Fixing Repeated In-App Setup Failures

If you're having repeated issues setting up your Ring doorbell or security camera—like connecting to the Ring device's temporary network or your home wifi—try the steps below to troubleshoot.

Quick Tip: Is your router physically blocked?
Sometimes, moving your router can be the quickest fix for connection issues. If there are large metal appliances, multiple walls, or stone, concrete, or other dense materials between your device and your wifi router, you may notice performance issues. Try moving it closer to your Ring device, if possible, or into an open, unblocked space if it's behind a couch or inside a closet.

Issues connecting to Ring's temporary access point during setup

During initial setup, your Ring device will broadcast a temporary wifi network that you will use to connect to the device directly for setup. If you can't connect to the Ring temporary network, try the steps below. Potential fixes vary depending on your mobile device and are limited to settings most likely to interfere with the setup process.

Things to try

On iOS (Apple)

• Reboot your iOS device (shut it off completely) and Ring device, then try setting up again.
• Change your cellular data settings. If you don't see your home wifi network when you're setting up your device, you could try temporarily disabling your cellular data to prevent potential interference.
• Adjust your wifi settings. 
  1. Tap Settings (the gear icon), then tap Wifi.
  2. Under this setting, you'll see a list of different networks in range. Below that list, tap Ask to Join Networks, then tap Ask.
  3. Try to setup your Ring device again. You should be prompted to connect to the Ring temporary network.

On Android (Samsung, Google, etc.)

If you're using an Android device and can't connect to the Ring network, you may need to adjust the Smart Network Switch.

Try setup on another device

If issues persist, try using a different mobile device (such as a tablet or alternate mobile phone) to log into the Ring app and set up from there. Keep in mind you'll need to be logged in with your username and password to become the owner of the new Ring device.

Remember to fully charge your Ring device's battery!

If you're setting up a new battery-powered Ring device, your battery will be only partially charged out of the box due to safety restrictions on shipping lithium ion batteries. You should fully charge it prior to setup. Your battery could take up to 6-8 hours to fully charge. Once you've completed setup, you'll be able to see your battery charge percentage in the Ring app. 

Issues connecting to your home wifi network

If you have issues connecting to your home wifi, try the steps below.

Things to check

• Make sure you're entering the correct password. Passwords are case sensitive and do not include spaces. Your network password can often be found on the bottom or side of your router.
• Make sure your password doesn't have any special characters. If your password contains characters like an asterisk (*), pound sign (#), or exclamation mark (!), remove them by changing the password in your router's settings. If you do not have access to these settings, contact your internet service provider to change the password.
• Make sure you have a 5 GHz compatible Ring device if you're trying to connect to a 5 GHz network. If you do have a 5 GHz compatible device but still have issues, connect to a 2.4 GHz network first – then switch to the 5 GHz network after setup is complete. You can do so via the Device Health section of the Ring app. 

Things to try

Test distances

Your Ring device may be too far from your router. If your Ring device is battery-powered, or if you can move it from the mounting location, try bringing it a few feet closer to your router before setup. Plus, consider the following:

• Sometimes wifi interference can cause setup to fail. Learn more about common causes here.
• If the above steps don't work, you may need to add a wifi extender such as the Ring Chime Pro for best performance.
• If your home is larger than 1500 sq. feet or has multiple levels, a mesh network could provide a more consistent wifi signal to your devices.
  

Reboot your modem or router

For optimal performance, we suggest rebooting once a month.

1. Unplug your router and/or modem from its power supply.
2. If your router and modem are separate devices, unplug both of them.
3. Wait at least 30 seconds, then plug back in.
4. Wait 30 seconds to one minute for your router and/or modem to boot up.
5. Confirm that your internet is back on by connecting another device to your wifi network and trying to access a website. Then repeat the setup process.

Other notes on modems and routers:

• Routers older than 4-5 years may have exceeded their lifespan and might need to be replaced.
• Ring devices are not currently compatible with WPA3. 
• If you have a Wi-Fi 6 router in 802.11 ac/ax mode and can't complete your setup, you could try changing a network band or the guest network to 802.11 b/g/n mode and connecting your Ring device to it to successfully complete setup. 

How to perform a Reset/Restore on your Ring device

WARNING: DO NOT use these steps with any Ring Alarm device.

If you’re still having issues, try performing a reset/restore on your Ring device by holding down its reset button for 20 seconds and then releasing it. Before you reset your device, make sure to download any videos in your account.

If you're not sure what Ring doorbell or camera you have and you've set it up before, find the Product Name in the Device Health section of the Ring app. If you have a new device, look for the product name on the box.

Reset button locations on Ring devices

• Ring Video Doorbell (1st Generation): Orange button on the back.
• Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation): Orange button on the back. 
• Ring Video Doorbell 2: Small black button on the front under the faceplate. 
• Ring Video Doorbell 3: Small black button on the front under the faceplate. 
• Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus: Small black button on the front under the faceplate.  
• Ring Battery Doorbell Plus: Small black button with orange dot under the faceplate.
• Ring Video Doorbell 4: Small black button on the front under the faceplate.
• Ring Video Doorbell Wired: Small black button with orange dot under the faceplate. 
• Ring Video Doorbell Pro: Small black button on the right side of the device.
  • Note: You will need to wait until the light turns off, which can take up to 60 seconds.
• Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: Small black button on the right of the device.  
• Ring Video Doorbell Elite: Small black button on the front.
• Ring Spotlight Cams/Ring Floodlight Cams: Button on top of the camera.
• Ring Stick Up Cams: White or orange button on the bottom of the camera, under the battery cover.
• Ring Indoor Cams: White button on the top of the camera.

After performing a reset/restore, wait one to two minutes then attempt setup again. Make sure that:

• You enter the correct password for your wifi network. Passwords are case sensitive.
• You’re not too far away from your wifi router.
• Your internet service is not down.

Additional troubleshooting steps here