Ring Video Doorbell F79 Error Code Fix Guide

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What This Error Means

F79 on a Ring Video Doorbell = internal startup fault, usually power or firmware failing during boot.

What’s really happening: the doorbell is trying to start, crashes or reboots, never fully comes online, and the app throws F79 instead of connecting.

Official Fix

This is the Ring-style checklist. Run through it in order.
  • 1. Confirm your internet isn’t the problem
    – On the same Wi‑Fi your Ring uses, open a browser on your phone and load a couple of sites.
    – If that’s slow or dead, reboot the router/modem first. F79 can appear just because the doorbell can’t reach Ring’s servers.
  • 2. Check the doorbell’s power source
    – Wired models (incl. Pro/Pro 2): You need a doorbell transformer rated around 16–24 VAC, 30 VA minimum.
    – If your mechanical chime is very old or low‑rated, it can drag the voltage down and trigger internal errors like F79.
    – Battery models: Plug into USB and charge until the LED shows full. Low battery + cold weather = unstable boot and F‑codes.
  • 3. Do a standard reset
    – Press and hold the setup button on the Ring for about 20 seconds (check your exact model, but 20s is the usual mark).
    – Release, wait 1–2 minutes for it to reboot fully.
    – Watch the light pattern; once it goes into setup/ready mode, try the app again.
  • 4. Remove and re-add the device in the Ring app
    – Open the Ring app > go to the problem doorbell > Device Settings > Remove Device.
    – Force-close the app, reopen, and choose Set Up a Device > Doorbell.
    – Scan the QR code on the doorbell and walk through the whole setup flow again.
  • 5. Fix bad Wi‑Fi signal
    – In the Ring app, check the RSSI number for the doorbell. You want it roughly better than -60 dBm.
    – Move the Wi‑Fi router closer, remove one wall if possible, or connect the doorbell to the 2.4 GHz band (not 5 GHz) if your model supports both.
    – Reboot router again after any changes, then retry live view and see if F79 is gone.
  • 6. Update your Ring app and phone OS
    – Go to the App Store/Google Play, update the Ring app.
    – Restart your phone. Old app versions sometimes mis-handle newer firmware and spit out cryptic codes.
  • 7. Contact Ring Support if F79 persists
    – If power is in spec, Wi‑Fi is solid, and a reset/re‑add didn’t clear it, Ring usually treats this as a hardware/firmware failure.
    – If you’re in warranty, they’ll typically walk you through a final reset and may offer a replacement if it still shows F79.

The Technician’s Trick

  • 1. Meter the transformer for real
    – Kill power at the breaker.
    – Pull the doorbell off the wall, disconnect the two low‑voltage wires.
    – Turn breaker back on. Put a multimeter on AC volts across those two wires.
    – You want around 16–24 VAC under load. If you’re seeing 10–14 VAC or it swings a lot when the doorbell tries to boot, that low voltage can absolutely trigger F79.
    – If it’s low: replace the transformer with a higher‑rated one (16–24 VAC, 30 VA).
  • 2. Bypass the old chime temporarily
    – Old mechanical chimes can choke the circuit.
    – At the chime box, connect the TRANS and FRONT terminals together (or follow the instructions for a Ring Pro Power Kit/bypass).
    – Now power just the Ring directly from the transformer, no chime coil in the way.
    – If F79 disappears with the chime bypassed, you either keep it bypassed (use a Ring Chime) or upgrade the chime/transformer combo.
  • 3. Bench-test the doorbell indoors
    – Disconnect it completely from the house wiring.
    – Use a plug‑in 16–24 VAC doorbell power adapter and power the Ring on a table inside.
    – Set it up fresh on Wi‑Fi right next to the router.
    – If it runs fine on the bench: your house wiring/transformer/chime is the problem, not the doorbell.
    – If it still throws F79 on clean bench power: the internal board/firmware is shot.
  • 4. Do a true factory reset while on stable power
    – With the unit powered on a good supply (charged battery or solid transformer), hold the setup/reset button for 30–45 seconds until you see a major change in light pattern.
    – Wait for it to fully reboot, then re-add to the app.
    – Doing this on flaky power often fails; doing it on a solid bench supply is how techs rule out power vs. firmware.
  • 5. Call it dead when it fails bench test
    – If you’ve proven good power with a meter, bypassed the chime, bench-tested it, and F79 still sticks around, the main board is bad.
    – Ring doesn’t sell internal boards; it’s relay/warranty or full replacement time.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Doorbell is under warranty, or you only need a new transformer / minor wiring cleanup. Cheap parts, quick win.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Doorbell is 3–4+ years old and you’re about to buy both a new transformer and maybe a Ring Chime or Power Kit to keep it happy.
  • ❌ Replace: F79 still shows on clean bench power, or there’s water damage/burn marks. Don’t sink time into it—buy a new doorbell.

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