A Ring doorbell that won’t charge can leave your home security system vulnerable and non-functional. Whether your battery-powered Ring refuses to accept a charge or your hardwired doorbell isn’t maintaining power, this guide will help you identify the problem and get your device charging properly again.
Table of Contents
Understanding Ring Doorbell Power Systems
Ring doorbells come in different power configurations, and charging issues vary based on your model:
Battery-Powered Models: Ring Video Doorbell (1st-4th gen), Ring Video Doorbell Plus, Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 (has backup battery)
Hardwired Models: Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Ring Video Doorbell Elite
Dual-Powered Models: Some models can be both battery and hardwired, using wired power as a trickle charge
Understanding your model is crucial because troubleshooting steps differ significantly.
Quick Diagnostic Checks
Before diving into solutions, determine what’s happening:
Check Battery Status:
- Open Ring app
- Select your doorbell
- Tap Device Health
- Look at battery percentage
Identify Your Problem:
- Battery won’t charge at all (stays at same percentage)
- Battery charges very slowly
- Battery drains faster than it charges
- Hardwired doorbell showing low battery
- Charging light doesn’t illuminate
Battery-Powered Ring Doorbell Solutions
1. Proper Charging Procedure
Many users don’t charge their Ring batteries correctly.
Correct Method:
- Remove the doorbell from its mount (push release tab)
- Remove the battery pack completely
- Connect to the official Ring charging cable
- Plug into a wall outlet (not computer USB port)
- Charge for 5-10 hours until light turns solid green
- Reinsert battery and remount doorbell
Common Mistakes:
- Trying to charge while still mounted
- Using third-party charging cables
- Charging from low-power USB ports
- Not charging long enough (less than 5 hours)
2. Battery Contact Issues
Dirty or corroded contacts prevent proper charging.
Solution:
- Remove the battery pack
- Inspect the metal contacts on both battery and doorbell
- Clean with a dry cloth or cotton swab
- For corrosion, use a pencil eraser gently
- Ensure contacts are not bent or damaged
- Reinsert battery firmly until it clicks
3. Try a Different Charging Cable and Outlet
Faulty cables or outlets are common culprits.
Steps:
- Test your outlet with another device to confirm it works
- Try a different Ring charging cable if you have one
- Use a wall outlet, not a power strip or surge protector
- Avoid USB charging from computers or car adapters
- Ensure the micro-USB connection is secure
4. Temperature-Related Charging Problems
Extreme temperatures prevent lithium batteries from charging.
Optimal Charging Conditions:
- Temperature range: 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C)
- Remove battery from cold outdoor location
- Bring to room temperature before charging
- Don’t charge in direct sunlight or hot environments
- Allow 30-60 minutes to reach room temperature
Cold Weather Solutions:
- Charge batteries indoors during winter
- Keep spare charged battery for rotation
- Consider Ring Solar Panel accessory for continuous charging
- Install doorbell in location with some climate protection
5. Battery Age and Degradation
Lithium batteries lose capacity over time.
Signs of Battery Wear:
- Charges to full but drains within days
- Takes much longer to charge than before
- Battery percentage drops rapidly
- Battery is more than 2-3 years old
Solution:
- Purchase a replacement battery from Ring or authorized retailers
- Consider buying a spare for seamless rotation
- Battery replacement is normal every 2-3 years depending on usage
6. Reset Your Ring Doorbell
Software glitches can cause charging indicator errors.
Steps:
- Remove battery for 30 seconds
- Press and hold the orange setup button for 20 seconds
- Release and wait for device to reset
- Reinsert battery
- Reconnect to Ring app if needed
- Check if charging status updates correctly
Hardwired Ring Doorbell Solutions
7. Verify Power Requirements
Hardwired Ring doorbells need specific voltage to function.
Required Power:
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro: 16-24V AC, 10-40VA
- Ring Video Doorbell Elite: Power over Ethernet (PoE)
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: 16-24V AC, 20-40VA
Check Your Transformer:
- Locate your doorbell transformer (usually near breaker box)
- Check the label for voltage and VA rating
- Ensure it meets Ring’s requirements
- If inadequate, purchase compatible transformer
Testing Voltage:
- Use a multimeter to test transformer output
- Should read 16-24V AC
- If below 16V, transformer needs replacement
- If no reading, check circuit breaker
8. Inspect Wiring and Connections
Loose or damaged wiring prevents proper power delivery.
Solution:
- Turn off power at the breaker
- Remove doorbell faceplate
- Check that wires are securely connected to terminals
- Look for frayed, damaged, or corroded wires
- Ensure wires aren’t touching each other (causing short)
- Tighten all screw terminals
- Use electrical tape on exposed wire if needed
9. Install or Check Power Kit (Pro Models)
Ring Pro models require a power kit for proper charging.
What It Does:
- Bypasses your existing mechanical chime
- Ensures consistent power flow to doorbell
- Prevents power interruptions
Installation Check:
- Locate your indoor chime box
- Verify Ring power kit is installed
- Ensure it’s connected to the correct terminals
- Follow Ring’s wiring diagram for your chime type
- If not installed, this is likely your problem
Common Power Kit Issues:
- Installed on wrong terminals
- Loose wire connections
- Incompatible chime type
- Multiple chimes causing issues
10. Chime Compatibility Problems
Some traditional chimes draw too much power.
Solution:
- Identify your chime type (mechanical or digital)
- Digital chimes often cause issues – consider removing
- Verify chime compatibility at ring.com/chime-compatibility
- Install a compatible chime if needed
- Consider disabling indoor chime and using Ring Chime instead
Dual-Powered Ring Doorbell Solutions
11. Trickle Charging Expectations
Hardwired battery doorbells charge slowly by design.
Understanding Trickle Charge:
- Doesn’t charge battery to 100% quickly
- Extends battery life between manual charges
- Heavy usage may still drain faster than trickle charge
- Cold weather significantly reduces charging effectiveness
Realistic Expectations:
- Battery may still need manual charging every few months
- Trickle charge maintains battery, doesn’t fully recharge it
- High-traffic areas with frequent activations need more frequent charging
12. Power Saving Settings
Optimize settings to reduce battery drain.
Adjustments in Ring App:
- Reduce motion sensitivity to decrease false alerts
- Adjust motion zones to cover only necessary areas
- Lower video quality if acceptable (saves power)
- Reduce motion frequency in Device Settings
- Enable People Only Mode to reduce unwanted recordings
- Disable Advanced Motion Detection if not needed
Advanced Troubleshooting
Check for Firmware Issues
Outdated firmware can cause charging problems.
Solution:
- Open Ring app > Device Health
- Check firmware version
- Ensure device is connected to Wi-Fi for updates
- Updates occur automatically when device is idle
- May take 24-48 hours after connection
Inspect for Physical Damage
Damaged components prevent charging.
Look For:
- Cracked battery casing
- Bent or broken charging port
- Water damage indicators (if accessible)
- Loose internal components (rattling sound)
- Melted plastic or burn marks
If Found: Contact Ring support for replacement options.
Test with a Different Battery
Isolate whether issue is battery or doorbell.
Steps:
- Borrow a battery from another Ring device if possible
- Try charging your battery in another Ring device
- Purchase a second battery to test
- If new battery works, old battery is faulty
- If new battery doesn’t charge, doorbell has the issue
Wi-Fi and Usage Patterns
Excessive usage drains batteries faster than they charge.
High-Drain Scenarios:
- Very busy location (50+ events daily)
- Poor Wi-Fi requiring constant reconnection
- Live View accessed frequently
- Cold weather operation
- Very long motion recordings
Solutions:
- Improve Wi-Fi signal strength (RSSI better than -60)
- Reduce motion sensitivity and zone size
- Consider adding Ring Solar Panel
- Limit Live View usage
- Upgrade to hardwired model for high-traffic areas
Ring Solar Panel Accessory
For battery models that drain too quickly.
Benefits:
- Provides continuous charging in sunlight
- Reduces manual charging frequency
- Works with most battery-powered Ring doorbells
- Weather-resistant design
Requirements:
- Needs 3-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Must be positioned correctly facing sun
- 13-foot cable limits placement options
- Less effective in winter or shaded areas
Installation Tips:
- Mount panel above doorbell when possible
- Avoid shaded areas (trees, overhangs)
- Angle toward sun’s path
- Clean panel surface regularly
Troubleshooting by Error Messages
“Hardwired – No Power Detected”:
- Check transformer voltage
- Verify all wire connections
- Install power kit if Pro model
- Test circuit breaker
“Battery Critically Low”:
- Remove and manually charge immediately
- Check for excessive usage
- Verify charging cable works
- Consider battery replacement if old
“Charging Interrupted”:
- Ensure cable is fully inserted
- Try different outlet
- Check for loose connection
- Battery may be faulty
Professional Installation Considerations
When to hire an electrician:
- Uncomfortable working with electrical wiring
- Need to install new transformer
- Complex chime setup with multiple units
- Voltage testing required
- Existing wiring is damaged or inadequate
Cost: Professional installation typically runs $100-200 but ensures proper power delivery.
When to Contact Ring Support
Reach out if:
- Battery won’t charge after trying all solutions
- Hardwired doorbell shows no power despite correct voltage
- Device is under warranty and showing defects
- Charging port appears damaged
- Battery swells or becomes hot during charging (safety issue)
Contact Methods:
- Ring app: Menu > Help > Contact Us
- Website: ring.com/support
- Phone: 1-800-656-1918
- Request replacement if under warranty
Prevention and Maintenance Tips
Keep your Ring doorbell charging properly:
Regular Maintenance:
- Clean battery contacts every 3 months
- Check transformer connections annually
- Monitor battery health in app weekly
- Charge battery before it drops below 20%
- Keep spare battery charged for battery-powered models
Optimal Settings:
- Balance security needs with battery life
- Adjust motion settings seasonally
- Update firmware promptly
- Monitor usage patterns in app
Seasonal Considerations:
- Charge batteries more frequently in winter
- Adjust motion sensitivity in fall (leaves trigger false alerts)
- Check solar panel cleanliness quarterly
- Protect from extreme weather when possible
Alternative Power Solutions
If charging remains problematic:
Ring Solar Charger:
- Continuous charging from sunlight
- Eliminates most manual charging
Spare Battery System:
- Keep second battery charged
- Swap batteries instead of removing doorbell
- Seamless power transition
Upgrade to Hardwired:
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro for proper hardwiring
- Eliminates battery concerns entirely
- Requires compatible transformer
PoE Models:
- Ring Video Doorbell Elite
- Most reliable power option
- Requires professional installation
Understanding Warranty Coverage
Ring’s warranty typically covers:
- Manufacturing defects
- Battery failures within warranty period
- Hardware malfunctions
Warranty Duration:
- Most Ring doorbells: 1 year from purchase
- Ring Protect Pro includes extended warranty
- Keep purchase receipt for claims
Not Covered:
- Normal battery wear and tear
- Damage from improper installation
- Transformer or home wiring issues
- Physical damage or water intrusion
Conclusion
Ring doorbell charging issues typically stem from improper charging procedures, inadequate power supply, environmental factors, or battery age rather than device defects. By identifying whether you have a battery-powered or hardwired model and systematically working through the appropriate troubleshooting steps, you can usually resolve charging problems quickly.
For battery models, ensure you’re using the correct charging method with official cables and adequate power sources. For hardwired installations, verify your transformer meets voltage requirements and all connections are secure. When in doubt, checking the Device Health section in your Ring app provides valuable diagnostic information.
With proper charging habits, optimal settings, and regular maintenance, your Ring doorbell should maintain reliable power and continue protecting your home effectively for years to come.