What you need before you start
A Ring Doorbell attaches to your door frame with screws and wires — you do not need to replace your existing doorbell, though the process is easier if you do. Before you begin, gather a drill with a bit slightly smaller than your screws, a screwdriver that fits the Ring's mounting screws, and a level. Check that your door frame is made of wood or metal; Ring doorbells do not mount securely on vinyl or composite materials.
You will also need to know whether you want to hardwire the doorbell to your existing doorbell system or use the battery-powered option. Hardwiring requires you to turn off power at your breaker and identify the two wires behind your current doorbell — this takes 10 to 15 minutes longer but means you never need to charge the battery. Battery mode works immediately but requires you to recharge every few months depending on how many visitors you get.
Download the Ring app on your phone before you start installation. You will need it to connect the doorbell to your Wi-Fi and complete setup.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Doorbells mount with two screws into the door frame beside your existing doorbell, and the mounting bracket comes pre-attached to the doorbell itself.
- You can use the battery-powered mode without any wiring, or hardwire it to your existing doorbell system for continuous power.
- The most common mistake is drilling into the wrong spot — use the mounting bracket as a template and mark both holes with a pencil before you drill.
- The doorbell connects to Wi-Fi during setup in the Ring app, and you must be within 25 feet of your router for the connection to work.
- If you hardwire the doorbell, you must turn off power at your breaker before touching any wires.
Mounting the doorbell on your door frame
The Ring Doorbell comes with a metal mounting bracket already attached to the back. Hold the doorbell up to your door frame at eye level, about 48 inches from the ground — this height works for most people and security cameras. Use a level to make sure the doorbell is straight, not tilted left or right.
Once you have the position right, use a pencil to mark the two screw holes through the mounting bracket onto your door frame. Remove the doorbell and drill pilot holes at each mark using a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws. Pilot holes prevent the wood from splitting and make the screws much easier to drive in. Drill straight into the frame, not at an angle.
Line up the mounting bracket with your pilot holes and drive both screws in with a screwdriver. Tighten them firmly but do not over-tighten — you want the bracket secure, not cracking the wood. The doorbell should not move or wiggle when you push on it.
Connecting to Wi-Fi and setting up the app
Once the doorbell is mounted, open the Ring app on your phone and tap the plus icon to add a new device. Select Ring Doorbell from the list. The app will ask you to scan the QR code on the back of the doorbell — remove the doorbell from the mounting bracket by pressing the release button on the bottom, then scan the code and put it back.
The app will now ask for your Wi-Fi network name and password. Enter your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network — Ring Doorbells do not work on 5 GHz networks. The doorbell will connect within 30 seconds if your router is within 25 feet. If the connection fails, move your router closer temporarily or check that you entered the password correctly.
Once connected, the app will ask whether you want battery mode or hardwired mode. If you choose battery mode, you are done — the doorbell is ready to use. If you choose hardwired mode, follow the next section.
Hardwiring to your existing doorbell (optional)
Hardwiring means connecting the Ring Doorbell to the wires that power your current doorbell. This gives it continuous power so you never need to charge the battery. To do this safely, you must turn off power at your breaker box first.
Go to your breaker box and find the breaker labeled for your doorbell or front door. Switch it to the off position. Wait 10 seconds, then go back to your old doorbell and remove it from the wall — usually two screws hold it in place. Behind it you will see two wires, typically colored red and black, or sometimes green and red. These are the wires you need.
Loosen the terminal screws on the back of the Ring Doorbell — the app will show you which terminals to use. Unscrew the wires from your old doorbell and connect them to the Ring terminals, one wire per terminal. Tighten the terminal screws firmly so the wires cannot pull out. Turn the breaker back on and the doorbell will power on automatically.
If you are not comfortable working with electrical wires, use battery mode instead. There is no safety risk and the battery lasts several months between charges.
Testing the doorbell and adjusting settings
Press the doorbell button to test it. You should hear a chime inside your house if you have a compatible chime, and you should see a notification on your phone in the Ring app. If you do not hear a chime, check that your phone notifications are turned on and that the doorbell is still connected to Wi-Fi.
In the Ring app, go to the doorbell settings and adjust the motion detection zones if needed. By default, the doorbell records video whenever it detects motion in front of your door. You can shrink the detection area to avoid recording your driveway or street, which saves battery and reduces false alerts.
Set up a custom greeting message if you want — this plays when someone rings the doorbell and you are not home. You can also turn on two-way talk so you can speak to visitors through the doorbell speaker from anywhere.
Troubleshooting common installation problems
If the doorbell will not connect to Wi-Fi, move your router within 25 feet of the front door temporarily. Ring Doorbells have weak Wi-Fi receivers and need a strong signal. If moving the router does not help, restart the doorbell by removing it from the mounting bracket and pressing the reset button on the back for 15 seconds.
If the doorbell is crooked or tilted after installation, remove it and loosen the mounting bracket screws slightly. Adjust the bracket until it is level, then tighten the screws again. Do not force the doorbell into the bracket if it does not slide in smoothly — the bracket may be bent.
If you hardwired the doorbell and it is not powering on, go back to the breaker box and make sure the breaker is in the on position. If the breaker keeps flipping off, there may be a short circuit in your wiring — turn the breaker off and call an electrician before trying again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a Ring Doorbell on a metal door frame?
Yes, but you will need metal anchors instead of wood screws. Ring sells a metal installation kit with the correct anchors. Drill the pilot holes the same way, then insert the anchors and drive the screws through them into the metal frame.
What if my door frame is too narrow for the mounting bracket?
Ring makes an angled mounting bracket for narrow frames. If your frame is less than 2 inches wide, order the angled bracket separately and attach it the same way as the standard bracket.
Do I need an existing doorbell to install a Ring Doorbell?
No. If you do not have a doorbell, use battery mode and skip the hardwiring step. The doorbell will work exactly the same way — you just charge the battery every few months instead of drawing power from your home's electrical system.
How often do I need to charge the battery?
Battery life depends on how many people ring the doorbell and how often motion detection records video. Most people charge every three to six months. Cold weather drains the battery faster, so you may need to charge more often in winter.
Can I install the Ring Doorbell myself or do I need an electrician?
You can install it yourself if you use battery mode — no electrical work is needed. If you want to hardwire it, you can do it yourself as long as you turn off the breaker first and feel comfortable working with wires. If you are unsure, an electrician can hardwire it in 30 minutes for a service call fee.