A Ring doorbell restart and a Ring factory reset are not the same thing. Restart first for normal glitches. Factory reset only when the doorbell needs a deeper wipe or a new owner.
These steps apply to Ring Video Doorbell, 2, 3, 3 Plus, 4, Pro, Pro 2, Elite, and Wired models.
Does this affect you?
Use this if the doorbell is offline, frozen, unresponsive, or being sold. A soft reset keeps settings; a factory reset erases Wi-Fi and setup information.
Soft reset from the Ring app
Start here because it does not delete your Wi-Fi, motion zones, or account link.
- Open the Ring app.
- Tap the three-line menu.
- Tap Devices.
- Select the doorbell.
- Tap the gear icon for Device Settings.
- Open General Settings.
- Tap Restart Device.
- Confirm and wait 2 to 3 minutes.
Watch the Ring app status while the doorbell reboots. Once it returns online, test Live View and a doorbell press.
Factory reset with the physical button
Use this if app restart fails, the doorbell is changing owners, or setup is badly stuck.
- Locate the orange setup button for your model.
- On 1st generation Ring Video Doorbell, remove it from the bracket and look on the back.
- On Video Doorbell 2, 3, 3 Plus, and 4, remove the faceplate and look near the top front.
- On Pro and Pro 2, look on the right edge.
- On some wired models, loosen the bottom security screw and remove the faceplate.
- Press and hold the orange button for about 15 to 20 seconds.
- Release when the light ring flashes or spins rapidly.
- Wait for the doorbell to reboot into setup mode.
After factory reset, open the Ring app and set up the doorbell again with your Wi-Fi password. If the old offline listing remains, remove it manually from the app before adding the device again.
When reset does not fix it
If the light ring never turns on during reset, check battery charge, wiring power, or transformer power depending on your model. If it resets successfully but drops offline every time, the issue may be weak Wi-Fi, failing power, or hardware failure rather than a simple settings problem.
Before selling or giving away the doorbell, make sure it is removed from your Ring account so the next owner can add it without an ownership conflict.
Sources
- Ring Help – Reset your Ring Video Doorbell (2025)
- Ring Help – Remove and add a device on your Ring account (2025)
- Ring Help – Troubleshoot a Ring device that won’t reset (2025)