The battery in a Ring doorbell lasts between six months and two years, depending on how many people press it and how cold it gets

Ring doorbells run on either a rechargeable battery or regular AA batteries, depending on which model you own. The Ring Video Doorbell (the standard wired model) uses a rechargeable battery that you remove and charge with a USB cable. The Ring Video Doorbell Wired (the newer version) plugs directly into your home's existing doorbell wiring and has no removable battery at all. The Ring Video Doorbell Battery (the standalone model) uses two AA batteries that you replace when they run low.

You'll know the battery is running low when the Ring app sends you a notification saying the battery is below 20 percent, or when the doorbell stops recording video. The cold drains batteries faster — a doorbell in Minnesota will need new batteries sooner than one in Florida.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring doorbells use either rechargeable batteries (which you remove and plug in), AA batteries (which you replace), or hardwired power (which needs no battery at all).
  • You can check your battery level in the Ring app under Device Health, so you know when to change it before the doorbell stops working.
  • Removing a rechargeable battery takes about two minutes and requires only a screwdriver; replacing AA batteries takes less than one minute.
  • If your doorbell is hardwired and stops working, the problem is usually not the battery but the wiring or the transformer powering it.

How to remove and charge a rechargeable battery

If you own a standard Ring Video Doorbell, the battery is inside the device. Turn off power to your doorbell at the breaker if it is wired into your home's electrical system. Use a screwdriver (usually Phillips head) to remove the faceplate — there are typically two screws, one on each side near the bottom.

Once the faceplate is off, you will see the battery pack inside. It is a rectangular black or white piece about the size of a deck of cards. Gently pull it straight out toward you. Do not yank it — the connector is fragile. Plug the battery into a USB charger (the cable comes with the doorbell) and let it charge for five to ten hours. While it charges, you can reinstall the faceplate so the doorbell looks normal. When the battery is full, remove the faceplate again, slide the battery back in until you hear a click, and screw the faceplate back on.

How to replace AA batteries

The Ring Video Doorbell Battery model uses two standard AA batteries. Remove the faceplate the same way — screwdriver, two screws. You will see a battery compartment inside, usually marked with a plus and minus sign showing which way the batteries go.

Slide the old batteries out and replace them with two fresh AA batteries, making sure the positive end (the flat side with the + symbol) points toward the plus sign marked in the compartment. Close the compartment door if there is one, reinstall the faceplate, and you are done. The whole process takes about one minute.

Checking your battery level before it dies

Open the Ring app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the top left corner. Select the doorbell you want to check. Tap Device Health near the bottom of the screen. You will see the current battery percentage displayed there.

If the battery is below 20 percent, you should change it or charge it within the next week. Ring sends a push notification when the battery drops to 20 percent, so you do not have to check manually. If you ignore the notification and the battery reaches zero, the doorbell will stop recording video and you will not be able to see or hear visitors until you charge or replace the battery.

What to do if your doorbell is hardwired and stops working

The Ring Video Doorbell Wired does not have a removable battery — it draws power directly from your home's existing doorbell wiring. If it stops working, the problem is not the battery but something else in the electrical chain.

First, check that the breaker controlling your doorbell is still on. Go to your electrical panel and look for a breaker labeled "doorbell" or "front door." If it is in the off position, switch it back on. If it trips off again within a few days, you have a wiring problem and should call an electrician. If the breaker is on but the doorbell still does not work, the transformer powering it may have failed — this is the small box (usually in your attic or basement) that steps down your home's 120-volt power to the 16 or 24 volts that the doorbell needs. A failed transformer also requires an electrician to replace.

Why your battery drains faster in winter

Cold weather drains rechargeable batteries much faster than warm weather. A Ring doorbell in a climate where winter temperatures drop below freezing may need to be charged every three to four months, while the same doorbell in a warm climate might go a full year between charges. This is not a defect — it is how lithium batteries work.

If you live somewhere very cold and your doorbell is outside without shelter, you have two options: charge it more often (every three months instead of waiting for the app notification), or switch to the AA battery model and replace the batteries seasonally. Some people in cold climates replace AA batteries twice a year just to avoid the doorbell dying in the middle of winter.

Troubleshooting when the battery will not charge

If you plug in the rechargeable battery and the Ring app still shows zero percent after eight hours, the battery may be dead and unable to hold a charge. Try a different USB cable and charger first — sometimes the cable is the problem, not the battery. Leave it plugged in for a full 24 hours. If it still shows zero percent, the battery itself has failed and needs to be replaced.

Ring sells replacement batteries on its website for between $20 and $30 depending on the model. You can also find compatible third-party batteries on Amazon, though Ring's own batteries are more reliable. Order the replacement, and in the meantime, you can still use the doorbell if it is wired into your home's electrical system — the wiring will power it even with a dead battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my doorbell while the battery is charging?

If your doorbell is wired into your home's electrical system, yes — the wiring will power it even with the battery removed or charging. If you own the battery-only model with AA batteries, you cannot use it while the batteries are out. Charge or replace the batteries before you need the doorbell working again.

How often do I need to change the battery?

It depends on how many visitors you get and how cold it is. Most people charge or replace the battery between every six months and two years. The Ring app will notify you when the battery drops to 20 percent, so you do not have to guess.

What if I lose the USB charging cable?

Ring sells replacement USB cables for about $10, but any standard USB-to-micro-USB cable will work. You can use the same cable you use to charge a phone or tablet if the connector matches.

Is it safe to leave the battery plugged in overnight?

Yes. Ring batteries have built-in protection that stops charging once they reach 100 percent, so leaving them plugged in will not damage them or cause a fire.

What happens if I install the battery backward?

The battery connector is shaped so it will only fit one way — you cannot install it backward by accident. If it does not slide in smoothly, you are pushing it the wrong direction. Flip it around and try again.