Ring Solar Panel Not Connected? – (Quick Fix Guide)

Are you seeing the Ring solar panel not connected message? We got you!

A Ring solar panel provides a continuous power source for your Ring devices.

However, when it doesn’t work properly, it often indicates faulty connections as they become loose, damaged, or corroded.

To fix your Ring Solar Panel, first, inspect the cables and ports for signs of damage or corrosion. Setting it up again on the Ring app should eliminate any software issues to get it working.

Let’s now focus on the solutions at hand!

Ring Solar Panel Not Connected – 10 Easy Ways to Fix

If you see the message “Solar Panel Status: Not Connected,” don’t worry. There are simple solutions to fix this problem.

#1: Make Sure Your Solar Panel is Getting Enough Sunlight

Your Ring solar panel needs at least four hours of direct sunlight daily to charge your Ring device properly.

If you live in a cloudy or rainy climate, you need to find a location in your home with sufficient sunlight. 

To make sure your Ring solar panel is getting enough sunlight, follow these tips:

1. Check the weather forecast.
2. Avoid installing your solar panel during cloudy or rainy days.
3. Choose a location that gets at least three to four hours of direct sunlight daily. 
4. Select a location that faces south or west.
5. Choose a place without obstructions, like trees, buildings, or roofs.
6. Adjust the angle of your solar panel to maximize sun exposure.
7. Monitor the solar panel status on your Ring app. 

Note: If you use a solar panel to power a Ring device that uses a lot of battery power, you must move it to a sunnier location. 

#2: Check the Connections

When the Ring solar panel says not connected, check your connections. It means your solar panel is not properly linked to the Ring device. 

To check the connections, follow these steps:

1. Unplug the micro USB cable from your solar panel and your Ring device.
2. Inspect the cables and ports for signs of damage.
3. Clean the cables and ports using a dry cloth or a cotton swab.
4. Plug the cable back into your solar panel and your Ring device securely. 
5. Ensure there are no bends or kinks in the cable.
6. Monitor the solar panel status if it changes to “Connected.”

Note: If you see issues with the connection, replace the cables. 

#3: Remove Dust, Dirt, and Other Debris from Your Solar Panel

If your solar panel is covered with dust, dirt, pollen, leaves, snow, and other debris that block the sunlight, you will face connection issues. Remove them to increase the efficiency of your device. 

Here’s how to do this: 

1. Turn off your Ring device and unplug it from the solar panel. 
2. Use a soft brush or cloth to gently wipe off dust, dirt, or pollen from your solar panel.
3. Use a damp cloth or hose to rinse off sticky or stubborn debris. 
4. Dry your solar panel with a clean cloth, or let it air-dry completely.
5. Plug your Ring device back into your solar panel and turn it on.
6. Check the solar panel status if it changes to “Connected.”

#4: Check the Battery Level of Your Ring Device

Another possible cause is the battery level of your Ring device.

If it’s too low or too high for your solar panel to charge it, you will see the not connected message.

To check the battery level on your device, follow these steps:

1. Open the Ring app on your smartphone.
2. Tap the Menu icon in the upper left corner.
3. Tap on Devices.
4. Tap the name of your Ring device.
5. Select Device Health.
6. Check the battery level and charging status of your Ring device.

Pro Tip: Before connecting your Ring device to your solar panel, charge it manually with a standard USB charger if it’s below 10% or drain it a bit if the battery level is above 90%. 

#5: Verify the Compatibility of Your Solar Panel with Your Ring Device

You will also encounter connection issues if your solar panel is incompatible with your Ring device. Incompatibility issues arise when you buy a counterfeit or defective solar panel. 

To verify the compatibility of your solar panel and Ring device, follow these steps:

1. Check the model number and serial number of your solar panel and Ring device.
2. Compare them with the list of compatible devices on the Ring website or user manual.
3. Ensure you buy your solar panel from an authorized seller or retailer.
4. Contact the seller or manufacturer if you have any doubts or issues.

Here is a table showing the compatibility of different Ring solar panels with Ring devices:

Ring Solar Panel	Compatible Ring Devices
Solar Panel for Video Doorbell with a Micro USB	Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
Solar Panel for Doorbells with a Fork Connector	Video Doorbell 2, 3, 3+, 4, Battery Doorbell Plus
Solar Panel 2.4W rating with a Barrel Connector	Stick-up Cam with Battery (2nd Gen and 3rd Gen), Spotlight Cam with Battery
Solar Panel with USB-C	Spotlight Cam Plus and Spotlight Cam Pro
Small Solar Panel with USB-C	Spotlight Cam Plus and Spotlight Cam Pro
Super Solar Panel 5W rating	Spotlight Cam with Battery, Stick-up Cam with Battery (2nd Gen and 3rd Gen)
Solar Charger and Solar Panel for Ring Doorbell	Video Doorbell 3, 3+, 4, Battery Doorbell Plus

#6: Reconnect Your Solar Panel on the Ring App

If your Ring app does not recognize your solar panel or you accidentally deleted it from your device list, you will also encounter the issue.

Follow these steps to fix this.

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap on the three lines in the upper left corner.
3. Tap on Devices.
4. Select the device connected to the solar panel.
5. Tap on Device Health.
6. Go to Power Resources.
7. Tap on Solar Panel.
8. Ta Reconnect Solar Panel.
9. Follow the instructions to scan the QR code or enter your solar panel’s serial number.

#7: Update the Firmware of Your Ring Device and Solar Panel

If your solar panel’s or Ring device’s firmware is outdated or corrupted, it will not function properly. So, it’s essential to keep it updated regularly. 

To update it, follow these steps:

1. Ensure your Ring solar panel and Ring device are connected to the internet.
2. Open the Ring app.
3. Tap on the three lines in the upper left corner.
4. Tap on Devices and select the device you want to update. 
5. Tap on Device Health.
6. Go to Firmware Version.
7. Tap on Check for Updates.
8. Tap Update if an update is available. 

Tip: Do not disconnect your Ring device or solar panel from the internet or power source during this time.  

#8: Reinstall Your Ring Solar Panel

Why does my ring solar panel say not connected still? The problem is with the installation. You want to redo it to get rid of any issues, allowing it to work again.

To reinstall your Ring solar panel, follow these steps: 

1. Disconnect the solar panel from the Ring device.
2. Remove the solar panel from its mounting bracket.
3. Clean the mounting bracket and the solar panel with a soft cloth.
4. Inspect the solar panel for signs of damage and replace any damaged parts.
5. Remount the solar panel to the mounting bracket.
6. Reconnect the solar panel to your Ring device.

#9: If it Says “Add a Solar Panel”

If you see the message “Add a Solar Panel” instead, it’s just a suggestion to buy another solar panel for better battery life and performance. So, ignore it.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap Devices, then the name of your Ring device.
3. Tap Device Health.
4. Tap on Solar Panel Status. 
5. You should see a green check mark and the message Connected.

Note: If you don’t want to see the Add a Solar Panel message again, turn off the notifications for it in the settings menu. 

#10: Reset Your Ring Device and Solar Panel

If the cause of the problem is a glitch in the software or hardware, reset your Ring device and solar panel. Here’s how to do this.

Ring Device

1. Press and hold the Setup button for 20 seconds.
2. The Ring device will beep, and the lights will flash.
3. It will be reset to factory settings.

Ring Solar Panel

1. Unplug the solar panel from the Ring device.
2. Wait for at least 30 seconds.
3. Plug the solar panel back into the Ring device.
4. The solar panel will be reset.

Note: Resetting your Ring device will delete all your settings and data, but resetting your solar panel will not delete any data. 

Quick Recap

A Ring solar panel not connected error is often a result of loose, damaged, or corroded cables between the solar panel and Ring device.

Inspect the connections for damage to resolve it, then clean the cables and ports with a dry cloth or cotton swab.