Cold weather and battery-powered Ring devices

Combat cold weather’s effect on Ring Doorbells and Security Cameras by understanding how to keep devices performing at their best when the temperature drops.

Battery life and the cold

As cold weather sets in, lithium-ion batteries like those used in Ring Video Doorbells and Security Cameras may experience several issues including trouble holding a charge, running out of power faster than normal, or losing functionality.

Battery life for Ring devices wired to an external power source like an existing powered doorbell chime may also be impacted. Since Ring devices run off of battery power, an external power source will not be able to recharge it if cold weather begins to affect the battery.

Important temperatures

Knowing at what temperature batteries will start to be impacted can help you take the necessary steps to keep your device working. When the temperature drops to:

• 3°C:

   The battery may not hold a charge as effectively, resulting in having to charge the unit more frequently.
• 0°C:

  The battery may not charge at all. Even hardwired configurations may not charge the battery.
• -20.5°C:

  The battery may stop working completely until temperatures warm up.

What to do when it gets cold

• Bring your device inside:

  When it gets cold and your device's battery runs out, bring your entire device inside and charge the battery with a USB cord. This will allow your device to warm up while the battery charges.
• Make sure your battery is charged to 100%:

  When charging your battery, make sure it reaches 100% before you remount the device. While the battery still won't be as effective as when the temperatures are warmer, making sure that the battery is at 100% will allow your device to work as long as possible.
• Monitor your charge and the temperature:

  As long as the temperature hovers around the points listed above, you may have issues with battery charge. Therefore, it's important to constantly monitor your battery life when it gets cold to make sure your device is always working.

What to do if recharging your battery during extreme cold doesn’t work

If the battery is too hot or too cold, on-board software will keep it from charging in order to avoid damaging the battery. Bring the battery inside your home and allow it to change to room temperature before trying to recharge the battery.

More information on battery life.