Connect Ring to your WiFi network during setup

When you first power on a Ring device, it enters setup mode and broadcasts its own temporary WiFi network. Your phone connects to that network, then you tell the Ring app which home WiFi network you want the device to use and enter your password. The Ring device then connects to your home network and stays connected as long as the signal is strong enough and your password doesn't change.

The process takes about five minutes if your WiFi password is correct and your phone is close to the device. Most connection problems happen because the password was typed wrong, the device is too far from the router, or the router is using a WiFi standard the Ring doesn't support.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring devices need to be plugged in or have fresh batteries before they will broadcast a setup network for your phone to find.
  • Your phone must connect to the Ring's temporary network first, then tell it your home WiFi name and password through the Ring app.
  • Ring devices work on 2.4 GHz WiFi only, so if your router broadcasts only 5 GHz or 6 GHz, you must enable the 2.4 GHz band in your router settings.
  • If the Ring loses connection after setup, move it closer to the router, check that your password hasn't changed, or restart both the device and router.

Power on the Ring device and find its setup network

Plug in your Ring doorbell or camera, or insert fresh batteries if it's battery-powered. Wait 30 seconds for the device to fully boot. You should see a light on the device — usually white or blue — that indicates it's ready.

Open the Ring app on your phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left. Tap Set Up a Device, then select the type of Ring device you have. The app will ask you to connect your phone to the Ring's temporary WiFi network.

Go to your phone's WiFi settings. You should see a network name that starts with "Ring-" followed by numbers or letters. This is your device's temporary network. Tap it to connect. Your phone will show "No Internet" or a warning — this is normal. The Ring network is temporary and only exists to let you send your home WiFi details to the device.

Enter your home WiFi name and password in the Ring app

Return to the Ring app. It should now show a list of WiFi networks it can see, including your home network. Find your home WiFi name (also called the SSID) in the list and tap it. If you don't see it, make sure your router is powered on and broadcasting WiFi, then tap Refresh or Scan Again.

Enter your WiFi password exactly as it is — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". If you're not sure of your password, check the sticker on your router or log into your router's settings page from a computer.

Tap Connect or Next. The Ring device will disconnect from your phone and connect to your home network. This takes 30 to 60 seconds. The app will show a progress screen, then confirm that the device is connected.

Troubleshoot if the Ring won't connect to your home WiFi

If the connection fails, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Go back and re-enter it character by character, paying attention to capital letters and special characters. If you're still stuck, reset the Ring device by holding the setup button for 15 seconds until the light flashes, then start over.

If your password is correct but the device still won't connect, check whether your router broadcasts both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz WiFi. Ring devices only work on 2.4 GHz. Log into your router's settings (usually by typing your router's IP address into a web browser — check the router manual for the exact address) and make sure the 2.4 GHz band is turned on. Many newer routers have this enabled by default, but some are set to 5 GHz only.

If your router uses a single network name for both bands (called band steering), you may need to create a separate 2.4 GHz network with a different name so the Ring can find it. Your router manual will explain how to do this — it's usually in the WiFi settings or advanced settings section.

Move the Ring closer to your router if it keeps disconnecting

Ring devices have a limited WiFi range. If the device connects during setup but then drops off after a few minutes, it's probably too far from the router. Move the device closer — even a few feet can make a difference. If moving it isn't practical, consider adding a WiFi extender or mesh router node between the Ring and your main router.

Check the signal strength in the Ring app. Open the device settings, look for Device Health or WiFi Signal, and note the number shown. Anything above -70 dBm is acceptable; below -80 dBm means the signal is weak and the device may disconnect during heavy use or bad weather.

Reconnect the Ring if your WiFi password changes

If you change your home WiFi password, the Ring will lose connection because it still has the old password stored. Open the Ring app, go to the device settings, and look for WiFi Network or Change WiFi. Tap it and enter your new password. The device will reconnect within a minute.

If you can't find this option in your app version, you can also reset the device and set it up again from the beginning. Hold the setup button for 15 seconds, then follow the setup steps again with your new password.

Restart the Ring and router if connection problems persist

If the Ring keeps disconnecting even though the password is correct and the signal is strong, try restarting both devices. Unplug the Ring from power (or remove the batteries) and wait 10 seconds, then plug it back in. At the same time, unplug your router, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Let both devices fully boot — this usually takes 30 to 60 seconds — then check whether the Ring reconnects.

If restarting doesn't work, check whether your router's firmware is up to date. Log into your router's settings page and look for a firmware or software update option. Older router firmware sometimes has compatibility issues with newer smart home devices. Updating usually takes 5 to 10 minutes and requires the router to restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a 5 GHz WiFi network instead of 2.4 GHz?

No. Ring devices only connect to 2.4 GHz networks. If your router broadcasts both bands, make sure 2.4 GHz is enabled. If your router only broadcasts 5 GHz, you'll need to enable the 2.4 GHz band in the router settings or create a separate 2.4 GHz network.

What if I don't know my WiFi password?

Check the sticker on the bottom or back of your router — the password is usually printed there. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, log into your router from a computer by typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser. You'll need the router's admin username and password, which are also on the sticker.

Why does the Ring app say it can't find my WiFi network?

Make sure your router is powered on and broadcasting WiFi. If it is, try tapping Refresh or Scan Again in the app. If your network still doesn't appear, restart your router and try again. Some routers take a minute to fully boot.

Can I move the Ring to a different WiFi network later?

Yes. Open the Ring app, go to the device settings, find WiFi Network, and select a different network. Enter the password for the new network and the device will reconnect. This is useful if you have a guest network or a second router in another part of your home.

How far can the Ring be from the router?

Ring devices typically work within 50 to 100 feet of the router in open space, but walls and interference can reduce this range significantly. If the device is more than one wall away from the router, the signal may be too weak. Check the signal strength in the app's device health section — anything above -70 dBm is reliable.