If you have a Ring device but it isn’t charging, it can feel very frustrating. After all, you purchased it in order to use it, right? Well, fortunately, there are a few things you can try to fix the problem.
In this blog post, we will discuss some troubleshooting steps to take to discover why your Ring device isn’t charging and what to do to fix it. Then we will provide some tips on how to extend the life of your Ring battery.
Ready? Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
What is the Ring Camera?
The Ring camera is a monitoring security device. It comes as an indoor security camera, or as the Ring video doorbell, which allows you to see and speak with the person at your door, even when you’re not home. Not only that – some of the Ring doorbells are wire-free and can be installed in minutes by simply attaching it to your existing doorbell wiring.
The ones that don’t wire into your existing doorbell wiring actually come with a rechargeable battery that can last for six months or up to one year on a single charge. And if you’re wondering about the battery life, the Ring app’s battery status will show you how much power is remaining. If the battery runs low, the Ring will start to chirp so that you can recharge it.
If you’d rather, you can also purchase a solar panel charger to keep your Ring charged indefinitely.
Common Reasons Why Your Ring Camera is not Charging
Smart doorbells are very handy electrical devices, and the Ring camera is no different. But the batteries occasionally won’t charge correctly, and the last thing you want is for your Ring camera to die in the middle of the night – or any time, for that matter.
Here are some common reasons why your Ring camera might not be charging or keeping its charge:
1. Reset the Ring App’s Battery Status
Sometimes you’ll find that your battery actually is charging but your Ring app will say it isn’t. If you suspect this is the case, you can reset your app’s battery status. When you do this, you may need to do a new setup of the device within the app.
Also, if you have recently reset or updated your video camera, allow your app a little time in order to catch up and show the correct battery status.
2. Weak Wi-Fi Connection
Another common issue that can prevent your Ring device from charging is a weak Wi-Fi signal. If your router is not close to where you want to use your Ring device, or if there are other devices in between your router and Ring device that could be causing interference, this could be the cause of a weak signal.
To remedy this, try moving your router closer to your Ring device or eliminating any potential interference sources. Double check your Wi-Fi to ensure that you have a strong connection to the house.
3. Device Needs Resetting
If you are still having trouble charging your Ring device, the next step is to reset your device. To do this, simply press and hold the reset button for five seconds. This will reset your device and hopefully fix the charging issue.
4. Charger is Defective or Damaged
In some cases, the issue may be with the ring charger itself. To check if this is the issue, plug your charger’s USB cable into a different device to see if it charges that device. If it doesn’t, then you know you will need to get some or all of the chargers replaced in order for your camera’s battery to charge.
Ring chargers are available for purchase on the Ring website or at most electronics stores. They typically come with the USB charging cable.
5. A Tripped Breaker or Blown Fuse
One reason why your Ring camera may not be charging is that a breaker or fuse has been tripped or blown. This can happen if there is too much demand on the circuit, such as when multiple devices are plugged in and running at the same time.
Please note that this will probably only affect your Ring camera allows for hardwiring into your home. To fix this problem, simply flip the breaker switch back on or replace the blown fuse.
6. Check the Voltage of Your Transformer
Lastly, if your Ring camera isn’t charging, one thing you should check is the voltage of your doorbell transformer. For example, if the breaker is fine, your issue may be the transformer instead.
If the voltage is too low, it can prevent your Ring device from charging. You can check the voltage of your transformer by using a voltage meter. The voltage should be about 16V. If it is lower than this, you may need to have an electrician come out and check your wiring or replace your transformer altogether.
When to Call Customer Support About Your Ring Camera
One of these methods should work to charge your Ring camera’s battery. However, if you have tried all of these troubleshooting steps and your Ring device still isn’t charging, it is possible that you have a defective device.
In this case, you should contact Ring customer support. They may be able to help you troubleshoot the problem or send you a replacement device.
Ring devices come with a one-year warranty, so if your Ring camera stops working within this time frame, you are likely covered. However, if your Ring device is more than a year old, it is possible that the battery’s ability to hold a charge has diminished. Customer support should be able to tell you how much warranty you have on your device and if you need to purchase a new Ring battery.
How to Replace a Ring Camera Battery
If you need to charge the Ring camera battery or replace it entirely, here are a few tips to do so:
Step 1: Purchase the New Battery
Ring batteries are available for purchase on the Ring website or at many electronics stores. They use a lithium-ion battery, as that type of battery is rechargeable.
Step 2: Install the New Battery
Once you have a new battery, simply follow the instructions that came with your Ring device to install it. You install it by unscrewing the security screw of your device and then inserting the new battery in the correct orientation. Don’t forget to return the screw.
If you’re having trouble installing the new battery, you can always reference the Ring installation guide or contact customer support for help.
Step 3: Check the Battery Status in the Ring App
Once you have installed the new battery, be sure to check the battery status in the Ring app. This will help you ensure that your new battery is working properly and that your Ring device is receiving enough power.
Replace the Ring Camera if Necessary
Your Ring device should begin charging again. But, as we have mentioned before, if you see that the battery status is still low or if you are not receiving alerts from your hardwired Ring doorbell, it is possible that there is something wrong with the device itself. At this point, you may need to purchase an entirely new Ring camera.
Check with customer support to see if a new camera is available under your warranty.
How to Extend the Life of Your Ring Camera Battery
Now that you know several ways to troubleshoot was is going wrong with your Ring device, let’s look at ways to extend the life of your smart doorbell battery so that this probably doesn’t occur quite so often.
1. Disable Live View
One thing you can do is to disable Live View when you’re not using your Ring device. Live View uses battery power, so by disabling it when you’re not using your device, you can save battery power.
2. Adjust Motion Sensitivity
You can also adjust the motion sensitivity of your Ring device. If you find that your device is triggering too often, you can lower the sensitivity. This will prevent your device from being triggered by things like shadows or small movements, which will also save your battery.
3. Connect to a Solar Panel
If your device allows you to do so, you can also connect it to a solar panel. This will allow your device to be charged during the day and then used at night.
One note about this method is that it only works well if your solar panel charger has direct sunlight access. If there is a lot of shade from a tree, for example, the charge won’t be quite as strong or long-lasting.
4. Strengthen Your Wi-Fi Signal
Finally, when your smart doorbell is constantly seeking a signal, that is a huge battery drainer. Keep the signal strong, and your battery life will last longer.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are just a few things you can do if your Ring camera battery isn’t charging.
Be sure to try all of the troubleshooting steps listed above before contacting customer support. With any luck, you’ll be able to get your Ring device working again in no time.
Do you have any other tips for troubleshooting a Ring camera battery? Let us know in the comments below!