Activation Required
Ring Smart Doorbell
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Ring 'Activation Required' shows on a doorbell, camera, or chime when the device hasn't been added to a Ring account yet.
It is the device telling you setup isn't finished.
For a brand-new device this is normal — open the Ring app and run setup.
For a previously-working device showing it after a reset or transfer, it means the activation got cleared and needs to be redone with the new account.
Affected Models
- Ring Video Doorbell (all generations)
- Ring Doorbell Pro
- Ring Spotlight Cam, Stick Up Cam, Indoor Cam
- Ring Chime and Chime Pro
Common Causes
- Brand-new device that hasn't been added to a Ring account
- Device was reset (button held 15 seconds) — clears all settings
- Previous owner removed the device from their account, freeing it up for you to claim
- Account migration after Ring policy changes
- Device firmware reinstalled by a Ring service tool
How to Fix It
-
Install the Ring app and sign in.
Get Ring on iOS (App Store) or Android (Play Store) — make sure it's published by Ring LLC.
Sign in with your Ring account, or create one if this is your first device.
Email and a real US, UK, EU, or Australian address are required (Ring blocks setup without one). -
Tap 'Set Up a Device' in the Ring app.
On the home screen, tap the menu (top-left) → Set Up a Device.
Choose Doorbells, Security Cameras, or whichever applies.
The app walks you through scanning the QR code on the device or behind the battery — that QR carries the device's serial number to Ring's servers. -
Connect to the device's setup WiFi.
When prompted, the app sends you to your phone's WiFi settings.
Connect to the network that starts with 'Ring-' or 'RingSetup-' followed by random characters.
It has no password.
Once connected, return to the app — it picks up from there. -
Hand it your home WiFi credentials.
The app asks for your home WiFi name and password.
Type them carefully — case matters.
Most Ring devices only support 2.4 GHz WiFi, not 5 GHz.
If your router broadcasts both as one name, the device picks 2.4 GHz automatically; if they're separate names, you need to enter the 2.4 GHz one. -
Wait for confirmation.
Setup takes 1-3 minutes.
The device shows a steady blue light when activated successfully.
If activation fails, the app shows a specific Setup Error number — try our Setup Error 1 page if it gets stuck on WiFi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I activate a used Ring doorbell?
Yes — but the previous owner has to remove it from their account first.
Until they do, it shows 'Device is registered to another account' instead of 'Activation Required'.
If you bought it second-hand, contact the seller and ask them to open the Ring app → Devices → choose the doorbell → Remove.
Then run setup as above.