Why Is My Oura Ring Not Tracking Sleep? Understand Reasons & Fixes Here!

One of the most important things that I need my Oura Ring to do for me is track my sleep. But, there was a brief period of time where I’d go to sleep at night knowing that I’d get the required metrics in the morning, but upon opening the app, there would be nothing; Oura was simply not tracking my sleep.

However, pretty quickly, I found out why that may be happening and also what I could possibly do to fix it. This article covers everything from the reasons I discovered to the solutions I tried.

So, if you are in a similar situation right now, trying to figure out what to do, make sure to read this article until the end.

Reasons Why Oura Is Not Tracking Your Sleep Correctly

Reason 1: Incorrect Ring Size Or Placement

When I first noticed that the Oura ring was not recording my sleep data, I did some research and discovered that one of the most common reasons behind this could be the incorrect size and/or placement of the ring on my finger.

I had no idea how important the correct placement and size of a smart ring are. While all rings could rotate, which may not be an issue, a smart ring has to be worn a certain way. The sensors present on the inside of the ring should always be facing the palm side, and they also need to be touching the inside of the finger properly to record data.

So, while I do wear the correct ring size (thanks to the sizing kit!), the incorrect placement of the sensor bumps could be causing the lack of data. I started paying attention to the placement of the ring, whether it was rotating around a lot or not.

Reason 2: Pending OS Updates

Another potential reason could be that my device’s operating system wasn’t updated to the latest version available. Keeping devices up-to-date is something that Oura itself recommends for the smooth functioning of the Oura app.

When I checked, my Android device was running on the latest version available. So, I learned that I should keep my device updated at all times and moved on to exploring other potential reasons.

Reason 3: Using Multiple Devices For One Ring

Quite interestingly, I discovered that using multiple devices for one Oura ring could also be the reason sleep data is not getting recorded and/or shown properly.

And well, I did have the Oura app installed on both my iPhone and iPad because I just liked having the option to see my data on a bigger screen. But, instead of that, all I got to notice was inconsistent sleep data. Not just that, Oura Ring would sometimes not record my naps either.

My research made me realize that I should have the Oura app installed on only one device at a time. So, I uninstalled the app from my iPad and noticed that my data had started syncing again properly.

Furthermore, when I switched to iOS from Android, I forgot to sign out of the Oura app on Android. So, the ring ended up connecting to both the iOS and Android devices at the same time and did not show data properly in either. That day, I realized that it’s important to uninstall the Oura app from the device you’re no longer using and have it installed only on one.

Reason 4: App Bugs & Glitches

Just like any other app, the Oura app is also prone to bugs and glitches. I’ve experienced this a few times, and it’s incredibly frustrating. So, when I noticed that my sleep data wasn’t showing on the app, I thought it was definitely because of an app bug or glitch that needs fixing.

Reason 5: Low Ring Battery

Although I am someone who keeps her devices properly charged at all times, I learned that low battery is one of the most common reasons why data may not be getting recorded properly.

So, it’s important to ensure the ring has sufficient battery. So, open the Oura app, check the battery levels of your ring, and if it is low, put it on the wireless charging dock. Charge the ring for around 100-120 minutes before wearing it again.

Reason 6: Excessive Movement During Sleep

If you sleep like a log, chances are your sleep data gets recorded properly. But, if you’re someone like me who moves a lot when asleep, then there’s a good chance that this excessive movement is the reason why Oura can’t record your sleep properly. The excessive movement makes the ring wonder if people like us are even sleeping or not.

Reason 7: Ring Firmware Is Not Up To Date

Your ring needs to be running on the latest firmware update available. If this is not the case, problems related to data tracking are likely to occur. This usually happens with people who don’t have the automatic Firmware update option turned on. It wasn’t the case with me since I have the said option turned on, and updates get installed as and when they are available.

How To Fix Oura’s Sleep Tracking Issues?

Once I had figured out all the potential issues, I discovered a lot of troubleshooting methods during my research and my talks with the Oura support team that could help solve the issue well.

1. Make Sure Your Ring Is Of The Correct Size

Since incorrect ring size or placement is one reason your data is not being tracked properly, check if your ring is the right size. Mine already was. But, if you think yours isn’t, use Oura’s sizing kit again and return the incorrect-sized ring if it is still under the return period.

If returning the ring is not an option for you, try wearing the ring with a different finger on the same hand or the other hand. For example, Oura itself asks users to wear the ring on the non-dominant hand. So, if you’ve been wearing your ring on the right hand, then shift it to the left hand and vice versa.

Similarly, if your ring is loose on one finger, like the index one, you can try wearing it on your other hand.

Given that the size of my ring was correct already, I didn’t have to do these things. Instead, I focused on fixing its placement. Because I wear the Horizon variant, which is completely circular, quite often, I find myself adjusting its position on my finger. Furthermore, before going to bed, I make sure that I am wearing the ring correctly, i.e., the sensor part is present on the palm side of my finger.

2. Force Close The Oura App

A simple force close can also help fix problems with the Oura app. I have tried doing it once when I thought that my data wasn’t syncing properly, and doing so did help me fix my problem. So, you can try this method, too.

3. Update Your OS

One reason sleep data might not be showing on the app was that it was using an older version of iOS or Android. You can try updating your phone to the latest OS available. Once this is done, give it a day or two. Your Oura app should then start tracking your sleep.

Furthermore, I found out that very recently, Oura has changed its Android compatibility from Android 8 to Android 9 and higher. If you’re using a phone that doesn’t meet the requirement, the Oura app won’t work on your device, and no data will be tracked either.

4. Restart The Phone

Although your phone will definitely restart itself after a software update, you can try rebooting it even when one isn’t required. I have seen that a software update is useful in solving many issues with not just the Oura app but also other apps. So, try out this method.

5. Update Oura App

It’s not just your phone’s OS; the Oura app that you’re using needs to be updated to the latest version available as well. So, go to the Google Play Store if you use an Android device or the App Store in the case of iOS, and check if there are any updates available for the Oura app.

If updates are available, install them first and then restart the app. Plenty of times, doing just this has helped me solve any data syncing issues that I was facing.

6. Uninstall & Reinstall The App

Apart from updating the Oura app, I’ve also tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, after which it started working just fine. You can also try doing so to have your app record your sleep properly.

7. Update Ring Firmware

Having outdated ring firmware can also result in data tracking problems without you even realizing it. By default, the Automatic Firmware update option is turned on, and therefore, updates get installed as and when they are available, thereby ensuring smooth data tracking.

However, if the option is turned off, you will get to see an update card right on the Home screen whenever a new update is available. You can tap on the card to manually update the ring’s firmware. Once that is done, the ring should continue working just fine.

Since I do not like running into problems because of outdated ring firmware, I have turned on the Automatic Firmware option by going to the Settings section of the Oura app, where the Firmware option is present.

8. Bluetooth Reset

Sometimes, resetting the Bluetooth connection between the ring and the Oura app can also be beneficial in fixing data-tracking issues. So, if you want to perform a Bluetooth reset, follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Place your Oura ring on its charging dock and ensure that it’s connected to a power source.
2. Then, turn off the Bluetooth of your phone and force close the Oura app. The app mustn’t be running in the background.
3. Then, turn on Bluetooth again and go to settings. From the list of connected devices, remove and unpair your Oura ring.
4. Once that is done, open the Oura app and follow the instructions given to pair your Oura ring with the app again.

9. Soft Reset The Ring

A colleague of mine at WearableXP faced similar problems with her Oura ring once and found performing a soft reset to be helpful in getting the ring to start recording sleep data again. So, she suggested that I do the same.

Performing a soft rest would essentially reset the ring’s sensors, thereby solving any sensor-related issues that prevented my sleep from being recorded properly.

I followed the steps below, and after that, my ring started working properly. So, you can try following them too:

1. Open the Oura app on your phone.
2. Tap the ring icon located in the upper right-hand corner of the Home tab.
3. Then, swipe left to the page called “My Oura Ring.”
4. Here, you will have the “Soft reset” option. Tap on it.

Once you’ve performed a soft reset, your ring should start working just fine.

10. Hardware Reset

If a Bluetooth reset and a soft reset don’t solve your problem, then you should try performing a hardware reset. The steps for the same are as follows:

1. Place the ring on its wireless charging dock again.
2. Then, tap the charger rapidly but gently on the table a few times. However, make sure that the ring doesn’t move from its position on the charger; you can hold it in place using your finger.
3. Wait for a minute or two, and then re-open the Oura app to see if the connection has been established again or not.

Chances are it will not have been established in the first go. You will have to perform the above steps a few times before a hardware reset finally happens.

11. Factory Reset

If none of the above-mentioned kinds of resets work, then you will have no option but to perform a factory reset. This is how it will be done:

1. Open the Oura app on your device.
2. Tap the Ring Icon and swipe left.
3. There, you will have the “Factory Reset” option. Select it.

12. Contact Oura’s Customer Support

If none of the troubleshooting methods mentioned above work, then you should contact Oura’s customer support. You can do so by texting Oura’s virtual assistant, Finn, and going to their Contact Us page. In case Finn isn’t helpful enough, you will be connected to a team member via live chat or email.

However, instead of doing this, I submitted a ticket. This means I left Oura a message by filling out the form on their Contact Us page. While the page says that I will get a reply within 24 hours, the team actually took 2-3 days to respond to my message, and I found the waiting period quite frustrating.

When the Oura team finally reached out to me, they took some time to understand my concern, asked me for screenshots, and suggested relevant troubleshooting steps. I was able to solve my problem using the suggested steps.

However, a friend of mine who, too, tried following troubleshooting steps just as suggested by Oura couldn’t get the ring to start tracking his sleep even after doing them. So, Oura suggested that he replace his ring since a hardware issue could cause his problems. Given that his ring was still under the one-year warranty period, he was able to exchange it for a new one.

If your situation is similar, you might be able to do so, too. If there is no warranty and you are lucky enough, Oura could give you a discount. However, if you, too, choose to go this route, I suggest that you be patient with the customer support team. They surely take longer than 24 hours to reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

Alright then, people! In this article, I walked you guys through some possible reasons why your Oura ring may not be showing your sleep-related data and also what you can possibly do to solve it. So, I hope you found this article informative and helpful. If you still have any doubts about the whole thing, please feel free to drop them in the comments section!