Ring doorbells run on standard batteries you can swap yourself in under five minutes

Your Ring doorbell battery dies like any other battery — it just takes longer because the device uses very little power. When it gets low, the Ring app sends you a notification. You don't need a technician or special tools. Open the faceplate, slide out the old battery, and slide in a new one. The whole job takes about two minutes once you have the right battery in your hand.

Which battery you need depends on which Ring model you own. Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen and later), Ring Video Doorbell Pro, and Ring Video Doorbell Elite all use the same battery: a 3.7V lithium battery that Ring calls the "Ring Rechargeable Battery Pack." The original Ring Video Doorbell (1st gen) uses a different battery, as do Ring's wired models. Check your device or the Ring app to confirm your exact model before you buy.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Ring doorbells use a 3.7V lithium battery pack that you can buy from Amazon, Best Buy, or other retailers for $20 to $30.
  • The battery slides into a slot on the back of the doorbell faceplate — no tools needed, and you don't have to remove the doorbell from your wall.
  • A full battery charge lasts three to six months depending on how often your doorbell records video and how cold it is outside.
  • If your doorbell stops responding after you install a new battery, restart it by holding the setup button for 15 seconds.

Finding the right battery for your Ring model

Open the Ring app and tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner. Select "Devices," then tap your doorbell. Scroll down to "Device Information" — the model name is listed there. Write it down or take a screenshot.

Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen), Ring Video Doorbell (3rd gen), Ring Video Doorbell Pro, and Ring Video Doorbell Elite all use the same 3.7V lithium battery pack. You can order it directly from Ring's website, or buy it from Amazon (search "Ring Rechargeable Battery Pack"), Best Buy, or Walmart. The official Ring battery costs around $25 to $30. Third-party batteries labeled as compatible with these models exist and cost less, but Ring does not officially support them — if something goes wrong, Ring's support team may not help troubleshoot.

If you own the original Ring Video Doorbell (1st gen), you need a different battery: two AA lithium batteries instead of one rechargeable pack. Ring Video Doorbell Wired and Ring Video Doorbell Pro Wired do not have removable batteries at all — they draw power from your home's existing doorbell wiring.

How to remove the old battery and install the new one

You do not need to remove the doorbell from your wall. Locate the small slot or indentation at the bottom of the faceplate (the front cover of the doorbell). Use your fingernail or a plastic pry tool — not a metal screwdriver, which can damage the plastic — to gently pull the faceplate away from the main body. It should come off with light pressure.

Once the faceplate is off, you will see the battery pack in a slot on the back. It is a rectangular black or silver block about the size of a deck of cards. Slide it straight out toward you. Do not force it — if it does not move, make sure you are pulling in the right direction (toward the front of the doorbell, not upward or downward).

Take the new battery and slide it into the same slot, making sure the metal contacts on the battery line up with the metal contacts inside the slot. Push it in until it clicks or sits flush. Reattach the faceplate by pressing it back onto the main body until it snaps into place. You should hear or feel a small click.

What to do if the doorbell does not respond after you change the battery

If your Ring doorbell does not show as online in the app within a few minutes, restart it. Locate the small setup button on the back of the doorbell (the side facing your wall). Press and hold it for 15 seconds, then release. The doorbell will restart — this usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. Check the app again to see if it comes back online.

If the doorbell still does not respond, remove the battery again and check that the metal contacts on both the battery and the doorbell are clean and dry. Wipe them gently with a dry cloth if they look dusty or corroded. Reinsert the battery and try the restart again.

If the doorbell still will not come online after a restart, the battery itself may be defective. Contact the retailer where you bought it for a replacement, or contact Ring support through the app if you bought the official Ring battery.

How long a battery charge actually lasts

Ring advertises three to six months per charge, but the real number depends on how much your doorbell is used. If your doorbell records 10 to 20 video clips per day, you will get closer to three months. If it records only a few clips per week, you might get five or six months. Cold weather drains batteries faster — a doorbell in a climate that regularly drops below 40°F will need more frequent charging than one in a mild climate.

You can extend battery life by adjusting your Ring settings. In the app, go to your doorbell's settings and look for "Motion Snooze" or "Motion Alerts." You can set the doorbell to stop recording during certain hours or to ignore motion from areas you do not care about (like a busy street). Fewer recordings mean less battery drain.

Charging the battery instead of replacing it

The Ring Rechargeable Battery Pack is designed to be charged and reused, not thrown away after one use. When the battery gets low, you have two choices: buy a second battery and swap them out, or remove the battery and charge it with a USB charger.

To charge the battery, remove it from the doorbell and plug a standard USB-C cable into the port on the side of the battery. Connect the other end to any USB power adapter (the kind that comes with phones or tablets). A full charge takes about four hours. Once it is charged, slide it back into the doorbell.

Many people buy a second battery so they can keep one in the doorbell while the other charges. This way you never have a gap in coverage. A second official Ring battery costs the same as the first one.

Troubleshooting battery problems

If your battery drains much faster than three months, check whether your doorbell is in a location with very high motion activity. A doorbell pointed at a busy street, a driveway where cars pass frequently, or an area where animals trigger motion alerts will drain the battery faster. You can reduce this by adjusting motion zones in the app — tell the doorbell to ignore motion in areas that are not important to you.

If the battery drains to zero and your doorbell goes offline, it will come back online automatically once you install a charged battery. You do not lose any video history or settings. However, if the doorbell stays offline for more than a few days, Ring may remove it from your account — you would have to add it again using the setup code on the back of the device.

If the battery charges but the doorbell still shows a low battery warning in the app after you reinstall it, restart the doorbell by holding the setup button for 15 seconds. The app sometimes takes a few minutes to update the battery status after you swap batteries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a regular rechargeable AA battery instead of the Ring battery pack?

No. Ring doorbells that use the rechargeable battery pack are designed specifically for the 3.7V lithium battery. AA batteries, even rechargeable ones, are 1.5V and will not work. Using the wrong battery can damage the doorbell or cause it to malfunction.

What should I do with the old battery?

Lithium batteries should not go in the trash. Take it to a Best Buy, Home Depot, or local electronics recycling center — most accept rechargeable batteries for free. Some areas have battery collection events. Do not leave it in direct sunlight or heat while you wait to recycle it.

Will changing the battery erase my video history?

No. Your video history is stored in the cloud through your Ring account, not on the doorbell itself. Changing the battery does not affect any videos, settings, or account information.

How do I know if my battery is actually dead or if something else is wrong?

Check the Ring app — it shows the current battery percentage on the device details page. If it says 0% or "Low Battery," the battery is dead. If it shows a normal percentage but the doorbell is offline, the problem is likely your WiFi connection, not the battery. Restart your router and the doorbell to troubleshoot.

Can I use my Ring doorbell while the battery is charging?

No. When you remove the battery to charge it, the doorbell goes offline and cannot record or send alerts. This is why many people buy a second battery — so they always have a charged one ready to swap in.