There’s a Massive Recall of Amazon Ring Doorbells

In a year where it seems everything is both literally and figuratively on fire, it’s not surprising that we can now add Amazon’s Ring Video Doorbell to the list. Yes, it turns out that the device you purchased and installed for the purpose of making your home safer is itself a safety hazard. As a result, Amazon has issued a massive recall of its popular doorbell/spy camera. Here’s what to know.

What’s going on with Ring Doorbells?

Amazon is recalling approximately 350,000 Ring Video Doorbells (2nd Generation) sold through Amazon.com, Ring.com, and at third-party electronics and home goods stores in the United States and Canada between June and October 2020. The company made this decision after receiving reports of 85 incidents tied to incorrectly installed doorbells—23 of which involve doorbells igniting and causing minor property damage, in addition to eight reports of minor burns.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the video doorbell’s battery can overheat if the wrong type of screws are used to install the device, posing fire and burn hazards. As a result, the CPSC advises that consumers immediately stop installing the recalled video doorbells.

A spokesperson for Ring provided Fast Company with the following statement:

“The safety of our customers is our top priority. We [have and continue to work cooperatively with the CPSC on this issue, and] have contacted customers who purchased a Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) to ensure they received the updated user manual and follow the device installation instructions. Customers do not need to return their devices.”

How to know if your Ring Doorbell has been recalled

Those who use a 2nd Generation Ring Video Doorbell can enter its serial number on the Ring website to find out whether it’s part of the recall. If it turns out that yours is, download revised installation instructions and contact Ring with any questions at (800) 656-1918 from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET, seven days a week, or visit the company’s website and click on “Help,” then on “Installation Services” for more information.