You need the Ring app, your new Wi-Fi password, and about five minutes

To change the Wi-Fi network your Ring device connects to, open the Ring app on your phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right, select your device, tap Device Health, then tap Wi-Fi Network. Choose "Change Wi-Fi Network," select your new network from the list, enter the password, and wait for the device to reconnect — usually 30 seconds to two minutes. The device will restart and show a solid blue light when it has successfully connected.

This process works the same way whether you are switching to a different router, moving to a new home, or changing your Wi-Fi password after a security update. The Ring device does not store your old network information after it connects to the new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Ring app, navigate to your device settings, and select "Change Wi-Fi Network" from the Device Health menu.
  • Your Ring device must be powered on and within range of the new Wi-Fi network during the change process.
  • The device will restart after connecting to the new network, which takes one to three minutes total.
  • If the connection fails, restart your router and try again — most failures happen because the password was entered incorrectly or the network signal is too weak.
  • You do not need to unplug the device or reset it to factory settings unless the app cannot find your device at all.

What you need before you start

Have your new Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password ready before you open the Ring app. If you do not know your password, you can find it on the back of your router or in your router's admin panel — usually accessed by typing your router's IP address into a web browser. Write it down exactly as it appears, including capital letters and special characters, because the Ring app is case-sensitive.

Make sure your Ring device is powered on and in the same room as your phone. Ring devices work best when they are within 30 feet of your router and have a clear line of sight to it — walls and metal objects weaken the signal. If your device is far from the router, move it closer temporarily while you change the network, then move it back once it has connected.

Step-by-step: changing your Wi-Fi in the Ring app

Open the Ring app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner. Tap the device you want to change (for example, "Front Door Camera" or "Ring Doorbell"). Scroll down and tap "Device Health." You will see a section labeled "Wi-Fi Network" with your current network name displayed. Tap "Change Wi-Fi Network."

The app will scan for available networks and show you a list. Tap the name of your new network. A text field will appear asking for the password. Type it carefully — if you make a mistake, the device will not connect and you will see an error message. Tap "Connect" and wait. The app will show a connecting message, and the device itself will restart. This takes one to three minutes. When the light on the device turns solid blue, the connection is complete.

What to do if the connection fails

If you see an error message or the device does not reconnect after five minutes, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Go back to your router and confirm the password character by character, then try again. Pay special attention to the number zero versus the letter O, and the number one versus the letter I.

If the password is correct but the device still will not connect, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for the router to fully restart (usually two to three minutes), then try changing the Wi-Fi network again. If the device still does not connect after a second attempt, move it closer to the router and try once more — weak signal is the second most common reason for connection failures.

If the Ring app cannot find your device at all, or if you see a message saying the device is offline, your device may have lost power or become disconnected from the network entirely. Check that it is plugged in (for wired devices like Ring Doorbells) or that the batteries are not dead (for battery-powered devices like Ring Stick Up Cam). If the device is powered on but still offline, you may need to perform a factory reset, which erases all settings and returns the device to its original state — you will then set it up as if it were new.

Why you might need to change your Wi-Fi network

The most common reason is changing your Wi-Fi password for security reasons. If you have not updated your password in over a year, or if someone you no longer trust has access to it, changing the password and reconnecting your Ring device is a straightforward way to lock them out. Your Ring device will only work on networks it has been explicitly connected to, so connecting it to a new password means old credentials stop working.

You may also need to change networks if you are moving to a new home, upgrading your router, or splitting your network into separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Ring devices work on both frequencies, but some routers broadcast them as a single network and some as two separate networks. If your router now shows two network names instead of one, you may need to reconnect to the one your device prefers — usually the 2.4 GHz band, which has better range through walls.

Keeping your Ring device find after reconnecting

Once your device is connected to the new network, make sure your Ring account password is strong and different from your Wi-Fi password. A strong password has at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. This prevents someone who knows your Wi-Fi password from accessing your Ring account and your camera footage.

Check your Ring app settings to see which devices have access to your account. Tap the three lines, then tap "Control Center," then tap "Invite Family & Guests" to see who can view your camera. Remove anyone you no longer want to have access. Ring also sends notifications to your phone when someone views your camera or when motion is detected, so you can spot unauthorized access quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the Ring app to change Wi-Fi, or can I do it on the device itself?

You must use the Ring app — there is no button or menu on the device itself to change the network. The app is the only way to tell the device which network to connect to and to enter the password.

What happens to my recorded video if I change the Wi-Fi network?

Your recorded video stays in your Ring account and is not affected by changing networks. Video is stored on Ring's servers, not on the device, so reconnecting to a new network does not delete anything. You will continue to see all your past recordings in the app.

Can I change the Wi-Fi network if my Ring device is offline?

No, the device must be powered on and connected to your current network to change to a new one. If it is offline, reconnect it to your old network first, then change to the new network. If you cannot reconnect to the old network, you will need to perform a factory reset.

How do I know if my Ring device is using 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

Open the Ring app, go to Device Health, and look at the Wi-Fi Network section. It will show the network name and signal strength but not the frequency. If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks with different names, you can see which one your device is connected to by checking which network name appears in the app.

Will changing Wi-Fi networks affect my Ring subscription or features?

No, changing networks does not affect your subscription or any features. Your Ring account remains the same, and all your settings stay in place. The device straightforward connects to a different network to reach the internet.