How do I reconnect my Ring to WiFi?

Wifi
1

My Ring doorbell got disconnected from WiFi after a router update. I need help getting it connected again. Any steps or tips would be greatly appreciated!

2

I’ve had this issue before with my own Ring doorbell, especially after any router changes or updates. Here’s how you can reconnect your Ring device to WiFi in a straightforward manner:

  1. Check Your WiFi Network: Before you jump into the reconnection process, ensure that your router is working correctly, and your WiFi network is up. Sometimes a simple reboot of the router solves many underlying connectivity issues.

  2. Open the Ring App: Launch the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet.

  3. Select Your Device: Tap on the menu (three lines on the top left corner), then tap on Devices. Select the Ring device that you want to reconnect to WiFi.

  4. Device Health: Once you are on the device page, tap on Device Health. Here, you’ll see the status of your doorbell along with its current WiFi network details.

  5. Change WiFi Network: In the Device Health section, there should be an option for Change WiFi Network or Reconnect to WiFi. Tap on that.

  6. Follow the Instructions: The app will give you a set of on-screen instructions. Follow these step-by-step prompts which usually include disconnecting the doorbell from its current network if it shows connected, and then selecting your new WiFi network and entering the password.

  7. Setup Mode: The app may guide you to put your Ring Doorbell into setup mode. For most models, this involves pressing and holding the setup button (or the orange button) on the device for around 15 seconds. The light on the front of your doorbell should start spinning or flashing, indicating that it’s in setup mode.

  8. Connect to the Network: Once in setup mode, you might need to temporarily connect your smartphone or tablet to the Ring WiFi network, which is usually in the format of “Ring-12345”. After connecting, return to the Ring app, and select your home WiFi network and enter the password.

  9. Final Steps: The Ring app will handle the rest, like sending your WiFi network information to the doorbell. If everything goes well, it should say that the device is successfully reconnected.

  10. Test the Connection: After you’ve reconnected, it’s a good idea to test the live view and motion alerts to ensure everything is working as expected.

A Few Extra Tips:

  • Network Strength: Sometimes connectivity issues arise from weak WiFi signals. Ensure your doorbell is within a good range of your router. You might want to consider using a WiFi extender if the signal is weak.

  • Firmware Update: After reconnecting, check if there’s any firmware update available for your doorbell and install it. Keeping the device firmware up-to-date can solve many connectivity bugs.

  • Reboot Device: If it’s not connecting even after these steps, try rebooting the doorbell by holding down the setup button for a full 30 seconds. This sometimes hard-resets and helps troubleshoot deeper issues.

  • Support: If all else fails, you might need to contact Ring Support. They can sometimes push updates, reset your device remotely, or identify issues from their end.

Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues

SSID and Password Check: Admittedly basic, but make sure you are entering the exact network name (SSID) and password. WiFi credentials are case-sensitive, so a single typo can prevent a successful connection.

Router Settings: Occasionally, certain router settings can cause issues—like MAC Filtering or frequency band compatibility. Ensure your Ring doorbell can connect to the 2.4GHz band, as many Ring devices don’t support 5GHz. If you have MAC Filtering enabled on your router, add your doorbell’s MAC address to the allowed devices list.

Router Firmware: If you’ve recently updated the router’s firmware, check if there are any newly introduced security features or settings that might be causing the issue. Refer to the router’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for resolving advanced connectivity issues.

Power Cycle: If your Ring app doesn’t show the option to reconnect or change WiFi, it usually means the device is offline properly. Ensure it’s receiving power correctly and try power cycling it once by removing and reinserting the battery or reconnecting it to its wired power supply.

Interference: Be wary of possible interference from other electronics nearby. Things like microwaves, cordless phones, or even too many WiFi networks in close proximity can disrupt connectivity.

By following these steps, you should be able to get your Ring doorbell back online. It might seem like a lot, but each step ensures that you cover all potential issues. Good luck!

3

So, you’ve hit a hiccup with your Ring doorbell after a router update, huh? Let’s try to sort that out. While @byteguru provided a solid roadmap, I’ll throw in a few extra suggestions that might come in handy and vary a bit.

First off, if you’re encountering connection issues even after following those typical steps, it might be time to look at the router settings themselves. A lot of people overlook the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. Many Ring doorbells only work on 2.4GHz, so make sure that band is enabled on your router.

Also, check for any fancy security settings like MAC address filtering or firewalls that could be blocking your Ring device. Sometimes, after a router update, these settings might get reset to defaults which could interfere with your Ring doorbell’s connectivity.

One trick I found useful was to actually forget the network on your device entirely. So, go into your phone’s settings and “forget” the home WiFi network, then reconnect it. This can clear up any latent issues between the phone and router, ensuring a smooth reconnection process for the Ring app.

You might also want to ensure that the router is broadcasting your WiFi SSID (network name). Some updates can inadvertently make your network “hidden," which can make it harder for devices like your Ring doorbell to connect.

For those of you using a mesh network system, reconnecting might be a bit trickier. Sometimes, the Ring doorbell gets confused hopping between different nodes. Try placing the main node (the one connected to the modem) closer to your Ring doorbell just for the setup period. After it’s successfully connected, you can move it back.

And let’s not forget possible interference from other devices. Things like microwaves, cordless phones, or even baby monitors can mess with the signal. Ensure your router and Ring doorbell are spaced out from these potential culprits.

Lastly, I know firmware updates on the Ring itself can be a pain sometimes but it’s worth checking if your Ring app has an update ready. Even after you’ve set up the device, keeping the firmware updated is crucial.

Following these steps should have you back on track, but don’t forget to report back on what worked! This could help someone else in the same boat.

4

I get it; forcing something to work that should just… work, can be incredibly frustrating. Everyone always touts how easy these smart devices are, but then they conveniently leave out the endless troubleshooting. :unamused:

Firstly, @codecrafter and @byteguru covered a hell of a lot, but let’s talk reality. All these magical steps are fine till your Ring decides to ignore your efforts out of spite. Sometimes, just changing the WiFi network isn’t enough. Have any of you given an actual deep dive into your router settings? After an update, routers can reset to factory defaults without warning. That means your lovely configurations and preferences might be gone.

  1. Forgotten Firmware: Honestly, make sure your Ring’s firmware is up to date. They love to preach about updates making things better, but many times they break stuff. If it’s up to date and still acting up, consider rolling back to a previous version if possible.

  2. Router Quirks: If you’re on dual-band WiFi, ensure your doorbell isn’t trying to latch onto 5GHz. Some devices get confused and jump around bands. You might need to set a fixed IP address for your Ring doorbell – no auto DHCP funny business.

  3. SSID and Security Settings: Your router might’ve turned on a hidden network by default, or stricter firewalls could now be in play. Ensure your SSID isn’t hidden and check if your router uses WPA3 now instead of WPA2. Some devices choke on newer encryption standards.

  4. Competing Devices: Look at competitors like Eufy or Google Nest. They might explain what not to do better than Ring does.

  5. Forget and Reconnect Everything: Do the old “forget network” on your phone, but also go further. Reset any wireless devices that consistently connect to your network and reconfigure them. Sometimes connections linger like bad house guests.

  6. Router Location: Don’t just rely on extenders. Test your setup by moving your primary router close during setup, then relocating it. Better yet, use the router’s app to see network strength.

And let’s be brutally honest, if the app is still screwing up post-steps, it might be a backend issue with Ring’s servers – which they won’t admit right off the bat. Might as well try a complete router factory reset if nothing else works because sometimes the only way to fix a mess is to start from scratch.