Charging your Ring doorbell depends on which model you own

Ring makes two types of doorbells: wired models that draw power from your existing doorbell circuit, and battery-powered models that you charge by hand. If your doorbell is hardwired into your home's electrical system, it charges automatically and you never need to do anything. If you have a battery model — the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen), Ring Video Doorbell 4, or Ring Battery Doorbell — you remove the battery pack, carry it inside, and plug it into a standard USB charger for three to four hours.

The battery pack itself is removable. You do not charge the doorbell while it is mounted on your door. Instead, you unscrew the faceplate, slide the battery out, and bring it indoors to charge. This design means you can keep a second battery charged and swap them out, so your doorbell is never offline.

Key Takeaways

  • Battery-powered Ring doorbells charge via USB cable, taking three to four hours for a full charge from empty.
  • You must remove the battery pack from the doorbell itself before charging — the doorbell does not charge while mounted.
  • A fully charged battery typically lasts two to three months depending on how often your doorbell detects motion and records video.
  • Buying a second battery pack lets you swap batteries and keep your doorbell running while one charges indoors.
  • Wired Ring doorbells do not have removable batteries and charge automatically from your home's electrical circuit.

How to remove the battery from a battery-powered Ring doorbell

Start by turning off motion alerts on your phone so you do not get notifications while the doorbell is offline. Open the Ring app, tap the three horizontal lines in the top left, select your doorbell, and toggle off Motion Alerts. This is optional but prevents a flood of alerts while you work.

Go to your front door and locate the small slot or seam on the bottom edge of the doorbell faceplate. Insert a flathead screwdriver or coin into the slot and gently pry downward. The faceplate will pop off, revealing the battery pack inside. The battery is a rectangular black or white block with two metal contacts on the back. Grip it firmly and pull straight out toward you. Do not twist or force it — it should slide out smoothly.

Once removed, set the doorbell faceplate aside in a safe place where you will not lose it. The battery pack is now ready to charge.

Charging the battery pack indoors

Ring battery packs charge with a standard USB-A to micro-USB cable. If you do not have one, any phone charger with a micro-USB port will work, or you can purchase a Ring-branded charging cable from Amazon or Ring's website. Plug the cable into the micro-USB port on the bottom of the battery pack, then plug the other end into a wall outlet, a computer USB port, or a USB power bank.

The battery will charge fully in three to four hours. Some Ring batteries have a small LED light that turns on while charging and turns off when done. Others have no indicator, so set a timer or check back after four hours. There is no risk of overcharging — Ring batteries are designed to stop charging once they reach full capacity.

While the battery charges, your doorbell is offline and will not record video or detect motion. If you want to avoid this downtime, purchase a second battery pack from Ring and keep it charged as a backup. When one battery runs low, swap it out for the charged one and charge the first battery while the doorbell keeps running.

Reinstalling the battery and restarting your doorbell

Once the battery is fully charged, carry it back to your front door. Align the battery pack with the slot inside the doorbell housing and slide it in firmly until you hear a click. The metal contacts on the back of the battery should make contact with the metal pins inside the doorbell. Do not force it — if it does not slide smoothly, remove it and check that you are inserting it in the correct direction.

Snap the faceplate back onto the doorbell body. It should click into place and sit flush with the wall. Open the Ring app and check the device status. The doorbell should show as Online within 30 seconds. If it does not, remove the faceplate again, reseat the battery, and wait another 30 seconds.

Turn motion alerts back on in the Ring app if you turned them off earlier. Your doorbell is now fully charged and ready to use.

How long a Ring doorbell battery lasts between charges

A fully charged Ring battery typically lasts two to three months before it needs charging again. The exact time depends on how much activity your doorbell sees. If your door gets frequent visitors, many motion events, or cold weather (which drains batteries faster), you may need to charge every four to eight weeks. A quiet door with little traffic might go three months or longer.

You can check your battery level anytime in the Ring app. Open the app, tap the three lines, select your doorbell, and look for the battery percentage near the top of the screen. When it drops below 20 percent, Ring sends a notification reminding you to charge. You do not have to wait for the notification — charge whenever it is convenient, even if the battery still has charge left.

Cold weather significantly reduces battery life. If you live somewhere with freezing winters, expect to charge more often during those months. Storing the battery indoors at room temperature between charges helps it last longer than leaving it exposed to cold.

Wired Ring doorbells and automatic charging

If your Ring doorbell is wired into your home's existing doorbell circuit, it does not have a removable battery and does not need manual charging. The doorbell draws power directly from the low-voltage transformer that powers your home's doorbell system. As long as your home's power is on, the doorbell is charging automatically.

Wired models are ideal if you want to avoid the task of removing and charging batteries. They work continuously without downtime. However, they require an electrician to install if you do not already have a doorbell circuit in place, which costs more upfront than a battery model.

If you have a wired doorbell and the Ring app shows a low battery warning, it usually means your home's transformer is failing or undersized. Contact a licensed electrician to inspect your doorbell circuit.

Troubleshooting a Ring doorbell that will not charge

If your battery pack will not charge, first check that the USB cable is fully inserted into the micro-USB port on the bottom of the battery. The port is small and straightforward to miss. Push the cable in until you feel it seat firmly. Try a different USB cable and charger — sometimes the cable itself is damaged or the outlet is not working.

If the battery still will not charge after trying a different cable and outlet, the battery pack itself may be defective. Ring batteries have a one-year warranty. Contact Ring support through the app or at ring.com and request a replacement battery. Have your order number or device serial number ready.

If your doorbell shows a low battery warning even after charging for four hours, the battery may be reaching the end of its lifespan. Lithium batteries degrade over time and eventually hold less charge. If your doorbell is more than two years old and the battery drains unusually fast, replacing the battery pack is usually the solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge the Ring doorbell while it is still mounted on my door?

No. Ring battery doorbells are designed so you must remove the battery pack before charging. The doorbell itself does not have a charging port. Removing the battery takes about one minute and is the only way to charge it.

What type of charger do I need for a Ring doorbell battery?

Any USB charger with a micro-USB port will work. This includes phone chargers, laptop USB ports, power banks, and car chargers. Ring also sells a dedicated charging cable on Amazon if you need one. The standard output of 1 to 2 amps is fine — you do not need a high-power charger.

How often do I need to charge my Ring doorbell battery?

Most Ring batteries last two to three months per charge. The exact interval depends on how much motion and video your doorbell records. Cold weather shortens battery life. The Ring app notifies you when the battery drops below 20 percent, but you can charge anytime before that.

Is it better to buy a second battery or a wired Ring doorbell?

A second battery costs around 50 dollars and lets you swap batteries so your doorbell never goes offline. A wired doorbell costs more to install but never needs charging. Choose a second battery if you want to avoid installation work. Choose a wired model if you want to eliminate charging tasks entirely and do not mind the upfront installation cost.

What happens if my Ring doorbell battery dies completely?

The doorbell stops recording video and detecting motion. It goes offline in the Ring app. Once you charge the battery and reinstall it, the doorbell comes back online within 30 seconds. No data is lost, and the doorbell works normally again.