Merkury Camera Speaker Problems? How to Fix Audio Issues

How to Fix Merkury Camera Speaker and Audio Problems

Merkury cameras, managed through the Geeni app, offer a convenient two-way talk feature that allows you to listen to what's happening and speak through the camera's built-in speaker. However, when this feature fails, it can be frustrating. Whether you're experiencing no sound at all, poor audio quality, or can't get the microphone to work, this guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve the most common speaker-related issues.

This guide applies to Merkury smart cameras that use the Geeni mobile application for control and communication.

Common Speaker and Audio Symptoms

You might be facing one or more of these issues:

• You cannot hear any audio from the camera's surroundings through your phone.
• When you try to speak through the app, no sound comes out of the camera's speaker.
• The audio you hear is heavily distorted, choppy, or delayed.
• The volume from the camera's speaker is extremely low, even at maximum setting.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Work through these steps in order to identify and fix the problem.

### 1. Check App Permissions and Settings

The most common cause of audio problems lies within the app itself, not the camera hardware.

• Grant Microphone Permissions: The Geeni app needs permission to access your smartphone's microphone to transmit your voice.

  • On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Geeni > Permissions. Ensure that Microphone is set to Allow.
  • On iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Find Geeni in the list and make sure the toggle is switched ON.

• Use the "Press to Talk" Button Correctly: The two-way talk feature is not an open phone call. You must press and hold the microphone icon in the app's live view screen the entire time you are speaking. When you release the button, your microphone turns off.

• Check In-App Volume:

  1. Open the live view for your camera in the Geeni app.
  2. Tap the screen to bring up the controls.
  3. Look for a speaker icon. If it has a slash or an 'x' through it, the audio is muted. Tap it to unmute and hear the audio from the camera's microphone.
  4. Also, ensure your phone's media volume is turned up, not just the ringer volume.

### 2. Verify Your Network Connection

Audio and video streaming require a stable and strong Wi-Fi connection.

• Check Signal Strength: In the Geeni app, go to your camera's settings and check the Wi-Fi signal strength. If it is "Weak" or "Poor," this is likely the cause of choppy, delayed, or dropped audio.
• Improve Wi-Fi Signal: Try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to the camera or vice versa. If this is not possible, a Wi-Fi extender can help boost the signal to the area where your camera is located.
• Reduce Network Congestion: Too many devices streaming high-bandwidth content (like 4K video) on your network at the same time can impact your camera's performance.

### 3. Power Cycle the Camera

A simple reboot can often resolve temporary software glitches that may be affecting the audio processing.

1. Unplug the Merkury camera from its power source.
2. Wait for 60 seconds. This allows the internal components to fully discharge.
3. Plug the camera back in.
4. Wait a few minutes for it to fully restart and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
5. Test the speaker and microphone again using the Geeni app.

### 4. Check for Firmware Updates

The manufacturer periodically releases firmware updates to fix bugs and improve performance. An audio-related bug may have been fixed in a recent update.

1. In the Geeni app, select your camera.
2. Go to its Settings (often a pencil icon or three dots in the corner).
3. Look for an option called "Check for firmware update".
4. If an update is available, proceed with the installation. Ensure the camera remains powered on during the entire update process.

### 5. Factory Reset the Camera (Last Resort)

If none of the above steps work, a factory reset can resolve deeper software issues. Warning: This will erase all your settings, and you will need to set up the camera from scratch again, including reconnecting it to your Wi-Fi network.

1. Find the physical reset button on your Merkury camera. It is usually a small, recessed button that you need a paperclip or SIM tool to press.
2. Press and hold the reset button for 10-15 seconds until the camera's status light starts flashing rapidly or you hear an audible confirmation.
3. Release the button.
4. Delete the camera from your Geeni app.
5. Follow the in-app instructions to add the camera back to your account as if it were a new device.