August Device Microphone Not Working? Let's Fix It.
The microphone on your August Smart Lock or Doorbell Camera is essential for communication, allowing you to speak with visitors from anywhere using the two-way audio feature. When the microphone fails, it compromises both the convenience and the security that the device is meant to provide. If visitors can't hear you, or if recordings have no sound, it's a problem that needs to be solved quickly.
This troubleshooting guide is designed to help you diagnose and fix microphone and audio issues on your August device. We will take a systematic approach, starting with the most common and easily fixable problems.
Identifying the Microphone Problem
First, let's clarify the symptoms you might be experiencing. Pinpointing the issue will help you follow the right steps.
- When you use the two-way talk feature in the August app, the visitor at your door cannot hear you.
- You can hear the visitor perfectly, but there is no outgoing audio.
- Recorded video clips from your doorbell have no sound.
- The audio you transmit is heavily distorted, crackling, or extremely quiet.
- The microphone works intermittently, cutting in and out during a conversation.
How to Troubleshoot August Microphone and Audio Issues
Follow these steps in order to find and fix the source of the problem.
1. Check App Permissions and Phone Settings
The most common cause of one-way audio is that the August app doesn't have permission to use your smartphone's microphone.
- Grant Microphone Access:
- On iOS (iPhone): Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Find "August" in the list and make sure the toggle switch is turned on (green).
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > August > Permissions. Tap on Microphone and ensure it is set to "Allow".
- Check Phone Volume: Make sure your phone is not on silent or vibrate mode. Turn up the media volume on your phone while you are using the August app's talk feature.
- Disable Bluetooth: Temporarily turn off Bluetooth on your phone. Sometimes, the phone may be trying to route the audio to a connected Bluetooth headset or speaker instead of through the app.
2. Assess Your Network Connection
A stable internet connection is vital for two-way audio to function correctly. A weak signal can cause the audio stream to fail, even if the video stream works.
- Check Wi-Fi Signal: Poor Wi-Fi at the location of your August Doorbell can disrupt the audio data transmission. Check the device's signal strength in the August app settings. If it's weak, consider moving your router closer to the door or installing a Wi-Fi extender.
- Reboot Your Network: Power cycle your home router. Unplug it from power, wait for 60 seconds, and plug it back in. This can often resolve temporary network glitches that affect performance.
3. Reboot Your August Device
Just like any other piece of smart technology, a simple reboot can often clear up software bugs that may be affecting the microphone.
- For August Doorbell Cams: Follow the specific instructions for your model to restart it. This may involve using a paperclip to press a small reset button or temporarily disconnecting it from power.
- For August Smart Locks: The simplest way to reboot the device is to remove one of the batteries, wait a few seconds, and then reinsert it.
- After the device restarts, allow it a few minutes to reconnect to the network before testing the microphone again.
4. Inspect for Physical Obstructions or Damage
Finally, it's worth checking the device itself.
- Microphone Port: Locate the small hole for the microphone on your August device. Ensure it is not blocked by dirt, debris, or a spiderweb. You can use a can of compressed air to gently clean it out.
- Physical Damage: Inspect the device for any visible signs of damage, especially from weather or impact, which could have harmed the internal microphone component.
If you have tried all of the above steps and the microphone on your August device still fails to work, it could indicate a hardware fault. At this stage, your best course of action is to contact August customer support for further assistance.