Why is my wired Ring Doorbell not working?

With the convenience offered by a Ring Video Doorbell, it's no surprise that even non-smart home owners opt to upgrade to this from their old mechanical doorbell.

Just the Ring Smart doorbell alone is enough to have a formidable home security, with real-time alerts, live video feed, and two-way voice communication via the Ring app.

And for an even greater alert system, you can connect a Ring chime to your video doorbell, so you can hear notifications anywhere in your home.

However, there are times when your Ring setup just doesn't work as you intended.

5 reasons why your wired Ring Doorbell isn't working

1. Wi-Fi issues

Ring Video Doorbells rely on Wi-Fi connection to function properly. These devices require a wireless router (802.11 B, G, or N) with a frequency band of 2.4 GHz.

So, before you install any Ring Doorbell model, make sure that your Wi-Fi router has the right configurations.

How to fix Wi-Fi issues

If you're using an older wireless router, your device may disconnect and reconnect on its own.

This is a common problem with Ring doorbells connected to an old router.

Ask a professional to check your router or replace it with a new one.

The router's distance from your Ring device is just as important as having a Wi-Fi router with the right configurations.

If your device is out of range, you may experience frequent disconnection or delays in alerts.

To address this issue, make sure that your Ring doorbell is located close enough to the wireless router so it stays within range.

You may also opt for the Ring Chime Pro, which has a built-in Wi-Fi range extender and an external chime that can be heard throughout your house.

2. Drained battery

Ring Doorbells come in two versions: wired and wireless.

Depending on the model you get, it may require a wired power source or have an internal battery pack to function properly.

How to check & fix the battery

Some models come with a battery pack that you'll need to recharge using a Ring battery charging station.

The Ring Doorbell's battery can last anywhere between 6 and 12 months, depending on how much activity is being recorded.

When the battery is running low, you'll receive a notification via the Ring app telling you it's time for a recharge.

Unless you have the notifications muted, don't ignore the low battery warning as you'll have to completely reset the device once its battery dies down.

If your battery is not charging properly, you may purchase a new one on Ring's official website.

Here's how to replace your Ring battery:

1. Remove the screw at the bottom of the cover.

2. Lift the cover off using your thumb to access the battery.

3. Press the rectangular tab down with your index finger and slide the battery off using your thumb and middle finger.

4. Release the black tab once the battery has slid off.

5. Slide the new battery and wait till you hear it snap in place, which means it's securely in place.

6. Screw the faceplate back.

3. Poor wiring

If you have the wired version (such as the Ring Video Doorbell Pro), it means that you'll need to have your device attached to your home power supply using internal wires.

Alternatively, you can charge your battery-powered device for continuous use with a power supply adapter. It will still function primarily using the battery, but it will get a trickle charge from your home's power source to keep it running.

How to check & fix the wiring

If you have a wired setup and your Ring Doorbell Pro is not working properly, the device might not be wired correctly.

Check Ring's website for the correct wiring diagrams for the particular configuration you want.

4. Incorrect voltage

Your doorbell may not function properly if it's not receiving enough power.

Ring doorbells require at least 3900 mV to work properly.

How to check & fix the voltage

You can check if your device is not receiving sufficient voltage through the app.

Open the Ring smartphone app, select the doorbell, and tap device health.

If the issue has something to do with voltage, you'll need a new transformer with 8-24 VAC power maximum of 40VA and 50/60GHz.

Just don't use halogen or garden-lighting transformers.

Turn off the device's power supply and reconnect it with the new transformer.

5. Faulty device

If the above four aren't the issue, you might be dealing with a defective device.

Reset power to the doorbell or reboot it completely

If it still doesn't work, reach out to Ring for assistance as you might have a faulty device.

Chances are, yours has bad hardware and Ring would gladly replace your doorbell.

Why your wired Ring Doorbell is not ringing inside

As Ring Doorbells can be connected to your existing mechanical chime, issues with connectivity happen more often than you think.

If you have the Ring Doorbell chime, no problemo. The doorbell works perfectly together with the digital chime.

Compatibility issues seem to happen with mechanical chimes.

1. Check if their module is installed correctly inside the mechanical chime. This module makes it possible for the Ring doorbell to control the chime. If it's not properly installed, your chime will not work. You'll find detailed instructions in our guide for installing a Ring doorbell.

2. Check the chime settings on the Ring app. It might've been disabled for some reason. Open the app and go to the settings of the Ring device. Go to "Device Settings" and click "General Settings". Select “Doorbell Chime Type”. Make sure that it's set to "Mechanical" and that “Ring my in-home doorbell” is enabled.

How to enable the microphone

Enabling the microphone is what allows you to hear the doorbell chime as well as the sounds coming from outside.

To fix this issue, go into Audio Controls in your Ring app and toggle the microphone to the on position.

Why your wired Ring Doorbell isn't ringing your phone

If you can hear audio from your Ring Doorbell on your phone, but there's no sound from your phone to the Ring Doorbell, the Ring app might not have access to your microphone.

To give the Ring app access to your microphone:

• On your smartphone, open Settings

• Select Privacy

• Select Microphone

• Ensure that the toggle next to the Ring app is enabled (green).

FAQ

How to tell if your Ring Doorbell is offline

If your Ring device is offline, it will say "Offline" under the Network header.

What can cause your Ring device to go offline?

There are a variety of circumstances that can cause your Ring device to go offline. These include:

• A power surge that caused a problem with your Internet router.

• Temporarily losing power. 

• A wire in your router setup temporarily comes loose.

• You change your Wi-Fi password.

• Your Ring device is suffering from low power due to a faulty battery.

How to reconnect the doorbell to the Wi-Fi

To reconnect your Ring video doorbell to your Wi-Fi network:

1. Go to the Ring app, tap on the three lines on the top left of your "Dashboard".

2. Tap "Devices".

3. Select the doorbell you want to reconnect to Wi-Fi.

4. You'll be redirected to "Device Dashboard".

5. Select "Device Health".

6. Tap on "Reconnect to Wi-Fi" or "Change Wi-Fi Network".

How do you reprogram a Ring Doorbell from the previous owner?

Here's how you can reprogram a Ring Doorbell:

1. Remove the device's backplate.

2. Press the orange button for about 20 seconds.

3. Release the button.

4. The front of the device will start flashing. This means that the device is performing a hard reset.

5. Wait for the device to complete the process.

Why is my Ring Doorbell suddenly not working?

There are a few possible reasons why your Ring Doorbell suddenly Stopped working:

1. Your Wi-Fi connection. Ring Video Doorbells rely on Wi-Fi connection to function properly. These devices require a wireless router (802.11 B, G, or N) with a frequency band of 2.4 GHz. So, before you install any Ring Doorbell model, make sure that your Wi-Fi router has the right configurations. Also, make sure that your Ring doorbell is located close enough to the wireless router so it stays within range.

2. Drained Battery. The Ring Doorbell's battery can last anywhere between 6 and 12 months, depending on how much activity is being recorded. When the battery is running low, you'll receive a notification via the Ring app telling you it's time for a recharge. Unless you have the notifications muted, don't ignore the low battery warning as you'll have to completely reset the device once its battery dies down. If you need more details, check our guide on how to charge your Ring doorbell battery.

3. Not enough voltage. Ring doorbells require at least 3900mV to work properly. Your doorbell may not function properly if it's not receiving enough power.

4. Faulty device. If the issue doesn't involve the above three, you might be dealing with a faulty device. Contact Ring to know what your options are.