Increasingly uncertain times make people more interested in securing their homes with measures like monitoring their front doors from their smartphones.
That’s where Ring doorbells come into play. As a piece of electronic equipment, however, they need an electrical charge to function.
One common issue with Ring doorbells that has been reported by its users is that they may stop charging, rendering them useless to their intended purpose.
In this article, we will explore the various reasons why a Ring doorbell is not charging and several ways to troubleshoot the problem.
Before we jump to the troubleshooting tips, let’s look at some of the reasons why your Ring doorbell is not charging.
Why Is My Ring Doorbell Not Charging?
There’s not a single reason why your Ring doorbell won’t take charge. In fact, many factors can cause the Ring doorbell not charging issue, including the following:
- Poor Wi-Fi connection
- Damaged charging cable
- Faulty battery
- Extreme weather conditions
- Battery-draining settings
- Bad unit
You should be able to pinpoint the issue easier now that you know why your Ring doorbell isn’t charging.
Let’s start troubleshooting your Ring Doorbell charging issues.
Verify Power Is Flowing to the Ring Doorbell
The first step is to verify that the means of distributing the charge directed to the Ring doorbell is operational.
Start by checking the power outlet by plugging another device into it. If the other device is charging, then the outlet is fine and is casting power correctly.
This eliminates the power source as the issue, so you will want to check the wiring next.
Wiring tends to loosen over time, disconnect, or get frayed. In all of those cases, charging may not work. Wires should be inspected for any type of visible damage.
It is also important to verify that the charging source of the Ring is compatible with what the ring requires, in terms of voltage, for instance.
Ensure the Wi-Fi Signal is Strong
Many issues can arise if your Wi-Fi signal is weak, including your Ring not ringing, Ring going offline, and not getting accurate battery information.
Furthermore, your Ring battery may drain quickly due to a poor Wi-Fi signal. When there’s a poor Wi-Fi connection, your Ring device will keep searching for a better signal, draining the battery faster than usual.
Try to move your router closer to your Ring device so it can connect to a stronger signal. If moving your router is not an option, buy a Wi-Fi extender to amplify the signal.
Clean Charging Contacts
Another reason why a Ring doorbell may not charge is that the charging contacts may have accumulated dirt and debris over time.
This can result in a poor connection between the doorbell and the charging cable, making it impossible to charge the device.
You can gently wipe the charging contacts with a clean and dry cloth to remove any dirt and debris that may have accumulated on them.
It is important to avoid using water or any other liquid during cleaning, as this could potentially damage the device.
It is also important to avoid wiping the contacts with any abrasive materials that could damage their surface, as well as any material that is viable to produce residual static.
If the contact surfaces are still dirty, a small, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove the remaining stubborn particles.
Review Power Settings
The Ring doorbell is equipped with a number of power-saving capabilities designed to extend its battery life.
However, if these features are set too aggressively, they can preclude proper charging.
To verify and customize the power settings, follow these steps:
- Log onto the official Ring app on your smartphone.
- Locate the Ring doorbell device of interest.
- Navigate to the settings of that device.
- From here, you can adjust the power-saving options not to be as aggressive, as those will reduce the battery drain prolonging its life and enhancing the performance of the device.
Update Ring Firmware
Outdated firmware is another potential explanation for why a Ring doorbell might fail to charge.
Ring routinely issues firmware updates to resolve issues reported by users or found by the company’s quality testers, as well as to enhance the functionality of its products.
To upgrade the firmware, follow these steps:
- Access the Ring app on your smartphone.
- Select the Ring doorbell device.
- Navigate to the device settings and click on “Device Health.”
- Should an update be available, you will be able to click “Update firmware” to perform it.
Beware of Weather Extremes
You probably know that cold weather affects the performance of your Ring’s doorbell lithium battery. During winter months, your Ring doorbell will have trouble charging or holding its charge.
Ring provides some key temperatures to be aware of:
- 36°F (3°C): The battery may not hold a charge as effectively, requiring you to charge the unit more often.
- 32°F (0°C): The battery may not charge at all, even in hardwired setups.
- -5°F (-20.5°C): The battery may stop working entirely until it gets warmer.
When it gets cold, if you have issues with your Ring doorbell not charging, just bring the unit inside and charge it with a USB cord.
Ensure the battery gets to 100% before remounting the unit, and monitor its battery life, as you’ll have charging issues as long as the temperature is cold.
Replace Ring Battery
It is also possible that the battery in the Ring is depleted and requires replacement.
The Ring doorbell is equipped with a rechargeable battery that can endure for several months, depending on the frequency of usage.
If you’ve had your Ring doorbell for an extended period and it isn’t charging, then a battery replacement should be considered.
You can purchase the battery directly from Ring’s website or other partnering retailers.
Reset the Ring Doorbell
If none of the above solutions seemed to resolve the issue with the Ring doorbell not charging, then you can try resetting the device.
Resetting the Ring restores it to its default settings and may help fix any software glitches that might be causing the doorbell not to charge.
To perform the reset:
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the doorbell for 20 seconds
- Look for the flashing light to indicate that the reset has been completed
- Check if the device resumes charging
Contact Ring Customer Support
If you have attempted all the solutions mentioned above, yet your Ring doorbell still doesn’t charge, you should reach out to Ring’s customer support.
Report your issue to their group of specialized support representatives via phone, email, or live chat.
They can assist you in resolving any problems with your Ring device. Remember to keep your Ring doorbell serial number and model nearby while contacting customer support.
They will require that information to more readily assist in your efforts to get the Ring doorbell to charge.
Wrap-Up: Ring Doorbell Not Charging
Keeping your Ring doorbell charged at all times is essential so that you don’t have to worry about your home security.
As you’ve learned in this article, there are many factors that can lead to charging issues with your Ring doorbell, including an unstable Wi-Fi connection, a malfunctioning charging cable, a depleted battery, extreme weather conditions, and power-draining settings.
If you’re having issues with your Ring doorbell not charging, one of the troubleshooting steps above should help to fix it.
If you have any feedback or questions, then please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
