by The Ring Doorbell is truly one of the best devices in its category. It’s easy to use, smart and it simply makes some things in your life easier.
You’re instantly notified if there’s someone at your front door through Ring’s free smartphone app. It detects motion, so if you have unwanted visitors at any time, you are also notified about that.
It’s got an amazing 1080p HD camera with a 155 degree horizontal and 90 degree vertical field of view. You can check the outside of your front door in real time wherever you are regardless if it’s day or night because the Ring doorbell also comes with night vision. Not only that, but it even has two-way audio, so you can talk to visitors before opening your door.
So, here’s where the problem lies, the battery. The Ring doorbell comes equipped with a rechargeable battery that’s non-removable on the 2nd generation doorbell. That means that if somehow the battery goes bad, the only option you have is to hardwire your device to a transformer and having it plugged in 24/7.
However, the 3rd generation Ring doorbell has a quick-release rechargeable battery. While you can order a replacement battery if the original one goes bad, you can also hardwire this device too.
Why Is My Ring Doorbell Not Charging?
First things first, make sure your Ring doorbell is properly connected to your Wi-Fi. Not only it has to be connected, but the signal strength must be pretty strong in order for things to work right. Try moving your internet router closer to your doorbell.
After you’re sure that your Ring doorbell has a good connection to the internet, let’s find out why the ring doorbell isn’t charging.
Check The Health of Your Ring Doorbell
Ring has made it easy to check your doorbell’s battery health through its mobile app.
To do so:
- Open the Ring app,
- Tap on the three lines on the top left,
- Tap Devices,
- Select your device,
- Tap the Device Health tile below the image of the device.
Make sure your signal strength is in the green and that your battery level is not almost completely depleted.
Check Your USB Cable
The Ring doorbell can be charged with a micro-USB cable. If this cable is faulty then charging will simply not happen, we’ve all seen people trying to charge their phones with absolutely destroyed cables and usually they fail doing so. The same thing applies to your Ring doorbell as the process is basically the same.
If your cable isn’t visibly damaged, try using it to charge another device. If that also doesn’t work, try another micro-USB cable.
Make Sure Your Charger Is Functional
Ring recommends using any USB power source such as a computer or a phone charger. If you followed the step above and your cable is working properly, try swapping your charger when trying to charge your Ring doorbell.
I personally recommend that you use a proper, powerful charger, such as a charger from a newer phone. Charging your device from a computer’s USB port is usually very slow and your Ring doorbell will take a very long time to charge or in some cases will not charge at all.
Factory Reset Your Ring Doorbell
Maybe your device is just confused and it needs a fresh start. Sometimes a software issue might stop your device from charging and a factory reset will put it back on the right track.
To do so, follow the steps written on Ring’s website:
- Undo the security screws and remove your doorbell from its bracket.
- Press and hold the orange setup button on the back of the device for 10 seconds.
- The light on the front of the doorbell will flash for several minutes, when the light turns off the reset is complete.
After the reset is complete, follow the setup steps just as when you first bought your device. After completing the setup, try charging your Ring doorbell again, keeping the steps above in mind.
Why Does the Battery Discharge So Fast?
If you live in a part of the world where temperatures go down pretty heavily, you must keep in mind that low temperatures and batteries are not really friends.
The colder the weather, the harder will be for the battery to hold its charge. At around 35°F (2°C) the battery starts struggling to hold its charge and at around 32°F (0°C) the battery may not even charge at all. Anything under 10°F (-12°C) and your device will be rendered useless.
Consider Hardwiring
Hardwiring consists of connecting your Ring doorbell to a transformer, eliminating the need to charge your batteries as your device will be powered constantly. This requires you to have an already existing doorbell wiring. This install should be done by a professional, as it involves working with high voltages.
Your transformer should meet these specs (10-24 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 10-40 VA). You can check if your transformer meets these specs by reading the rating printed on its side. However, keep in mind that you need to cut the power to the transformer through the power breaker before touching anything, just to be safe.
Ring has released a video guide showing you how to hardwire your Ring doorbell step by step. I only recommend following this guide if you really know what you’re doing. If you don’t, hire an electrician as it’s better to be safe than sorry. Not following every step and accidentally electrocuting yourself can be deadly.
Your Ring Doorbell Might Just Be Faulty
If your Ring doorbell still isn’t charging, then maybe it’s just faulty. The USB cable, the charger and even the battery might be working but the device itself could be defective and that could prevent it from charging.
Contacting Ring Customer Support is the next thing you should do, as they will help you fix your device or you could get a replacement. Ring offers a one year warranty for their devices and you could be able to get a free replacement.
Conclusion
In most cases, batteries tend to fail and your device will turn off quicker than usual. Usually, a bad battery will also be unable to be charged properly, leading to more and more problems down the line with your device.
The Ring doorbell is no exception here, as harsh conditions and constant usage will deplete the battery health quickly. Typically, Ring doorbell batteries have a lifespan from 6 to 12 months but that depends a lot on how many events happen during the day, such as doorbell rings, motion detection and more.
