How to Install Ring Doorbell Without Existing Doorbell

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A Ring Doorbell is a smart doorbell that lets you see and interact with anyone who comes to your door using an app on your phone—even when you're not at home. Before you install your Ring Doorbell, download the Ring app and set up your new device. If you don't currently have a doorbell, you can install the Ring Doorbell in the desired location and power it with rechargeable batteries. If you already have a doorbell, you can hardwire the Ring Doorbell to the original wiring. This option will connect the Ring Doorbell to your old chime and provide a power source for your doorbell.

1. 1

   Download the Ring app onto your mobile device. Before you can physically install the Ring Doorbell, you'll need to set up the software to get your device working properly. Start by opening the app store on your phone or mobile device and searching for "Ring."^[1]

   • Ring uses a single free app to connect to all Ring devices.

2. 2

   Create a Ring account. Once you've downloaded the Ring app, open the app and select "Set Up a Device." This will prompt you to create a new account. Follow the prompts to get your new account set up.^[2]

   • If you already have a Ring account, select the "Log In" button instead.

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3. 3

   Select "Setup Device" in the app menu. Once you're logged in, hit the "Setup Device" button. Choose the Ring Doorbell from the list of devices that comes up.^[3]

   • There are several Ring Doorbell models currently available, so make sure you choose the correct device from the list!

4. 4

   Scan the QR code code to automatically connect your device. You can make the setup process easier by scanning the QR code on the back of your Ring Doorbell.^[4] Select the "Scan QR Code" button in the Ring app, which should access your phone's camera and allow you to scan the code.

   • If you can't or don't want to scan the QR code for any reason, you can skip this step and connect the device manually.

5. 5

   Name your Ring Doorbell if you have other Ring products. If you have more than one Ring device associated with your account, you can give your doorbell a name to help you distinguish it from your other devices. You can either choose a suggested device name from the menu or create your own.^[5]

   • This feature is particularly useful if you have multiple Ring Doorbells at different locations (e.g., one at your front door and one at the back door).

6. 6

   Allow the Ring app to access your location. Next, you'll need to specify your home address so that your Ring Doorbell can function properly. The app will attempt to pinpoint your exact location by using the location service on your phone.^[6]

   • If the app doesn't find your location accurately, you can manually enter your home address.

7. 7

   Push the orange button on your doorbell to start setup mode. Once you've begun the setup process in the app, you'll need to activate the Ring Doorbell to connect it with your wi-fi network and your mobile device. Turn the Ring Doorbell over and find the orange button on the back of the device. Press and release the button to put the doorbell in setup mode.^[7]

   • After you push the orange button, you should see a spinning white light around the button on the front of your Ring Doorbell.
   • If you don't see the spinning white ring, you may need to charge your doorbell using the included USB charger.

8. 8

   Connect the Ring Doorbell to your wi-fi network. After you put your Ring Doorbell in setup mode, the app should prompt you to connect the device to your wi-fi. Select your wi-fi network from the menu and enter your network password when the app prompts you to do so.^[8]

   • The light on the front of your Ring Doorbell will flash 4 times to let you know it has successfully connected to the wi-fi network.
   • Once your Ring Doorbell is connected, the light ring around the front button may begin flashing white. This means your doorbell is updating its software. Don't try to test or use the doorbell until the flashing stops.

   Tip: If you didn't scan the QR code on the back of your Ring Doorbell, you'll need to connect to a special Ring Setup wi-fi network before you can connect to your main network. This should happen automatically on an Android device. If you're using an iPhone or iPad, do this by going into "Settings" on your device and selecting the network starting with "Ring-" under "Wi-Fi."

9. 9

   Press the front button on your doorbell to do a test call. When you've finished connecting your Ring Doorbell, it's time to test it. Do this by pressing the button on the front of the doorbell. You should get a notification on your phone letting you know that the call has successfully gone through.^[9]

   • If the app is already open on your phone or mobile device, the app should automatically start a live video feed from the camera on your Ring Doorbell.

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1. 1

   Line up the mounting bracket where you want to install the doorbell. To begin mounting your Ring Doorbell, select a spot on the exterior wall next to your door at about chest height. Snap the level tool included in your Ring kit into the mounting bracket and place the bracket in the desired position, making sure it is level.^[10]

   • Check the bubble in the level tool and make sure it is centered between the 2 lines marked on the level.

2. 2

   Mark the positions of the mounting holes with a pencil. Once the bracket is positioned the way you like it, take a pencil and make marks on the wall inside the 4 screw holes at each corner of the bracket. If you need to drill holes or install screw anchors in your wall, remove the bracket and set it aside before proceeding.^[11]

   • If pencil doesn't show up on your wall, try using a metallic marker (such as a silver Sharpie) instead.

3. 3

   Drill holes at the positions you marked if necessary. If your wall is made of a masonry material, such as brick, concrete, or stone, you'll need to use a power drill and a masonry bit to make holes in the wall at the correct positions. The Ring Doorbell kit includes a masonry bit of the right size for installing the anchors that are also provided with your kit.^[12]

   • Once you've made the holes, push the provided screw anchors into the wall by hand or gently tap them in with a hammer or mallet.
   • If you're mounting the doorbell on a wood or vinyl wall, you should be able to install the screws directly into the wall with a screwdriver.

   Tip: If you have a wood or vinyl wall but can't get a screw into it easily by hand, try using an electric screwdriver or drilling a pilot hole with a spur point bit before driving in the screws.

4. 4

   Attach the mounting bracket to the wall using screws. Position the bracket over the spots that you marked or the anchors you just installed (if applicable). Use the Phillips-head side of the screwdriver tool included in the Ring kit to screw the bracket into the wall.^[13]

   • If the surface of your wall isn't perfectly level, take care not to screw in the bracket so tightly that it becomes bent or warped. This will make it difficult for you to install the Ring Doorbell correctly.

5. 5

   Snap the Ring Doorbell into place on the bracket. Once the bracket is mounted, push the Ring Doorbell device in and down until it snaps into place. You may need to use some force to securely attach the doorbell to the bracket.^[14]

   • Make sure to remove the level tool before attaching the doorbell to the bracket.

6. 6

   Tighten the security screws on the base of the doorbell. Once your doorbell is in place, use the smaller end of the screwdriver tool to tighten the 2 screws at the bottom of the device. This will help lock the doorbell in place on the mounting bracket.^[15]

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1. 1

   Shut off the power to your current doorbell. If you're hardwiring your Ring Doorbell to an existing doorbell system, you'll need to shut off power to the old doorbell to prevent accidental shocks or electrocution. Locate your circuit breaker box and switch off the breaker that supplies power to your doorbell.^[16]

   • If your breakers aren't adequately labeled, you may need to experiment a bit to determine which switch controls the power to your doorbell.

   Tip: If you're not sure how to shut off power to your doorbell or if you feel uncomfortable doing the installation yourself, consider calling a professional electrician or home tech support specialist to do the installation for you.

2. 2

   Remove your old doorbell button. Before you install your Ring Doorbell, you'll need to take the old doorbell off the wall. Unscrew the faceplate and carefully detach the wires that connect your old doorbell button to the chime inside your home.^[17]

3. 3

   Position the Ring Doorbell mounting bracket over the original wiring. Once the old doorbell is off, put the mounting bracket on the wall so that the wires stick out through the rectangular hole at the center of the bracket. You'll be using the wires to connect the Ring Doorbell to your old doorbell's power supply.^[18]

   • To make sure the mounting bracket is level, snap in the small level tool included with your Ring Doorbell kit. Make sure the bubble is centered between the 2 lines marked on the level.

4. 4

   Mark the holes at the corners of the mounting bracket. When you're satisfied with the position of the mounting bracket on the wall, use a pencil to make marks in the holes at each corner of the bracket. This is where you'll be installing the screws that will hold the bracket in place.^[19]

   • If a pencil doesn't show up on your wall, use a metallic marker instead.

5. 5

   Drill holes at the marked locations if necessary. If you have a masonry wall (made of brick, stone, or concrete), use a power drill and the masonry bit included with your kit to make holes at each of the marked locations. You'll also need to push or tap the provided screw anchors into the holes.^[20]

   • Before drilling into the wall, remove the bracket and set it aside.
   • Double check that the power to the doorbell is switched off before you do any drilling!

6. 6

   Attach the mounting bracket to the wall with screws. Use the Phillips-head side of the screwdriver tool included in your Ring kit to screw the mounting bracket into the wall at the marked locations. If your wall is vinyl or masonry, you should be able to install the screws directly into the wall with the screwdriver. Otherwise, insert the screws into the anchors that you installed using the drill.^[21]

   • Take care not to bend or warp your mounting bracket when you screw it in. If your wall isn't completely flat, you may not be able to make the mounting bracket exactly flush with the wall.

7. 7

   Wrap 1 wire around each of the 2 screws on the front of the bracket. Once the mounting bracket is secured to your wall, take the 2 wires from the original doorbell and wrap each one around one of the screws at the center of the bracket. You may need to loosen the screws slightly to create space for the wires.^[22]

   • It doesn't matter which wire you wrap around which screw. The doorbell should work either way.
   • If you loosened the screws, gently tighten them back down after the wires are in place.

8. 8

   Install the included diode if you have a digital door chime. If your door chime is digital, you'll need to install the diode that came with the Ring Doorbell kit in order to get it to work correctly. To install the diode, put the black plastic housing between the 2 screws on the front of the mounting bracket and wrap the wires on either side around each of the screws.^[23]

   • In order to get your chime working correctly, you'll need to determine which wire is connected to your doorbell's chime mechanism. You may be able to tell by opening the chime and looking at the wires, which may be labeled and/or color-coded.
   • If you know which wire connects to the chime, position the diode so that the grey indicator on the plastic housing faces that wire. If you chose the wrong wire, you'll need to reinstall the diode facing the other way.
   • Don't install the diode if you have a mechanical door chime. Doing so may damage your doorbell.

9. 9

   Snap the Ring Doorbell into place on the bracket. Once all the wiring is in place, push the doorbell in and then down to snap it into place on the mounting bracket. You may need to use quite a bit of force to get the doorbell mounted securely.^[24]

   • Make sure you remove the level tool from the mounting bracket before trying to install the doorbell.

10. 10

    Tighten the security screws on the bottom of the doorbell. To lock your Ring Doorbell securely into place, tighten the 2 security screws at the base of the device using the screwdriver tool from your Ring kit. Make sure to use the smaller end of the tool for this purpose.^[25]

11. 11

    Turn the power to the doorbell back on. Once your Ring Doorbell is installed, go back to your breaker box and switch the power back on. Then, go test your new doorbell to make sure it is working correctly!^[26]

    • You'll know the Ring Doorbell is correctly wired if the indicator light on the front glows soft white.
    • If you have a digital chime and it doesn't work properly with the Ring Doorbell, you may need to remove the device and flip the diode around.

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• Before you physically install your device, test it in the desired location to make sure you get a clear video image and a strong wi-fi connection.

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Things You'll Need

• Ring Doorbell
• Mobile device
• Wi-fi router

• Mounting bracket (included in Ring Doorbell kit)
• Level (included in kit)
• Masonry drill bit (included in kit)
• Power drill
• Screw anchors (included in kit)
• Screws (included in kit)
• Double-ended screwdriver tool (included in kit)

• Screwdriver for removing your old doorbell's faceplate
• Mounting bracket (included in Ring Doorbell kit)
• Level (included in kit)
• Masonry drill bit (included in kit)
• Power drill
• Screw anchors (included in kit)
• Screws (included in kit)
• Double-ended screwdriver tool (included in kit)
• Diode for hardwiring your Ring to a digital door chime (included in kit)

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To install a Ring doorbell when you don't already have a doorbell, start by positioning the mounting bracket on an exterior wall and using the level tool that came with your installation kit to make sure the mounting bracket is even. Use a pencil to mark the mounting holes on the wall, then set the bracket aside and use the drill bit that came with your installation kit to pre-drill holes in the wall. Then, screw the mounting bracket into the wall using the screwdriver that came with your kit, and push the doorbell into the bracket until it snaps into place. Finish installing your Ring by tightening the 2 screws at the bottom of the doorbell to secure it to the mounting bracket. Once our Ring is installed, download the Ring app on your mobile device, and connect your new doorbell to your Wi-Fi network. For more tips, including how to install a Ring if you already have a doorbell, read on!

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How to Install Ring Doorbell Without Existing Doorbell

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Install-a-Ring-Doorbell

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