Why is Ring Doorbell White Light Not Spinning? (Let’s Fix!)

We understand the hurdle when your Ring Doorbell white light not spinning, leaving you unable to initialize the device. Don’t worry–you’re not alone.

Many users experience this issue when setting up or factory resetting the doorbell, as the white spinning light is an indication of the Setup mode.

The problem could often arise due to Wi-Fi connectivity problems, incomplete setup, or a hardware malfunction, so let’s get in-depth.

Ring Doorbell White Light Not Spinning – 8 Ways to Fix!

The white spinning light is often used to describe a Ring Doorbell error:

• Type #1 white light: The doorbell is on, but it failed to connect with Wi-Fi.
• Type #2 white light: The Ring Doorbell is stuck in an unresponsive state.
• Type #3 white light: The doorbell has been factory reset or is booting up.

Now, let’s have a look at some reliable solutions!

1. Discharge the Ring Doorbell From Power

A power issue might prevent the Ring Doorbell from functioning properly, and discharging the device can restore normal operation of the system. 

This process varies depending on whether you have a battery-powered or hardwired doorbell, but both methods help clear potential power-related glitches.

1.1 How to Discharge a Battery-Powered Ring

• Remove the faceplate from the back of your battery-powered Ring Doorbell.
• Press the quick-release tab to release the battery pack and wait 30 seconds.
• Reinsert the battery, reattach the faceplate, and attempt to reset the doorbell.

1.2 How to Discharge a Hardwired Ring:

• Turn off the circuit breaker that powers your hardwired Ring Doorbell.
• Wait for 1 minute while the breaker is off to discharge the installation.
• Reactivate the breaker and wait for the doorbell to turn on and test.

The startup time and overall functionality of the Ring Doorbell depend on the power supply type and the installation.

Hence, if the doorbell is directly hardwired to a chime installation, a potential power supply issue within the system, even if it is not with the doorbell, may cause many issues.

2. Remove the Ring Doorbell from the App

If the white light is not spinning after a hard or factory reset, there could be a problem with your doorbell profile, or it might still be linked to a previous owner’s account. 

Hence, removing the doorbell from the Ring app unlinks it from the Ring servers completely and eliminates any issues.

2.1 How to Remove the Doorbell from the Ring App:

• Launch the Ring app and navigate to the main dashboard.
• Tap the three dots (•••) on the camera you want to remove.
• Go to Device Settings and tap the General Settings option.
• Tap Remove Device, then choose Delete Events to confirm.
• After that, re-add the doorbell by selecting “Set Up a Device”.

2.2 Not the First Owner of the Ring Doorbell?

If you’re not the original owner, the device might still be registered in the account of the previous owner, so ask them to remove it using the same steps in their Ring app. 

So, if you cannot get in touch with the owner or they are unable to remove the doorbell, contact Ring support to transfer ownership.

After re-adding, check if the white light spins during setup. 

3. Attempt a “Physical” Ring Doorbell Reset

Whenever the Ring Doorbell won’t spin white during a reset, perhaps you haven’t activated the factory reset appropriately.

All Ring Doorbell models can be reset either via the built-in “Reset” button or using the installation prompts within the Ring application.

So, before using the in-app controls to reset the Ring Doorbell, we recommend pressing and holding the built-in Reset button to check for the white spinning light. 

• For Ring 1, locate and hold the Orange button on the back for 20 seconds and release.
• For Ring 2, hold the Black button on the front for approximately 20 seconds and release.

Note: The indicators on the Ring doorbell should light up, change a few states, and start slowly pulsating in white–this means that the doorbell is in “Setup” mode and ready to be configured.

4. Change the Ring Doorbell Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz)

The absence of a white spinning light often means that the Ring Doorbell has disconnected and is no longer paired to your home Wi-Fi.

Thus, the next step is to change the Wi-Fi connection of the Ring Doorbell, using the interface settings of the Ring mobile application.

Here’s how to change the Ring Doorbell Wi-Fi:

• Open the Ring application on your mobile device and find the doorbell.
• Select your Ring Doorbell from the list of devices on the main screen.
• Press the gear icon to access Device Settings for your Ring doorbell.
• Go to Network Settings, and select Change Wi-Fi Network in the tab.
• Next, specify a new network and enter the Wi-Fi password to connect. 
• Save the settings and wait until the Ring Doorbell connects successfully.

Ensure the Wi-Fi signal from the location of your doorbell is sufficient to avoid Wi-Fi dropouts!

Quick Tip: You can test the connection speed of your Wi-Fi from the position of the doorbell at speedtest.net.

5. Inspect the Power Supply of the Ring Doorbell

Note: Only proceed with this solution if you have a hardwired Ring with an existing chime.

Potential power issues might be preventing the proper operation of the doorbell, often due to an incompatible transformer, loose wiring, or chime kit setup problems. 

• ZontSound recommends inspecting the power setup of the doorbell, as this could restore the functionality. 

Step #1: Install and Wire the Ring Chime Kit

The Ring Chime Kit adjusts transformer voltage to match your hardwired Ring Doorbell and chime, fixing power issues like underpowering. 

So, turn off the circuit breaker, locate the chime in a hallway, remove its cover, and connect the yellow wire from the kit to “Front” and the green wire to “Trans.”

Using the Ring Doorbell without a Chime Kit could often underpower the system or cause issues with the transformer. 

Step #2: Inspect the Ring Doorbell Terminals

Loose or incorrect terminal wiring can stop power delivery, as hardwired Rings need “TRANS” for main power and “FRONT” for the chime.

Hence, remove the doorbell with a prying tool, find the terminals, disconnect “TRANS,” wait ~15–20 seconds, then reconnect the terminals.

Step #3: Test and Replace the Installation Transformer

A faulty transformer might underpower the doorbell, so locate the transformer near the electrical panel, set your multimeter to AC Voltage, and test for 16–24V AC. 

So, if the readings are below the recommended values, replace them with a 16V or 24V 30VA transformer after disconnecting the existing unit.

Note: Get in touch with a qualified technician if you are not experienced with electrical wiring. 

6. Set up an External Wired Power Supply 

Whenever your Ring Doorbell light is not spinning after a hard reset, the issue could be related to an unstable power, especially on battery-powered models.

The factory reset procedure consumes most of the doorbell’s power, and if it relies on a battery pack, the reset might fail and get stuck.

So, purchase a wired adapter (about $10 on Amazon) compatible with your Ring Doorbell and connect it to the terminals of the doorbell.

Then, after connecting, perform the reset again and reconnect to Wi-Fi to check if the light spins. 

Note: Battery-powered Ring doorbells have a built-in charging port for the battery pack. 

7. Reinstall the Ring Mobile Application

If the Ring app keeps failing to detect your Ring, the doorbell will not show a white spinning light, because it is not “ready” to go into setup. 

The white light is an indication, as established, that the Ring Doorbell has been detected by the application and is ready to be registered.

So, we recommend reinstalling the Ring mobile application!

7.1 How to Reinstall the Ring App on iOS:

Press and hold the icon of the Ring application on the homepage, and press Remove App.

Launch the App Store, search for “Ring,” reinstall the app, and sign in to your account before attempting to re-add the doorbell. 

7.2 How to Reinstall the Ring App on Android:

On your Android device, long-press the Ring app icon, tap Uninstall, then open the Google Play Store and search for “Ring.”

Install the app, sign in to your existing account, and attempt to set up the doorbell to check if the white light appears.

8. Use Another Mobile Device for Setup

If your Ring Doorbell white light is not spinning after all the solutions so far, the current mobile device might have app or connectivity issues, which prevent proper detection.

Using a different device can help bypass these problems and complete the setup process.

Well, borrow another phone or tablet, download the Ring app, sign in, and follow the initial setup instructions to connect the doorbell to Wi-Fi.

Now, after your Ring doorbell is registered, follow the instructions in step #2 or step #3 to initiate the reset and check if the white light appears.