Netgear Camera Audio Not Working? Troubleshooting Steps
While Netgear is famous for networking equipment, they also paved the way for smart home security with the Arlo camera series, which has since become its own company. If you have a Netgear-branded camera, like an early Arlo model, and are experiencing audio issues, you've come to the right place. Losing sound can be a major issue, disabling key features like two-way talk and audible alerts.
This guide will help you troubleshoot the common causes of audio problems on Netgear security cameras, from silent streams to poor quality recordings.
Common Audio-Related Symptoms
To get started, identify the specific audio issue your camera is having:
- No sound from the camera's live stream.
- Audio recordings are completely silent.
- You are unable to use the push-to-talk or two-way audio feature.
- The audio that is captured sounds muffled, distant, or distorted.
- There is a persistent static or humming noise instead of clear audio.
- The audio cuts in and out unpredictably.
How to Fix Audio on Your Netgear Security Camera
Follow these troubleshooting steps to restore your camera's audio functionality.
1. Basic App and Volume Checks
Start with the most straightforward solutions before moving on to device settings.
- Unmute the Live Stream: When viewing your camera's live feed in the app, locate the speaker icon. If it's crossed out, tap it to unmute the audio.
- Check Phone Volume: Ensure the media volume on your smartphone or tablet is turned up. It's easy to overlook this simple setting.
2. Verify Camera Microphone Settings
The microphone on the camera itself can be disabled within the device's settings.
- Access Device Settings: In your camera app, select the camera you are troubleshooting and navigate to its settings menu (often represented by a gear icon).
- Find Audio Settings: Look for an option called 'Audio Settings' or similar.
- Enable the Microphone: Inside this menu, you should find a toggle switch for the 'Microphone'. Make sure this is switched to the 'On' position. If it's off, the camera will not capture or stream any sound.
3. Troubleshoot Two-Way Communication
If you can hear audio from the camera but others can't hear you, the problem is with your phone's setup.
- Grant App Permissions: The camera app needs permission to access your smartphone's built-in microphone.
- On iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and ensure the switch next to your camera app (e.g., Arlo) is green.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > [Your Camera App] > Permissions and ensure Microphone is set to 'Allow'.
- Reduce Physical Distance: If your phone is too close to the camera while testing two-way talk, you will hear a loud screeching sound (feedback). Move further away from the camera to test it properly.
4. Improve Network Connection
Poor audio quality, such as distortion, static, or dropouts, is very often a symptom of a weak network connection.
- Check Signal Strength: In the app's settings, find the camera's connection status or Wi-Fi signal strength. If it's low (one or two bars), the connection is likely the problem.
- Move Devices Closer: Try moving your camera closer to your Wi-Fi router or base station. Even a few feet can make a significant difference.
- Reboot Your Network: Restarting your camera and your Wi-Fi router can often resolve temporary connectivity glitches that affect audio and video streaming.
5. Update Firmware
Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to fix bugs and improve performance. An audio issue could be a known problem that has been fixed in a recent update.
- Check for Updates: In the camera's settings menu within the app, look for a 'Firmware' or 'Device Info' section. The app will usually notify you if an update is available. Follow the prompts to install it.