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Ring Error Code P1-99: What Does This Error Mean and How Do I Fix It?

Ring GuideVideo Doorbells
medium difficulty 15-30 minutes 1073 views 13 found helpful Where this fix applies: Global Updated
This guide applies to: Ring Ring Video Doorbell (Ring Doorbell Pro, Pro 2, Wired, Battery, 3, 4)
At a glance — most common causes
  • Firmware glitch after update
  • Partial system failure
  • WiFi reconnection issue
15-30 minutes13 solutions coveredmedium level

Expert Review & Technical Scope

DeviceRing Ring Video Doorbell
Model CoverageRing Doorbell Pro, Pro 2, Wired, Battery, 3, 4
Fix Time15-30 minutes
DifficultyMedium
Required ToolsReplacement batteries
Network / ProtocolWi-Fi

Problem Description

Ring error code P1-99 is a general system error that appears when the device encounters an unspecified fault. Users report seeing this after WiFi changes, power surges, or firmware updates. The camera may stop recording video while doorbell functions continue working.

Why This Happens in Real Homes

P1-99 is one of the most searched Ring error codes. It almost always comes from a firmware update interrupted by low battery or weak WiFi. The fix sequence that works for most users: charge battery to 100 percent, confirm WiFi signal is Good in Device Health, reboot the device, then wait 15 minutes. About 80 percent of cases clear this way. The remaining cases usually need a factory reset or Ring support pushing a firmware recovery. Hardwired doorbells with undersized transformers (10-12V instead of 16-24V) get this error repeatedly because they brown out during every update attempt.

Symptoms

  • Ring app shows P1-99 error
  • Camera not capturing video
  • Doorbell button still works
  • Reset did not fix the issue
  • Error appears after WiFi reconnection
  • Device Health shows error

Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.

Common Causes

  • Firmware glitch after update
  • Partial system failure
  • WiFi reconnection issue
  • Power surge caused corruption
  • Internal memory error
  • Hardware component failure

Most fixes happen in the first 3 steps.

Warning

Do not repeatedly factory reset the device if P1-99 does not clear after the first reset. Multiple resets in succession can further corrupt the firmware. If one factory reset plus a fresh setup does not resolve it, contact Ring support rather than continuing to reset. Also do not remove the battery or disconnect power while the firmware update LED pattern is active — this is what causes P1-99 in the first place.

Tools & Requirements

Replacement batteries
Recommended Tools for Ring Video Doorbell

These tools will help you complete this fix.

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Step-by-Step Solution

1

Understand what P1-99 means

Error P1-99 on Ring doorbells and cameras means the device failed to complete its last firmware update. The device downloaded the update but could not install it — usually because it lost power or WiFi during the installation. The device is stuck between firmware versions. This is fixable in most cases without replacing the device.

2

Check your WiFi signal strength at the device

Open the Ring app, go to Device Health, and check the WiFi signal strength (RSSI). If it says Poor or the RSSI is worse than -65, the device does not have enough bandwidth to download and install firmware reliably. Move your router closer, add a WiFi extender, or use a Ring Chime Pro as a WiFi extender near the doorbell. Do not attempt a firmware update until signal strength shows Good or better.

3

Fully charge the battery or check the hardwired power

If your Ring device has a battery, remove it and charge it to 100 percent using a USB cable and wall charger. A low battery during firmware installation causes P1-99. If the doorbell is hardwired, check the transformer voltage — Ring doorbells need 16-24V AC. Use a multimeter at the doorbell wires. If voltage is below 16V, your transformer is too weak and the device brown-outs during firmware updates.

4

Reboot the device to force a fresh firmware attempt

For battery devices: remove the battery, wait 30 seconds, reinsert it. For hardwired devices: press and hold the orange setup button on the back or side for 20 seconds, then release. The device will restart and automatically attempt the firmware update again. Give it 10-15 minutes — do not interrupt it. Check the Ring app after 15 minutes to see if the error cleared.

5

Reconnect to WiFi if the reboot did not clear P1-99

If the error persists after reboot, the device may have lost its WiFi credentials during the failed update. In the Ring app, go to Device Settings > Device Health > Change WiFi Network. Follow the setup flow — press the setup button on the device, connect your phone to the Ring setup network, and enter your WiFi credentials. After reconnecting, the device should attempt the firmware update again automatically.

6

Factory reset as a last resort

If the error still shows after reconnecting WiFi, do a full factory reset. Press and hold the setup button for 25-30 seconds until the light on the front flashes rapidly, then release. The device will reset to factory settings. Set it up again from scratch in the Ring app using Add a Device. Your saved videos in the cloud are not affected, but you will lose device settings, motion zones, and linked Alexa routines.

7

Contact Ring support if factory reset fails

If P1-99 persists even after a factory reset with a full battery and strong WiFi, the device may have a corrupted firmware partition that cannot be recovered by the user. Contact Ring support — they can push a firmware recovery remotely in some cases, or initiate a warranty replacement. Have the doorbell serial number ready (found in Device Health in the app or on the back of the device).

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Quick Solutions

Low battery or weak power

  1. Recharge the battery fully.
  2. If hardwired, verify the transformer provides enough power.

Weak Wi-Fi signal

  1. Move the router closer or use a Wi-Fi extender.
  2. Retry setup on 2.4GHz.

App glitch

  1. Update the Ring app.
  2. Force close and reopen before retrying.

Setup interrupted

  1. Restart the setup flow from the beginning.
  2. Keep your phone close to the doorbell.

Temporary service issue

  1. Wait a few minutes and try again.
  2. Check Ring status if the error repeats.

Device stuck

  1. Factory reset the doorbell and re-add it in the app.

Still having issues? This is usually the deeper cause below.

If the keypad rejects valid codes, a lockout timer may be running — five failed entries locks most keypads silently for 5–10 minutes.

Pro Tip

P1-99 is almost always caused by the device losing power or WiFi during a firmware update. Before attempting any fix, make sure you have strong WiFi signal and full battery (or confirmed hardwired voltage). Fix both of those first, then reboot — the device will retry the update automatically and P1-99 usually clears within 15 minutes.

Real-World Insight

This issue almost always looks more complex than it is — the majority of cases trace back to a single setting, a stale credential, or a default that shipped wrong.

What Usually Goes Wrong
  • Firmware glitch after update
  • Partial system failure
  • WiFi reconnection issue
  • Power surge caused corruption
  • Internal memory error

Official Manufacturer Manual

Ring provides official product documentation through their online manual rather than downloadable PDF. Access setup guides, troubleshooting steps, and product specifications for your Ring Video Doorbell.

View Ring Video Doorbell Online Manual

Source: ring.com

Need More Help? Ring Support

Note: The contact information below connects you directly to Ring's official customer support team, not Trunetto. They can help with warranty claims, device replacements, and advanced technical issues.

Guide Improvements

  • Updated June 16, 2026

    Explained what P1-99 means, added WiFi signal and battery checks before retry, and included factory reset recovery steps.

    What changed:
    • Explained P1-99 error cause (interrupted firmware update)
    • Added WiFi signal and battery prerequisites
    • Added reboot and WiFi reconnection steps
    • Added factory reset as last resort with recovery guide
    • Added real-world context about transformer voltage
    Source: Trunetto editorial update
View all guide improvements