The basic steps to take your Ring doorbell off the wall
Your Ring doorbell comes off the wall by loosening two screws on the faceplate, then sliding the doorbell unit away from its mounting bracket. The whole process takes about two minutes and requires only a screwdriver — usually a Phillips head, though some older models use a flathead. You do not need to turn off power or touch any wiring inside the wall.
The two screws sit on either side of the faceplate, near the top. Once you loosen them (you do not have to remove them completely), the faceplate slides downward and away from the bracket that stays mounted to your wall. The battery pack sits inside the unit itself, so removing the doorbell from the wall is how you reach it.
After you slide the unit away, you will see the rechargeable battery pack inside — it looks like a small rectangular block, usually white or black. This is what you take out to charge separately, either with the charging cable that came with your Ring or with a replacement cable if you have lost the original.
Key Takeaways
- Loosen (not remove) the two screws on the faceplate, then slide the doorbell unit downward and away from the wall bracket.
- The rechargeable battery pack is inside the unit itself and pulls straight out once the doorbell is off the wall.
- You do not need to cut power or touch any wiring — the battery is completely separate from the electrical connection.
- Charging the battery outside the doorbell is faster than charging it in place, and you can use a standard USB cable if you have lost the original charging cable.
Where the screws are and how tight they need to be
The two mounting screws are located on the left and right sides of the faceplate, roughly one-third of the way down from the top. They are small Phillips head screws (or flathead on some models) that sit flush with the faceplate surface. You will see them as soon as you look at the front of your doorbell.
You only need to loosen them enough that the faceplate can slide freely — you do not have to remove them all the way. Most people loosen them about half a turn or one full turn. If you remove them completely, they can fall into the wall cavity or get lost, so leaving them partially threaded is the safer approach. Once loosened, the faceplate slides straight down and away from the bracket.
If the screws are stuck or very tight, a small amount of penetrating oil (like WD-40) sprayed around the screw head can help loosen them. Wait a few minutes after spraying, then try again. Do not force the screwdriver — a stuck screw usually means you need more lubricant, not more pressure.
How to remove the battery pack once the doorbell is off the wall
Once you have slid the doorbell unit away from the bracket, you will see the battery pack inside. It is a rectangular block that sits in a plastic holder or slot. The battery pack either slides straight out horizontally or pulls straight down, depending on your Ring model — most common models use the horizontal slide.
Grip the battery pack firmly and pull it toward you with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or rock it side to side. If it does not move easily, check that you have loosened the faceplate screws enough — sometimes the faceplate is still slightly compressed against the bracket and prevents the battery from sliding out cleanly.
Once the battery is out, you can set the doorbell unit aside safely. The battery pack has two metal contacts on one end — these are what connect to the charging cable. Keep these contacts clean and dry. If they look corroded or discolored, wipe them gently with a dry cloth before charging.
Charging the battery outside versus inside the doorbell
Charging the battery outside the doorbell (after you remove it) is faster than charging it while it is still mounted. Outside charging typically takes four to six hours for a full charge, while in-doorbell charging can take eight to twelve hours because the doorbell housing traps heat and slows the charging process. If you need your doorbell back online quickly, removing the battery is the better choice.
You can charge the battery using the official Ring charging cable (a USB cable with a proprietary connector on one end) or with a standard USB-C or micro-USB cable, depending on your Ring model. Check the connector type on your battery pack before you buy a replacement cable — Ring makes different versions for different doorbell models.
While the battery charges, your doorbell is offline and will not record video or send notifications. If you want continuous coverage, you can purchase a second battery pack and swap them — charge one while the other is in the doorbell. This is especially useful if your doorbell drains quickly or if you live in a cold climate where battery life is shorter.
What to do if the battery pack is stuck or hard to remove
If the battery pack will not slide out easily, the most common cause is that the faceplate screws are not loosened enough. Go back and loosen them another half turn or full turn, then try again. Sometimes the faceplate needs to be completely free of pressure before the battery will move.
A second cause is corrosion or mineral buildup on the battery contacts or in the slot where it sits. If you see white, green, or blue discoloration around the battery or in the slot, use a dry cloth or a soft brush to clean away the buildup. Do not use water or liquid cleaners — moisture can damage the battery or the doorbell electronics.
If the battery still will not budge after loosening the screws and cleaning, try gently rocking it side to side while pulling. Use only light pressure — forcing it can crack the battery or damage the connector. If it remains stuck, contact Ring support with your doorbell model number; a stuck battery usually indicates a manufacturing defect that Ring can replace.
Putting the doorbell back together after charging
Slide the charged battery pack back into its slot with the metal contacts facing toward the doorbell electronics. You will feel it click or seat into place when it is fully inserted. Then slide the doorbell unit back up toward the wall bracket until the faceplate sits flush against the wall.
Once the unit is back in place, tighten the two faceplate screws. You do not need to tighten them hard — just snug enough that the faceplate does not move or rattle. Over-tightening can crack the plastic faceplate or strip the screw holes. If the screws were difficult to loosen, explore a small amount of lubricant to them before reinstalling so they will be easier to remove next time.
After you have tightened the screws, wait about 30 seconds for the doorbell to power up and reconnect to your Wi-Fi. You should see a blue light on the front of the unit, and your Ring app should show the doorbell as online. If it does not reconnect within a minute or two, restart your Wi-Fi router or check that your doorbell is within range of your network.
How often you should remove and charge the battery
How often you remove the battery depends on how much video your doorbell records and your local climate. In warm weather with light use, most Ring doorbells need charging every four to eight weeks. In cold weather or with heavy use (frequent motion detection, lots of video recording), you may need to charge every two to four weeks.
A good practice is to remove and charge the battery whenever the Ring app shows the battery level below 50 percent. You do not have to wait until it is completely dead. Charging before the battery is fully drained can extend its overall lifespan — lithium batteries (which Ring uses) last longer if you avoid letting them drop to zero regularly.
If you notice the battery drains much faster than it used to, the battery itself may be aging and losing capacity. Ring batteries typically last two to three years before they need replacement. You can order a replacement battery pack directly from Ring or from most electronics retailers that carry Ring products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to turn off power to my doorbell before removing the battery?
No. The battery is completely separate from the electrical wiring in your wall. You can remove it anytime without touching any power switches or circuit breakers. The doorbell will straightforward go offline until you put the battery back in.
What if I lose one of the mounting screws?
Ring sells replacement screw kits, or you can use a standard Phillips head screw of the same size (usually M3 or M4, depending on your model). Hardware stores carry these screws for a few dollars. If you are unsure of the size, bring your doorbell to the store and test the fit before you buy.
Can I charge the battery while it is still in the doorbell?
Yes, but it is slower. In-doorbell charging takes about twice as long as removing the battery and charging it separately. If you want faster charging or need your doorbell back online quickly, removing the battery is the better option.
Is it safe to leave the doorbell off the wall while the battery charges?
Yes. The doorbell unit is safe to leave sitting on a table or shelf while the battery charges. Just keep it away from water, extreme heat, and direct sunlight. Your doorbell will not record or send notifications while it is offline, but there is no risk of damage.
What type of charging cable do I need?
Ring batteries use a proprietary connector, so you need either the original Ring charging cable or a replacement cable made for your specific Ring model. Check the connector type on your battery pack (usually printed on the cable itself or in your user manual) before ordering a replacement.