Arlo Microphone Issues? How to Fix Your Camera's Audio

How to Fix Arlo Camera Microphone Issues

Arlo cameras provide excellent video quality, but their audio features are just as important for security. The microphone allows you to hear what's happening and use the two-way talk feature to communicate. When you discover there's no audio in your recordings or you can't be heard through the camera, it can be a major source of frustration and compromise your security.

Most Arlo microphone issues stem from simple software settings, permissions, or connectivity problems. This guide will walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps to diagnose and resolve these common problems, restoring your camera's ability to capture and transmit sound.

Common Symptoms of Microphone Problems

Before you start troubleshooting, let's identify the specific issue you're experiencing with your Arlo camera's audio.

• No audio in recordings: Your video clips play back in complete silence.
• Two-way talk not working: You can hear audio from the camera, but the person near the camera cannot hear you when you speak into your phone.
• Muffled or distant audio: The sound captured by the camera is very quiet, muffled, or seems to be coming from very far away.
• Static or distorted sound: The audio is filled with static, crackling, or is otherwise garbled and unintelligible.
• Audio cuts in and out: The sound is intermittent, dropping out for several seconds at a time.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Your Arlo Mic

Follow these steps in order, as they progress from the most common and simple fixes to more involved solutions.

1. Check App Settings and Permissions

The majority of audio problems can be traced back to a setting in the Arlo app.

• Enable the Microphone:

  1. Open the Arlo Secure App.
  2. Go to Devices and select the camera you're having issues with.
  3. Tap the settings gear icon (⚙️).
  4. Go to Video & Audio Settings.
  5. Ensure the toggle for Microphone is switched ON. If it's off, the camera will not record any audio.

• Check App Permissions (on your phone):

  • For iOS (iPhone): Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Make sure the switch for the Arlo app is turned on.
  • For Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Arlo > Permissions. Ensure that 'Microphone' is listed under the 'Allowed' permissions.

2. Inspect and Clean the Camera

Physical obstructions can easily lead to poor audio quality.

• Locate the Microphone Port: The microphone is a tiny pinhole on the camera's casing. Its exact location varies by model, so consult your camera's manual if you can't find it.
• Clean Gently: Use a soft, dry brush (like a new toothbrush) or a can of compressed air to gently clean this port. Dust, debris, or even a spider's web can block the hole and muffle the sound. Do not poke anything sharp into the hole.

3. Power Cycle the Camera

A simple reboot can often resolve temporary software glitches affecting the microphone.

• For Wireless Cameras: Open the camera's battery compartment and remove the battery. Wait for 60 seconds, then re-insert the battery.
• For Wired Cameras: Unplug the camera's power adapter from the wall outlet. Wait for 60 seconds, then plug it back in.
• Test Audio: After the camera comes back online, try live-streaming and testing the two-way talk feature again.

4. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

A poor network connection can cause audio and video to lag or cut out.

• Check Signal Strength: In the Arlo app, go to your camera's settings and find the 'Device Info' or 'Connection' section. Ensure the Wi-Fi signal strength shows at least two, preferably three, bars.
• Reboot Your Router: If the signal is weak, or even if it looks strong, try rebooting your internet router to refresh the connection.

By systematically checking the settings, cleaning the hardware, and restarting your devices, you can solve the vast majority of Arlo microphone problems and restore full audio functionality to your security system.