WiFi Troubleshooting

Ring Camera WiFi Troubleshooting: How to Reconnect Your Camera

Updated January 2025 • 14 min read

Is your Ring camera not connecting to WiFi? You're staring at that offline status in the app, wondering if your camera has decided to take a permanent vacation. Whether your Ring camera went offline after a power outage, router change, or for absolutely no apparent reason, this guide will walk you through exactly how to get it back online.

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Table of Contents

Quick Fix - Try This First:

  1. Power cycle your Ring camera (remove battery or unplug for 30 seconds)
  2. Restart your router (unplug for 30 seconds)
  3. Check Ring server status at status.ring.com
  4. Open Ring app > Device Health > Reconnect to WiFi

This sequence resolves about 80% of Ring camera WiFi issues in under 5 minutes.

Why Is My Ring Camera Offline?

When your Ring camera goes offline, it means the camera has lost its connection to your WiFi network. Understanding why this happens helps you fix it faster and prevent future issues.

Common Reasons Ring Cameras Go Offline

Power Issues

  • Dead battery: Battery-powered cameras will go offline when the battery depletes below 10%
  • Power outage: Wired cameras lose connection during outages and may not automatically reconnect
  • Faulty power adapter: Damaged cables or adapters can cause intermittent power loss

WiFi Network Changes

  • Changed WiFi password: Your camera still has the old password saved
  • New router: Camera needs to be set up with the new network
  • Router firmware update: Some updates change network settings
  • ISP outage: No internet means no Ring connection

Signal Problems

  • Weak WiFi signal: Camera is too far from the router
  • Interference: Walls, metal objects, or other electronics blocking signal
  • Network congestion: Too many devices on your WiFi network
  • Wrong frequency band: Camera connected to 5GHz instead of 2.4GHz

Environmental Factors

  • Extreme temperatures: Very hot or cold weather affects battery performance and electronics
  • Weather interference: Heavy rain or snow can temporarily disrupt signals
  • Physical obstruction: New objects (furniture, decorations) blocking signal path

How to Check WiFi Signal Strength

Before troubleshooting connection issues, you need to know if your Ring camera is receiving adequate WiFi signal. The Ring app makes this easy to check.

Finding Your RSSI Value

  1. Open the Ring app on your smartphone
  2. Tap the three lines (menu) in the top left
  3. Select Devices
  4. Tap on your offline camera
  5. Select Device Health
  6. Look for Signal Strength or RSSI

RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) is measured in negative numbers. The closer to zero, the better your signal.

RSSI Value Signal Quality Expected Performance
-40 to -50 Excellent Perfect for all Ring features including live view and 1080p video
-51 to -60 Good Reliable connection for most operations
-61 to -65 Fair May experience occasional buffering or delayed notifications
-66 to -70 Poor Frequent connection drops likely; consider a WiFi extender
-71 or lower Very Poor Camera will frequently go offline; extender required

Important: If your camera is completely offline, you may not be able to see the RSSI value in the app. In this case, check where the camera was installed relative to your router and consider if anything has changed (new walls, furniture, or electronic devices).

How to Reconnect Ring Camera to WiFi

Follow these step-by-step instructions to get your Ring camera back online. Start with Step 1 and work through each step until your camera connects.

1Restart Your Router

This simple step fixes more connection issues than any other:

  1. Unplug your router from power
  2. Wait 30 seconds (this clears the router's memory)
  3. Plug the router back in
  4. Wait 2-3 minutes for the router to fully restart
  5. Check if your Ring camera reconnects automatically
2Power Cycle Your Ring Camera

Restarting the camera forces it to establish a fresh connection:

  • Battery cameras: Remove the battery, wait 30 seconds, reinsert
  • Plug-in cameras: Unplug from power, wait 30 seconds, plug back in
  • Hardwired cameras: Turn off the circuit breaker for 30 seconds, then turn back on

Wait 2-3 minutes and check the Ring app to see if the camera shows as online.

3Reconnect Through the Ring App

If power cycling didn't work, manually reconnect your camera to WiFi:

  1. Open the Ring app
  2. Tap the menu icon (three lines) > Devices
  3. Select your offline camera
  4. Tap Device Health
  5. Tap Reconnect to WiFi or Change WiFi Network
  6. Follow the on-screen prompts
  7. Press the setup button on your camera when prompted (usually orange button)
  8. Wait for the camera to enter setup mode (spinning blue light)
  9. Select your WiFi network and enter your password
4Check Your WiFi Password

WiFi passwords are case-sensitive. Common issues include:

  • Typing lowercase when uppercase is required (or vice versa)
  • Confusing similar characters (0 and O, 1 and l)
  • Including extra spaces at the beginning or end
  • Using an old password after a recent change
5Factory Reset (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, a factory reset erases all settings and lets you start fresh:

  • Ring Stick Up Cam: Press and hold the orange setup button for 20 seconds
  • Ring Spotlight Cam: Press and hold the setup button for 20 seconds
  • Ring Floodlight Cam: Press and hold the top button for 30 seconds
  • Ring Doorbell: Press and hold the orange button for 20+ seconds

After reset, set up the camera as a new device in the Ring app.

Pro Tip: Temporary Relocation

If you're having trouble during setup, temporarily move your Ring camera closer to your router (within 10 feet). Once connected and working, you can move it back to its permanent location. This confirms whether the issue is signal strength or something else.

Router Compatibility: 2.4GHz vs 5GHz

This is one of the most common causes of Ring camera connection failures. Most Ring cameras only work on 2.4GHz WiFi networks, not 5GHz.

Which Ring Cameras Support 5GHz?

Ring Camera Model 2.4GHz 5GHz
Ring Stick Up Cam (Battery, 3rd Gen) Yes No
Ring Stick Up Cam Pro Yes Yes
Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Yes Yes
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Yes Yes
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus Yes Yes
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro Yes Yes
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) Yes Yes
Older Ring Cameras Yes No

How to Connect to 2.4GHz Network

Many modern routers broadcast both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. Here's how to ensure your Ring camera connects to the right one:

Option 1: Separate Network Names (Recommended)
  1. Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
  2. Find WiFi or Wireless settings
  3. Give your 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks different names (e.g., "MyWiFi" and "MyWiFi_5G")
  4. Connect your Ring camera to the 2.4GHz network name
Option 2: Disable Band Steering

Band steering automatically moves devices between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, which can confuse Ring cameras:

  1. Log into your router's admin panel
  2. Look for "Band Steering," "Smart Connect," or "WiFi AI"
  3. Disable this feature
  4. Reconnect your Ring camera

Router Settings That Can Block Ring Cameras:

  • AP Isolation / Client Isolation: Prevents devices from communicating - disable it
  • MAC Address Filtering: Add your Ring camera's MAC address to the allowed list
  • Guest Network: Avoid connecting Ring cameras to guest networks
  • Firewall restrictions: Ensure ports 443, 80, and 8800 are open

WiFi Extender Recommendations

If your Ring camera location has poor WiFi signal (RSSI below -65), a WiFi extender can solve your connection problems permanently.

Ring Chime Pro (Best for Ring Devices)

The Ring Chime Pro is specifically designed for Ring devices. It functions as both a WiFi extender for your Ring cameras and an indoor chime that sounds when someone rings your doorbell.

  • Extends WiFi signal specifically for Ring devices
  • Works as indoor chime for Ring doorbells
  • Easy setup through Ring app
  • Supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Check Ring Chime Pro Price

Amazon eero WiFi Extender

A reliable option that works with any router and extends coverage for all your devices, not just Ring cameras.

  • Works with any existing router
  • Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft.
  • Simple app-based setup
  • Automatic updates and security
Check eero Extender Price

TP-Link RE315 WiFi Extender

A budget-friendly option that reliably extends 2.4GHz networks for Ring cameras.

  • Dual-band AC1200
  • OneMesh compatible for seamless roaming
  • LED signal strength indicator for optimal placement
  • Budget-friendly price point
Check TP-Link Extender Price

WiFi Extender Placement Tips

Preventing Future Disconnections

Once your Ring camera is back online, take these steps to prevent future WiFi issues.

Optimize Your WiFi Network

Router Placement
  • Place router in a central location in your home
  • Keep router elevated (on a shelf, not the floor)
  • Avoid placing near metal objects, microwaves, or cordless phones
  • Consider upgrading to a mesh WiFi system for larger homes

Ring Camera Best Practices

Maintain Strong Connection
  • Check Device Health regularly: Monitor RSSI values monthly
  • Keep firmware updated: Updates often include connectivity improvements
  • Maintain battery charge: Low battery affects WiFi connection strength
  • Reduce network congestion: Limit devices on your 2.4GHz network
  • Set static IP (advanced): Prevents IP conflicts that cause disconnections

Backup Power Solutions

Power outages are a common cause of Ring cameras going offline. Consider these solutions:

Ring Solar Panel

Keep your battery-powered Ring camera charged with continuous solar power. Reduces the need for battery maintenance and prevents low-battery disconnections.

Check Ring Solar Panel Price

When to Contact Ring Support

If you've tried all troubleshooting steps and your Ring camera still won't connect to WiFi, contact Ring support:

Have your camera's serial number ready (found on the device or in the Ring app under Device Health).

Related Guides

Still Having Trouble?

Check our complete Ring camera troubleshooting guide for solutions to other common problems.

View Full Troubleshooting Guide
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