Your August Doorbell's Audio Isn't Working — What to Do Next
If your August Doorbell Cam Pro or August View is failing to capture or play back audio, you're not alone. Common causes include misconfigured app settings, weak WiFi signals, or hardware degradation. This guide will walk you through brand-specific troubleshooting steps, from quick fixes to advanced diagnostics, tailored for UK users.
Quick Fixes for August Audio Issues
These steps take under 30 seconds and address the most common causes:
- Restart the August App: Close the app completely, then reopen it. This refreshes the connection to your device.
- Check LED Indicators: For August View, a solid green LED means the device is connected and functioning. A blinking red LED indicates low battery or a connection issue.
- Verify Power Supply: For August View, ensure the battery is fully charged. For Cam Pro, check the transformer voltage at the junction box (must supply 16-24V AC).
- Confirm App Login: Ensure you're logged into the correct account in the August App. Audio settings may be disabled if the device is linked to a different user.
- Enable Audio Permissions: In your smartphone settings, ensure the August App has microphone and speaker permissions enabled.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for August Audio Failure
Check August Doorbell's Wi-Fi Band Settings
August devices require 2.4GHz WiFi for optimal performance. Follow these steps:
- Open the August App → Tap on your device → Navigate to Device Health → Select Wi-Fi Signal Check.
- If your router is broadcasting on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, ensure your August device is connected to the 2.4GHz network. The app will display the current band.
- If connected to 5GHz, disconnect from the app and manually switch to 2.4GHz in your router settings. Restart the August device after changing bands.
Update August Firmware
Outdated firmware can cause audio failures. To update:
- In the August App, go to Device Health → Firmware Update.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. Ensure the device is connected to a stable power source during the update.
- After updating, restart the August device and test audio functionality.
Reset August Device (Model-Specific Instructions)
For August View (Battery-Powered):
- Locate the RESET button on the back of the unit.
- Hold the button for 5 seconds until the LED resets (blinks rapidly).
- Re-pair the device via the August App by going to Add Device → August View.
For August Doorbell Cam Pro (Hardwired):
- Find the RESET button on the back of the unit.
- Hold the button for 5 seconds. The device will reset to factory defaults.
- Re-pair via the August App by selecting Add Device → August Doorbell Cam Pro.
Use August's Built-In Audio Test
The August App includes a diagnostic tool to verify microphone and speaker functionality:
- Open the August App → Tap on your device → Navigate to Device Health → Audio Test.
- Speak into the microphone and press the Test Microphone button. The app will display if sound is detected.
- Tap Test Speaker to play a tone through the device. If no sound is heard, the speaker may be damaged.
Verify App Audio Settings
Ensure audio is enabled in the app:
- In the August App, go to Settings → Device Settings → Audio.
- Confirm Enable Two-Way Audio is toggled on.
- For August View, ensure Battery Health Monitor is enabled to prevent audio failure from low battery.
Advanced Diagnostics for Persistent August Audio Issues
Factory Reset and Re-Pairing
If basic steps fail, perform a factory reset and re-pair the device:
- For August View, hold the RESET button for 5 seconds until the LED blinks rapidly.
- For August Doorbell Cam Pro, hold the RESET button for 5 seconds.
- In the August App, go to Add Device and follow the pairing instructions.
- Ensure the device is connected to 2.4GHz WiFi and firmware is up to date.
Contact August Support
If audio issues persist after troubleshooting, reach out to August's support team:
- Visit support.august.com for live chat or email support.
- Provide your device model, firmware version, and details of the audio failure.
- Include screenshots from the August App's Device Health and Audio Test sections.
Check for Hardware Faults
If the app's Audio Test confirms no sound is captured or played back, the hardware may be faulty:
- For August View, check battery health in the app's Battery Health Monitor. Replace the battery if degraded (3-5 years typical lifespan).
- For August Doorbell Cam Pro, inspect the transformer at the junction box. Ensure it supplies 16-24V AC. Replace if faulty.
Understanding Why August Audio Fails
Audio failure can stem from several factors:
- Weak WiFi Signal: UK homes with dense construction (pre-1920s terraced houses) can experience 10-15dB signal loss per wall. Ensure your August device is within 30ft of the router.
- Battery Degradation: August View batteries degrade after 300-500 charge cycles. Replace if below 20% capacity.
- Firmware Incompatibility: Outdated firmware may disable audio features. Ensure your device is updated via the app's Firmware Update section.
- Hardware Malfunction: If the Audio Test fails, the microphone or speaker may be damaged. Contact support for replacement under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Preventing Future August Audio Issues
Preventative steps can reduce the likelihood of audio failure:
- Regular Firmware Updates: Enable automatic updates in the August App under Device Health.
- Optimize WiFi Placement: Position your router centrally, avoiding thick walls or metallic objects that block 2.4GHz signals.
- Monitor Battery Health: For August View, track battery cycles in the app's Battery Health Monitor. Replace batteries before degradation affects performance.
Full disclosure: we built scOS to address exactly this — the frustration of August devices that fail to capture audio due to outdated firmware or weak signals. scOS uses permanently powered cameras connected via ethernet, eliminating battery degradation and signal interference.
When to Replace Your August Doorbell
If troubleshooting fails, consider replacement:
- August View: Replace if battery life drops below 20% or audio fails despite resets and firmware updates.
- August Doorbell Cam Pro: Replace if the transformer fails to supply 16-24V AC or hardware faults are confirmed via the app's Audio Test.
- UK Consumer Rights: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have up to 6 years (5 years in Scotland) to claim faulty goods. Visit support.august.com for replacement options.
Final Tips for August Audio Troubleshooting
- Always use the August App for diagnostics — it includes tools like Device Health, Wi-Fi Signal Check, and Audio Test.
- For UK users with dense construction, consider a Wi-Fi extender to boost signal strength for your August device.
- If audio fails after a firmware update, revert to a previous version via the app's Firmware Update section if available.
- For August View, use high-endurance microSD cards (Samsung PRO Endurance/SanDisk High Endurance) if recording to external storage.