We all know that Wi-Fi doorbells do more than what your traditional doorbells can do. Their basic operation relies upon having a strong and steady internet connection. Of course, this is no different with your Ring Doorbell.
Without Wi-Fi, the Ring chime will not receive alerts from your device, and you risk missing out on important events.
If you’re just facing this issue now, or if your Ring doorbell has been uncooperative for the nth time, this guide is for you.
Key Points
- The most common reasons why this happens include low signal strength, wrong Wi-Fi password, and interrupted power supply.
- But you can fix the issue by improving signal strength, double-checking passwords during setup, and ensuring your doorbell receives sufficient power.
- Other solutions range from reducing interference to keeping your software or firmware updated.
Why Won’t Ring Doorbell Connect To WiFi
Your Ring doorbell failing to connect to Wi-Fi could occur due to various reasons including an unreliable Wi-Fi signal, outdated firmware, or incorrect Wi-Fi login details. A low battery charge or power-related faults could also be the culprit.
Here are some common reasons why your Ring doorbell may fail to connect to Wi-Fi:
- Poor Signal Strength: Just like a spotty phone call, poor signal reception can disrupt the doorbell’s ability to maintain a stable network connection. Also, the further the signal travels, the weaker it becomes, especially when passing through walls or is out of range with your router range.
- Network Congestion & Signal Interference: Connecting many devices to your Wi-Fi network creates congestion and disrupts the connection with your Ring Doorbell. Additionally, it is much more common for electronic devices operating on the same band as your router to interfere with the Wi-Fi signals.
- Incorrect Wi-Fi Password: Sometimes, everything could be working fine with your Ring doorbell, but the problem may lie in incorrectly entering your Wi-Fi credentials. A simple typo can prevent your device from connecting to your network.
- Power and Battery Issues: The device may not stay connected to Wi-Fi or function smoothly when it does not receive enough power or if its battery runs low (or nearly depleted).
- Outdated Software/Firmware: Like with any other smart device, outdated software or firmware can lead to connectivity problems. A software defect or system error can likely cause Wi-Fi connectivity troubles.
- Faulty Connection: If you installed a wired Ring doorbell, there may be an issue with the wires connecting your device. We can say that faulty wiring or broken cable connection can also lead to this issue.
- Router Compatibility: Routers have different levels of compatibility. If yours isn’t made to work with your Ring Doorbell, some important features may not sync right. This could stop your doorbell from connecting to Wi-Fi smoothly.
Ring Doorbell Won’t Connect To WiFi: 9 Troubleshooting Tips
While Ring Doorbells do an excellent job of keeping an eye on our homes, connectivity hiccups can occur, leaving the device unable to connect to Wi-Fi. Let’s explore some troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue.
1. Check the Signal Strength
The first thing you should do is make sure your Wi-Fi has good signal quality and is working properly. To verify signal strength, open the Ring App and tap the three horizontal bars in the top-left corner of the screen.
Go to “Devices,” pick your specific doorbell, and select “Device Health.”
From there, look for “Signal Strength” under the Network section. A red, amber, or grey RSSI value shows a weak to moderate signal.
In case your Wi-Fi signal strength is weak, it could be that the distance between the Ring Doorbell and your router is greater than it should be. So, ensure your router is centrally located and no more than 20–30 feet from your Ring Doorbell. The router manufacturer recommends these distances to avoid slow data transfer and unreliable connections.
If you can not relocate the router, consider getting a Wi-Fi Range Extender. These devices can amplify the Wi-Fi signal and help you clear out specific Wi-Fi dead zones to improve the signal reach.
2. Verify Your Wi-Fi Password
Since a wrong Wi-Fi password could be the route to your problems, ensure you are using the right credentials. Double-check the SSID and password entered during the setup process and ensure there are no typos or extra spaces in the password.
In case your router still uses the factory-set Wi-Fi passcode, you can find it printed on a tag beneath the router. (We also recommend updating the passcode and securing your Wi-Fi network with a stronger one. Using the default password puts your network at potential security breaches).
3. Check Power Supply
Most routers do not have a built-in battery; they always rely on a power supply through a cable. As such, checking for a power supply outage or interruption is equally important. However, if the power supply at your location is reliable and there is no outage, the next thing to do is check the power supply at the Ring Doorbell end.
If you are using a wired Ring device and its power source is not working properly, there may be a problem with the cable connection, so check that. In case they are frayed, broken, or loose, you should replace them with new ones.
For those using battery-operated Ring Doorbells, confirm that the batteries aren’t running low; otherwise, they will not establish a solid connection. You can easily check the device battery level through the Ring App. Still, under the “Device Health” section, just scroll to see the level of your battery.
Ideally, if the percentage is lower than 20%, then remove the battery and charge it. However, if you’ve been using your batteries for a while, it may be time to replace them with new and fully charged ones.
4. Reduce Obstructions & Interference
If you want your doorbell to connect to Wi-Fi, clear out any physical obstructions such as doors, walls, or furniture to help your Ring Doorbell get a clear line of sight with the router.
You should also move devices that operate on the same frequency band away from your router to avoid signal interference. Such devices include baby monitors, cordless phones, microwaves, game consoles, and others, especially those that use wireless signals.
Another oddball thing you can do is disconnecting unnecessary devices from your Wi-Fi network. Sometimes, having many devices simultaneously connected could cause congestion, thus reducing network speed and performance.
5. Reconnect to the Same or a Different Wi-Fi Network
Another trick that we find helpful is reconnecting the Ring Video Doorbell to the same or a different Wi-Fi network to give the device a fresh connection.
To re-establish a Wi-Fi connection, go to your “Device Health” settings and look for the Network section.
Once here, you can pick between “Change Network” or “Reconnect.” The app will prompt you to choose your preferred Wi-Fi network and enter a password.
After that, wait a few seconds for the Ring Doorbell to connect to Wi-Fi. Now you are all set!
6. Restart Your Router or Modem
Sometimes, your router or modem can experience temporary slowdowns that affect connectivity. But that’s nothing a simple reboot can’t fix! Restarting your device can often fix the bugs or other malfunction-related problems.
To restart your router, unplug it from power and wait roughly twenty seconds. Then, plug the cord back into the power supply and allow the router to fully restart. Once it establishes a stable connection, check the Ring App to see if your doorbell connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network successfully.
The process for restarting a modem is quite similar. You’ll have to disconnect the Ethernet wire and power cord and leave the device unplugged for roughly 2 minutes to fully discharge. After that, plug both cords back in, wait until the Internet light turns solid green, and then verify if the doorbell connects to your wireless network.
7. Update Software/Firmware
Manufacturers regularly release software or firmware updates to resolve compatibility and connectivity-related problems. This makes it crucial to have your Ring doorbell firmware and the Ring app updated.
Usually, the Ring doorbell’s firmware updates automatically as long as you connect the device to a strong Wi-Fi connection. However, you can update it manually through the app, which is still under the “Device Health” settings.
If you scroll down, go to “Device Details,” and you will see a “Firmware” icon. You should click on that to get available updates.
To update the Ring App, simply go to your smartphone’s app store and check for any new versions. If there is one, ensure you update the app right away to the latest version.
8. Choose the Right Wi-Fi Frequency
Older Ring Doorbells like the Ring Video Doorbell 1, 2, Elite, and the wired variant require a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network to function properly. However, newer models such as the Ring Doorbell Pro, Pro 2, and 3/3 Plus are dual-band and can work with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.
Generally, choosing the right Wi-Fi frequency for your Ring Video Doorbell will depend on its specific model and your router’s compatibility. Today, most modern routers have a dual-band, which comes in handy in solving a ton of connectivity issues.
- The 5GHz band has a slightly shorter range but faster data speeds than 2.4GHz. You can use this band if your Ring Doorbell is relatively closer to the router and you are looking for better performance.
- On the contrary, the 2.4GHz band gives wider coverage, and it’s better if your Ring Doorbell is far from the router. This band could be preferable if your Ring Doorbell is distant from your router or physical barriers exist between the doorbell and router.
9. Change Wi-Fi Channel
This is not a problem for most users, particularly those who only have a few devices connected to their Wi-Fi network. Normally, the Ring Doorbell usually runs on channels 1 through 11, but it won’t work on channels 12 or 13.
Some routers tend to automatically change to the optimal channel and may end up broadcasting network service through 12 or 13 channels. When this happens, you will not see the Ring Doorbell in the list of available networks.
If so, you can reset the Wi-Fi channel through your router’s settings menu. All you need is a device that can access the internet and log into the router using its unique IP address.
Now look for “Wireless Settings,” “Wi-Fi Settings,” or “Wi-Fi Channel” and click on it. This name may differ depending on the brand of your router. After doing that, go to “Channels” and change the Wi-Fi channel to a number between 1 and 11.
On some modern routers with two frequencies, you can change the channel on both bands.
4 Other Alternative Solutions to Try
If everything above has failed to resolve the Wi-Fi connectivity issue with your Ring Doorbell, then we suggest trying the following solutions as a last resort.
1. Use Cellular Data
It is possible that you might be looking for a solution in the wrong place. Maybe the problem isn’t with your Ring Doorbell but your Wi-Fi service provider. Therefore, try connecting your Ring doorbell using cellular data. You can use this option temporarily until your Wi-Fi service provider gets back online.
2. Disable Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Even though many people use a VPN, it can impact your Ring Doorbell’s network connection. Usually, the doorbell and smartphone need to be on the same local network during configuration.
If you enable VPN on your phone, the doorbell will not fall on the same network and thus will not connect to Wi-Fi. To troubleshoot this, disable the VPN and check if your Ring Doorbell connects successfully.
3. Try Factory Resetting Your Ring Doorbell
Though this method can be effective in connecting the Ring Doorbell to your Wi-Fi network, it will return your Ring Doorbell to its original settings. You may want to download recorded videos before proceeding with this step.
To hard reset your Ring doorbell, locate the little reset button (it might be around the back or on one side). Push that button firmly and keep pressing for somewhere between 10 and 20 seconds. When finally a light starts blinking on the front part of the device, go ahead and release the button. The reset process will begin!
The process will complete after several minutes, and you’ll need to re-configure the device and reconnect it to your Wi-Fi network.
4. Contact Customer Support
Another viable option would be reaching out to Ring Support for further assistance. They can provide technical troubleshooting assistance or replace your Ring Doorbell if it’s still under warranty. You can find the contact details for the support service on their website’s home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Manually Connect My Ring Doorbell to Wi-Fi?
Do Ring Cameras Work Without Wi-Fi?
What Causes Ring Doorbell Camera to Go Offline?
Bottom Line
As you can see, trying to connect your Ring Doorbell with Wi-Fi sometimes comes with a plethora of issues. But with these troubleshooting steps, you can quickly resolve the problem and restore functionality to your device. Most of the time, it is an easy-peasy fix, and hopefully, this piece has been helpful to you!
