digitalhomefaults.orgdigitalhomefaults.org

Ring•Video Doorbell 4

Analysis by Lukas & Team

Ring Video Doorbell 4 Battery Draining When Connected to SmartThings

Troubleshoot rapid battery drain on your Ring Doorbell 4 connected to Samsung SmartThings in Canada. Diagnose interference, settings, and cold weather issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

•What is the ideal RSSI value for my Ring Doorbell 4?

Ideally, your Ring Doorbell 4 should have an RSSI value above -65 dBm. Values closer to 0 dBm indicate a stronger signal.

•How do I check the battery health of my Ring Doorbell 4?

You can check the battery health in the Ring app under the Device Health section. It will display the current battery level and provide information about its overall condition.

•What are the risks of using a third-party battery with my Ring Doorbell 4?

Using a third-party battery can void the warranty and may not provide the correct voltage or current, potentially damaging the doorbell or causing a fire hazard. Always use Ring-approved batteries.

Related Questions

Loading related questions...

About Lukas & Team

Lukas leads the technical research department at Digital Home Faults. Together with a team of systems analysts, he specializes in translating complex manufacturer error codes into actionable diagnostic steps for the Canadian market.

← Back to list

Solution:

1

Verify Wi-Fi signal strength using a Wi-Fi analyzer app (e.g., NetSpot) near the doorbell. Aim for RSSI above -65 dBm. Consider relocating the Wi-Fi router or adding a Wi-Fi extender if needed.
2

Reduce the motion detection sensitivity in the Ring app to minimize unnecessary recordings and alerts.
3

Examine the SmartThings settings for the Ring device. Reduce the polling frequency for status updates to the minimum acceptable interval (e.g., 30 minutes).
4

If applicable, test the Doorbell with C-wire installation. Use a multimeter to check the C-wire voltage and ensure it is within the specified range (typically 24VAC).
5

Power cycle both the Ring Video Doorbell 4 (remove and reinsert battery or reset button) and the Samsung SmartThings hub to clear any temporary communication glitches.
6

Check for firmware updates for both the Ring Video Doorbell 4 and the Samsung SmartThings hub. Update to the latest versions.
7

Ensure the doorbell is mounted securely and the button operates freely without any mechanical binding. Inspect door frame for any warping causing pressure.

Technical Background:

The Ring Video Doorbell 4 communicates via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi with the user's local network. Integration with Samsung SmartThings occurs through cloud-to-cloud communication over the internet. SmartThings acts as a central hub, potentially increasing network traffic and device polling frequency. Power consumption is affected by Wi-Fi signal strength (RSSI), frequency of motion detection events, live view sessions, and ambient temperature. The lithium-ion battery's internal resistance increases significantly in sub-zero temperatures (below -20°C), reducing its effective capacity and voltage output. Ring devices ping the network frequently to maintain connection, consuming power even when idle. In SmartThings, polling frequency can be adjusted but defaults can create excessive battery drain.

Expert Tip:

If the Doorbell is hardwired but still experiencing battery drain, disconnect the power and rely solely on battery power. This can help isolate power supply issues from the doorbell itself. Monitor the battery drain speed in this state. Also, a quick way to refresh the Ring's connection to SmartThings is to temporarily disconnect and reconnect it through the SmartThings app's connected services menu.

Common Causes:

Inconsistent Wi-Fi signal strength (RSSI below -70 dBm) causing the doorbell to work harder to maintain connection.
High polling frequency from the SmartThings hub requesting status updates from the Ring doorbell.
Sub-optimal battery impedance due to Canadian winter temperatures (-20°C to -40°C) reducing battery efficiency.
Excessive motion detection events triggered by environmental factors (e.g., wind, snow) increasing video recording and processing load.
Firmware incompatibility between Ring and SmartThings causing inefficient communication protocols.
Mechanical binding of the doorbell button due to temperature-induced warping of the door frame, triggering false presses and wake events.

What to Look For:

Rapid battery depletion observed on Ring Video Doorbell 4 after integration with Samsung SmartThings hub. Battery level drops more than 5% per day in moderate use conditions. User reports infrequent motion alerts but high battery usage. No error logs reported within the Ring or SmartThings application. Event history displays normal activity levels. Red LED indicator may flash intermittently during operation indicating low power state in cold conditions.

Prevention:

Regularly check battery health using the Ring app, especially before and during the winter months. Consider pre-emptive battery replacement every 1-2 years.
Keep the Ring doorbell firmware updated to the latest version via OTA updates.
Assign a static IP address to the Ring doorbell on the local network to prevent IP address conflicts and ensure consistent connectivity.
Monitor the event history in both the Ring and SmartThings apps for any unusual activity that might indicate excessive power consumption.
For Rogers Ignite users: Check the Gateway Admin Tool to ensure minimal interference from other devices on the 2.4 GHz band.