How to Reset Your Ring Doorbell: The Complete Guide

A Ring doorbell is a smart home device that lets you see, hear and speak to visitors at your door through your smartphone, tablet or PC. It’s a convenient way to enhance your home’s security and never miss a delivery or guest. However, there may be times when you need to reset your Ring doorbell, such as when you’re moving to a new home, troubleshooting issues, or switching Wi-Fi networks. Resetting returns the doorbell to its factory default settings. This guide will walk you through the process from start to finish.

Reasons to Reset Your Ring Doorbell

There are several scenarios where resetting your Ring doorbell is necessary or helpful:

• If you’re moving out of your home and leaving the doorbell for the next resident, you’ll want to wipe your account info and settings.
• If you’re giving away or selling your Ring doorbell, a reset is essential to protect your privacy and allow the new owner to set it up fresh.
• Troubleshooting performance problems like a frozen video feed, delayed notifications, or connectivity issues often starts with a reset.
• Changing your home Wi-Fi network name or password will require reconfiguring your Ring doorbell, which is easiest to do after a reset.

Before Resetting: Essential Preparation Steps

To ensure a smooth reset process, take a few minutes to get things in order before you start:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of the Ring app installed on your mobile device and that you know your login credentials. You’ll need these to reconnect your doorbell after the reset.
2. If you have any important videos or photos saved in your Ring account that you want to keep, download them now. Resetting will erase all media files stored on the doorbell itself.
3. Check that your Ring doorbell is charged if it’s a battery-powered model, or that it’s hardwired to your home’s electrical system and receiving power. It needs to remain powered on throughout the reset process.
4. Locate the setup button on your Ring doorbell, as you’ll need to press and hold this to initiate the reset. The button is usually located on the back or underside of the doorbell. Consult your manual if needed.

Step-by-Step Reset Instructions for All Models

Once you’re ready, follow the reset steps for your specific Ring doorbell model:

Ring Video Doorbell (1st and 2nd Generation)

• Remove the faceplate of your Ring doorbell by unscrewing the security screw at the bottom.
• Press and hold the orange setup button on the back of the doorbell for at least 20 seconds.
• Release the button and wait. The light on the front of the doorbell will flash a few times to indicate the reset is in progress.

Ring Video Doorbell 3, 3 Plus, and 4

• These models have a removable faceplate similar to older versions. Take off the faceplate by removing the security screw.
• The setup button is now on the top-right side, just below the camera lens. Press and hold it for 15-20 seconds.
• Let go of the button and wait for the light on the front to flash, signaling the reset has begun.

Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Elite, and Wired

• Unscrew the faceplate using the star-shaped end of the screwdriver included with your Ring doorbell.
• Find the black setup button on the right side of the doorbell. Press and hold it down for about 20 seconds.
• Release the button. The circular light on the front will spin and then flash to show it’s resetting.

Ring Peephole Cam

• Open the front cover of the Peephole Cam doorbell. The setup button is located inside on the doorbell unit.
• Press and hold the setup button for 15 seconds. Let go and close the front cover.
• Wait for the light on the button to flash a few times, indicating the doorbell is resetting.

What to Expect During the Reset Process

As the reset begins, your Ring doorbell will erase all of its stored data, settings and connections. This includes your Wi-Fi login info, motion and alert preferences, and any linked Chimes or accessories. The doorbell will revert back to factory defaults, essentially becoming a brand-new device again.

You’ll know the reset is underway when the light on your doorbell starts flashing. The pattern varies slightly by model but usually involves a spinning white light followed by a series of flashes. This process typically takes about 5-10 minutes.

Once the light stops flashing or your Ring doorbell makes a chime sound, the reset is complete. Your doorbell is now in setup mode, ready to be re-configured and connected to a Ring account through the app.

Reconnecting Your Doorbell to Wi-Fi and the Ring App

With your doorbell reset, it’s time to add it back to the Ring app and connect it to your home Wi-Fi network again:

1. Open the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. If you don’t already have an account, create one now and log in.
2. On the main screen, tap the three-lined menu icon in the top left, then select “Set Up a Device” and choose your doorbell model from the list.
3. When prompted, press the setup button on your doorbell briefly to put it into setup mode. A spinning white light indicates it’s ready.
4. Follow the in-app instructions to scan the QR code on your doorbell using your mobile device’s camera. This links the doorbell to your Ring account.
5. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list in the app and enter your password to connect the doorbell to the internet.
6. Wait for the doorbell to finish connecting. Once it’s online, you can adjust settings like motion zones, alert preferences, and linked devices.
7. Before exiting the app, test your doorbell’s functions. Tap the “Live View” button to see the video feed. Speak into your phone to check the two-way audio. Trigger a motion alert to confirm notifications are working.

If everything looks good, your freshly reset Ring doorbell is now fully operational again. Keep an eye on the Device Health screen in the app and the light on the doorbell for any signs of trouble. A solid blue light (or white on some models) means it’s connected and working properly.

Removing a Reset Doorbell from Your Ring Account

If you’re selling your Ring doorbell, returning it, or giving it to someone else, there’s one very important step to take after resetting it – removing the doorbell from your Ring account. This unlinks the device from your profile so it can be set up by the new user.

In the Ring app, navigate to the doorbell’s settings by tapping on it in the Devices list. Then go to Device Settings > General Settings. Scroll all the way down and tap “Remove this Device.” Confirm your choice in the pop-up window.

Your doorbell will now disappear from your app. It’s no longer connected to your account and can’t be controlled or managed by you. The new owner can set it up on their own Ring account without any trace of your data or settings remaining.

Troubleshooting Common Issues After Resetting

Even after a successful reset, you may occasionally encounter some hiccups with your Ring doorbell’s performance. Here are fixes for a few frequently reported problems:

Doorbell stuck in setup mode: If the light keeps spinning and won’t connect to the app, try quickly pressing the setup button once. If that doesn’t work, reset the doorbell again and carefully follow the app instructions during setup.

Can’t connect to Wi-Fi: Make sure you’re selecting the right Wi-Fi network and entering the correct password. If your network doesn’t appear in the list, try moving your router closer to the doorbell. Confirm your Wi-Fi is a 2.4 GHz network, not 5 GHz.

Missed motion alerts and delayed notifications: This could be a Wi-Fi strength issue. Try repositioning your router or adding a range extender. Also check that motion zones and sensitivity are configured properly in the app.

Laggy or freezing video: Check your internet speed and bandwidth. Ring recommends upload speeds of at least 2 Mbps for optimal video performance. Disconnect other devices to free up bandwidth.

If problems persist after trying these troubleshooting steps, contact Ring’s support team for more advanced diagnostics and potential warranty claims. They can walk you through other fixes or arrange a repair or replacement if needed.

Conclusion

Resetting your Ring doorbell may seem intimidating at first, but with this guide, you have all the information needed to tackle the process with confidence. To recap, the key steps are:

1. Prepare by updating the Ring app, saving any important videos, and locating the setup button.
2. Follow the specific reset instructions for your Ring doorbell model, holding the setup button for 15-20 seconds.
3. Wait patiently as the doorbell resets and enters setup mode, indicated by a flashing light.
4. Reconnect your doorbell to your Ring account and Wi-Fi network through the app.
5. If selling or giving away your doorbell, be sure to remove it from your account in the app settings.

By properly resetting your Ring doorbell when needed and carefully setting it up again, you’ll ensure this smart device continues to serve as a reliable and convenient home security tool. Regular maintenance like updating the firmware and cleaning the lens will also keep your doorbell in top shape.

If you ever get stuck or have questions, remember that Ring’s support website and customer service team are valuable resources. With their help and this comprehensive reset guide, you’ll be ready to handle anything that comes up with your Ring doorbell.