Why Is Blink Doorbell Blinking Red?

Blink Video Doorbells have an LED ring that surrounds the doorbell button. The light is an indicator that tells you the device’s current status. When the light on your Blink Doorbell is blinking red, it means the device is trying to connect to WiFi. During the doorbell setup process, a system or WiFi change, or when WiFi is down, the red LED will flash if the doorbell is ready to connect. A Blink doorbell flashing red indicates it’s not connected to the internet. During this time, you won’t be able to communicate with the doorbell via the Blink app, use two-way talk, live video, or other doorbell functions that require internet access. In addition, a flashing red light could also mean the battery is low and needs to be replaced.

To troubleshoot a red light on your Blink Doorbell, check your home’s WiFi signal. Ensure the router and modem are working correctly and that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is sending a signal. If your internet service is down, the doorbell won’t be able to connect to WiFi and will flash red to let you know. Once your WiFi works, the doorbell will automatically connect, and the red light will turn green or blue.

Check the batteries on your Blink Doorbell if the LED flashes red. To replace the batteries in your Blink Doorbell, open the back panel and remove the old ones. Insert new AA batteries making sure they’re facing the correct direction. Replace the back panel. The doorbell light should now flash blue and then turn off.

Why Is My Blink Doorbell Flashing Red?

The light on a Blink doorbell is an indicator that communicates the device’s current status. When it blinks red, the doorbell is not connected to WiFi, or the batteries are low.

Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix the problem:

WiFi Not Connected: When the light on your Blink Doorbell flashes red, it means it’s trying to connect to WiFi. This can happen during the doorbell setup process, a system or WiFi change, or when the WiFi or internet goes out. When the Blink isn’t connected to WiFi, you won’t be able to communicate with the doorbell using the Blink app, use two-way talk, live video, or other doorbell functions that require internet.

To fix the problem, check your home’s WiFi signal. Ensure the router and modem are working correctly and that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is sending a signal. Once your WiFi works, the doorbell will automatically connect, and the red light will turn green or blue.

Batteries Low: A Blink camera will flash red to indicate low batteries. Check the batteries by opening the back panel and removing the old ones. Insert new AA batteries making sure they’re facing the correct direction. Replace the back panel. If low batteries were the problem, the doorbell red light should now flash blue and then turn off.

Troubleshooting and fixing a Blink camera that’s flashing red is easy to do because there are only two potential issues. It’s either the WiFi connection, which could be down for several reasons, or low batteries, which is a very easy fix.

How To Connect Blink Doorbell To The Internet

The most common reason why Blink Doorbell flashes red is a connectivity issue. A Blink Doorbell requires an internet connection and Sync Module to function properly. If it can’t connect to WiFi, you won’t be able to communicate with the device using the Blink app and will lose all its core functionality, like two-way talk and live video.

Here is how to connect a Blink Doorbell to WiFi:

Download and install the Blink app on your smartphone or similar smart device.
Open the “Blink App” and log into your account.
Click the “Add Device” button on the home page. It looks like a plus sign.
Scan the “QR Code” on the doorbell package with your smartphone.
Follow the instructions in your app to complete the setup process.

As long as you have a strong and stable WiFi connection, your Blink Doorbell should connect and the red light should stop flashing. Once the red light stops, it should become solid blue and then turn off.

Your Blink Doorbell requires the internet to function properly. Without internet access, you won’t be able to communicate with the doorbell or use many of its core functions. The device will flash red to let you know there’s an issue.

What Does It Mean When A Blink Doorbell Light Flashes Red?

When the ring light on a Blink Doorbell flashes red, it means the device isn’t connected to WiFi or the batteries are low. Since a red flashing light can indicate multiple issues, you’ll have to do some troubleshooting to find out what’s wrong with the device.

You won’t be able to use any of the device’s primary functions without an internet connection. These include two-way talk and live video. For this reason, I always start by troubleshooting the internet connection. Check the router and modem to make sure they’re functioning properly. Also, check with your ISP to ensure there are no outages in the area.

A reset of your modem and router may be required to restore internet service.

Next, I check the batteries. Low batteries are an easy thing to fix and a common reason why a Blink Doorbell blinks red.

No WiFi

The most common reason why a Blink Video Doorbell blinks red is when it’s trying to connect to WiFi. To troubleshoot the problem, check your router and modem to ensure they function correctly. Also, check with your ISP to make sure there isn’t a service interruption or outage.

If you find an issue with your router or modem, reset them. A reset is easy to do and fixes most minor software-related issues. To do it, unplug the modem and router > wait 30 seconds > plug them back in.
You can also try resetting the Blink Video Doorbell itself. To do it, remove the batteries > wait 30 seconds > put them back in, ensuring they’re facing the correct direction.

Resetting hardware reboots its software which fixes many minor connectivity issues.

Low Batteries

When the batteries are running low, the red light on your Blink Doorbell will blink red. Check them as soon as the red light starts blinking so that your doorbell doesn’t stop working.

To replace the batteries in your Blink Doorbell, open up the back panel and remove the old ones. Insert new batteries making sure they’re facing the correct direction. Replace the back panel, and the light should stop flashing red.
Blink Doorbell takes 2 size AA 1.5 volt Lithium non-rechargeable batteries.

Batteries in a Blink Doorbell can last more than a year, depending on how often you use the doorbell functions and what batteries you install. I always store a few extra batteries for when they eventually run low so that my doorbell doesn’t stop working.

Motion Detection

You may see a quick red flash when a Blink Doorbell detects motion. This is different than when the device repeatedly blinks red and is nothing to worry about. You should also receive a notification on your Blink app along with the red light flash.

Setup

A Blink Video Doorbell may flash red during setup. This happens when the device is trying to connect to the internet. The red light indicates that the device is ready to go online. It may also indicate that the batteries are low.

An issue during setup can also cause a brief flashing red light. To fix the issue, reset the device, delete the app, and repeat the setup process. Use the latest version of the Blink app and download any firmware updates available.

Weak Signal

A Blink Video Doorbell will flash red when it can’t connect to WiFi. An outage, the router, the modem, or a weak signal could cause connectivity problems. To check the signal strength near your Blink Doorbell, use a smartphone. Hold the phone close to the doorbell and check the status and bar strength. If the signal is too weak, your doorbell may not be able to connect even if the router is working correctly.

If the signal strength near your doorbell is weak, check the router to make sure it’s on and functioning properly.

Make sure there are no large objects between the router and doorbell that could block the signal.
Log into your internet provider and run a diagnostic test to check your internet speeds.

If everything looks good, I would perform a reset of the doorbell, router, and modem. S reset can help with minor software-related issues, bugs, and glitches that could be causing connectivity issues.

Remove the batteries from your Blink Doorbell.
Unplug the router and modem and remove their batteries if they have them.
Wait 30 seconds.
Plug the router and modem back in and install their batteries if they have them.
Install the batteries back in the Blink Doorbell

Once you’ve performed a reset, assuming the signal strength isn’t too weak, the doorbell should connect successfully.

If the WiFi signal by your doorbell is too weak, move the router closer to the doorbell or install a WiFi range extender. You could also try moving some furniture around or repositioning the router to get a better signal.

Hardware Issues

Hardware issues can cause the red light on a Blink Doorbell to flash red. Usually, it’s a sign that the batteries are very low or that the device is trying to go online. When you see a red light repeatedly flashing, check the batteries and make sure your WiFi is working properly.

Reset the router and modem if your router isn’t sending a WiFi signal. Unplug both devices > wait 30 seconds > plug them back in. Once they reboot, the WiFi signal should be restored.

You can also try resetting the Blink Doorbell itself. There are two ways to do it:

Reboot your Blink Doorbell by removing the batteries > waiting 30 seconds > putting the batteries back in, making sure they’re facing the correct direction.
Reset your Blink Doorbell by pressing and holding the reset button on the back of the unit for 10 seconds. This only works on models with a dedicated reset button.

A reset is a great way to fix minor connectivity issues. However, it won’t fix hardware damage. If your Blink Doorbell isn’t working because it’s been dropped or struck hard, contact Blink customer service.

Network Equipment

A Blink Doorbell flashes red when it’s unable to connect to the internet or WiFi. Several things, including your network equipment, can cause this. If you’re like me, your router and modem are supplied by the ISP, in my case Comcast, for a monthly fee. My router or modem malfunctions at least once or twice a year, so I know firsthand what a problem faulty equipment can be.

If you want the latest, best, and most reliable network hardware but your own equipment. However, this is an expensive option. Renting my hardware from Comcast is only a few dollars a month vs. hundreds for a top-of-the-line router/modem combo.
Another downside of owning your own network hardware is the lack of customer service. When my hardware goes down, I call Comcast so they can diagnose the issue over the phone. This is easier when the ISP is the one supplying the equipment.
If your router is more than four or five years old, it may be time for a new one.
Make sure to download and install the latest firmware.

If you can’t get your Blink doorbell to connect to your WiFi network, check your network equipment and router settings. This is something your ISP or router supplier can help with.

WiFi Password

To connect a Blink Doorbell to your WiFi network, you must use the correct password. If the password isn’t entered exactly right, the Blink won’t connect to the network.

Make sure when entering your network password that you input it exactly right, including upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.

Router Settings

If you’re having trouble connecting Blink Doorbell to your network, verify that your router settings are correct.

Change the encryption type to WPA2: While Blink devices are compatible with WPA, WEP, and WPA2 security protocols, I recommend using WPA2 for the most secure connection and broadest compatibility. WEP encryption is the oldest and least secure option, and I don’t recommend using it with Blink devices.
Check your SSID: Unusual characters or spaces in the SSID can cause problems during setup. Check the SSID (name) of your network. Consider renaming the network something simpler if you use lots of spaces, characters, or numbers. Once the device is online, it should update its firmware. Once updated, return your network back to its previous settings, then set the doorbell up to see if it connects.
Permissions: Make sure your permissions are set correctly and aren’t preventing the doorbell from connecting to your network.

Firewall

If you can’t get your Blink Video Doorbell to connect to your WiFi network and the light is blinking red, try lowering the firewall level. Firewalls set to high and sometimes even medium can limit the communication of Blink devices through your router. I recommend lowering the firewall one level at a time until you find a setting that works best for your device.

Note: I don’t recommend disabling your firewall. If disabling the firewall is the only way the device functions properly, contact your internet service provider or router’s manufacturer for help.

How To Fix Blink Video Doorbell Blinking Red Light?

If your Blink Video Doorbell is blinking red, it means the device is trying to connect to WiFi or the batteries are low. The most common reason is connectivity issues because the batteries in a Blink Doorbell can last over a year, depending on how often you use it. To troubleshoot the problem, check our router, modem, and ISP.

Check your internet connection. No WiFi can be a problem with your router, ISP, or modem. Call your ISP to see if there’s an outage in the area. Check your router to make sure it’s sending a signal. Check the modem to make sure it’s connected properly. If there isn’t an outage in your area, reset the modem and router to get them working again.
Check the batteries. A Blink Doorbell takes 2 size AA 1.5 volt Lithium non-rechargeable batteries.

I would also reset the Blink Doorbell by removing the batteries, waiting 30 seconds, then installing them again. You can also press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds if your model doorbell has one.

A reset reboots the device’s software which helps with many minor connectivity issues.

I would also check the signal strength near the doorbell with your phone. A potential issue could be a weak signal by the device. If the signal is too weak, the doorbell may not be able to connect even if the router is working correctly.

You can check WiFi signal strength by holding a smartphone near the doorbell. If the signal is weak, consider moving the router closer to the doorbell or installing a WiFi range extender.

What Should I Do If My Blink Doorbell Is Flashing Red?

A Blink Video Doorbell flashes red because it can’t connect to the internet or the batteries are low. If this happens to you, follow the steps I’ve outlined below to troubleshoot the problem.

Check with your ISP to see if there’s a local outage.
Inspect the router and modem. If one or the other isn’t working properly, your doorbell won’t be able to go online. Reset both the router and modem at the same time to get them working again. A reset usually fixes minor connectivity issues.
Check the batteries in your Blink Doorbell. It takes 2 size AA 1.5 volt Lithium non-rechargeable batteries.
Check the WiFi signal strength near the doorbell. If the signal is too weak, your doorbell may be unable to connect.
Reset the doorbell.

If none of these fixes works, reset the doorbell and delete the Blink app. Then download the app, reboot the doorbell, and go through the setup process again. Ensure you’re using the latest version of the Blink app and install all the latest firmware updates.

Check the permissions inside your router settings if you still can’t get the doorbell working. In some cases, your router’s security settings could be preventing the doorbell from connecting to your network.

When all else fails, contact Blink customer service for help. It’s possible you’ve got a hardware issue that you won’t be able to diagnose and repair by yourself.

How Do I Reset A Blink Video Doorbell?

You can reset a Blink Video Doorbell in two ways. First, press and hold the rest button on the back of the device for 10 seconds. The second method is removing the batteries, waiting 30 seconds, then install the batteries again.