If you're running into issues setting up your Ring video doorbell or security camera—such as not being able to connect to the temporary Ring network or not connecting to your home wifi network—try some of the troubleshooting steps below.
If you have repeated problems with your device disconnecting from wifi or getting a weak signal and your router is behind a couch, in a closet, or otherwise physically obstructed, moving your router is often the quickest fix.
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| Move router from behind couch | Move router out of closet |
Can't Connect to Ring Device's Temporary Access Point During Setup?
Your Ring device creates a temporary 'network' that you will use as an access point only during the setup process, before you connect it to your home wifi network. After you connect to your home wifi network, you will no longer be connected to the temporary access point.
There are several simple troubleshooting steps you can try if you're having issues connecting:
- On an Apple/iOS device, reboot by shutting down the device and powering it back on. See below for further options.
- On Android, adjust the Smart Network Switch.
- Make sure your battery is fully charged if you've attempted setup multiple times during a first time set up. Batteries are not shipped with 100% charge due to legal regulations and may have drained during your previous attempts.
- Try setting up your Ring device using a different mobile device (i.e. another mobile phone or tablet).
Apple/iOS
If you're using an Apple device and haven't rebooted in a while, try rebooting (shutting the device completely off) and then reattempting set up. Temporarily changing the cellular data and wifi settings on your Apple device (described below) could also increase your chances of a successful set up.
Change Cellular Data Setting on Apple Device
If you don't see your home wifi network when you're setting up your device, one of your mobile device settings may be preventing a successful setup. Any settings that you change during set up, can be changed back to the original setting afterwards.
Cellular will be amongst the first few options when you go to Settings on your Apple device.
Change Wifi Settings on Apple Device
In Apple device Settings, there's a setting that can be changed that often helps when you're trying to connect to the Ring temporary network. In the Settings app (the gear icon) tap Wifi. Under this setting, you'll see a list of different network names. Below that list, tap the option that says 'Ask to Join Networks', then select 'Ask'. Then try running through setup again to see if the Ring temporary network appears.
Android
If you're using an Android phone or tablet and can't connect to the Ring temporary network, you may need to adjust the Smart Network Switch.
If You've Tried Setup Many Times Already
If you're setting up a new battery-powered Ring device, your battery will be only partially charged when you receive it due to safety restrictions on shipping lithium batteries. Your battery will need 6-8 hours to fully charge. If you've attempted to set up your device multiple times and failed set up, you may need to fully charge the battery before you can successfully set up your device.
Once you've completed a setup, you'll be able to see your battery charge percentage in the Ring App.
Try Setup on Another Device
You can also try using an alternate mobile device for setup. Keep in mind that you'll need to be logged into the Ring App with your own username and password on the alternate device if you want to be the owner of the new Ring device.
Can't Connect to Your Home Wifi Network?
Basic Wifi Troubleshooting
- Make sure you have the correct password and are entering it exactly. Passwords are case sensitive and do not include spaces. Your network password can often be found on the bottom of your router if you don't know it already.
- Make sure your password doesn't have any special characters in it. If your password contains any special characters such as an asterisk (*), pound sign (#), or exclamation mark (!), you may need to contact your Internet service provider to change your password and remove the special character(s), or change the password yourself by accessing your router's settings.
- Make sure you have a 5 GHz compatible Ring device if you're attempting to connect to a 5 GHz network. If you do have a 5 GHz compatible device and are attempting setup for the first time but still having problems, connect to a 2.4 GHz network first and then switch to the 5 GHz network after setup is complete via the Device Health section of the Ring app.
Perform a Distance Test
If the device you're setting up is a battery-powered device, or capable of being moved from the mounting location, try bringing it a few feet from your router before attempting setup.
Sometimes interference or distance can cause the setup to fail. Click here to learn more about common causes of wifi interference.
If this doesn't solve the problem, you may need to add a wifi extender, such as the Ring Chime Pro. If your home is larger than 1500 sq. feet, or has multiple levels, you might need a mesh network to get a consistent wifi signal.
Reboot Your Modem or Router
Since your router and modem are usually the hardest working devices in your house, for optimal performance you should reboot them about once a month.
To reboot routers or modems, follow the instructions below:
- Unplug your router and/or modem from its power supply
- If your router and modem are separate, unplug both of them
- Wait at least 30 seconds, then plug back in
- Wait 30 seconds to one minute for your router and/or modem to boot up
Confirm that your internet is back on by connecting another device to your wifi network and trying to access a website. Then repeat the setup process.
Routers older than four or five years may have exceeded their intended lifespan and might need to be replaced.
If you're using a Wifi 6 (802.11 ax) router, click here for troubleshooting steps.
Note: Ring devices are not compatible with WPA3.
Ring Device Reset/Restore
How to Perform a Reset/Restore on Your Ring Device
If you’ve tried everything else and are still having issues, you can try performing a reset/restore on your Ring device by holding down the reset button on the device for 20 seconds and then releasing it.
WARNING - DO NOT use any of these steps with any Ring Alarm device.
If you're not sure what Ring video doorbell or security camera you have and you've successfully set up the device before, you can find the Product Name in the Ring App in the Device Health section. Before you reset your device, make sure to download any videos you might have stored in your account.
If you have a brand new device, look for the product name on the box.
Here are the reset button locations on various Ring devices:
- Ring Video Doorbell (1st generation): Orange button on the back.
- Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation): Orange button on the back.
- Ring Video Doorbell 2: Small black button on the front under the faceplate.
- Ring Video Doorbell 3: Small black button on the front under the faceplate.
- Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus: Small black button on the front under the faceplate.
- Ring Video Doorbell 4: Small black button on the front under the faceplate.
- Ring Video Doorbell Wired: Small black button with orange dot under the faceplate.
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro: Small black button on the right side of the device.
- Note: You will need to wait until the light turns off which can take up to 60 seconds.
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: Small black button on the right of the device.
- Ring Video Doorbell Elite: Small black button on the front.
- Ring Spotlight Camera/Ring Floodlight Camera: Button on top of the camera.
- Ring Stick Up Camera Battery/Wired: White or orange button on the bottom of the camera, under the bottom cover.
After performing a reset/restore, wait a minute or two and attempt setup again, making sure that:
- You’re entering the correct password for your wifi network. Passwords are case sensitive.
- You’re not too far away from your wifi router.
- Your internet is not down.
You can also find additional troubleshooting steps on the following page.
