How To Install Ring Doorbell

Can I install the Ring doorbell myself?

Do I Need an Electrician to Install a Ring Doorbell? Many video doorbells, including those produced by Ring, are designed for easy self-installation using the wiring on your existing doorbell. If you already have a doorbell, you can install your new gadget yourself, even if you’re not especially tech-savvy.

Does Ring doorbell require wiring?

There are lots of video doorbells that need to be hardwired, which means you will need to replace an existing doorbell to power them. However, Ring has a battery-powered doorbell that can be installed anywhere. Here’s how to install a Ring doorbell without an existing doorbell, and how to charge your doorbell.

Is there a monthly fee for Ring?

Do you need a subscription to use Ring? Ring devices don’t require a Ring Protect subscription plan. Without a subscription, you can view real-time video for Ring doorbells and security cameras as events happen.

Does Ring need WiFi?

Will Your Ring Cameras Work Without Wi-Fi? – All Ring Cameras and Video Doorbells are designed to work with your home Wi-Fi network. Due to this design, all security cameras and video doorbells manufactured by Ring require an existing Wi-Fi network to be set up and used.

When setting up your Ring Camera via the Ring app, you’ll be asked to select a Wi-Fi network to connect to. Connecting your Ring Camera to the internet via a stable Wi-Fi connection will allow your camera to communicate with your smartphone. You’ll be able to stream Live View video and audio from the Ring Camera to the Ring app.

For many Ring devices, the Wi-Fi connection is also used for two-way communication and advanced features, like setting custom motion zones. In addition to these features, the Ring Camera will use your home Wi-Fi network to send security notifications to the Ring app installed on your smartphone.

How long does Ring battery last?

Ring – The first-generation Ring doorbell can be hardwired to an existing doorbell wire, or be powered with a rechargeable battery. If you opt for the battery-powered one, you’ll have to uninstall the entire doorbell to charge it and reinstall it after it’s fully charged.

• Ring says the battery should last between 6 to 12 months on a single charge, but it still depends on how much activity your video doorbell is recording.
• Users from areas with cold temperatures report shorter battery life, and Ring admits that the battery drains more quickly below 40°F.
• Some users say theirs last for about 1-2 months, while others see their batteries last past 6 months.

Since the original Ring Doorbell doesn’t have a removable battery, you’ll have to take it down for a recharge. To do this, unscrew the two security screws attaching the device to the mounting bracket, and you should be able to easily lift it off the base.

Does Ring doorbell require drilling?

The Ring No-Drill Mount is a mounting plate specifically designed for the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation). Perfect for renters who can’t drill holes in their homes, with it you can mount your new Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) and never worry about damage to the walls outside your door.

Is Ring doorbell wireless easy to install?

Homeowners: Ring Video Doorbell 3 is easy to install, has a variety of power options, and can be the first part of a home security system when combined with other Ring products.

Where is the best place to install a Ring doorbell?

Wrapping it Up – It’s important to consider height, angle, and power source when finding the correct placement for your Ring Doorbell. For the best results, your device must be installed 48 inches above the ground and should be placed on an even surface. Your chosen position must be compatible with your Ring Doorbell’s power source.

Is Ring useless without subscription?

Do you need a subscription for Ring Video Doorbells? – Thankfully, a security subscription plan is not required for your Ring Video Doorbell to work. Without a subscription, your device still lets you monitor your home, remotely chat with anyone who comes to your front door and receive event notifications on your mobile device.

Do Ring cameras record all the time?

Final Thoughts – To many consumers’ surprise, Ring cameras cannot currently constantly record and store footage from their live camera feeds. While there are advanced systems that will record and alert users to any identified motion, the company has refused to offer the system desired by so many security-conscious American consumers.

Can I check my Ring camera from another country?

Yes, you are able to access all of the cameras that are currently attached to your Ring app account by simply switching between Locations. You will get Live View functionality with all devices, but will only have saved recordings* for those devices that are subscribed to a Ring Protect Plan.

Does Ring work if Wi-Fi is off?

Your Ring Alarm usually communicates with you or your monitoring service through the internet via wifi or an Ethernet cable. Any time your Base Station loses its connection to the internet, regardless of the cause, a cellular backup system kicks in that will allow the system to continue to monitor your home.

Do Ring cameras have night vision?

Clear video, day and night: Every Ring camera has 1080p HD resolution and infrared night vision, so we could see absolutely everything going on in and around our home.

How far can a Ring camera be from Wi-Fi?

What is the maximum distance from the house you can mount a ring wireless camera? what is the maximum distance from the house you can mount a ring wireless camera? Hi, There is no specific distance, given that various different factors can affect the strength of your wifi signal.

How difficult is it to install a video doorbell?

It’s easy to understand the appeal of video doorbells : You can see when a package is delivered and be alerted when someone is waiting at your door. In a recent nationally representative survey conducted by Consumer Reports, 15 percent of respondents said their home had a video doorbell and 52 percent said they would consider getting one.

• But installation can be tricky depending on the type of video doorbell you buy.
• Battery-powered video doorbells are relatively easy to install—just charge their batteries, then mount them next to your door,” says Bernie Deitrick, CR’s test engineer for home security cameras,
• Hardwired models require a little more work and being comfortable working with electricity.” Between us, Deitrick and I have installed more than 20 video doorbells, and we’re here to tell you that although you can do the work yourself, we ran into plenty of head-scratchers following manufacturer instructions.

So we’ve put together a step-by-step guide for installing battery-powered and hardwired video doorbells. Before you buy a video doorbell, check whether your home currently has a hardwired doorbell. You can buy the same kind of video doorbell so that you’ll have a continuous power source (as opposed to having to charge batteries).

1. If you aren’t sure, an easy way to tell is to unscrew your doorbell and see if it’s connected to two wires coming out of the wall,” says Deitrick.
2. Some hardwired models offer more advanced motion alert options than battery-powered ones, such as specific monitoring zones so you can automatically block out areas (like a busy street), and even 24/7 recording.

If you prefer a hardwired model but don’t have wiring in place, you can either hire an electrician to install a doorbell circuit and chime or purchase a plug-in power adapter for your doorbell. Some brands, such as Google Nest and Ring, sell power adapters for their doorbells.

Aftermarket power adapters are available for just about any model. But keep in mind that they’re not recommended by the doorbell manufacturer. That said, battery-powered video doorbells are generally less expensive than hardwired models, and they can still be an option even if you have existing wiring.

Some battery-powered video doorbells have power terminals so that they can be connected to your home’s doorbell wiring. Of course, even armed with this guide, you should still read the installation instructions that come with your doorbell because there might be extra steps required for that specific model.

• And if you’re not comfortable with any part of the installation process, especially any electrical work, hire a professional.
• For help choosing a video doorbell for your home, check our video doorbell ratings of 19 models and our home security camera buying guide,
• Step 1: Charge the Doorbell’s Battery Fully charge your doorbell’s battery before you mount it.

Most models, including some from Ring and Eufy, come with a micro USB cable for charging the battery; you’ll have to remove the doorbell from the wall every time it needs to be recharged. Some doorbells, such as the Ring Video Doorbell 2, have a removable battery pack that can be swapped out or removed without dismounting the doorbell.

Depending on the model and how much the doorbell records, battery life can last anywhere from one to six months. Step 2: Mount the Doorbell The majority of video doorbells come with a mounting bracket that you affix to the exterior of your home. You might need to use your own (or supplied) specialized anchors and drill bits if you want to mount the doorbell on brick, stone, or concrete.

Once the mounting bracket is firmly in place, attach the doorbell to it. One last important step: Attach the security screws that go into the bottom of the doorbell. These use a specialized screwdriver that comes with the doorbell and prevent someone from stealing the doorbell.

• If you live in an apartment building or a rental property, it’s best to ask permission from your landlord before you mount the doorbell because he or she might not want you drilling into the exterior of the building.
• Step 3: Set Up the Doorbell App To receive the video from your doorbell on your phone, tablet, or computer, you’ll need to download the doorbell’s app on that device, and set up your account.

Through the app, connect your doorbell to your home’s WiFi network. If you have problems connecting the doorbell or viewing the video feed, you might need to get a WiFi extender, which will boost the WiFi signal near the doorbell. It’s a common problem, one I ran into, because the outside walls of a home can block WiFi signals.

• Some brands, such as Ring, offer extenders that double as chimes for their doorbells.
• Once you connect the doorbell, you’ll be able to customize settings to your liking, such as motion sensitivity (play with this setting so rustling trees or passing cars don’t trigger a recording), person detection, and video recording length.

In my experience, the default motion sensitivity is often set so high that every passing car gets picked up, which gets pretty annoying if you live on a busy street. Consumer Reports recommends activating privacy settings, such as two-factor authentication (where a secondary, one-time-use passcode is sent to your phone via text message), if they’re available to prevent someone from hacking into your account.

• Step 4: Plug In and Set Up the Doorbell Chime Some video doorbells come with a plug-in chime; if your doesn’t, you’ll have to buy one.
• The app on your phone sends an alert when someone is at your door, but a separate chime lets others in your household know when you have visitors.
• Once you plug in the chime, follow setup instructions for it in the doorbell app.

Usually, you simply connect it to your WiFi and pair it with your doorbell. Fun fact: Some of these chimes offer a variety of sounds ranging from the standard “ding-dong” to holiday jingles or even a howling wolf for Halloween or a gobbling turkey for Thanksgiving, which you can easily change in the app.

• Step 1: Find and Shut Off the Circuit Breaker for Your Existing Doorbell Shutting off the circuit breaker that powers your doorbell will allow you to safely handle the electrical wiring.
• If you’re not sure which breaker the doorbell is on, try shutting off one at a time to see if the doorbell still rings when you press it.

You’ve got the right breaker when the doorbell doesn’t chime. Step 2: Find and Inspect Your Doorbell Transformer You want to make sure your transformer provides the right amount of voltage for your new video doorbell, which is typically 16 to 24 volts.

• If it’s too low (below 16 volts), there won’t be enough power to make the doorbell work.
• If it’s too high (above 24 volts), it could overload and damage the doorbell.
• To find the transformer, open your doorbell chime box and try tracing where the wire connected to the “trans” terminal goes.
• If you’re not sure where your doorbell chime is, turn the circuit breaker back on, ring the doorbell, and follow the sound to the chime.

Just remember to turn the circuit breaker off when you’re done.) If that doesn’t work, Deitrick recommends checking near the circuit breaker, because transformers are often installed there. You can also look around the unfinished parts of your home, such as crawl spaces and basements, where transformers are sometimes hidden.

Your transformer should have markings like “16-24V AC” to indicate the voltage. If you don’t see any markings, check the voltage with a multimeter ($20 to $40). If your transformer’s voltage is outside that 16 to 24 range, you’ll have to replace it. You can do this yourself by buying a new transformer at a hardware store (about $20) and reconnecting the wires from the old transformer to the corresponding terminals on the new transformer, or you can hire an electrician.

Step 3: Inspect and Rewire Your Doorbell Chime Remove the cover of the chime (you may need to remove screws) and take a look inside to see if it’s a mechanical or digital chime. Mechanical chimes have a small hammer that hits a physical chime whenever you press the doorbell.

Digital chimes are essentially small speakers that play a tune. This step is important because it will determine what you need to do to get your new doorbell to ring your existing chime. If you have a digital chime, you may need to install a special diode at the wire ends that connects to the doorbell, as is the case with the Ring Video Doorbell 2,

(The wire that connects the chime to the doorbell is usually labeled “front” in the chime.) Some video doorbells, such as the Google Nest Hello and Ring Video Doorbell Pro, come with a special adapter that you need to install in the chime itself, regardless of whether the chime is mechanical or digital.

You’ll have to check the instructions to see what’s required for your video doorbell. Step 4: Remove the Existing Doorbell Unscrew your existing doorbell from the exterior of your house and disconnect the wires from the two terminals on the back of the doorbell. Just make sure that the wires don’t fall back inside the wall when you do so, or you’ll have a hard time getting them out.

I almost lost those very wires on a few occasions; I finally learned to tape the wires to the wall while I kept working. If the wires are too short to work with, you may need to add extension wires using twist-on, crimp-on, or push-on splices. You can find these extensions online or at your local hardware store.

1. Step 5: Mount the New Video Doorbell As with battery-powered video doorbells, first you’ll need to attach the mounting bracket where you want your doorbell to be.
2. Just make sure you pull the two doorbell wires through the hole in the center of the bracket before you attach the bracket to the wall.
3. Again, tape comes in handy.

Drill pilot holes and screw the bracket into the wall. With the mounting bracket in place, connect the wires to the two terminals on the back of the video doorbell. (It doesn’t matter which wire goes on which terminal.) Then stuff the excess wire into the wall and attach the doorbell to the bracket.

• Last but not least, screw in any security screws.
• Step 6: Turn On the Power and Set Up the Doorbell Through the Smartphone App You’re ready to turn the power back on at the circuit breaker and set up your new video doorbell.
• Download the doorbell’s smartphone app, create an account, and follow the instructions to set up the doorbell.

(You can download the app on multiple devices.) It will connect the doorbell to your WiFi. (You may need an extender if your signal is weak.) As with battery-powered models, you may want to adjust motion sensitivity in the settings (usually lowering it to prevent rustling trees from triggering an alert) and enable intelligent alerts, such as person detection or package detection. Daniel Wroclawski Dan Wroclawski is a home and appliances writer at Consumer Reports, covering products ranging from refrigerators and coffee makers to cutting-edge smart home devices. Before joining CR in 2017, he was an editor at USA Today’s Reviewed, and launched the site’s smart home section.

Can you just stick on a Ring doorbell to wall?

The No-Drill Mount uses double-sided adhesive to attach the plate to your wall. Your doorbell can then be securely screwed into the mounting plate. Note: Be sure to install the No-Drill Mount first and make sure it’s firmly attached before installing the doorbell.