Why Is There A Red Light On Oura Ring 3?

Since COVID, it is extremely important for me to check my blood oxygen saturation level every now and then. Owning an Oura ring helped me to track SpO2 levels on a regular basis. However, what I did not know was that the reason the red light on Oura ring kept blinking was because of Oura’s SpO2 measurement feature.

Yes, the red light blinks on the Oura ring because of SpO2 tracking, but there is more to it. Let me share in detail what I found about the red light on Oura Ring.

I Saw Red Light Flashing On Oura Ring 3#

I’ve been using the Oura ring for quite a long time, and one thing I can assure you is that the Oura ring flashing red light is not an ‘issue.’ It is simply a light-emitting technology used by the Oura ring to measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) level.

The theory behind using red and infrared LEDs is that the higher your blood is with oxygen, the more it reflects the red light than infrared light. On the other hand, if the blood is poorly oxygenated, then it will reflect more infrared light than red light. So, that’s why the red light on Oura Ring is used to actively measure SpO2 levels.

When Does The Red Light Flash On Oura Gen3?#

I used Oura Gen2 earlier and noticed that red lights were never visible in Gen2 rings because, in Gen2, there is no sensor light. Since the Oura Gen3 has the SpO2 tracking features, a red light flashes from the new Oura ring.

Most of the users do not even notice this red light emerging from the Oura ring because Oura measures blood oxygen saturation when we are sleeping. However, sometimes, it can catch my attention, especially at nighttime when my body is resting.

Now, Oura measures peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels while you are sleeping for more than 3 hours. However, if Oura detects that the user is resting even during the daytime for more than 3 hours (based on your heart rate, movement, and respiratory rate), the ring will measure SpO2 level.

Hence, people sometimes can see the red light on Oura ring in the daytime as well. Since I’m not a night owl, the red light in my Oura ring is mostly visible during the nighttime when I’m asleep.

How To Check SpO2 Level In the Oura App?#

To find the oxygen saturation (SpO2) level readings, I simply opened the sleep tab in the Oura app and found the Average Blood Oxygen reading as well as the Breathing Regularity graph.

I found that this feature, by default, remains on. Therefore, if anyone wants to disable the Blood Oxygen Sensing feature for a period, here is how to do it:

1. Open the Oura App’s Home tab. Go to the Menu icon.

2. Select Blood Oxygen Sensing.

3. Toggle off the button next to Select Blood Oxygen Sensing.

Note: Make sure that your phone’s Bluetooth connection is enabled when changing settings.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Wrapping Up#

Usually, my ‘light sleep’ stage is longer. During this period, I felt dizzy but was conscious. Therefore, the red light on Oura Ring often caught my attention during light sleep. In the beginning, it really bothered me. However, after quite a while, it was not problematic. If you also observed a red light on Oura ring peeking through, trust me, there is no need to panic. Wear your ring comfortably and check whether your health vitals are okay or not.

I also have a full review on the Oura Ring and if you’re interested in buying one, there are some great deals and discounts that we keep updating for you to save some dollars!