Axis Camera Audio Not Working? A Complete Fix-It Guide

A Complete Guide to Troubleshooting Audio on Axis Cameras

Axis Communications cameras are leaders in the IP surveillance industry, valued for their robustness and advanced features, including high-quality audio. When audio functionality fails—whether it's recording ambient sound or using two-way talk—it can create a critical gap in your security coverage.

This guide provides a comprehensive, professional approach to diagnosing and resolving audio issues on Axis network cameras. To perform these steps, you will need to access the camera's web-based setup interface.

Pre-Troubleshooting Checklist

Before you begin, answer these key questions:

1. Does my camera model have a built-in microphone? Many Axis dome and box cameras do, but many bullet-style or specialised cameras do not. Always check the product's datasheet on the Axis website.
2. Am I using a built-in or external microphone? If you're using an external microphone, the troubleshooting steps will be different.
3. Is audio enabled in my Video Management Software (VMS)? Your VMS (like Axis Camera Station or Milestone) must be configured to request and record the audio stream from the camera.

Solving Audio Issues: A Step-by-Step Approach

1. Enable Audio in the Camera's Setup

For privacy reasons, audio is often disabled by default in the camera's factory settings. This is the first and most common thing to check.

1. Log into your camera’s web interface.
2. Navigate to Setup or Settings.
3. Go to System > AV > Audio (the exact path may vary slightly by model and firmware version).
4. Ensure the checkbox to Enable audio is ticked.
5. Click Save.

2. Check the Audio Source and Input

Once audio is enabled, you must ensure the correct source is selected and configured.

1. In the same Audio settings menu, find the Audio input section.
2. From the Source dropdown menu, select the correct input:
   • Internal microphone: Choose this if you are using the camera's built-in mic.
   • Line in: Select this if you have connected an external, non-powered microphone.
   • Mic in: Select this for external microphones that require power (check your camera's datasheet for support).
3. Adjust the Input Gain: The Gain slider controls the sensitivity of the microphone. If the audio is too quiet, increase the gain. If it's distorted or "clipping," decrease it. Start with a medium setting and adjust as needed.
4. Click Save.

3. Verify Audio Codec and Stream Profile Settings

Your VMS or viewing application needs to receive an audio stream in a format it supports.

1. Navigate to System > AV > Stream Profiles.
2. Select the stream profile that your VMS is using.
3. Ensure the Audio checkbox is ticked for this profile and that an Audio encoding format is selected.
   • AAC (Advanced Audio Coding): Offers high-quality, compressed audio. It's the most common choice.
   • G.711: An uncompressed format that is very widely supported, making it a good choice for troubleshooting compatibility issues.
4. Confirm that your VMS is configured to use the same encoding format.

4. Troubleshooting External Microphones

If you're using an external microphone and the steps above have not worked, focus on the physical connection.

• Correct Port: Ensure the microphone is plugged into the Audio In (usually pink or green) port, not the Audio Out (usually blue or black) port.
• Compatibility: Verify that your microphone is compatible with the camera. Check the camera's installation guide for specifications on supported microphone types (e.g., impedance, power requirements).
• Test the Mic: Connect the microphone to another device to confirm the microphone itself is functional.

5. Two-Way Audio (Talk/Listen) Issues

If you can hear audio from the camera but cannot talk back to it:

• Check Audio Output: In the camera's Audio settings, ensure Audio output is enabled and the Output gain (speaker volume) is set appropriately.
• VMS Configuration: Two-way audio requires specific configuration in your VMS. Ensure the "talk" or "transmit" function is correctly set up for the camera.
• SIP Settings: For more advanced two-way audio (like a telephone call), you may need to configure SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) settings under System > VoIP. This is an advanced topic and requires a functioning SIP server.

By systematically verifying that audio is enabled, the correct source is selected, and the stream profiles are properly configured, you can solve nearly all software-related audio problems on Axis cameras. If issues persist, the problem likely lies with the external hardware or VMS configuration.