How to change your Ring camera's WiFi connection
To change your Ring camera's WiFi network, open the Ring app on your phone, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, select your camera from the device list, tap the gear icon for settings, choose "WiFi Network," and select a new network from the available list. You will need your new WiFi password to complete the connection. The process takes about two minutes and does not require unplugging the camera or resetting it to factory defaults.
If your camera does not see your new network in the list, make sure your phone is connected to that network first — the Ring app can only show networks your phone can detect. If you are switching to a different WiFi band (like moving from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz), the camera may take 30 seconds to a minute to reconnect and show as online in the app.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your Ring camera's WiFi network directly through the Ring app without physically resetting the device.
- Your phone must be connected to the new WiFi network before the Ring app will show it as an option.
- The camera needs the correct WiFi password to connect; an incorrect password will cause the connection to fail.
- After selecting a new network, allow 30 seconds to one minute for the camera to reconnect and appear online in the app.
Step-by-step process in the Ring app
Open the Ring app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. This opens your device list. Find your Ring camera in the list and tap on it to open its device page.
On the device page, tap the gear icon in the top right to enter settings. Scroll down until you see "WiFi Network" and tap it. The app will scan for available networks and show you a list of all WiFi networks your phone can currently detect. Select the network you want to switch to from this list.
When you tap the network name, a prompt will appear asking for the WiFi password. Enter the password exactly as it is — passwords are case-sensitive. Tap "Connect" or "Save" (the button text varies slightly by Ring model). The app will attempt to connect your camera to the new network.
What to do if the camera will not connect
If the connection fails, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Double-check that you typed it correctly, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Try entering the password again.
If your new network does not appear in the list at all, your phone is probably not connected to it. Go to your phone's WiFi settings, connect to the new network there, then return to the Ring app and try again. The Ring app can only see networks that your phone is currently connected to.
If the camera connects but then goes offline a few seconds later, the network may be too far away or the signal too weak. Move the camera closer to your WiFi router, or consider adding a WiFi extender if the distance is permanent. Ring cameras typically need a signal strength of at least -67 dBm to stay connected reliably.
Switching between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks
Many modern routers broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, sometimes under the same network name or as separate networks. Ring cameras work on both bands, but 2.4 GHz generally provides better range and wall penetration, while 5 GHz offers faster speeds at shorter distances.
If your router shows separate network names for each band (for example, "MyNetwork-2.4" and "MyNetwork-5"), you can switch between them by following the same steps above and selecting the specific band you want. If your router combines both bands under one name, the camera will automatically connect to whichever band has the stronger signal.
After switching bands, the camera may take up to one minute to reconnect. During this time it will show as offline in the Ring app, but it will come back online once the connection is established.
Changing WiFi when you move or upgrade your router
If you are moving to a new location with a different WiFi network, or replacing your router with a new one, follow the same steps above. The only difference is that you will be selecting a completely new network name instead of switching between networks on the same router.
If your new router uses the same network name and password as your old one, the camera may reconnect automatically without any action from you. This is most common when you are replacing a router with the same model or brand. If it does not reconnect within a few minutes, use the steps above to manually select the network again.
If you are keeping your old router and adding a new one to the same location, make sure they use different network names to avoid confusion. The Ring app will show both networks in the list, and you can choose which one to connect to.
When you need to reset the camera instead
Changing the WiFi network through the app works for most situations. However, if the camera is completely offline and you cannot access it through the Ring app, or if it is stuck trying to connect to an old network that no longer exists, you will need to reset it.
To reset a Ring camera, locate the small reset button (usually recessed and requiring a paperclip or similar tool to press). Hold it for 15 to 20 seconds until the light on the camera flashes or changes color. This returns the camera to factory settings. After the reset, you will need to add it to the Ring app again as if it were new, which includes selecting your WiFi network and password during setup.
Resetting erases all settings and recordings stored locally on the camera, so only do this if changing the WiFi network through the app is not working. For most people, the in-app method described above is sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to unplug my Ring camera to change the WiFi?
No. You can change the WiFi network while the camera is plugged in and running. The camera will stay powered on during the switch and reconnect to the new network without any interruption to power.
Will changing WiFi erase my recorded videos?
No. Changing the WiFi network does not affect any videos stored in your Ring account. Cloud recordings remain intact. If your camera has local storage (like a microSD card), those recordings also remain on the card.
What if I forget my new WiFi password?
You will need to find your WiFi password before the Ring camera can connect. Check your router's label, your router's admin page (usually accessible through a web browser), or contact your internet provider. The Ring app cannot help you recover a forgotten WiFi password.
Can I change the WiFi network from a different phone or computer?
Only from another phone or tablet with the Ring app installed. You cannot change WiFi settings through the Ring website on a computer. Make sure whoever is changing it has access to the Ring account and is connected to the new WiFi network on their phone.
How long does it take for the camera to show as online after switching networks?
Usually 30 seconds to one minute. If the camera does not show as online after two minutes, check that you entered the password correctly and that the camera is within range of the router. If it still will not connect, try the troubleshooting steps in the "What to do if the camera will not connect" section above.