Change your Ring device's WiFi by opening the Ring app, selecting the device, tapping Device Settings, choosing WiFi Network, and entering your new network name and password

Ring devices — doorbells, cameras, and alarm systems — connect to your home WiFi to send video and alerts to your phone. If you change internet providers, move your router, or switch to a new network name, you need to reconnect the Ring device to the new WiFi. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way across all Ring products.

You do not need a technician or special equipment. You only need the Ring app on your phone and your new WiFi network name and password. If you have forgotten your WiFi password, you can find it on your router or contact your internet provider before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Ring app, tap the three-line menu, and select the device you want to reconnect.
  • Go to Device Settings, then WiFi Network, and choose your new network from the list.
  • Enter your WiFi password exactly as it appears — Ring is case-sensitive and will reject a password with even one wrong letter.
  • If your device does not appear in the network list, restart your router and try again, or move the device closer to the router temporarily.
  • The device will disconnect from the old network and reconnect to the new one; this usually takes one to three minutes.

Open the Ring app and find your device

Start by unlocking your phone and opening the Ring app. If you do not have it installed, read it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store — it is free. Log in with the email and password you used when you first set up your Ring device.

Once you are logged in, you will see a list of all Ring devices connected to your account. Tap the device you want to reconnect — for example, "Front Door" or "Backyard Camera". If you have multiple devices and are not sure which one you need to change, look at the live video feed: the one showing the right location is the one you want.

Navigate to WiFi settings

On the device screen, look for a three-dot menu icon or a gear icon in the top right corner. Tap it to open the menu. Select "Device Settings" from the list that appears.

In Device Settings, scroll down until you see "WiFi Network" or "WiFi". Tap it. The app will now show you the network your device is currently connected to and give you the option to change it.

Select your new WiFi network

Tap "Change WiFi Network" or "Select Network". The app will scan for available networks and show you a list. Find your new network name in the list and tap it. If you do not see your network, make sure your router is turned on and within range of the Ring device — most Ring devices need to be within 30 feet of the router to connect.

If your network still does not appear after waiting 10 seconds, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot. Then go back to the Ring app and try scanning again.

Enter your WiFi password correctly

After you select your network, the app will ask you to enter your WiFi password. Type it exactly as it is — Ring passwords are case-sensitive, which means capital letters and lowercase letters are different. If your password is "MyPassword123", typing "mypassword123" will not work.

If you are not sure of your password, you can find it on the back or bottom of your router, usually on a sticker. If you have changed it since you set up the router, you may need to check your email for a confirmation message, or log into your router's settings through a web browser on your computer. Your internet provider can also tell you the password if you call them.

Wait for the device to reconnect

After you enter your password and tap "Connect" or "Save", the app will show a loading screen. The device is now disconnecting from the old network and connecting to the new one. This usually takes one to three minutes. Do not close the app or move away from the device during this time.

Once the connection is complete, you will see a confirmation message in the app. The device will now appear as "Connected" in your Device Settings. If you see an error message instead, go back and check that you typed your password correctly — this is the most common reason the connection fails.

Troubleshoot if the connection fails

If the device does not reconnect after five minutes, or if you see an error message, try these steps in order. First, make sure your Ring device is powered on. If it is a battery-powered device like a Ring Video Doorbell, check that the battery is not completely drained — the app will show the battery level in Device Settings.

Second, move the device closer to your router temporarily — within 10 feet if possible. WiFi signals weaken over distance, and a device that is far from the router may struggle to connect. Once it connects, you can move it back to its permanent location.

Third, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Then try connecting the Ring device again. If you still see an error, restart your phone by turning it off and back on, then open the Ring app and try once more.

If none of these steps work, your WiFi network may have a setting that blocks new devices. Some routers have a "MAC filtering" or "device blocking" feature turned on. Check your router's settings — you can usually do this by typing your router's IP address into a web browser on your computer. If you are not comfortable changing router settings, contact your internet provider for help.

What happens to your old network connection

When your Ring device connects to the new WiFi network, it automatically forgets the old one. You do not need to do anything to remove it from the old network — the device straightforward stops using it. If you later want to connect the device back to the old network, you follow the same steps and select the old network name from the list.

If you are replacing your old router entirely and keeping the same network name and password, your Ring device may reconnect automatically without you doing anything. Check the app a few minutes after you set up the new router. If the device shows as "Connected", the automatic reconnection worked and you are done.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not know my WiFi network name?

Your network name is shown on the sticker on your router, usually labeled "SSID" or "Network Name". It is also the name that appears when you look at available WiFi networks on your phone. If you cannot find it, restart your router and look at the sticker again, or call your internet provider.

Can I change the WiFi on a Ring device that is not mine?

No. You can only change WiFi settings for devices that are registered to your Ring account. If someone else owns the device, they need to change the WiFi themselves using their own Ring app account. You cannot change settings for a device you do not own, even if you know the password.

Do I need to reconnect all my Ring devices at once?

No. You can reconnect them one at a time, in any order. Each device connects independently. If you have multiple Ring devices, you can change the WiFi on one, wait for it to finish, and then change the next one.

Will changing WiFi erase my video recordings?

No. Your video history stays in the Ring app and on Ring's servers. Changing WiFi does not delete anything. Once the device reconnects to the new network, it will continue recording and sending video as normal.

What if my new WiFi network uses a 5GHz band instead of 2.4GHz?

Most Ring devices work on 2.4GHz networks only and will not connect to 5GHz. If your new router broadcasts both bands, make sure you select the 2.4GHz network name when connecting. If your router only broadcasts 5GHz, you may need to change the router settings to enable the 2.4GHz band, or contact your internet provider for a router that supports both.