Change your Ring device's WiFi in the Ring app in about five minutes
To change the WiFi network your Ring doorbell or camera uses, open the Ring app, go to your device settings, and select the option to change WiFi. The app will walk you through disconnecting from your old network and connecting to your new one. You do not need to reset the device or remove it from your account — just follow the in-app steps and your Ring will reconnect to the new network within a few minutes.
This process works the same way whether you are switching to a different router, moving to a new home, or changing your WiFi password. The device stays registered to your account the whole time.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Ring app, tap your device, go to Device Settings, and select Change WiFi to start the process without resetting anything.
- Have your new WiFi network name and password ready before you begin, because the app will ask for them during the process.
- The device will disconnect from the old network and reconnect to the new one within two to five minutes — you will see the status change in the app.
- If the connection fails, check that your WiFi password is correct and that your router is within range of the device.
- You do not need to remove the device from your Ring account or factory reset it unless the change WiFi option does not work.
Step-by-step: changing WiFi in the Ring app
Start by opening the Ring app on your phone or tablet. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right corner, then select the device you want to change — for example, "Front Door" or "Backyard Camera".
Once you are in the device view, tap the gear icon (settings) in the top right. Scroll down and look for an option labeled Change WiFi, WiFi Network, or Network Settings — the exact wording depends on your device model and app version. Tap it.
The app will show you the network your device is currently connected to. Tap Change WiFi or Disconnect to start the process. The device will disconnect from your old network and enter pairing mode. You will see a message saying the device is ready to connect to a new network.
When prompted, select your new WiFi network name from the list the app shows you. Enter your new WiFi password exactly as it is — capitalization and special characters matter. Tap Connect or Next. The app will attempt to connect your Ring device to the new network.
What to do if the connection fails
If the app shows an error or the device does not connect after a few minutes, the most common cause is an incorrect WiFi password. Go back and re-enter your password character by character, checking for capital letters, numbers, and symbols. If you are not sure what your password is, check your router's label or log into your router's settings page from a computer or phone on that network.
The second most common issue is that your Ring device is too far from the router. Ring devices need a reasonably strong WiFi signal — if the device is in a garage, basement, or far corner of your home, it may struggle to connect. Try moving the router closer temporarily, or move the Ring device closer to the router during setup. Once it connects, you can move it back to its original location if the signal is still strong enough.
If you have a dual-band router (one that broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks), Ring devices work best on the 2.4 GHz band. If your router is set to broadcast only 5 GHz, or if you are trying to connect to the 5 GHz band, switch to the 2.4 GHz network and try again. You can usually do this in your router settings or by selecting a different network name in the Ring app — many routers show separate names for each band.
When to factory reset your Ring device
You only need to factory reset your Ring device if the Change WiFi option in the app does not work or does not appear. A factory reset erases all settings and removes the device from your account, so use it as a last resort.
To factory reset, locate the small reset button on your device — on most Ring doorbells it is on the back or bottom, and on cameras it is usually on the side or back. Use a straightened paperclip or a small tool to press and hold the reset button for 15 to 20 seconds until the light on the device flashes or changes color. Release the button and wait for the device to restart, which takes about a minute.
After the reset, the device will appear as a new device in the Ring app. You will need to add it to your account again by tapping the plus icon in the app, scanning the setup code on the device, and following the setup steps. This is a longer process than simply changing WiFi, so only do this if changing WiFi through the app does not work.
Changing WiFi when you move to a new home
If you are moving your Ring device to a new home with a different WiFi network, the process is the same: open the app, go to device settings, and select Change WiFi. Your device stays registered to your Ring account the whole time, so you do not lose any video history or settings.
If you are moving the device to a location where the WiFi signal is much weaker, you may want to consider a WiFi extender or a mesh router system. Ring devices need a signal strong enough to send video to the cloud, so if your new location is far from the router or has thick walls between the device and router, you may see delays or dropped connections.
Troubleshooting: device shows offline after changing WiFi
Sometimes a Ring device will show as offline in the app even though you successfully entered the WiFi password. Wait two to three minutes — the device may still be connecting. If it remains offline, open the app and try changing WiFi again, making sure to re-enter the password carefully.
If the device stays offline, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. While the router restarts, also restart your phone by closing and reopening the Ring app. Once both are back online, check the device status in the app — it should show as online within a few minutes.
If the device is still offline after restarting both the router and the app, check whether other devices in your home can connect to that WiFi network. If they cannot, the problem is with your router or internet connection, not the Ring device. If other devices connect fine but the Ring does not, try the factory reset process described above.
Changing WiFi on multiple Ring devices
If you have more than one Ring device, you can change them one at a time using the same steps. Open the app, select the first device, change its WiFi, wait for it to reconnect, then move on to the next device. You do not need to change them all at once — you can do them over several days if you prefer.
If you are changing all your devices because you got a new router or changed your WiFi password, you can change them in any order. There is no benefit to doing them quickly one after another, so take your time and make sure each one connects successfully before moving to the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my video history if I change WiFi?
No. Your video history stays in your Ring account and on the cloud. Changing WiFi does not affect your recordings or account settings — the device just connects to a different network.
Can I change WiFi without the Ring app?
No, you need the Ring app to change WiFi. The app is the only way to tell your device to disconnect from the old network and connect to the new one without resetting it.
How long does it take for the device to reconnect after I change WiFi?
Usually two to five minutes. The app will show a connecting status, then change to online once the device is ready. If it takes longer than 10 minutes, the connection probably failed — check your password and try again.
What if I forgot my new WiFi password?
You will need to find or reset your WiFi password before you can connect the Ring device. Log into your router from a computer or phone that is already on that network, or check the router's label for the default password. Once you have the password, go back to the Change WiFi screen in the Ring app and enter it.
Will changing WiFi affect my Ring subscription or recording settings?
No. Your subscription, recording settings, and all other account features stay exactly the same. Changing WiFi only changes which network the device uses to connect to the internet.