Ring's setup article gives the checklist. Make sure the Ring app and the phone are up to date, have the wifi password ready, keep the phone close to the device throughout setup and remember the device supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Charge a battery device before starting, since a low battery interrupts setup and firmware. If setup fails, Ring has separate articles for repeated in-app setup failures, setup failures caused by router or modem issues, Android setup issues and messages during setup.
The checks in more detail
Restart the router and modem, move closer to the router, try a 2.4 GHz network or a guest network, and turn off VPNs and any second router. Turn on Bluetooth and location permission for the Ring app on the phone, since setup uses them, and keep the phone unlocked. Factory reset the device by holding the setup button for twenty seconds, then start again, since a device stuck in a partial setup will not accept a new one.
Firmware updates during setup take up to five minutes, so do not remove power. If setup still fails after all of these, contact Ring Support with the error code. If the app offers to scan a QR code on the device and the scan fails, clean the camera lens on your phone and improve the light, since a smudged lens is a surprisingly common cause. Write down the exact error code and the light pattern at the point of failure, since Ring support will ask for both. If setup works on another phone, the first phone's permissions or app version are the cause, not the device.
Do the setup in the room where the device will be mounted whenever you can, because a device set up next to the router may lose its connection once it is moved outdoors.
Differential
Likely causes of “Ring doorbells and security cameras will not complete setup or pairing”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A low battery
What separates it Setup stops partway through because the battery in the device is too low
How to confirm Charge the battery first, since a low battery can interrupt the setup and any firmware update
- 2
A router or modem issue
What separates it Setup fails to connect because of a problem with the router or the modem
How to confirm Restart the router and the modem, and try the 2.4 GHz band for the setup if 5 GHz fails
- 3
Phone permissions off
What separates it The app cannot find the device because the phone's permissions are switched off
How to confirm Enable Bluetooth and location for the Ring app in the phone settings, then try again
- 4
A stuck partial setup
What separates it The device will not accept setup because an earlier attempt was left half finished
How to confirm Factory reset the device by holding its setup button, then start the setup again from the beginning
- 5
A VPN or second router
What separates it Setup keeps failing because a VPN or a second router is interfering with the connection
How to confirm Turn off the VPN, or remove the second router from the network, and then run the setup again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The error code that the app shows during setup
- Which wifi band the phone and the device are trying to use
- The versions of the Ring app and of the phone software
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedUpdate the app and phone
ReversibleUpdate the Ring app and the phone software before you start, since old versions can cause errors.
Charge the device
ReversibleCharge the device fully if it is battery powered, because setup and updates use a lot of power.
Keep the phone close
ReversibleKeep the phone close to the device and unlocked throughout the setup, so the connection stays strong.
Try 2.4 GHz
ReversibleTry the 2.4 GHz band or a guest network, if the 5 GHz band fails to connect during setup.
Factory reset the device
ReversibleFactory reset the device by holding the setup button for twenty seconds, then set it up once more.
Contact Ring
ReversibleContact Ring with the error code if it still fails, along with the steps you have already tried.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Battery
- Charge before setup.
- Wired
- Confirm power is on before setup.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Stick Up Cam Battery, Spotlight Cam Pro, Floodlight Cam Wired Pro.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If setup fails after a reset, contact Ring Support
- !If only one phone fails, try another phone
- !If the router blocks setup, contact the provider
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Setup checklist.
Repeated failures.
Router and modem issues.
Power cycle and factory reset.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Which wifi does Ring support?+
Ring devices support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wifi, so either can be used for the setup.
How do I reset for setup?+
Hold the setup button for twenty seconds, which resets the device so it can be set up again.
Why does setup fail?+
The usual reasons are a low battery, a router problem, or app permissions that are switched off.
How long is a firmware update in setup?+
A firmware update during setup can take up to five minutes, so do not disconnect power.
Should I try another phone?+
Yes, try another phone as a test, since it shows whether the phone or the device is the problem.
Can a VPN block setup?+
Yes, a VPN can block the setup, so turn it off for the duration of the setup.