Smart home technician helping fix smart doorbell firmware update failed

Steve H.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Smart doorbells & cameras, Wi-Fi & router issues, mobile app pairing, smart home hubs, firmware and software update troubleshooting

Smart Doorbell firmware update failed — causes, home fixes, and when to reset the device

Technician avatar Technician
Hey! We can absolutely sort out your Smart Doorbell firmware update failed issue at home.
Quick questions so I don’t miss anything important:
• What brand/model is it — Ring, Eufy, Nest, Reolink, Wyze, or another smart video doorbell?
• Are you seeing a specific error in the app, like “firmware update failed, please try again” or “update couldn’t complete”, or is it just stuck on “Updating…”?
• Is your smart doorbell wired to a chime or battery-powered? Does the LED ring or status light stay on, blink, or go dark when the update fails?
• Has anything changed recently with your Wi-Fi router (new password, new mesh router, moved the router) right before the doorbell firmware update error started?
Once I know this, I’ll give you step-by-step, at-home smart doorbell firmware repair steps that are safe for the device, Wi-Fi, and doorbell transformer, and we’ll only consider a full factory reset at the very end if we really need it.
Customer
It’s a battery Ring video doorbell. The app says there’s an update available, but when I try it, I get “Firmware update failed, please try again”. Sometimes it gets to like 20–30% and then fails. The doorbell still records and rings, but the app keeps nagging me to update.
Technician avatar Technician
Got it — classic case where the video doorbell firmware update fails but the doorbell still basically works.

Most of the time, this comes down to three main things:
• Battery level and power: If the battery is below a certain percent, the smart doorbell firmware update will keep failing or pausing to avoid bricking the device mid-update.
• Wi-Fi stability: Weak 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal, mesh/guest networks, or channel congestion can interrupt the download and give you a firmware update failed message.
• Cloud or app glitches: Sometimes the vendor’s servers or app have a temporary hiccup, so you get repeated doorbell firmware update errors even though your home network is fine.

We’ll start with power and Wi-Fi checks, then we’ll try a clean power cycle, a controlled firmware update retry from the app, and only if needed we’ll talk about a smart doorbell factory reset or reinstall.
Customer
Battery is around 60%. The doorbell is pretty far from the router, maybe two rooms away. Live View sometimes takes a while to load. I haven’t changed the router or password recently. The firmware update just keeps failing in the app.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect, thanks — that lines up with a smart doorbell firmware update failing because of marginal Wi-Fi and mid-range battery.

Step 1 — Make sure the battery and power are solid
• If it’s easy to remove the battery pack, charge it indoors with the USB cable until it’s at least 90–100% according to the app.
• If the doorbell is wired and charging through a transformer, confirm the indoor chime still rings normally and there’s no “low voltage” message in the app.

Step 2 — Improve the Wi-Fi signal during the firmware update
• Take your phone to the doorbell location and run a quick speed test on the same 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network the doorbell uses. If pages are slow to load, the doorbell firmware download will also struggle.
• If possible, temporarily move the router a bit closer to the front door or power up a mesh node closer to the doorbell.
• Make sure the doorbell is not connected to a guest network or a 5 GHz-only SSID — these often block firmware updates or live view.

Step 3 — Power cycle router and doorbell in the right order
• Unplug the router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait 2–3 minutes until Wi-Fi is stable.
• After Wi-Fi is back, reboot the smart doorbell (using the app option if available, or by holding the reset/reboot button for the short “restart-only” duration, not the full factory reset).

Once both are back online, we’ll try the firmware update again from a good connection.
Customer
I fully charged the battery and rebooted both the router and the doorbell. Live View loads faster now. When I retry the firmware update in the app, it still fails, but now it gets to around 60% before the “update failed” message.
Technician avatar Technician
Progress is actually a good sign — the firmware download is getting further, so power and Wi-Fi are better, but something is still interrupting the update process.

Let’s tidy up the app side to clear out any cached failed attempts:

Step 4 — Refresh the mobile app and account session
1) Close the doorbell app completely (swipe it away on your phone).
2) Turn your phone’s Wi-Fi off and back on, then connect again to the main 2.4 GHz network.
3) Reopen the app, go to the smart doorbell device page, and check for any messages like “device offline”, “low RSSI”, or “poor connection”.

Step 5 — Try the firmware update from a different phone or tablet
• If you have a second phone or tablet, log into the same doorbell account and try the video doorbell firmware update from that device.
• Stand near the router while doing this so your phone has excellent Wi-Fi during the update, which helps keep the connection to the cloud servers stable.

If the update still fails at a similar percentage, we’ll treat this as a persistent doorbell firmware update error and we’ll try a gentle reinstall without immediately factory-resetting the whole system.
Customer
I tried from my partner’s phone right next to the router. Same result: it climbs to about 60–70% and then says “firmware update failed, please try again later”. The doorbell itself stays online and still records, though.
Technician avatar Technician
Okay, so we’ve ruled out low battery, most Wi-Fi issues, and a bad phone. That points more toward a corrupted firmware download or a slightly glitched configuration for this doorbell in your account.

We’ll do a “soft reinstall” that keeps the hardware happy but refreshes its cloud and Wi-Fi profile:

Step 6 — Temporarily remove and re-add the doorbell in the app
• In the app, go to the device settings for the doorbell and look for an option like “Remove device” or “Delete this doorbell”.
• Confirm, then close the app and reopen it.
• Start the “Add new doorbell” process, scan the QR code on the doorbell if required, and connect it again to the same 2.4 GHz network.
• Once it appears online again and live view works, check if the firmware update prompt comes back.

If it still says Smart Doorbell firmware update failed after this clean reinstall, then we’re probably dealing with firmware on the device being stuck halfway between versions, and we’ll have to carefully consider a factory reset or an update over a different network, like a phone hotspot.
Customer
I removed it from the app and added it again. Setup went fine, notifications work, and live view is okay. It still shows that a firmware update is available. When I try again, it fails but this time at around 80–90%.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s actually encouraging — the doorbell firmware update is nearly finishing now, which signals the hardware is still healthy.

Before we do anything drastic, let’s rule out odd behavior from your home router entirely:

Step 7 — Try the firmware update on a temporary hotspot network
• Take the doorbell off the mount if it’s easy and safe to do so (or stand near it if not).
• On a spare phone, create a 2.4 GHz mobile hotspot with a simple name (no emojis/special characters) and a basic WPA2 password.
• In the doorbell app, temporarily change the doorbell’s Wi-Fi to this hotspot network and wait until it shows online on that network.
• Once online, try the firmware update again and watch whether it finally completes or still fails near the end.

If the update succeeds on the hotspot, it tells us your doorbell and firmware are fine and that your home Wi-Fi settings were the main issue. If it still says “firmware update failed” even on a clean hotspot, then the firmware image on the device is probably corrupted enough that a controlled factory reset is the next step.
Customer
I used my old phone as a hotspot and connected the doorbell to that. The firmware finally completed on the first try. The app says it’s up to date now. I switched it back to my home Wi-Fi and it still shows the latest firmware. So I guess the router was the problem?
Technician avatar Technician
Exactly — that test is the smoking gun. It shows the smart doorbell firmware itself was fine, but your main router was interrupting large downloads or blocking some update traffic.

For other folks reading this, here’s the rule of thumb:
• If your smart doorbell firmware update fails on home Wi-Fi but works on a simple hotspot, the issue is usually router-side: QoS rules, security filters, or 2.4 GHz interference.
• If it fails on both home Wi-Fi and a basic hotspot, especially at very low percentages, that’s when you suspect corrupted firmware or a failing flash chip and sometimes need a factory reset or manufacturer support.

In your case, we got lucky — no factory reset needed, and your video doorbell firmware update is now current.
Customer
Good to know. Everything seems to work and the app stopped nagging me about updates. Anything I should change on the router so I don’t hit this firmware update failed problem again next time?
Technician avatar Technician
Great question — preventing smart doorbell firmware update errors is way easier than dealing with them over and over.

To keep firmware updates smooth in the future:
• Leave the doorbell on a strong 2.4 GHz band with a good signal at the front door; avoid weird characters in the Wi-Fi name and password.
• If your router has “smart connect” or band-steering, make sure it isn’t constantly bouncing the doorbell between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz during updates.
• Avoid heavy uploads (cloud backups, game downloads) while your video doorbell firmware is updating — treat it like a mini software update window.
• Keep the battery well charged before any big update, especially on battery-only models.
• If you ever see Smart Doorbell firmware update failed again, repeat the quick combo: check battery → reboot router & doorbell → try on a clean hotspot before jumping straight to a factory reset.

And of course, if a future update gets stuck or your doorbell goes offline after a firmware update, you can always open the chat and an expert will walk you through the safest route for your exact model and wiring.
Customer
Thanks, that all makes sense. The smart doorbell firmware is up to date now and everything’s working. If I hit a firmware update error again, I’ll try the hotspot trick or chat with an expert.
Technician avatar Technician
Summary: When a Smart Doorbell firmware update failed message keeps popping up but the device still works, 1) fully charge the battery or confirm solid wired power, 2) improve the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal at the door, 3) power cycle router and doorbell in the right order, 4) refresh the app or try the update from another phone, 5) if needed, remove and re-add the doorbell to refresh its cloud profile, and 6) as a powerful test, try the firmware update while connected to a simple mobile hotspot. If it still fails everywhere, then a factory reset or manufacturer support is usually the cleanest fix. Want help on the safest steps for your exact model and wiring? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when a Smart Doorbell firmware update failed warning keeps appearing: fully charge the battery or verify solid wired power, then restart both your router and doorbell. Next, reconnect the doorbell to a strong 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and retry the firmware update from the app. If it still fails, remove and re-add the doorbell in the app and, if possible, perform the update once while connected to a simple mobile hotspot to rule out router issues.

Why smart doorbell firmware updates fail: power, Wi-Fi, and server issues

Most smart doorbell firmware update failed cases are not a dead device — they’re usually a mix of low battery, weak 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, or a hiccup on the vendor’s servers. If power is marginal, your video doorbell firmware update may stall around 20–50% and then roll back, giving you a generic “please try again” message. When Wi-Fi is weak or congested, the firmware file can time out mid-download, leaving the smart doorbell stuck on updating or offline for a minute. Sometimes, cloud outages or buggy app versions also trigger doorbell firmware update errors even though your router looks healthy. Only when you’ve tried good power, strong Wi-Fi, a clean reboot, and a hotspot test and the firmware update still fails do we start suspecting corrupted flash memory or deeper hardware faults.

How to test a failed smart doorbell firmware update safely at home

To confirm whether you have a temporary glitch or a serious smart doorbell firmware update failed problem, test it in layers. First, make sure normal functions work: doorbell rings, live view connects, and motion clips record. Next, stand near the router and try the firmware update again from inside the app while your phone has excellent Wi-Fi. If it fails at the same percentage every time, remove and re-add the doorbell in the app, then retry. As a final check, connect the doorbell to a clean mobile hotspot and run the video doorbell firmware update once more. If it succeeds there, your problem is almost certainly router-side; if it still fails everywhere, you’re likely looking at a firmware corruption case where a careful factory reset or vendor-guided repair is needed.

Smart Doorbell firmware update failed — quick troubleshooting tips

In most homes, a “failed” doorbell update is really a Wi-Fi or power issue — not a permanently bricked device.

Quick path: charge the battery to 90–100% or confirm good wired power, restart your router and doorbell, then reconnect the doorbell to a strong 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and retry the firmware update from the app. If you still get firmware update failed messages, remove and re-add the device in the app and try again over a simple mobile hotspot to rule out home router problems. Only if the smart doorbell firmware update fails on every network should you consider a full factory reset or contacting the manufacturer.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your smart doorbell brand, firmware version, wiring, and home network, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.

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FAQ

Why did my smart doorbell firmware update fail but the device still works?

This usually means the hardware is okay, but the firmware update process was interrupted. Low battery, weak 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, router security filters, or a busy cloud server can all cause a smart doorbell firmware update failed message while live view and recordings still work. Fully charge the battery, reboot your router and doorbell, then retry the video doorbell firmware update from a strong Wi-Fi connection.

What should I do if my smart doorbell is stuck on “Updating…” or a certain percentage?

If the doorbell is stuck on updating at 20–80% for more than a few minutes, stop the process in the app if possible and avoid repeatedly power-cycling the device mid-update. Instead, make sure the battery or wired power is solid, restart the router and doorbell, and try the firmware update again. If it always fails at the same point, remove and re-add the doorbell in the app and, if needed, try updating once from a clean mobile hotspot network.

Can a failed firmware update brick my smart doorbell?

It’s rare, but repeated power loss or forced reboots in the middle of a firmware update can corrupt the flash memory. Most modern smart doorbells are designed to roll back to a safe version if the update fails cleanly, which is why they often show “firmware update failed, please try again” instead of going dead. To minimise risk, keep the battery well charged, avoid cutting power during updates, and follow the vendor’s instructions if a factory reset is recommended.

When should I factory reset my smart doorbell after a firmware error?

Use a factory reset only after you’ve tried the safer options: full charge, Wi-Fi checks, router and doorbell reboot, app refresh, and a hotspot test. If your smart doorbell firmware update failed on multiple networks and the device is now offline or behaving strangely (missing features, constant crashes), then a vendor-approved factory reset followed by a fresh setup is usually the next step. If you’re unsure, chat with an expert so you don’t accidentally erase video history or custom automation settings you wanted to keep.

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