The ring video doorbell is one of the most popular security devices on the market. They allow homeowners to watch their doorsteps and communicate with visitors using their phones.
However, a typical problem that many users face is their Ring Doorbell not connecting to wifi—which prevents them from receiving notifications. While this is an obnoxious issue to face, there is hope!
In this guide, we'll cover eight steps to troubleshoot your Ring Doorbell when it won't connect to Wi-Fi. We’ll also cover what to do if your device is determined broken.
So whether you're having a temporary glitch or a more serious issue, these suggestions will assist you in getting your wireless doorbell camera back up and running.
Let’s get to it!
1. Is the Device Within Range of your WiFi Network?
Probably the most common reason you Ring Doorbell won’t Connect to wifi is because it’s out of range of the wifi network. If it is too far away, the signal strength may be too weak for the device to connect.
To check if your device is within range, try temporarily moving your device closer to your router.
If this resolves the problem, you may need to use a wifi range extender or move the router or access point closer to the Ring Doorbell.
You can also check the documentation for your router or access point, which will typically give you a range for your wifi network. Most devices will list the maximum range or coverage area, which can give you an idea of whether or not your Ring Doorbell is within range.
2. Battery and Power Issues
Another reason your Ring doorbell camera isn't connected to wifi is a battery or power issue.
If the battery is dead (or near depleted) or the device does not receive enough power when hardwired, it may not function properly— including connecting to wifi.
To troubleshoot, remove the battery from the doorbell and inspect it. Check if it's fully charged and properly seated in the device.
If you're hardwired into your house, make sure the power source is working properly and that the device is getting enough power.
3. Is the Wi-Fi Network Functioning Properly
If your video doorbell is well within the range of your wifi network and there are no power issues, the problem may lie in with the wifi network itself.
Here are several ways to verify that your wifi is working correctly.
- Check whether you can connect to the internet using another device—such as a smartphone or a computer.
- Make sure you’re connected to the right wifi network. It's possible you could have joined the wrong network by accident. Additionally, ensure that you are using the right password.
- Verify that your modem and router are both connected and turned on. If you recently reset the router, it may take a few minutes for it to fully restart and connect. also, ensure that all cords are connected well and secure.
- Some devices and appliances can operate on the same frequency band, so you may need to check for interference. Try moving nearby devices away from the router or use an alternative frequency band.
- Check for any firmware updates. If you are having problems with your wifi connection, there could be an update available to fix a known issue (such as wifi problems).
4. Restart Your Router or Modem
Sometimes the easiest way to fix something is to turn it off and on again. Restarting your router or modem may resolve some connection issues.
To restart your router or modem, Â refer to your device documentation.
However, the following steps tend to work for most network devices.
- Unplug the power cord from the router/modem.
- Wait a few seconds, and then plug the cord back into the device.
- Wait for the device to boot up, which could take anywhere between 1 to 5 minutes.
- Once the device has restarted, try connecting your doorbell camera to the wifi again.
Additionally, most network devices have a reset button on the back. To reset using this button, press it for 3 seconds (no longer) and release. Then wait for the device to boot.
5. Try Resetting Your Ring Doorbell
If everything above has failed, you may need to factory reset the Ring doorbell itself. Resetting devices can sometimes resolve connection issues.
To perform a hard reset on your Ring doorbell, follow these steps:
- Press and hold the orange button on the back of the device for 20 seconds. On some models, the reset button will be under the front faceplate of the device.
- After releasing the button, a light on the front of the device will flash several times.
- Wait for the device to reboot, which may take several minutes.
After rebooting, the device should be reset to factory settings. You will need to re-configure the device and reconnect it to your wifi network.
6. Is Your WiFi Network Using a 2.4 GHz Band?
Most new Ring doorbell models support dual-band (both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wifi networks). However, I recommend specifically connecting to your 2.4 GHz band, which can solve a ton of connectivity and range issues.
To check which band your wifi network is using, follow these steps using a computer:
- Connect to your wifi network
- Go to the network settings panel by clicking on the wifi icon in the taskbar or system tray
- From the list of available networks, click on the properties of your wifi network
- In the window that opens, scroll down until you see the Network Band setting. It will display either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz
If your wifi network is set to use the 5 GHz band and you are unable to change it, you may need to call your internet provider or set up a separate 2.4 GHz network for the Ring Doorbell to connect to.
7. Disconnect Other Devices from the WiFi Network
Another oddball thing you can try is disconnecting other devices from your wifi network. Sometimes having too many devices connected to the same network can cause interference and reduce the overall speed and performance of the network.
You may be able to free up bandwidth and enhance the connection strength of your Ring Doorbell by temporarily disconnecting other devices.
8. Check for a Firmware Update
The next thing you can try is checking for a firmware update for your doorbell. The firm is essentially the programming (or software) that runs the doorbell.
Updating the firmware can occasionally remedy connectivity difficulties by resolving bugs or introducing new functionality.
To check for firmware upgrades on your Ring Doorbell, follow these instructions.
- Launch the Ring App.
- Select the three horizontal dots in the upper left corner.
- Select the Device Health tab.
- The app will display device information—scroll down to the firmware version. If a newer version is available, the app will notify you and give steps for upgrading the device.
- If an update is available, you should receive a notification that one is. Simply click the Update button to update.
Remember that in order to do a firmware upgrade, you may need to connect your doorbell to both a power source and the internet.
What Should I Do if the Issue Cannot Be Resolved?
If all of the above have failed and you are still unable to connect your Ring video doorbell to the internet, you may consider contacting Ring support for further assistance.
Ring customer support has additional troubleshooting ideas and can likely get you back up and running in no time.
It's worth noting that if your Ring Doorbell is still under warranty, you might be able to get it serviced or replaced for free. Check your warranty terms to verify if your equipment is protected.
If you do have to replace your device and it's not under warranty, consider checking out this list of Ring Doorbell alternatives with no monthly fees. With Ring's recent privacy issues and increased fees, there are better options on the market today.
When shopping for a new video doorbell, be sure to consider compatibility with your existing WiFi network.
Wrapping it Up
You made it! The end of our troubleshooting journey!
We've explored a variety of techniques, such as disconnecting other devices, to update your firmware.
I hope this guide equipped you with the knowledge you need to fix a Ring Doorbell that won't connect to wifi. If you still have problems, don't hesitate to contact Ring's customer service. And if you find yourself needing to replace your video doorbell, consider checking out my updated list of the best video doorbells of 2023!
Happy troubleshooting!
