August Doorbell Cam Audio Not Working? Troubleshooting Guide
The August Doorbell Cam allows you to see and speak to visitors, but this feature is useless if the audio isn't working. Whether you're experiencing no sound at all, distorted audio, or you're unable to communicate using the two-way talk feature, these problems can compromise your home's security and convenience.
Most audio issues with the August Doorbell Cam are related to app settings, permissions, or network connectivity. This guide will provide you with the necessary steps to diagnose and resolve these problems efficiently.
## Initial Checks for August Audio Problems
Before you reset any devices, let's start with the most common and easily fixable causes of audio failure.
- Check Your Smartphone's Volume: This may sound basic, but ensure the media volume on your smartphone is turned up, not just the ringer volume. When viewing the live stream from your doorbell, use the volume buttons on your phone to increase the sound.
- Inspect the Doorbell's Microphone and Speaker: The microphone and speaker on the August Doorbell Cam are small openings. Check to ensure they are not obstructed by dirt, dust, or debris. Use a soft, dry brush or a can of compressed air to gently clean these ports.
- Test Audio on a Different Device: If possible, try accessing the doorbell's audio stream from another smartphone or tablet. If the audio works on another device, the problem is likely with the settings on your primary phone.
## Solving Two-Way Talk and No Sound Issues
If the basic checks didn't restore the audio, it's time to look at app permissions and your network connection.
### 1. Grant Microphone Permissions to the August App
For you to be heard through the doorbell's speaker (two-way talk), the August Home app must have permission to access your phone's microphone.
- On iOS: Go to your iPhone's Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Find 'August' in the list and make sure the switch is toggled ON.
- On Android: Go to your phone's Settings > Apps (or Application Manager) > August > Permissions. Tap on 'Microphone' and ensure it is set to 'Allow'.
After enabling permissions, fully close and then reopen the August app and test the two-way audio again.
### 2. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection
A weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection is a primary cause of poor-quality audio, including crackling, delays, or audio that cuts in and out. Video takes priority, so audio is often the first thing to suffer on a bad connection.
- Check Signal Strength: Your doorbell needs a strong signal from your router. You can test this by standing near your door with your smartphone and checking the Wi-Fi signal strength.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your Wi-Fi router from power, wait for 60 seconds, and then plug it back in. This can resolve many underlying network issues that could be affecting the doorbell's performance.
- Reduce Interference: Wi-Fi signals can be blocked by thick walls, especially those with brick or concrete. If your router is far from the door, consider moving it closer or installing a Wi-Fi extender.
### 3. Reboot the August Doorbell Cam
A reboot can clear temporary software bugs that might be causing the audio to fail.
- To restart your August Doorbell Cam, you will need to remove it from the mounting bracket on your doorframe.
- On the back of the device, you will find a small, round button. This is the reset/restart button.
- Press and hold this button for about 5 seconds. The device will restart.
- Reattach it to the mounting plate and wait for it to come back online, then test the audio.
## When to Contact Support
If you have worked through all the steps in this guide and your August Doorbell Cam's audio is still not functioning correctly, it could indicate a hardware failure. At this point, it is best to reach out to August's official customer support for more advanced technical assistance or to discuss a potential warranty replacement.