Unable To Join Ring Network During Setup? (Quick Fix!)

If you are unable to join Ring network during setup, the problem often lies with the settings of your smartphone rather than with the Ring device itself. 

However, this guide will walk you through the most advanced solution you can discover on the web against the connection problem, so keep reading!

Why Am I Unable to Join Ring Network During Setup – Fixed!

Note: Have you tried moving closer to the Ring device with your smartphone during the setup?

1. Check if the Ring Device is Powered On

The first thing to check is whether the Ring device is working during the setup.

That depends on whether you are setting up a wired or battery Ring device and on the exact installation needs.

Let’s learn what the setup requirements are for both types of devices!

Wired Ring Devices:

Wired Ring devices like the Ring Video Doorbell Wired, Doorbell Pro, or Floodlight Cam have to be properly connected with your existing doorbell installation to be set up. 

If you have a wired doorbell, make sure it is connected with the “TRANS” and “FRONT” wires of your existing installation, and if you have a wired camera, check the outlet and A/C adapter.

Battery-Powered (Wireless) Ring Devices:

Battery-powered devices like the Ring Video Doorbell 4, Stick Up Cam Battery, or Spotlight Cam Battery have to be charged manually to function. 

If you are setting up a wireless Ring device, ensure it is charged to maximum battery capacity before attempting the setup.

Most wireless Ring devices have a built-in battery indicator that shows the current charge level on demand or during charging. 

2. Disable Your Phone’s Mobile/Cellular Data

If the Ring network is still inaccessible, although you have verified that the device is powered on,  the mobile data of your smartphone could be interfering. 

Smartphones work on a prioritizing basis–if the Wi-Fi and the data are enabled simultaneously, the phone will use the stronger connection of the two.

Therefore, if your home Wi-Fi is weak or insufficient, the smartphone may automatically switch to mobile data without notifying you.

2.1 How to Disable Mobile Data On Android:

• Go to “Settings” → “Network & Internet” →  “Data”.
• Press on “Mobile Data” from the options on the page.
• Attempt to pair with the Ring network in the Wi-Fi tab.

2.2  How to Disable Mobile Data on iPhone:

• Go to “Settings” → “Mobile Service”.
• Tap the button next to “Mobile Data”.
• Attempt to pair with the Ring Wi-Fi.

Note: Once you are done, verify that your smartphone is not connected to other Wi-Fi networks through the “Wireless” or “Wi-Fi” tab. 

3. Forget & Re-add the Ring Wi-Fi Network

If the Ring WiFi network is not showing up during the setup, forgetting and re-adding your Wi-Fi should help.

Even if you are not currently connected to the network or have connected with the network previously, you can still remove the network IP from the settings of your smartphone.

3.1 How to Forget & Re-Add on Android:

• Open Settings, tap Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi.
• Find the Ring network and tap “Forget” to remove it.
• Reconnect to Ring Wi-Fi and re-enter the password.

3.2 How to Forget & Re-Add on iPhone:

• Head to “Settings” → “Wi-Fi” and find the Ring network.
• Tap on the Info button on the right side of the Wi-Fi tile.
• Now, scroll to the bottom and tap “Forget this Network”.
• Wait until the Wi-Fi is rediscovered and attempt to pair.

Note: The temporary settings of the Ring Wi-Fi network will be erased after the removal.

4. Pair with the Ring Network Manually

Both Androids and iPhones support the “Manual Connect” function, which allows them to pair with local Wi-Fi networks manually, without having to discover them.

All you need to do is input the Ring device network name in the settings of your smartphone and allow it to connect manually.

4.1 How to Manually Pair on Android:

• Head to “Settings” → “Network & Internet”.
• Access the Wi-Fi menu and scroll downward.
• Tap on “Connect Manually” or “Search Wi-Fi”.
• Next, input the Wi-Fi SSID of the Ring network.
• Wait until the Wi-Fi is discovered and connect.

4.2 How to Manually Pair on iPhone:

• Open the Settings app and enter the “Wi-Fi Menu”.
• Wait until all networks load and press on “Other…”.
• Now, type down the Wi-Fi name of the Ring network.
• Wait until the Wi-Fi is discovered and attempt to pair.

Note: Ensure you are within a 10–15 feet radius from the Ring device while pairing manually. 

5. Grant the Ring App All Permissions

If your smartphone is still failing to discover the network of your Ring device, then it certainly has something to do with the Ring app permissions. 

Location, local network, and storage access are among the most important permissions for the Ring application, so let’s make sure you have granted them through the settings of your phone.

5.1 How to Grant Ring Permissions on Android:

• Go to “Settings” → “Apps” → “Ring” application.
• Now, tap on “Permissions” and scroll downwards.
• Set “Location and Nearby Devices” to “Enabled”.
• Repeat for “Storage”, “Local Network,” and “Camera”.

5.2 How to Grant Ring Permissions on iPhone:

• Navigate to “Settings” and head to “Privacy & Security”.
• Enter “Tracking”, then “Allow Apps to Request to Track”.
• Tap the switch next to the Ring app to allow all permissions.

Tip: We recommend force-closing the Ring application through the temporary memory of your smartphone and checking if the Ring network is now discoverable. 

6. Reset the Smartphone Network Settings

So, if you are still unable to join the Ring camera network during setup, then there could be an issue with the network settings of your smartphone.

Performing a network reset on your smartphone erases the remembered Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networks, along with preconfigured cellular details.

6.1 How to Reset Network Settings on Android:

• Open the Settings app and scroll to “System”.
• Go to “Advanced” to access more OS options.
• Now, head to “Reset options” on the next page.
• Tap “Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile, Bluetooth” in the tab.
• Confirm the network reset and follow the steps.

6.2 How to Reset Network Settings on iPhone:

• Open the Settings app and press on “General”.
• Tap “Transfer or Reset” at the bottom of the tab.
• Now, go to “Reset” → “Reset Network Settings”.
• Confirm the reset action and reconfigure the iOS.

When the network reset is complete, you will be prompted to reconnect your smartphone with the Wi-Fi network, and then you can attempt to discover and connect with the Ring network.

In the meantime, suspend the electrical supply to your Ring device for at least ~30–40 seconds. 

7. Complete the Setup On Another Device

If the Ring network is still not discoverable, your phone may be the problem.

Some smartphones are older and may not support the type of connection protocol the Ring needs, so testing using another device is the best next step.

Acquire another Android or iPhone, download the Ring app from the Google Play Store or App Store, and sign in to your existing Ring account.

Also, verify that the new device’s mobile data is off, start the setup through the Ring application, and check that the network is now discoverable.

Alert: Do not connect the new smartphone to any other Wi-Fi before the setup!

8. Reset the Ring Device to Default Settings

Perhaps the reason why you are unable to join the Ring network during setup is because of an underlying software fault with your device.

Whether it is the Ring doorbell, the Ring camera, or the Ring chime, a factory reset should resolve the problem quickly and effectively.

8.1 How to Factory Reset the Ring Doorbell:

• (Ring 1) Find the orange button on the back.
• (Ring 2) Press the black button on the front.
• Hold the button for 20 seconds and release it.

8.2 How to Factory Reset the Ring Camera:

• Locate the small reset button on top of the camera.
• Press and hold the button for about ~30 seconds.
• Now, release when the LED flashes multiple times.

8.3 How to Factory Reset the Ring Chime:

• Find the reset button, press and hold it for 15 seconds.
• Release the button when the camera LED flashes blue.
• Wait until the Chime finalizes the factory reset process.

Note: All data and settings of the Ring device will be permanently erased after the factory reset.