Recent reports suggest that numerous Ring doorbell users are encountering issues with the doorbell chime and with connections. This might be attributable to a Ring-produced chime, a chime from an alternate manufacturer, or possibly even the Ring Video Doorbell itself. Regardless, there's no reason to panic, as you've landed on a platform that can provide you with the help you need.
Our Ring troubleshooting article includes two sections for your convenience: users with a mechanical chime and users with a Ring chime. All you need to do is pick the right option and follow the problem-solving steps.
Option 1: If your Ring doorbell is wired into your old mechanical chime
As the heading suggests, this section will contain troubleshooting steps for users with a Ring doorbell and a mechanical chime by another brand.
If you’re unsure whether your current chime is mechanical or otherwise, you can tell the difference by the sound your chime makes. Mechanical chimes come equipped with a physical bell and make the standard “ding-dong” sound.
1. Is your chime compatible?
The usual culprit for connectivity problems between the Video Doorbell Pro and mechanical chimes is incompatibility.
The Video Doorbell Pro will only work with a compatible doorbell and a Ring transformer or adapter with the following specifications:
40VA max
16-24 VAC
50/60Hz (be sure not to purchase any garden lighting or halogen transformers)
You can visit the link here to discover whether your old chime is compatible with the Video Doorbell Pro. If it isn’t compatible, you have the option to purchase a compatible mechanical chime or a Ring chime.
2. Check the module installation
The Ring Pro Power Kit makes sure the Video Doorbell Pro gets enough power to run properly. The kit comes along with the Doorbell Pro. If there's a problem with the wiring or installation of the Power Kit, it can affect how your Ring doorbell controls the chime.
You can click on this link to figure out the correct procedure of installing (and wiring) the Pro Power Kit, or if you're not comfortable with attaching/detaching wires, you should consult an electrician.
3. Check the Ring app configuration
Another possible reason behind your chime malfunction could be disabled settings within the Ring smartphone app.
To turn the settings back to normal:
- Open the Ring app on your smartphone and access the “Settings” option.
- Once you're on the settings page, select the additional settings option marked “Device Settings.”
- From Device Settings, you need to choose the “General Settings” option and move on to the “Doorbell Chime Type” selection.
- Ensure that you choose “Mechanical” from the drop-down menu and that the “Ring My In-home Doorbell” option is on (push the slider to the right).
- Exit the app and try using the doorbell again to see if the problem is resolved.
Alternate Method:
Some users may find that their app is designed a little differently depending on their model. In this situation, you can access the “Settings” option from your Ring smartphone app and select the “Automatic Chime Detection” option.
Once the app picks up your doorbell chime, exit the app and try ringing the doorbell to ensure the chime is now operational.
4. Check Alexa doorbell configuration
If you've set your Amazon Alexa speakers to make an announcement when someone's at the door your mechanical chime may be facing difficulties due to interference from Amazon Alexa.
To resolve this problem, log in to your Alexa app, search from your doorbell in “Devices” and click on it. Once you're on the devices page, look for the “Doorbell Press Announcements” button and turn it off.
We're not entirely sure about the reason behind this interference; maybe the app needs an update. Whatever the case may be, switching off the announcements button generally takes care of the problem.
5. Check and reset power to the doorbell circuit
If none of the previous solutions have worked for you, you can try and reset the doorbell circuit's power. While this step may not always work, it's worth a try.
Forcing the doorbell to reboot can sometimes take care of whatever is causing the mechanical chime issue. Checking the circuit-breaker for a trip or a fault condition is also a good idea.
6. Double check hardware, installation and wiring
Before contacting Ring's support team, your last resort is to double-check all the hardware, installation procedure, and wiring. Sometimes, voltage is an issue behind your indoor doorbell not ringing correctly.
The Ring doorbell can draw power from the 16V AC power transformer that your mechanical chime utilizes. However, you can face difficulties when your indoor chime starts drawing too much power. You can solve this problem by installing the Pro Power Kit V2 to ensure your Ring doorbell receives sufficient power.
Or, you can try and replace your old transformer with a transformer with 16V AC and at least 30VA (40 VA max). Do not use a transformer meant for garden lights, halogens, or a DC power supply.
Option 2: If you have installed the Ring chime
This section focuses on troubleshooting solutions for users with a Ring doorbell and chime.
1. Wi-Fi connectivity issue between doorbell and wireless chime
Generally, installing a Ring doorbell with a Ring chime unit should take care of your issues.
But, if the problem persists even after you've installed a Ring chime unit, there may be a Wi-Fi connectivity issue between the doorbell and the chime.
Check the chime to see if there's a blue light flashing on the unit. If there is, that means the chime has lost connectivity. Simply reboot the chime unit to take care of this problem.
2. Power or battery issue
Another reason behind your Ring doorbell malfunctioning is insufficient battery life. Typically, the battery of your Ring device should last you months, and you'll receive notifications on your smartphone or email when the battery is starting to die.
However, the battery of your device can go out without any warnings in some cases. Your battery can also die out pretty fast if you leave the light of the doorbell lit for too long.
Trickle Charge
That may seem strange to you, considering the Ring doorbell is hardwired. However, the doorbell utilizes the wiring to trickle charge the rechargeable batteries within the doorbell. The doorbell itself runs on battery power.
Your doorbell's battery dying out may be related to a fault within the battery itself, in which case you'll have to replace them. Another explanation is that your doorbell may not be receiving enough power, in which case you might have to check your wiring or replace your transformer with one that has at least 16V AC, 30VA (40 VA max), and 50/60Hz.
3. App configuration is set to mute/chime snooze
Your Ring doorbell may not be ringing because the proper settings on the app have been disabled.
To fix this problem, open the Ring app on your smartphone and select the “Settings” option. Next, tap the “Doorbell Kit Setting” and enable the “Ring my in-home doorbell” option.
4. Chime volume may be set very low
Another possible cause behind you not being able to hear the doorbell ringing is that you've set the chime volume too low. You can take care of this problem by accessing the chime's device settings via the app and setting the volume a little higher.
5. Restart Ring doorbell and chime
You can also try restarting your devices to fix the problem of your doorbell not ringing. Unplug the power cord of your chime to restart the device.
For the doorbell, you can either press and hold the button placed on the side of the unit for 30 seconds. If that's not an option, you can also cut the unit's power by turning the breaker off, waiting at least 30 seconds, and turning it back on.
6. Reset Ring doorbell and chime
To reset your Ring Video Doorbell (first generation), locate the orange button on the unit, press and hold it for 20 seconds. If the reset is successful, you'll see the unit's front lights flash a few times.
Give the doorbell a few minutes to complete the reset process. Next, you'll have to set the doorbell to setup mode by pressing the orange button once more, and that's it.
If you own another Ring doorbell model, you can discover how to reset your unit by clicking here.
The Verdict
If your Ring doorbell is not ringing the way it should, seek out troubleshooting instructions based on whether your doorbell works with a mechanical chime or a Ring chime.
We advise you to do this because the solutions to your problem may differ based on whether you've got a Ring chime or not.
Additionally, if your doorbell doesn't work even after you've tried the relevant instructions, it's best to get in touch with Ring's support team to help you find a viable solution.