There’s nothing more frustrating than when your Ring doorbell is unable to join your Wi-Fi network. When this happens, the issue can usually be fixed by altering your Wi-Fi network settings.
In this article, we will show you how to connect your device to a Wi-Fi network – along with other helpful tips and tricks.
There are several ways to connect or reconnect to a wireless network, and these methods involve using Ring’s official app. You can select the device from the Devices option and either reconnect your device or change to another Wi-Fi network that reconfigures the doorbell in Setup mode.
Why Is My Ring Doorbell or Ring Doorbell Pro Not Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network?
One of the reasons your Ring Doorbell Pro is not connecting to a Wi-Fi network may be due to a poorly configured Wi-Fi router. If you did not configure the settings correctly – like the router band, channel, and password – you’ll have trouble connecting the doorbell to the Wi-Fi.
Also, your Ring Doorbell Pro will have a hard time staying connected to a Wi-Fi network if there are issues with its hardware. Some examples of hardware issues include low-power connections, poorly positioned routers, and more.
How to Check If Your Ring Doorbell Is Disconnected
There are several scenarios where you can identify if your doorbell has disconnected from the network.
Most of the time – if your smart device has been connected to the internet before – you will receive a notification via the app notifying you that your doorbell has gone offline.
However, another way to identify a disconnected video doorbell is when the device starts flashing circle lights – doesn’t matter if it is partially or fully flashing. The following list shows you different issues when you see lights flashing.
Flashing
- If only the top part is flashing, it means you have entered an incorrect Wi-Fi password. Wait for a few seconds until it attempts to reconnect.
- If only the right side is flashing, it means the doorbell is having difficulty connecting to the network. Try placing your router closer to the doorbell.
- If only the left side is flashing, it means you have connected the doorbell to the Wi-Fi network successfully, but it still can’t access the internet. In this case, your router may have an issue with the Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- If the front light is off, it means the device is on standby or is not responding. Try to set it up via the app or perform a hard reset.
- If the entire light is flashing, the doorbell is on Setup mode. Use the app to configure the doorbell.
Reasons Why Ring Doorbells Can Lose a Network Connection
Wrong Wi-Fi Frequency and Channel
Ring doorbells generally only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi frequencies (the Pro supports 5 GHz). So, if the router is operating on the 5 GHz band, you might have trouble connecting the doorbell to it.
The same goes for the channel. The Ring Doorbell Pro only operates on channels 1-11. Consequently, if your Wi-Fi is on channel 12 or 13, the doorbell will not work with it.
Passwords with Special Characters
As outlandish as it sounds, this issue is quite real. If your Wi-Fi password has special signs like @ ! # $, your Ring doorbell won't be able to connect to it. Read here for more.
Poor Wi-Fi Signal
If the signal reaching the doorbell from the router isn't strong enough, the Ring Doorbell Pro will have trouble maintaining the connection. This happens when the router is poorly positioned far away from the Ring doorbell. First, check the signal strength under Device Health, and if it's too low (< -60), move the router closer. You can also use a Wi-Fi range extender to boost the Wi-Fi signal.
Change In Network Settings
When you change Wi-Fi settings such as the SSID or password, you can lose the Wi-Fi connection. Changing these values may reset the connection, so you will have to re-configure the doorbell.
Low Power
The Ring Doorbell Pro is a hardwired device without a battery. Instead, it draws its power directly from the home's electric circuit.
If the doorbell isn't getting enough power due to loose connections or power surges, it will have trouble sustaining the Wi-Fi connection.
Check the voltage under the Device Health page. If it is less than 3900 mV, you have to rectify it. You can install a new transformer for the doorbell.
Resetting Your Router
There can be connectivity issues where the main source of the issue is not the doorbell – but the Wi-Fi router. The following scenarios are great examples of when this issue might occur.
- The doorbell can connect to your Wi-Fi but cannot access the internet.
- The signal strength of the Wi-Fi router is low.
- The Wi-Fi router is behaving erratically.
In this guide, we will show you how to reset the router, it's a simple process, and it doesn’t require any tools.
- First, unplug the router from the wall socket or disconnect it from its power supply. Wait for a minute or so until the router completely shuts down.
- After that, switch it back on and wait until it restarts the Wi-Fi.
- Connect to the Wi-Fi network using your smartphone and check if you can access the internet – a quick google search will do.
- If there is internet access, check if the doorbell connects automatically.
- If not, reconnect the doorbell via the app or push the button and wait around 10 seconds for the device to go into Setup mode.
Connecting Your Ring Video Doorbell
After you've reset the router, it's time to connect your smart doorbell to a Wi-Fi network.
If you've successfully connected the doorbell to the same network before, then the device will remember and connect to it automatically.
However, this is not always guaranteed, and you will have to reconnect it manually. The following guide will show you how:
- If your doorbell is battery powered, then we recommend that you take it out and bring it closer to the router – this is optional, but it helps.
- First, open up the Ring app.
- Tap on the Menu icon on the top left (the three lines stacked on top of each other).
- Next, tap on Devices.
- After that, select the appropriate doorbell from the list of devices.
- Your device's dashboard will pop up. Tap on the button named Device Health.
- Check the Signal Strength option. If it is red – with a lower RSSI of -60 to -100 – take the doorbell closer to the router until it becomes green.
- When the signal strength is at an acceptable level, tap on Change Wi-Fi Network or Reconnect to Wi-Fi.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and provide your Wi-Fi credentials if asked to do so.
How to Factory Reset Your Ring Doorbell
If all else fails, your last resort is to perform a factory reset on your video doorbell. Fortunately, you won't lose any of your data as Ring uploads photos and videos to the Ring servers on the cloud whenever it's connected to the internet.
However, you will have to reconfigure your doorbell from the ground up. It's a simple process, but you have to run through several menus to get it working.
The following steps cater to a “Ring Doorbell 2”, “Doorbell Elite,” and a “Ring Doorbell Pro.”
- First, look for the small black button on either the front or side of the video doorbell. You may need to remove the faceplate depending on the model.
- Press this black button and hold (also now known as the Setup button) for about 15 seconds.
- The doorbell will start flashing. When this starts to happen, let go of the button and wait for a couple of minutes until the doorbell restarts.
- After it restarts successfully, the light stops blinking and now it starts spinning with an audio cue saying: “Now in setup mode.”
- Now, you can open up the Ring app, go to the menu that’s located on the left side (upper left) corner, and then tap on Set up a new device.
- Then you can follow the instructions on the app, to reconfigure the doorbell.
Connecting Ring Video Doorbell to Other Devices
You can also connect your Ring doorbell to other smart home devices such as smart locks, bulbs, wall sockets, and even Alexa.
In this guide, we will show you how to connect your video doorbell to Alexa, which will, in turn, allow you to set up and control a variety of different smart home gadgets.
- First, if you haven't already, install the Alexa app and open it.
- Tap on the More icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. It is also an icon with three lines “stacked” on top of each other.
- A new menu will pop up. In this menu, tap on the option called Skills and Games.
- A new window will open up. Go to the upper right-hand corner and click on the Search icon.
- Search for Ring in the search box and tap on the search result that shows the Ring logo.
- A new window will pop up with several descriptions on Ring, continue by selecting the option Enable to Use.
- A new menu will pop up asking you to authorize your Ring account and link it with the Alexa app. If you've already set up the Ring app, this prompt will not ask for your credentials. Otherwise, you will have to provide them.
- After that, tap on Discover Devices, and Alexa will interface with your Ring device.
Changing Wi-Fi Networks
Sometimes, switching Wi-Fi networks is the key to getting your Ring Doorbell Pro functioning properly again. If you want to reconnect your doorbell to a better Wi-Fi network, here’s how you can do it.
- Remove the screw at the bottom of the Ring Doorbell Pro’s faceplate and remove it.
- Open the Ring app and tap on the menu at the top left corner of the screen.
- Tap on devices and select the device you want to modify.
- Click on Device Health, and select Change Wi-Fi Network.
- Follow the prompts and press the button on the side of the Ring doorbell and click Continue.
- The Ring Doorbell will create a network and ask you to join it. Connect to the network.
- Next, it will ask you if you want to connect to the network you were connected to previously. Click No.
- It will display a list of Wi-Fi networks around. Choose the one you want to connect to and enter its password.
- Wait for a while for the white light to stop flashing. Once it does, you are connected to the network.
- Replace the faceplate on the device and screw it back in.
Common Questions Relating to a Ring Doorbell Pro Not Connecting to Wifi
Yes, it can. According to Ring, the Video Doorbell Pro should have no problem working with a Wi-Fi network on the 5 GHz frequency.
Other Ring devices compatible with 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks include Ring Video Doorbell 3, Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, and the Ring Video Doorbell Elite.
No, you cannot connect any Ring product to a hidden Wi-Fi network. Your Wi-Fi network has to be open and visible to all devices for you to use it with your Ring doorbell.
No, you do not need to go through the entire setup process again after changing the Wi-Fi password. However, you have to reconnect the device to your Wi-Fi using the new password.
The Verdict
Connectivity issues on a Ring video doorbell are not uncommon, however, are easy to fix by yourself. Whenever your doorbell is unable to join a network, you can perform simple tasks such as performing a simple reset to help you get your doorbell back in working order.