Trying to link your Ring doorbell to the Wi-Fi network might feel like solving a tricky puzzle that just won't fit together. Many folks run into a wall here, tech savviness aside! Picture this, you're all cozy in your living room, ready to unwind, and then bam! A blinking doorbell light leaves you scratching your head. Statistics show a significant number of users face connectivity hiccups, revealing it's no walk in the park. Even experienced users sometimes double-check their steps. Here's a tip: keep the doorbell as close as possible to the router during the setup. Curious about turning this tech headache into a smooth journey? Read on to discover how tackling this Wi-Fi quest can boost your home security like magic! With insight and patience, anyone can unravel this tech mystery.
Or even worse, you're Wi-Fi connection keeps dropping, resulting in missed events and notifications.
In this article, I walk through an 11 step troubleshooting process to help provide a stable connection to your home network.
Key Takeaways – Why Is My Ring Doorbell Unable to Join my Wi-Fi Network?
There are several reasons why your Ring doorbell fails to connect to your Wi-Fi router. A few of the most common reasons are:
- Poor signal
- Incorrect password
- Passwords with special characters (yes, that's possible and you can read about it here)
- Lack of data/internet access on the Wi-Fi network
- Too much traffic in your Wi-Fi network (low bandwidth)
- Incompatible network settings (such as the 5GHz Frequency band for Ring doorbells that don't support this band)
- Low power
- Recent change in network settings
In the guide below, I'll show you how to resolve these Wi-Fi errors on your Ring doorbell using a simple step-by-step process of elimination.
How to Check If Your Ring Doorbell Wi-Fi Is Disconnected
There are several ways to identify and confirm if your Ring doorbell has been disconnected from the network.
Typically, if your Ring doorbell has connected to the internet before, you will receive a notification via the Ring app notifying you that your doorbell has gone offline.
Besides that, you can also tell if a Ring video doorbell has disconnected when the device's LED indicators display a spinning light pattern in blue or white.
There are several other different light indicator patterns that can signal various issues with your Ring doorbell. For a complete list and guide, check out this article on fixing a Ring Doorbell that's flashing blue.
Step 1: During Initial Setup – Check the Ring app or Indicator Light Pattern
Most users run into the bulk of Wi-Fi-related issues when setting up their Ring doorbell for the first time.
The most common reasons why your Ring doorbell won't connect to the Wi-Fi during the initial setup can be:
- Incorrect password
- Wi-Fi can't access the internet
- Wi-Fi has too many devices already connected to it
- Wi-Fi network (or it's settings) are incompatible with the Ring doorbell
The Ring app or the doorbell indicator lights will use different patterns to let you know what's exactly wrong so you can fix it accordingly; hence, there will be a different pattern for incorrect passwords and another to indicate lack of internet access, etc.
Indicator Patterns to Look Out For
So here are some of the indications you might come across during setup.
- Flashing top half: Your Wi-Fi password is incorrect. Try entering it again.
- Right Half Flashing: The doorbell is struggling to connect to your network because of a low signal. Moving your router closer to the device might help.
- Left Half is Flashing: The Wi-Fi connection exists, but there's no internet access. Carry out a quick speed test and see if your router is blocked or disconnected from your ISP.
- No light: The doorbell could be out of power or unresponsive. Try setting it up via the app or perform a hard reset.
- Entire Light Indicator is Flashing: Your doorbell is in Setup mode. Configure it using the Ring app.
Step 2: Check the Doorbell Signal Strength
If you've already finished setting up the Ring doorbell, but you're constantly running into “Ring doorbell is offline” notifications on the app, there might be an issue with the signal strength.
You can check the signal strength for your Ring doorbell via the Ring app. Here's how:
- First, open the Ring app and head over to your Doorbell's device dashboard (☰ –> Devices)
- Then, from the device dashboard, tap on “Device Health.”
- From the list, check the network section for Signal Strength.
Wi-Fi signal strength is color-coded and indicated by a value known as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). If the value is green, you don't have any issues with signal strength. However, if it's red, gray, or amber, or shows a value much higher than -60, there is an issue with low signal strength.
Steps to Improve the Signal Strength of Your Wi-Fi Connection
You want to bring this to the green. So to do that, here are a few things you can consider:
- Reposition the router: Try unplugging it and moving it closer to your Ring doorbell. Alternatively, you can also make sure it's installed in an open space with enough room for the Wi-Fi signals to spread out.
- Install a Ring chime or Wi-Fi extender: If you can't move the router, these devices will help you clear out a specific Wi-Fi dead zone, bridging the gap and improving the signal strength.
- Setup a mesh network: A mesh network is the latest advancement of Wi-Fi technology that helps clear any Wi-Fi dead zones in your home. It's a futureproof setup for modern smart homes.
- Clear Out Any Obstructions: Closed doors, large cabinets and other pieces of furniture or fixtures can block the Wi-Fi signal. Try repositioning the router or trying to move these out of your way so your video doorbell has a clear line of sight with the router.
- Disconnect Unnecessary Devices From the Network: Take out any smart devices from your Wi-Fi network or switch them off to minimize congestion in your Wi-Fi network.
- Switch Wi-Fi Channels to 1, 6, or 11: From your router settings, you can try moving your router's connection to a less-congested channel.
Step 3: Reconnect to the Same or a Different Wi-Fi Network
After making sure you resolve any signal issues, you can also try reconnecting to the same or to a different Wi-Fi network for good measure. This helps give the video doorbell a fresh start in terms of Wi-Fi.
To reconnect your Wi-Fi connection via the app:
- Open the Ring app and head over to your device's dashboard (☰ –> Devices)
- Then, tap on the “Device Health” tile
- After that, scroll down to the Network section
- Here, you can tap on “Reconnect” or “Change Network”
- Confirm your decision during any prompts that may show up
- Follow the instructions on the app to ensure the doorbell is in setup mode (Spinning white light)
- The Ring app will start scanning for available Wi-Fi networks. From the list that shows up, tap on the Wi-Fi network you want to connect your Ring doorbell to.
- If you want to connect to a separate network, tap on “Show all Networks” to extend the list. Type in the Wi-Fi password, and make sure it is correct.
- The Ring app will then show when the connection is successful.
If your Wi-Fi runs on a dual-band network, you can try switching to the 2.4GHz band or configuring your router to run on the 2.4GHz instead of 5GHz.
Step 4: Make Sure your Wi-Fi router Has Access to the Internet
When you run out of data on your network package, or if too many devices are hogging all the bandwidth, your Ring doorbell won't be able to connect to the Ring app successfully.
Because of this, the doorbell will show up as “offline” in the app or it may cause unnecessary delays.
To make sure your Wi-Fi connection hasn't expired or lost connection to the internet, you can do a quick speed test or try Googling something when on the network on your phone.
If the speeds are abnormally slow (say, less than 2Mbps, which is recommended for Ring doorbells), or the browser says it can't connect to the internet, you will need to diagnose the issue with your ISP.
6 Reasons Why the Wi-Fi Can’t Connect to the Internet
There can be several reasons why your Wi-Fi router can't access the internet:
- Loose Cable: The cable delivering internet to your router may have come loose or fallen out.
- You've exceeded your internet plan: In this case, you'll have to settle your bill and consider expanding your network plan
- Other devices are taking up a lot of bandwidth: This can happen because of large downloads, streaming, etc. So make sure you pause these downloads and try again.
- Your ISP is experiencing internet blackouts: Although rare, these could also be a possibility, contact your ISP for assistance. Always worth checking X (formerly know as Twitter) to see if others are experience an outage.
- The Ring doorbell is too far away from the Wi-Fi: If so, follow the instructions on step 2 on how to fix this.
- Internet access is blocked by your ISP or router settings: Contact your ISP first if you haven't changed, or you don't know how to access the router settings.
Step 5: Check your Live-View Via Ring.com
Sometimes the Wi-Fi signal or internet access might not be the issue, it could also be the Ring mobile app. In that case, you can easily troubleshoot this by logging into Ring.com via an internet browser on your smartphone, laptop, or PC.
Checking Live-View Using an Internet Browser
To carry this out:
- Open your preferred web browser and navigate to www.Ring.com.
- Click on the “Log in” button located in the top right corner of the webpage.
- Enter the necessary login credentials.
- Once you've successfully logged in, select your Home/Location to access the main dashboard of your Ring camera devices.
- Your dashboard will display thumbnails of live footage from each of your connected Ring devices.
- Locate and tap on the thumbnail of your video doorbell to inspect its live feed.
If everything seems fine, and you can also see yourself on your cameras in real-time via Ring.com, you can be sure the problem is with the Ring mobile app.
To Fix the Ring Mobile App
If you suspect the issue is with the Ring app, you can complete the following steps:
- Start by clearing the app's cache.
- Uninstall and then reinstall the Ring app.
- Check for any updates in your device's app store and update the app if needed.
- Disconnect and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network within the app settings.
- Try restarting your smart device.
- Log into the Ring app from another smart device to check if the issue persists.
If these steps don't resolve the issue, it's possible that there may be an outage or technical issue with Ring.
Visit www.status.ring.com to view any reported server outages, and consider reaching out to Ring's customer service for further support.
Step 6: Restart your Wi-Fi Router
In some rare situations, it might not be your internet connection or Ring's servers, it could also be an issue with your Wi-Fi router.
The best way to resolve any router issues is by giving it a quick restart. Usually, a soft restart would fix any router issues and you won't have to resort to a hard reset.
To restart your router, you can simply unplug the device, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then plug it back in.
Step 7: Log In Via Mobile Hotspot
Using the instructions from step 3, you can try connecting your Ring doorbell to your mobile hotspot to see if the device connects to the app.
So try setting up a mobile hotspot on your smartphone and reconnecting your Ring doorbell to it. If everything works okay and you can use the Ring app to check the live view and receive motion alerts, there might be an underlying issue with your Wi-Fi router.
Ring devices typically cannot operate long-term on a mobile hotspot so make sure you fix the issue with your router as soon as possible.
Step 8: Check Wi-Fi Router Settings
Digging into your router's settings can be a bit overwhelming, and in some cases, it might also disrupt your internet access.
That being said, if you've done this before you can log into your router settings and make sure the Ring doorbell isn't blocked or incompatible.
A few settings you need to adjust/look out for are:
- Switching the encryption type to WPA2
- Rename the network name (or SSID) to exclude special characters or blank spaces
- Change the password so it avoids special characters such as @ ! # $
- Create a guest network with a simple name and password to connect to
- Switch to Wi-Fi channels 1,6,11 so it's less congested
- Create a DHCP reservation for your Ring doorbell's MAC Address
- Set up a static IP for your Ring doorbell
- Lower the firewall level from high to medium or low.
Additionally, you can force the Ring doorbell to enter setup/pairing mode by holding onto the setup button on the device. This will allow it to rescan and update the list of available Wi-Fi networks.
To learn more about these settings and configurations, check out this article by Ring.
Step 9: Reset your Wi-Fi Router
If possible, you can also try resetting your Wi-Fi router to factory defaults and then trying to reconnect your Ring doorbell to this Wi-Fi network.
However, I recommend resetting only if you've exhausted all the above options since all devices on this network will be disconnected and you'll have to reconnect them again. Also, depending on your ISP, this can disrupt your internet access.
So if you're unsure about resetting, it's best to contact your ISP for assistance and then get help from a professional.
The instructions on resetting your router may vary but the most common process is outlined below:
- First, check the back of your router to make sure the default SSID (Wi-Fi network name) and password are printed on a label.
- Then, make sure the router is powered on
- After that, see if there are any physical buttons or a needle-sized hole indicating the reset button.
- If you find this button, you can use a SIM card ejector tool key, paperclip, or safety pin to press this small button.
- Press and hold for 10-15 seconds or until you see the router lights blink or restart.
- Then, let go and wait for the router to fully restart.
- Connect your smartphone or smart device to the Wi-Fi network first
- After that, carry out a quick speed test to make sure your internet access isn't revoked
Now, you can try connecting your Ring doorbell to the new network using the guide mentioned in step 3.
In the following steps, I talk about diagnosing the transformer connections in your Ring doorbell. Diagnosing electrical components always involves some form of risk, so if you’re not skilled at following the necessary safety precautions or understanding how electrical wiring works, I recommend getting help from a professional instead.
Step 10: Check the Power to the Ring Doorbell
Power issues can also impact your Ring doorbell's ability to maintain a stable Wi-Fi network. As such, making sure the battery is topped up and the transformer voltage is high enough is equally important.
If your doorbell is (somewhat) responsive to the app, you can easily check the battery levels and transformer voltage. Here's how:
- Open the Ring app and head over to your doorbell's dashboard (☰ –> Devices)
- After that, tap on the “Device Health” tile
- Scroll down to power information and see if the battery levels are high enough. Ideally, you want them to be higher than 20%.
- If you have a wired doorbell, you can check the transformer voltage and make sure it's “Good” or in the green.
If you can't access the Ring app, I recommend recharging the batteries or putting in a fresh set.
For Users with a Hardwired Video Doorbell: You can check the circuit breaker to see if its tripped. If not then undo the screws holding the doorbell and make sure the transformer voltage is high enough (using a multimeter) and the connections are secure. However, when doing so, follow the necessary safety precautions or enlist help from a professional electrician.
Step 11: 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 specifically to “Ring Doorbell 2”, “Doorbell Elite,” and “Ring Doorbell Pro” models. That said, these also apply to other models with only slight variations.
- 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.
Common Questions Relating to a Ring Doorbell Pro Not Connecting to Wi-Fi
Can a Ring Doorbell work with a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network?
Yes, depending on your model, you can easily connect your Ring video doorbell to a 5GHz network without any issues. However, make sure the device has enough range.
The compatible models are:
- Ring Doorbell 3
- Ring Doorbell 3 Plus
- Ring Doorbell 4
- Ring Doorbell Pro
- Ring Doorbell Pro 2
- Ring Doorbell Elite
Can I Use the Ring Doorbell When Connected to a Hidden Wi-Fi Network?
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.
Do I Need to Set Up the Connection Again After Changing the Wi-Fi Password?
You do not need to go through the entire setup process again after changing the Wi-Fi password. However, you will have to reconnect the device to your Wi-Fi using the new password.
Cited Sources
- https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020638172-Test-Your-Wifi-Connections
- https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023086271-Fixing-Device-Setup-Errors-by-Adjusting-Your-Router#:~:text=We%20recommend%20switching%20your%20router's,or%20from%20another%20mobile%20device.
- https://www.verizon.com/support/residential/internet/home-network/settings/router-factory-reset#:~:text=Locate%20the%20Reset%20button%20on,reset%20and%20power%20back%20on
- https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360049424511-Battery-in-Ring-Device-Won-t-Stay-Charged-