.

You can tell if your night vision is on by looking for a red dot on your camera. The small red light signals that you engaged the night vision feature. Typically, the camera uses infrared technology to turn the setting on and off.

However, you can trick the infrared technology if there is too much shade near the Ring doorbell. If the sensors sense darkness near the camera, they will automatically trigger the night vision for the camera.

For owners, having a Ring doorbell stuck in black-and-white mode can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are four ways to solve this problem and restore your security camera to colored footage.

How to Fix a Ring Camera Showing Black and White

Reboot Your Ring Camera

Before you start changing your Ring doorbell settings, it’s best to reboot the system. Restarting the system can restore the camera to the base settings. In most cases, this will resolve your Ring doorbell stuck in black-and-white mode.

Follow these steps to restart your Ring camera system:

Step 1: Open the Ring app and tap the menu (☰).
Step 2: Tap Devices and select your problem camera.
Step 3: Tap the Device Health tile.
Step 4: Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap Reboot This Device.

Important: If you are restarting a Ring doorbell, ensure the system is unplugged before restarting it.

Adjust the Infrared Settings

If resetting the Ring doorbell doesn’t work, you can move on to adjusting the infrared settings. Fortunately, you can easily change your device settings in the Ring app found on your mobile phone.

Ring has a specific feature in its app designed to force color into low-light footage. Sometimes, flipping this setting off and back on can snap the camera out of its glitch.

Try these steps out to adjust the night vision within the app:

Step 1: Open the Ring app and tap the menu (☰).
Step 2: Tap Devices and select the camera you want to adjust.
Step 3: Tap the Device Settings tile, then tap Video Settings.
Step 4: Find the Color Night Vision toggle. Flip it off, wait a few seconds, and then toggle it back on.

Along with changing the settings, you can look around your device for areas with too much shade. The shade can trick the Ring video doorbell into remaining in night vision mode and affect the visibility of the video footage.

Change the Camera Location

Whether you have too much vegetation or the front porch ceiling is too low, having shade can affect your Ring doorbell night vision. If the infrared sensors pick up the shade, you could unknowingly go into night vision mode during the day.

Move your Ring video doorbell to a location with more light if you suspect there is too much shade. While looking for a new location, you can check your mobile app’s live view to see if the problem is resolved.

If the camera switches off the night vision, you can confirm that you must change the location due to low light. Fortunately, the installation process is simple for the Ring doorbell, and you can get it back within minutes.

The “Flashlight & Tap” Method (The Physical Fix)

Because the infrared cut filter is an actual mechanical piece inside the lens assembly, it can literally get physically stuck on its track. If the software reboot didn’t work, try this physical fix with either a standard flashlight or your phone’s flashlight.

Go outside during the day and shine a bright LED flashlight directly into the camera lens for about 10 seconds. This forces the light sensor to trigger. While the light is shining, give the side of the Ring casing a firm but gentle tap with the handle of a screwdriver.

Often, you will hear a tiny “click” as the IR filter physically snaps back into its proper daytime position.

Contact Ring Technical Support For Help

If all else fails in your attempt to fix your camera’s black-and-white mode, you can contact Ring technical support. With expertise in solving technical issues, you can count on them to assist you in fixing your camera stuck in black-and-white mode.

The Ring technical support team will walk you through various troubleshooting measures to find the problem. Whether it’s the video or infrared settings, you can get to the bottom of your problem with the spotlight cam.

In most cases, technical support can resolve the problem and get your device working again. This problem is common with a Ring doorbell or spotlight cam, so they know the steps to fix a device stuck in black-and-white mode.

However, they typically offer a replacement for free if the technical support can’t resolve the problem. Ring products have a limited one-year warranty that covers your security cameras for unexpected technical problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is My Ring Camera Video Black?

If your Ring doorbell or spotlight cam is completely black, this is a sign that there is a server problem. The most common reasons this could happen are a poor WiFi signal, data loss, or hardware problems. You can fix this problem by contacting Ring technical support to report the problem.

How Do I Turn My Ring Camera Into Color?

You can fix the problem in the video settings when your Ring camera is stuck in black-and-white mode. By accessing the Ring app, you can prevent the Ring doorbell or spotlight cam from switching automatically. If you can’t resolve the problem, technical support will be happy to help fix the night mode problem.

How Far Can My Ring Doorbell See At Night?

According to Ring, the video doorbell and spotlight cam can record up to 30 feet at night. This recording distance is enough to capture suspicious activity in front of your home. You can also boost the distance by adjusting the infrared settings or purchasing additional infrared lighting products.

Conclusion

When your Ring doorbell or spotlight cam, there are several ways to fix the problem. If your video settings are stuck in night mode, you can resolve the problem in the Ring app. Additionally, you can fix the infrared settings for your device in the mobile app. However, you may have to change the location of your device if there isn’t enough light.

You can try different methods of fixing your device and check the results in the live view smart feature. If all methods don’t work, you can contact technical support to get assistance for your Ring doorbell or spotlight cam. The support will know the steps to fix a Ring doorbell stuck in black and white.

You can contact Ring here for technical support if you need professional help with your device.