Ring Doorbell Rings For No Reason? (Here’s How to Stop!)

We understand how frustrating it must be when your Ring Doorbell rings for no reason, and you end up disconnecting it to get some sleep.

Don’t worry, since this guide’s got your back with practical steps to stop the random ringing once and for all.

The phantom has been an unusual concern for many years, even stumping Ring’s support team, considering the large number of compliments. 

The most common culprits seem to be wiring issues (like shorted or touching wires), firmware updates, or even chime mismatches.

Good news–a fix has finally been found, and this guide will walk you through it, so keep reading!

Ring Doorbell Rings For No Reason – (Working Methods)

Note: Are you sure you’re not being pranked by children?

1. Check the Doorbell’s “RING” Button

That random ringing from your Ring Doorbell might just be down to the button itself, especially when dust, dirt, or tiny debris goes into the shafts around the “RING” button.

Sometimes, it’s like someone’s pressing it when they’re not.

Well, if your doorbell is hardwired, it’s even more likely; a stuck or sticky button can send false signals to the doorbell chime or app. 

To fix it, grab a can of compressed air or a small brush (like an old toothbrush) to clean gently around the button’s shafts.

Then, give the “RING” button a few firm presses and check whether the phantom ringing will continue throughout the day.

Note: Verify that there is no hanging branch or something that can be blown by wind, ironically pressing the “RING” button.

2. Inspect your Ring Doorbell’s Wiring

Note: Skip this step if you’re using a wireless Ring Doorbell.

If the Ring doorbell randomly rings, it could be a wiring issue, especially with hardwired models.

Anything from loose connections, shorted wires, or jumping voltage can trigger random rings from the chime, even when no one’s there. 

We’ve prepared some in-depth steps for a complete wiring inspection:

2.1 Disconnecting All Wires

First, you need to safely unplug everything to get a clear look at the wiring of your Ring doorbell.

• Turn OFF power: Start by flipping off the power at your breaker and pressing the “RING” doorbell button to confirm there is no power in the system. 
• Remove faceplate: Gently pull off the faceplate from the bottom edge, then unscrew the unit from the wall with the included screwdriver. 
• Unscrew terminals: Loosen the two screw terminals and remove the wires, but make sure to secure the wires to prevent losing the orientation.
• Disconnect chime: Disconnect the wires from the “Front” and “Trans” terminals (undo the screws and pull them free) and begin the inspection.

2.2 Measuring the Voltage

So, let’s check if the transformer is delivering the right voltage, as the hardwired Ring doorbells require 10–24V AC.

For this purpose, you’ll need a multimeter, which you must set to Voltage (VAC or ~) and select a range above 24V (like 50V). 

Then, you must plug the red probe into the “V” port and the black into “COM.” 

Turn the breaker back on (careful, live wires now).

At the chime box, touch the red probe to the “Trans” terminal screw (the transformer’s output) and the black probe to the “Front” screw (or vice versa, since AC doesn’t care about polarity). 

Then, observe the multimeter reading. It should land between 10–24V. 

2.3 Problem Identification

So, if the voltage goes below 10V, your transformer’s too weak, hence, you’ll need to replace it with one working at about 10–24V AC, 20–40VA max. 

On the other hand, back at the doorbell, if those wires were touching each other or frayed when you pulled them out, that’s a short circuit.

The solution in case of a short circuit is to trim the wire ends (with the power OFF) and connect them cleanly.

In case there are no issues with the voltage and wiring, the problem is elsewhere!

3. Charge your Ring Doorbell’s Battery

If your wireless Ring doorbell rings by itself, it could be due to the battery, especially on models like the Video Doorbell (1st and 2nd Gen).

An unstable charge can confuse the system, triggering random chimes when power fluctuates.

We recommend fully charging the battery to stabilize it and permanently stop the ghost ringing.

Note: Skip this step if you’re using a hardwired Ring Doorbell.

How to Check Battery Status?

• Open the Ring app dashboard.
• Tap the (•••) on your doorbell.
• Then, go to “Device Settings.”
• Next, tap the “Device Health”.
• Check Power Source & Battery Level.

If it’s low or fluctuating, an unstable charge might be the reason for the random ringing triggers! 

How to Charge a Ring Doorbell?

• For Quick Release Battery Pack: Unscrew the bottom with the included screwdriver, pop off the faceplate, and press the metal tab to slide the battery out. Connect the USB cable to the battery port and charge until only the green light shows (up to 10 hours).
• For Built-in Battery (1st/2nd Gen): Undo the bottom, lift the bracket (use the removal tool for the Battery Doorbell), and connect the USB to the charging port. Wait until the front LED fully glows (up to 10 hours), then remount and screw back.

Important: Temperature Impacts!

Hot or cold extremes can mess with battery performance, potentially forming random rings.

Ring batteries work best between 32°F to 120°F (0°C to 49°C); below -5°F (-20.5°C) or above 120°F, charging slows or stops.

If the battery is freezing or overheating, bring the doorbell indoors to acclimate it and then test!

Note: Just unboxed the doorbell? Give it a few hours of production before concluding!

4. Factory Reset the Ring Doorbell

If the Ring Doorbell rings for no reason, a factory reset might be the best next step to finally silence those weird and unexpected chimes. 

This method wipes all settings, clearing out any glitches, which may be potentially the reason why your Ring doorbell keeps ringing at random.

Here’s how to reset your doorbell (models like Ring 1, 2, or Pro) to start fresh:

#1 Locate the Reset Button: 

• For Ring Pro, it’s the black button on the right
• For Ring 1, it’s the orange button on the back
• For Ring 2, it’s the black button on the front.

#2 Trigger the Factory Reset:

Press and hold the respective button as per your Ring Doorbell model, and don’t let go early.

Release only when the front Ring light flashes and when the blinking stops; the reset is done.

That’s it. Your Ring Doorbell is back to its factory state, so now, set it up again in your Ring app from scratch.

This must resolve those random rings, especially if a software bug was the culprit. 

Note: If you still have the phantom ringing, get in touch with Ring customer service for help and additional troubleshooting–your doorbell unit may be defective.