Is Your Ring Doorbell Not Turning On? (Quick Solutions!)

We understand the concern when your Ring doorbell not turning on, as it can compromise the security of your home and leave visitors unattended.

The common culprits typically include a drained battery, loose wiring, or an underpowered transformer for both wired and wireless Ring doorbells. 

This guide focuses on solutions for both Ring doorbell types, so keep reading as we walk you through practical solutions and the possible causes for the problem!

Working Ways To Fix When Ring Doorbell Not Turning On?

To understand the best way to troubleshoot your Ring doorbell, we must first review the key differences between a wired and a battery-operated unit:

Feature	Wired Ring Doorbell	Battery-Powered Ring Doorbell
Power Type	Hardwired (connects with “TRANS” and “FRONT” wires)	Uses a rechargeable battery or removable lithium-ion batteries.
Requires Transformer	Yes	No
Maintenance	Low (absence of battery to recharge and check)	Moderate (must monitor the battery and replace/recharge)
Outage Backup	Limited (the doorbell requires A/C to operate)	High (no wiring is included, so the doorbell can still function)
Installation Difficulty	Moderate (the existing installation must be accessed)	Easy (No external installation or wiring is required)

Now, let’s start with the solutions!

1. Power Reset the Ring Doorbell (Wired & Battery)

A power reset can be effective for both wired and battery-powered doorbells.

The procedure involves draining the power supply from the system of the doorbell, either through the circuit breaker (wired) or by reseating the battery (wireless).

1.1 Circuit Breaker Reset: Wired Ring Doorbell:

For wired models, resetting the circuit breaker can restore power to the doorbell:

• Locate the circuit breaker controlling the Ring doorbell power.
• Stop the breaker for 20–30 seconds to discharge the system.
• Turn the breaker back on to restore the doorbell power supply.
• Check if the Ring doorbell is online within the Ring application.

1.2 Battery Reinsert: Battery-Powered Ring Doorbell:

For battery models, resetting involves removing and reinserting the battery:

• Access the battery compartment by removing the faceplate.
• For rechargeable batteries, slide out and reinsert the pack.
• For replaceable batteries, reinstall brand-new ion batteries.

Note: Ring doorbell batteries last for about 2–3 weeks before having to be replaced/recharged. 

2. Inspect Terminal Connections (Wired)

Your wired Ring Video doorbell might be experiencing power supply distortions if the terminal wires are not closing the circuit with the chime.

So, each wired doorbell must connect with two separate wires–a power supply wire, “FRONT” from the breaker, and the chime “TRANS” wire. 

Here’s how to inspect the Ring terminals:

• Turn off the circuit breaker to disable power safely.
• Remove the faceplate of the Ring Doorbell carefully.
• Locate the terminal screws on the mounting bracket.
• Check for any signs of damage and secure the wires.
• Reinstall the faceplate and restore power to the Ring.

Note: If any of the wires appear to be faulty or corroded, contact a local technician for a more thorough inspection of the installation.

3. Check the Battery Alignment (Battery)

An improperly positioned battery could be why your Ring Doorbell refuses to turn on, since it might not connect properly with the compartment.

Making sure the battery is lined up with the plus and minus terminals of the compartment is essential for your wireless Ring doorbell.

• Remove the faceplate by loosening the security screw and pull it outwards to access the battery compartment.

3.1 Check Replaceable Battery Position:

For doorbells with regular batteries, look at the plus and minus signs in the compartment after removing both batteries and reinstall them accordingly.

The “plus” of the battery must connect with the “–” of the compartment and vice versa. 

3.2 Check Rechargeable Battery Position

Rechargeable Ring battery packs are specifically designed for the battery compartment of your doorbell and can be taken out with the release latches.

Once removed, check the terminal contacts for any dust accumulation or debris that could disrupt the contact.

4. Reconnect Ring to the Wi-Fi (Wired & Battery)

If your Ring doorbell won’t turn on, it might be receiving a stable power supply, but remain offline due to Wi-Fi connectivity problems, which cut off the communication with the app.

Re-establishing the Wi-Fi connection can restore the functionality of the doorbell, and you can use the “Change Wi-Fi” function within the app.

Here’s how to reconnect Ring to Wi-Fi in easy steps:

• Open the Ring app and tap the three lines in the top left corner.
• Select Devices and choose the doorbell you need to reconnect.
• Tap Device Health in the doorbell settings menu of the product.
• Next, press on Reconnect to Wi-Fi or Change Wi-Fi Network.
• Follow the prompts of the app to reconnect Ring to the network.

Note: Most wired and battery Ring doorbells are compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz!

5. Deregister Ring From the App (Wired & Battery)

If your Ring Doorbell isn’t turning on, a registration issue in the system might be preventing it from connecting properly to the app and Wi-Fi network.

Unregistering the device via the Ring app can clear system errors and restore functionality.

Here’s how to remove and re-add the Ring doorbell from the app:

• Launch the Ring app and access the main dashboard.
• Tap the three-dot menu to enter the doorbell settings.
• Navigate to “Device Settings” to access more options.
• Press “General Settings” from the menu in the section.
• Next, press “Remove Device” to start the deregistration.
• After that, confirm by selecting “Delete Events” and wait.
• Re-add the doorbell using “Add Device” and a QR code.

Note: Double-check the Wi-Fi connection status after finalizing the doorbell deregistration. 

6. Test & Replace the Ring Transformer (Wired)

A faulty or insufficient transformer voltage could be suspending the power supply to the Ring doorbell.

A transformer delivering 16–24V AC is required (the 8V is the minimum, but often not enough), and installing a compatible replacement can verify steady Ring doorbell performance.

6.1 How to Measure the Transformer Voltage:

• Disable the power supply at the breaker before working.
• Find the AC transformer, found close to the chime unit.
• After that, set your multimeter to measure “AC voltage”.
• Now, connect the multimeter probes to the transformer.
• Then, check if the voltage reading is positive or negative.

6.2 How to Install a Compatible Transformer:

• Acquire a 16V or 24V 30VA transformer for the Ring doorbell.
• Turn off the power and detach the wires from the old device.
• Connect the new transformer to the existing wiring securely.
• Securely mount the new transformer and restore the power.
• Now, test the Ring Video Doorbell to ensure it works properly.

Note: If you’re uncertain about handling the transformer replacement, consult a qualified electrician or contact Ring support for assistance.

7. Replace the Battery Pack or Batteries (Battery)

If your battery-operated Ring Doorbell is still not turning on, a depleted or faulty battery might be the cause.

As established earlier, there are Ring doorbells that use a rechargeable battery (battery pack) and models that use replaceable lithium-ion batteries.

7.1 How to Replace the Rechargeable Battery Pack:

Well, if recharging the battery pack does not do anything, then it’s recommended to purchase a brand-new Quick Release Battery Pack from the official website.

It comes with a battery life of over 2 months, based on activity, and effortless USB Type-C charging. 

7.2 How to Replace Disposable Batteries:

Exhausted disposable batteries can halt doorbell operation.

Remove the faceplate, take out the old batteries, insert fresh ones that match the polarity, and test the doorbell from the application.

Note: Keep some spare batteries or a charged pack ready to avoid discharging your doorbell.

8. Factory Reset the Ring Doorbell (Wired & Battery)

If the Ring doorbell not turning on despite attempting all of the other fixes, a full factory reset can resolve the issue effectively.

This wipes all settings, like Wi-Fi and motion zones for both wired and wireless doorbells, and returns Ring to its default, factory state.

The reset process varies between Ring 1 and Ring 2 models, as each uses a different button to trigger the reset.

Ring 1 has an orange button on the back, while Ring 2 uses a black button located on the front panel.

Here’s how to factory reset the Ring doorbell:

• Check if you’ve got a Ring 1 or Ring 2 model.
• Find the Orange button on the back for Ring 1.
• Locate the Black button on the front of Ring 2.
• Hold the button down for about ~20 seconds.
• Release when the Ring LED flashes and wait.

Note: If the doorbell still won’t turn on, get in touch with Ring customer support.