How to Repair a Broken Doorbell | Ask This Old House

Scott Caron, master electrician for Ask This Old House, replaces a broken chime on a doorbell.
#ThisOldHouse #AskTOH
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Shopping List for How to Repair a Broken Doorbell:
- Doorbell and chime
Tools for How to Repair a Broken Doorbell:
- Screwdriver
- Driver
Steps for How to Repair a Broken Doorbell:
1. Turn off the power source for the doorbell and undo the wire connections to remove the chime. Be sure to mark where each connection goes: front door, transformer, and rear door.
2. Attach the wires of the new chime to the existing wires and screw down the connections with a screwdriver.
3. Mount the new chime and screw it down using a driver.
4. Unscrew the old push button with a screwdriver and break those wire connections.
5. Attach the new push button wires to the existing wires using a screwdriver. If the new chime is digital, you may need to add diodes, which should be included with the chime.
6. Drive the new push button housing into the old screw holes.
About This Old House TV:
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How to Repair a Broken Doorbell | Ask This Old House
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[@evelynoclaret4689]

We ended up exchanging this model for the slimmer version kzbin.infoUgkx0jZ_lGlDVJhDnmagEU8gn47cmfPNlLQU because it was too wide for the only door trim area that made sense to mount it on. However, we should have just noted the dimensions prior to purchasing. Otherwise, we love the doorbell. It works perfectly, and the video is very clear, even at night.

[@daniel.pendzich]

3 months later the door bell is still playing happy birthday because she doesn't know how to change it. lol

[@Zero-mt7lh]

16 different chimes

[@mireyavazquez2428]

Daniel Pendzich. hoy hgkkufjjfu hhuu

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

It’s always someone’s birthday somewhere. 😜

[@xXxmlg_vacxXx]

Daniel Pendzich ii

[@trishashollenburg2810]

Daniel Pendzich Khkhjhjkhk

[@AleksKo89]

sound of old analog doorbell is cool

[@Bremend]

There's no way to increase or decrease the volume though

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

I agree so old fashioned

[@ashnunya7841]

You think that, until your house has one, and then it's annoying af

[@Bremend]

@@ashnunya7841 my doorbell doesn't get rung enough for it to get annoying, yet...

[@BAFVintage]

That old chime they removed is an Edwards Cordette II chime, aka the "Organ Pipes" chime with the repeat-a-tone feature.

[@jayc4715]

The new one is a Chinaman junker 2000

[@THEGIANTCOWK]

5:20 *”ok birthday boy”* lol

[@optimistichorizon]

How about the shitty way he ran that fucking wire through the stairwell?

[@rexfreakzoid]

Always wanted to see Vin Diesel fix a doorbell XD

[@alphaduck2926]

More like Jeff Bezos

[@AustinSlack]

Scott has it right. The newer digital "chimes" just don't compare to the old school analog chimes.

[@nickthompson7369]

Austin Slack how are you verified

[@claudiaterrazas7673]

Techno cumbia on the vivint doorbell

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

@@nickthompson7369 late reply that happens after you get 1,000 subs

[@nickthompson7369]

@@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440 he has 37 subs tho

[@cavitycreep]

mechanical

[@Phyoomz]

The homeowner banter always cracks me up. I'm sure the producers prep them before like "ok guys, just keep it real conversational and light. Pretend like the cameras ain't even here."

[@aml5786]

Good discussion on the doorbell wiring not too long ago

[@jefflebowski918]

That's too difficult, it's easier to buy a new house.

[@namewithoutdigits]

The location of the chime limits how far that closet door can open and puts the box at risk for being damaged.

[@tarikmercan5657]

hkkkml .m

[@claudiaterrazas7673]

Selena x vivint

[@boxermo26]

Selena x vivint

[@Moonsfire62]

My thoughs too... Bad choice of where to put it.

[@rtel123]

I love the electronic units that can be set to play a recording of "SOMEBODY'S AT THE DOOR"!

[@robertf6344]

Seems like with today's technology, the chime could be loaded with mp3's to have it spit out anything you want.

[@mtg6753]

Thanks this old house I am going to get the volt meter and start my repair or replace right now. I appreciate the video.

[@dingleberry901]

Thanks for the diode info. Was wondering why bell wouldn’t chime unless pushed continually.

[@amiereid5005]

Hey, I figured out what was wrong with my doorbell after watching this video. Thanks for breaking it down. My chime has the back door hammer disabled and the previous home owner switched the wiring so my backdoor bell worked and the front didn't. Likely didn't want to be disturbed. I switched the wiring on the chime so the front doorbell works. If I want the back doorbell to work, I can buy a new chime.

[@DordiHOTS]

you could just wire them together and have both work

[@claudiaterrazas7673]

Vivint x selena

[@Maxid1]

After saying "Hit the button in the front" any self respecting electrician would have screamed "NONONO!!! STOP! YOU'RE ELECTROCUTING ME!!!! Or maybe that's just me...

[@coolbrotherj]

yeah but if he lived, it wouldn't be eletrocuting [NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRD]

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

No doorbell votage is low not enough to shock u

[@compactcow]

@@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440 yeah it's a joke...

[@huluhulu2222]

They just don't make them like they used to... sigh

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

@@huluhulu2222 late reply most doorbells use 16v some use high voltage

[@scottjones3966]

could you hook up a set of air horns from a big truck to a door bell ?

[@coolbrotherj]

Sure just dont forget an air compressor

[@bagnome]

@@coolbrotherj And make sure it's a dixie horn.

[@JennySiede]

The best video on doorbell repair.

[@didafm]

Did you get her number after?

[@PilchPlays]

Over simplifying the the transformer putting out 18V instead of 16V and only reading just under 15V at the chime. But then they don't have time to talk about transformers commonly putting a little more voltage and voltage dropping due to resistance in the wire and switch.

[@tengelgeer]

Indeed, it has nothing to do with " those digital meter being sensitive". Wtf :s

[@glenncordova4027]

Most people just care if the doorbell works

[@monstersince]

hilarious, i have an autonomous brass unit called a door knocker

[@frankfoster8432]

Thank you for this video. It helped my troubleshoot the issue and resolve. Much appreciated.

[@claudiaterrazas7673]

Bibi bibi bom bom bom from an vivint doorbell 🎥

[@zachmiller4930]

Scott Caron is the man...

[@jezd8431]

He couldn’t wait to get out of there 😹😹

[@dagneytaggart7707]

Will that door be smacking the chime box? It is too high for casual changing of the chime setting. Is the wire across the closet going to be run against the walls and ceiling, or be straight across and in the way?

[@Furiends]

Wireless is fine. Smart is fine. Avoiding drilling holes for tiny wire is great. But what I'd like is to have a real chime. Much rather just give a little wireless receiver to control an 120v AC powered chime.

[@rtel123]

If you love the old chime, they last almost forever. This one would have been an easy rehab. Steel wool and/or varsol the cylinders clean, and glue the hammer back in.

[@glenncordova4027]

Yes I would have liked to see the old one refurbished. I have an old one that practically whispers so I will be replacing it. I will try finding a mechanical chime.

[@niceguy235uk1]

Brilliant--- move it to behind a door that will twat it every time its opened.

[@roxxylala26]

🤣🤣🤣

[@glenncordova4027]

That way they regular call backs for repairs. It's called job security or new speed boat. Yeah!

[@euphoria2339]

I miss scott, I mean I like keith but scott is a OG lol. Either way both amazing electricians! Some day I’ll get there

[@vince6829]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@cliffcarlo180]

DING!! DONG!! "Awwweee that sounds great" lol

[@FartSmucker]

ya that made me chuckle what with her idiot comment/giggle and all

[@Travelingman812]

Do you need to switch off any breakers??

[@showbizwisconsin8350]

A couple things that aren’t great here. First of all, running a wire through the stairwell isn’t a great option and puts it at risk for being damaged. The original location seems fine and close enough to the door. Secondly, instead of the electronic chime box, most people I’ve talked to prefer the simple mechanical ones. Much more pleasant sound. He should’ve just used the one in his demonstration lol.

[@claudiaterrazas7673]

Selena x vivint

[@glenncordova4027]

It is all matter of taste but I agree, a mechanical chime is much nicer.

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

you could use(late reply) wire clips to hold the wire in

[@rob3125]

How to Repair a Broken Doorbell? Call Señor Ding Dong! 😀

[@oldtwins]

Would have been better if the old doorbell was refurbished to operate again. That was a classic unit which should have been preserved.

[@HiepHoang-kh6sc]

oldtwins ưa, l c. 0

[@BAFVintage]

It was an Edwards Cordette II aka the Organ Pipes chime

[@CupidFromKentucky]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so. Also, whoever painted over it needs slapped. They ruined something beautiful.

[@TheHeadlessHorseman]

4:12 awesome camera shot

[@geredgreen6971]

Did he have to turn the power off? I need to replace mine because of some wierd ticking coming from an one.

[@Patmanduu]

Impact driver with a drill bit seems an odd choice for drywall, or does it? Only thing I could think of is impacts tends to have more LEDs than a drill, which lights up the wall and looks better on camera. Or just the hex shape of the spade bit is easier to pop in than a chuck.

[@TermitesRGood1]

You didn't Repair a BROKEN DOOR BELL ,You Replaced it.... Rolls eyes :(

[@suicidaljell]

TermitesRGood1 we are a throw away society good luck finding replacement parts for that 50 year old chime

[@TermitesRGood1]

what was Damaged on that Door bell would have toke 10 minutes to replace and $7. am not apart of that throw away society,edit i have a old school door bell no thanks to that digital mess.

[@Engineer9736]

Have a look at the average scrap department of any factory.. Then look back at your comment. You will feel silly.

[@ItsLilyx]

check out me channel and sub

[@aabad25aa]

Did he just make a hole straight thru the wall?? And fish the wire straight from it's original place 🤣🤣

[@CupidFromKentucky]

Yes he did. I don't understand it either.

[@cridenh2owo257]

My dogs started barking while watching this. No joke.

[@lgrondin5890]

My painter took off my old door bell & did not mark the wires how do I figure out which is the transformer and the front?

[@doolok]

Can't wait for episode 2: how to replace a closet door by your new doorbell chime.

[@wisdomwisdom817]

Awesome job thank you so much

[@ThiasRussell]

A question. Is it OK to put the splice into the wall ??? Should it not have been put into a box so if anythings happens in the furture it has easy access ??? Just a thought. Thx for sharing Regards.

[@colinstu]

Low voltage wire isn't required to be in boxes. Not only is it not required, there's no requirements or suggestions at all for it.

[@ThiasRussell]

Thx I was just wondering as there is a law on it in Denmark. And I would prefer that every splice was in a box easy to get to if needed ;-) Regards.

[@TheRealityTwister]

What do I do if the door bell is geting HOT

[@alonzomartii]

This chime with sound of scorpion "get over here"

[@jamesstacey1515]

I have a old 1950's manual door bell chime attached to the front door. Love it super simple and has worked for over 60 years. Why spend money to change what isn't broken?

[@justinlabarge8178]

James Stacey don't, but that was broken, atleast to some extent.

[@matthewnowak3488]

Only time you’ll have an issue is if you decide to go with a smart doorbell and want the chime to work with it. Then it’s a different process we go through.

[@matthewdarby77]

Never ever let Scott Caron inside your house.

[@DougCeleste]

They say that he is a "Master Electrician" but I guess you disagree.

[@charlescho]

+Doug Celeste the more I see his work, the more I dislike it.

[@yaosio]

Scott Caron is known to hypnotize people with his electronic doohickeys. He gets in the front door with promises of health miracles and elixers in our new electric age.

[@mattkrywyj5184]

Charles Cho Agree....He seems to take short cuts that don’t do anything but save him time. He is very accepting of running wire on the surface of drywall without an attempt at fishing. Watch him put in closet lights for a lady. It drove me nuts. He put an old style florescent instead of LED because of “cost,” he picked a bare bulb fixture for a small linen closet, and he ran the low volt wire he was using on the surface of the drywall while he was about 6 in away from an open attic.

[@jeanjos631]

do you have to disconnect power?

[@mattka5354]

Lots of respect for electricians, Carpenters, plumbers, and all the other trades out there. Sadly the newer generation wouldn't know what the hell to do other than to pick up their smartphone. More people should be encouraged to enter the trades instead of pushing a college degree on them that is pretty useless. If my son doesn't want to go to college then I'll be happy if he learns one of these skills.

[@glenncordova4027]

I have learned a lot of do it yourself home repairs and auto repairs with my smart phone. I am an old guy learning new tricks. Woof

[@KingIzStr8Rippin]

I'm really late, but mate I was only able to make the home repairs I have thanks to my smart phone and youtube... My dad passed when I was young. Had no one else to teach me stuff. Dishwasher repair, snaking a drain, washer repair, replacing exterior and interior light fixtures, squealing shower fix... I could go on... all from youtube and googling on smart phone... Not disagreeing tradesmen aren't appreciated. But the rest of your post... Mate...

[@ethanlowry8757]

I don’t understand as to why the doorbell wasn’t put in place where the previous one was it would of saved time with splicing wires and drilling holes and running wires and having to plaster up afterwards along side with having to paint that patch in the kitchen when the new one would of covered it when it was only put on the other side of the wall seems quite pointless to me.

[@panicwithcompulsion]

I can only assume the homeowner didn't want a chime box in their cabinet anymore. Maybe it was in the way or maybe they wanted it in a more centralized location in the home? Or maybe this guy just wanted to give us a live demonstration on how to move it?

[@matthewnowak3488]

These chines were a pain when everyone wanted them to work with Ring doorbell system, we had to figure out the hard way a couple times. The Ring system comes with a small power pack and hooks up from the trans to the front and mounted within the chime box, if you want the back door to ring then you need another power pack if there is another Ring in the rear. So if your using an digital or electronic chine DO NOT out the diode on the buttons, in both instances we used them they wound up burning out the chime, and the power pack, the other time it messed up the Ring doorbell itself, the power pack is sufficient, just wire the Ring or any smart doorbell with your standard two wires no diodes. The Ring doorbell will ring first and about one or two second delay it will ring the chime as well. Now if it’s a standard doorbell sometimes they all don’t work, check to see what compatible chimes from the manufacture that will work with the power pack. Hope this helps someone.

[@thelonestranger777]

I have a question that hopefully you can answer. So I hooked up the ring doorbell yesterday and since the home had hardwire, I decided to connect it. Simple enough but after 2 or 3 doorbell ring cycles, it stops working. As soon as I disconnect the wires and reconnect them, it works for another couple rings before stopping again. The ring app says it's still hardwired. I didn't have too much time to troubleshoot. Any idea what the issue might be?

[@matthewnowak3488]

@@thelonestranger777 is the doorbell digital or standard? Did it also have a diode jumper from the existing push button?

[@thelonestranger777]

@@matthewnowak3488 the doorbell is a standard mechanical one and no it has no diode.

[@matthewnowak3488]

@@thelonestranger777 I’m assuming you had the power pack hooked up to the chime correct?

[@thelonestranger777]

@@matthewnowak3488 The ring did not come with a pack actually. It was bought from Costco and came bundled with an indoor camera. It's the ring 3 plus. I tried looking on Amazon for that battery pack last night and had no luck either.

[@obenskisvlog2115]

Nice info and very helpful. I will need to replace my push door button. Are the wires interchangeable or if requires positive or negative on wires??

[@rickybobby9255]

A switch has no polarity - it does not matter which wire goes to which terminal on the switch.

[@franciscocasio4906]

Just is just great. Where do you find these wireless switches and controls and composite respond as soon as you can because I need to go to work in my home thank you very much

[@bjornjoseph]

Good luck finding that transformer... when I had to track mine down to install my nest hello...

[@nilomyki]

Kate is a looker.

[@CupidFromKentucky]

Explain this to me. Why would he run a new wire through a closet and into another room making more holes in the wall? Why not just put the newer, lower quality, chime where the old one was?

[@loveiseverything7]

I wonder how that wiring looks in the stairwell 🤔

[@fnhwk]

Who cares

[@mikeymusterhead9916]

My doorbell on a rental house i have wasn't working after renters left. When i pulled the cover off there are three wires connected to doorbell and three wires hanging in the space not attached. I can't get it working no matter what i do, any advice. Thank you in advance, mikey

[@nscaledelights]

I wish I had a Transformer in my apt, I'd want to have Optimus Prime in my kitchen

[@jnorman5390]

Nobody has a video on how to get it out of the wall. Mine is stuck in a box in a wall

[@thenexthobby]

Apparently the original chime location allowed the always-in-the-kitchen wife to easily hear it.

[@Kors_Cookie]

Vin Diesel, the repair man

[@akllls617]

what was the point of changing the location of the chime ?

[@AutoUnder]

To make room on the shelf to store things

[@dnb5661]

This video should be called "How to Replace a Doorbell".

[@KStewart-th4sk]

What about the diode? Does it not matter which way it is installed?

[@DordiHOTS]

it does matter which way it is installed. Diodes are polarity sensitive.

[@adven0018]

I have watched a lot of his installs and he only works for hot women haha

[@dap94]

This is the perfect way to meet lonely women in unsatisfied marriages.

[@albertorodriguez1934]

She looks like cute.

[@alorcadorna4082]

How much does it cost to fix the doorbell issue?

[@tonya6458]

Nice, but now you can’t open the closet door flushed to the wall. You should have put the chime up higher.🤔

[@samsngdevice5103]

Now all we need is Amazon to come out and test it.

[@westfletcher9219]

They broke my doorbell .

[@robinsonmertilus5232]

My doorbell is not wired. It is battery powered. However, the chime is wired. I changed the doorbell battery and it still doesn’t work. I don’t know what I need to do to fix it.

[@Unicorns]

*Great* *that's great* *Great*

[@bradwilcox6849]

Am I the only one that gets a kick at watching this guy mess up people’s homes

[@christopherlewis6583]

What if I have proper voltage at the transformer and switch but when you press the Button, only 2 volts at the chime?

[@NMranchhand]

If you are checking voltage without the wires hooked to the chime, it's a resistance in the wire between there and your button. If when hooked up, make sure that the plunger is free to move in the tube and then do a continuity test in the coil of wires that make up the tunnel the plunger moves in. Energizing this coil creates the magnetic field that moves the steel plunger. one of the wires coming out of the coil may also be shorting against the metal frame of the device. For more on this, look up repairing the electromechanical switches in the Lionel 1121 Train Switches; they are darn near identical.

[@derewreck]

There sure are a lot of KZbin experts chiming in....

[@johnedwards4452]

4:41

[@SRCVintageElectronics]

That old one is better

[@dianneanderson731]

I agree. I thought he was going to show off his skill on how to fix it, not change it to digital. :-(

[@13Hangfire]

I like the sound of the old analog door chime too... why would he put that new cheap POS door chime in this old house???

[@mayoutoobid]

They didn't turn off the circuit breaker for doorbell in the video. Is it necessary?

[@hatuxka]

When it's not the device maker giving advice on that, low, low risk is stated. When it's the door bell maker, they always say turn off the breaker. Oh, this is a year old😄

[@tigerlilly6895]

Okay... I have a doorbell that is now connected to a doorbell camera, so there is no way it can have a closed circuit. It never rang except about 4 months ago it rang once at 3:30 AM, then one day about a month ago at 4 PM , then 2 nights ago.. rang many times... like it's building up the charge... then last night it rang, lots of times again. Now tonight it's ringing again... about every 2 minutes but last night it rang like 11 times in a row... Can anyone tell me why? Thanks :)

[@codychapman4205]

Not all have a transformer. Our house has a door bell that's ran on 4 d battery's .

[@AaronBilger]

I have no clue where the chime is at in my house I can't find it but the doorbell is the only thing I see for it and there is 2 wires for it but the doorbell doesn't work I have no clue where the power thing is at for it? I have not tested anything to know what works and what don't besides the push button doorbell isn't working since I moved there 11 years ago.

[@ethanlowry8757]

Well I would say it got disconnected in the past before you moved in and the wires where probably cut and pushed into the wall and plastered over and forgotten about and no one ever bothered removing the button.

[@4udio_Vortex]

I would never replace a mechanical chime with an electronic one. Sad. Should've repaired it.

[@fakeascanbe423]

So when the doorbell rings, you gotta figure out if someone's at the backdoor or someone's at the front door?

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

it makes a different sound depending upon which doorbell is pressed. you just have to know which is which.

[@venividivici4253]

RoastBeefSandwich.

[@opinionatedman]

They skip over common issues that trash the whole system include damaged db wire in door casing from remodel or door replacement, hidden transformer because you didn't have a mindful electrician who put it on/by the panel or by the furnace and the someone finished the basement ceiling. Typically it is the button or the transformer that goes bad, but the cost effective solution in some scenarios is a wireless kit.

[@umeng2002]

"Sounds great," said no one ever.

[@user-jh8vf9ef2q]

Very good jop

[@rogelioaburto1403]

hey can you hell me fix my door bell is 40 years old is goings to the whole house, and the radio.

[@monalizajosonmarcelo1271]

KAP AT ALL AROUND PINOY 💞💕💕

[@mpa324]

Shouldn't he have checked for wires behind that wall before drilling a hole, looks like there would be one where that oil burner shutoff switch is.

[@mikemckenzie3634]

Show us stairwell.???

[@SupraRy]

Why would you be using an impact drill to go through drywall? LOL

[@alive7607]

16 volts i seen 14

[@nickstawczyk4749]

Why did u use an impact driver to drill the hole

[@jo12t]

What's the Red wall switch at 3:47

[@krn14242]

Probably to the heater in the basement... emergency cutoff.

[@Bizarre-Daniel]

Tressler John oil furnace cut off for emergencys shuts off pump and all of the system

[@PinkBoo]

He didn't fix it though, he just replaced the chime 😔

[@adamharrison5286]

Title of video is on how to fix, not replace....

[@PongoXBongo]

Why 16 volts? Why not standard 12 volts aka "low voltage"? 220 > 110 > 24 > 12 > 5, pick one doorbell designers.