Why Doesn't My Doorbell Work?

Have you found yourself trying to ring your doorbell, only to find that no chime sounds when the doorbell button is pressed? If so, you’re at the right place! Here at Young Cardinal Electric, we know that these unforeseen issues with your home can feel overwhelming, but rest assured. We’re here to guide you through the most common potential causes and solutions. 

Different reasons a doorbell may not work

To understand how to fix the issue, we first need to pinpoint what may be causing the doorbell not to work. Below you can find a list of some of the most common reasons your doorbell may not be singing its lovely song. 

Your doorbell button is damaged

With excessive wear or even accidental force, the housing of the doorbell button could result in a physical break of the unit. Broken doorbells are common and should not be too difficult to replace. Before moving on to other probable issues, ensure that the outside causing is intact and replace any broken doorbell pieces for an easy fix. 

Wiring is a common problem with faulty doorbells

Maybe your doorbell seems to be working intermittently? If you have a feeling that the doorbell itself is not damaged, we can move on to assessing the wiring. While most of us may not be proficient in electrical work, it may be beneficial to get an electrician to see if a loose wire or faulty wiring is the source of the issue. 

Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain or high temperatures

For updated homes equipped with smart doorbells, there is a chance that unfavorable weather conditions have contributed to the breakdown of your unit. Some doorbells may not be sufficiently waterproof or water resistant. Additionally, excessively warm weather can unfortunately break down your equipment faster. 

Other devices could be affecting your doorbell’s performance

Additionally, if a smart doorbell is installed, there is a chance that other electronic devices could be affecting or impeding your doorbell's ability to work correctly. Try doorbell troubleshooting by taking inventory of your household electronics and making adjustments accordingly.

A tripped breaker can affect your doorbell

When in doubt, always check the breaker! Before jumping into some electrical work to resolve your problem, try reviewing your breaker to see if anything has been tripped. 

Your doorbell may be outdated

The unfortunate truth is that, no matter how well you take care of certain parts of your home, there is going to be a time where the equipment and wiring become outdated and no longer reliable. If your doorbell is not working, consider looking it over for some easy troubleshooting fixes, if nothing seems to be identifiable, consider upgrading your equipment and wiring. 

Your chime may be damaged

If low voltage or physical damage to the doorbell do not seem to be the issue, you may need to hire an electrician to test the doorbell chime itself. The inner working of the chime box may stop working, leaving you with a system set up for success, but no way to carry it out. 

How to fix a doorbell that isn’t working

Understanding why the system may not be working is only part of the process. The next step is working to actually fix the problem. 

Check doorbell parts for any damage

The simplest way to troubleshoot is by looking for physical defects in the doorbell itself. Look over as much as you can for cracks, warping, lights that have gone out, or damage to wires.

Seek professional help if necessary

For your safety and the integrity of your home, always seek professional help when working on any electrical components. Chances are, if you were not able to resolve the issue with the change of a new doorbell unit, then the skillset of an electrician may be a necessary requirement. 

Young Cardinal Electric will have your doorbell working again in no time!

If you’ve found the issue of your doorbell to be electrical, don’t hesitate to contact Young Cardinal Electric! Whether it’s faulty wiring, an old breaker box, or any other electrical issue, we’ll set your home up for success.

As a family-owned electric company, you’ll be met with the highest quality customer service, and up-front pricing.