How to Install a Hardwired Ring Video Doorbell
Safely install and wire a Ring Video Doorbell, including chime bypass jumpering, transformer voltage verification, and secure exterior wall mounting.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free voice help.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
- ✓ Digital multimeter
- ✓ Wire strippers
- ✓ Power drill with 1/4-inch masonry/wood bit
- ✓ Torpedo level
- ✓ Ring star-shaped (Torx) security driver
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Ring Video Doorbell Wired unit
- ✓ Ring chime jumper cable
- ✓ Mounting screws and wall anchors
- ✓ Wire nuts
- ✓ Masking tape
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Shut off the circuit breaker supplying power to your doorbell transformer and chime box before handling any wires.
- • Verify zero voltage at the chime and doorbell terminals using a multimeter before loosening screws.
- • Confirm your doorbell transformer outputs between 10-24V AC to avoid underpowering or frying the new unit.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)
Turn Off Power and Bypass Mechanical Chime
Switch off the circuit breaker for your doorbell. Remove the cover from your indoor mechanical chime box to expose the screw terminals. Unscrew the wires labeled 'Front' (or 'Rear') and 'Trans', and attach the Ring jumper wire securely to bridge these two terminals together.
- • Indoor chime cover removed showing terminal board
- • Ring jumper wire clamped under 'Front' and 'Trans' terminal screws with existing wires disconnected or properly jumped
- • Skipping the jumper wire bypass, which causes the Ring unit to power-cycle or buzz whenever pressed
- • Attaching the jumper to the 'Rear' terminal when replacing the front door button
Remove Old Doorbell and Secure Exposed Wires
Unscrew the existing doorbell button from the exterior doorframe or siding. Carefully pull the button away from the wall to expose the two low-voltage lead wires. Loosen the terminal screws to free the wires, and immediately wrap a piece of masking tape around them or clamp them to prevent them from slipping back inside the wall cavity.
- • Old doorbell removed completely
- • Two stripped low-voltage wires extending at least 2 inches out of the wall hole, secured with tape
- • Yanking the old doorbell aggressively and snapping old, brittle copper wires inside the wall
- • Letting wires retract inside the exterior siding cavity
Mount the Ring Baseplate
Feed the two wall wires through the central opening of the Ring mounting bracket. Hold the bracket flat against the wall, place a torpedo level along its side to square it, and mark the two mounting hole locations with a pencil. Drill pilot holes (inserting plastic wall anchors if mounting onto brick, stucco, or concrete) and drive the mounting screws firmly.
- • Both wires pulled cleanly through bracket center hole
- • Mounting bracket sits flush, level, and rock-solid against exterior wall with screws driven fully
- • Overtightening screws into uneven siding, warping the bracket so the doorbell cannot latch
- • Mounting without wall anchors into masonry, causing the unit to pull loose
Connect Wires to Ring Doorbell Terminals
Loosen the two terminal screws located on the back of the Ring Video Doorbell. Loop one exposed copper wire around each screw head (either wire to either screw, as AC low-voltage is non-polarized). Tighten both screws down firmly so the copper is securely clamped without touching each other.
- • One copper conductor clamped under each terminal screw on the back plate
- • No stray copper strands touching between the two terminals
- • Leaving excess bare wire exposed that can short across the adjacent terminal
- • Loose terminal screws that cause intermittent power drops
Attach Unit to Bracket and Fasten Security Screw
Gently push any excess wire slack back into the wall hole. Align the top of the Ring doorbell with the mounting bracket tabs, push inward, and slide down until it clicks into place. Using the included star-shaped (Torx) security screwdriver, drive the small security screw into the bottom of the faceplate until flush.
- • Ring doorbell seated seamlessly against the mounting bracket with zero gap
- • Bottom Torx security screw driven flush without protruding
- • Using a standard wood screw instead of the included blunt security screw, which punctures the internal battery/electronics
- • Pinching wires between the backplate and bracket during attachment
Restore Power and Verify Operation
Switch the circuit breaker back on at the main panel. Return to the doorbell and observe the circular LED indicator on the front face. The light ring should glow or spin blue/white, confirming successful power delivery and readiness for mobile app pairing.
- • Front LED ring illuminated white or spinning blue
- • Device plays an audible chime prompt indicating it is in setup mode
- • Leaving the circuit breaker off and assuming the device is defective
- • Ignoring a flashing red LED, which indicates insufficient transformer voltage
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Electrician U — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Digital multimeter? Low-voltage AC test light
- No Torpedo level? Smartphone bubble level app