How to change the WiFi network on your Ring Video Doorbell
To change your Ring doorbell to a different WiFi network, you remove it from the old network in the Ring app, then add it back as if it were new. The doorbell itself doesn't have buttons or a screen — all the work happens through the app on your phone. The process takes about five minutes and doesn't require you to physically remove the doorbell from your door.
You'll need the Ring app installed on your phone, the WiFi password for the new network, and access to the doorbell's setup mode. If you're switching because your old network is down, you can still do this as long as you have another phone or device connected to the new network.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Ring app, find your doorbell in the device list, and tap the three-dot menu to remove it from your account.
- Once removed, the doorbell enters setup mode automatically and waits for you to add it back to a network.
- When you add it again, the app will ask you to scan the setup code on the doorbell or on its original box, then select your new WiFi network and enter the password.
- The doorbell will reconnect within two to three minutes; if it doesn't, restart your WiFi router and try again.
- Your recorded video history stays on Ring's servers and will be there after the doorbell reconnects, so you won't lose footage.
Remove the doorbell from the Ring app
Open the Ring app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner to open the menu. Tap Devices, then find your Video Doorbell in the list and tap it. At the top right of the screen, tap the three dots (the menu icon).
Scroll down and tap Remove Device. The app will ask you to confirm — tap Remove again. This disconnects the doorbell from your account and puts it into setup mode, ready to connect to a new network. The doorbell itself will not turn off or reset; it's just waiting for new instructions.
Put the doorbell into setup mode
After you remove the device from the app, the doorbell enters setup mode on its own. You don't need to press any buttons or hold anything down. The doorbell will stay in setup mode for about 10 minutes, which gives you time to add it back.
If you wait longer than 10 minutes, the doorbell will exit setup mode and try to reconnect to the old network. If that happens, just remove it from the app again — it only takes a few seconds.
Add the doorbell back to the Ring app
Open the Ring app and tap the three lines at the bottom right, then tap Devices. Tap the + icon in the top right corner, then select Video Doorbell (or whichever model you have). The app will ask you to scan the setup code.
The setup code is a small square barcode on the back of your doorbell or on the original box it came in. Point your phone's camera at the code and let the app scan it. If you can't find the code or the scan doesn't work, you can tap Can't scan it? and enter the code manually instead — it's printed right below the barcode.
Select your new WiFi network and enter the password
After the app scans the setup code, it will show you a list of WiFi networks in range. Tap the network you want to use. The app will then ask you to enter the password for that network. Type it carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, so capital letters matter.
If you're not sure whether your password is correct, check it on another device that's already connected to that network. On most phones, you can go to Settings, find the WiFi network, and tap it to see the password (though some phones hide this). Once you enter the password, tap Connect.
Wait for the doorbell to reconnect
The app will show a loading screen while the doorbell connects to the new network. This usually takes two to three minutes. Don't close the app or turn off your phone during this time — just wait for the screen to say the doorbell is online.
If the doorbell doesn't connect after five minutes, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Go back and check the password character by character, including whether caps lock is on. If the password is correct, restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully restart. Then try adding the doorbell again.
Verify the doorbell is working on the new network
Once the app says the doorbell is online, tap on it in the Devices list to open its settings. You should see a live video feed from the doorbell. If you see the video, the doorbell is connected and working. Tap the settings icon (usually a gear) and scroll down to WiFi Network — it should show the name of your new network.
Check that motion alerts are turned on if you want them. Tap Motion Alerts and make sure the toggle is switched on. You can also test the doorbell by walking in front of it — you should get a notification on your phone within a few seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my recorded video when I change networks?
No. Your recorded video is stored on Ring's servers, not on the doorbell itself. Once the doorbell reconnects to the new network, you'll see all your old footage in the app just as before. The doorbell doesn't need to be on the same network to access your history.
What if I don't have the setup code?
The setup code is printed on the back of the doorbell itself and also on the original box. If you've lost both, you can contact Ring support with your account information and they can provide the code. You can also try the manual entry option in the app — it asks for the same code but lets you type it instead of scanning.
Can I change networks without removing the doorbell from my account?
No. The Ring app doesn't have an option to just switch networks — you have to remove and re-add the device. This is by design, because the doorbell needs to forget the old network password before it can connect to a new one.
What if my new network has the same name as the old one?
The doorbell will connect fine. It doesn't care about the network name — it only cares about the password and the actual network signal. If both networks have the same name but different passwords (which sometimes happens with mesh networks), just enter the password for the new network and it will work.
How long does the whole process take?
From opening the app to seeing a live video feed usually takes five to ten minutes. Most of that time is waiting for the doorbell to connect to the new network. If you run into password issues, it can take longer, but the actual steps are quick.