I love the idea of a smart device that does not need to be hard-wired because I can use it anywhere, but many Ring users complain that their battery-powered Ring doorbells and cameras run out of power quickly. I wanted to know why Ring batteries often drain so fast and if this could be prevented.

Why is my Ring battery draining so fast? The main reasons why a Ring battery may drain quickly are a high number of motion events and alerts, live streaming, a weak Wi-Fi signal, and cold weather. 

Ring’s rechargeable, lithium batteries should last from six months to one year before needing to be recharged. While the battery can be recharged anytime, having to recharge it frequently can be frustrating, so if you are having this issue, you will want to figure out why your Ring battery is draining so fast and how to fix it. 

Ring Battery Draining Quickly

The following Ring devices are powered by rechargeable, lithium batteries:

  • Ring Video DoorbellRing Video Doorbell 2Ring Stick Up CamRing Spotlight Cam Battery

I have provided troubleshooting tips for each reason why these devices’ batteries may be draining too fast.

Motion Events

Every time your Ring doorbell or camera detects motion, it automatically records for 20 seconds and sends a notification to your phone or tablet. The recording and alert both use battery power. 

You can change the number of Motion Alerts you receive in the Ring app.

  • Select the device you want to adjust.Tap Motion Settings.Select Smart Alert.Select “Light” to receive fewer alerts.

You can also reduce the number of events your Ring device automatically records using the Zones and Range setting. You will also find this setting under Motion Settings. You can reduce the Motion Range using the slider or turn off specific “zones” or areas if they are detecting too much motion. 

Live Streaming

However, there is a downside to this feature. Just like streaming a video on your phone drains your phone battery pretty quickly, streaming the live feed of your Ring doorbell or camera takes a lot of battery power. 

If you would like to increase the length of time your battery lasts, minimize your use of Live View and the amount of time you spend viewing the camera stream when your doorbell rings.

Weak Wi-Fi Signal

A weak Wi-Fi signal to your Ring device can cause the device to disconnect and reconnect often. This uses battery power unnecessarily.

To check the Wi-Fi signal strength, go to Device Health in the Ring app. The device signal strength or RSSI needs to be above -40 for optimal performance. A signal strength of -70 or lower may cause your battery power to drain quickly. 

Try these troubleshooting tips to improve your home’s Wi-Fi signal:

Cold Weather

If you live in a place where temperatures drop below freezing, this may drain your Ring battery if your device is outdoors. Lithium batteries start failing to hold their charge when temperatures drop below 36°F. Ring states that their battery-powered devices may not function at all in temperatures below -5°F. 

The exact temperature at which your device’s battery will stop working varies. 

Ring Doorbell and Doorbell 2 run on lithium battery power even if they are hard-wired. They use the external power to charge the batteries rather than actually powering the device. This means that even a hard-wired doorbell may have a low or dead battery in cold weather. 

To keep cold weather from draining your Ring battery, bring your device inside and charge it if the temperatures drop below 36°F. If temperatures regularly drop below freezing where you live, consider purchasing a smart doorbell that works better in cold weather. The SkyBell can work in temperatures as low as -40°F. 

Charging a Ring Battery

You can check the battery level of your Ring device using the Ring app. Select the device, and view the battery icon in the top, right corner. 

If your Ring battery is low, follow these steps to charge it:

  • Remove the battery pack from your device. If you have the original Video Doorbell, remove the whole doorbell.Plug the provided USB cable into the battery or device and into a computer or outlet using an AC adapter. When the battery light turns green, the battery is 100% charged.Put the battery back in your device.

You can purchase an additional Ring battery here to use in your device when you are charging its original battery for continuous coverage.