Reolink Camera Audio Not Working? Here's the Fix
Reolink cameras are known for their excellent video quality, but the audio features—like recording sound and two-way talk—are just as important for comprehensive security. If you're experiencing problems like no sound on your recordings, crackling audio, or being unable to use the talkback feature, you're in the right place.
This guide will walk you through the common causes of audio issues on Reolink cameras and provide clear, step-by-step instructions to get your sound working perfectly again.
## First Steps: Essential Audio Checks
Before diving into deeper settings, let's cover the most frequent reasons for Reolink audio problems. These simple checks solve the issue for most users.
- Enable 'Record Audio' in Settings: This is the most common culprit. For privacy reasons, many Reolink cameras have audio recording turned off by default.
- Open the Reolink App or Client software.
- Go to the 'Device Settings' for the camera in question.
- Navigate to 'Recording' or 'Audio and Video'.
- Find the 'Record Audio' option and make sure it is toggled ON.
- Check Your Phone's Volume: When viewing a live stream or playback, ensure the volume on your smartphone or computer is turned up. Also, look for a speaker icon on the screen within the Reolink app and make sure it is not muted.
- Inspect the Microphone Port: Locate the small microphone hole on your camera's body. Make sure it is not covered by the camera's protective skin, mounting bracket, or blocked by dirt or debris.
## Troubleshooting Two-Way Audio and Quality Issues
If you've enabled audio but are still having problems, particularly with two-way talk or poor sound quality, follow these steps.
### 1. Check App Permissions
For two-way audio to work, the Reolink app needs permission to access your smartphone's microphone.
- On iOS: Go to Settings > Reolink. Ensure the 'Microphone' permission is enabled.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Reolink > Permissions. Make sure 'Microphone' is set to 'Allow'.
After enabling permissions, close and restart the Reolink app, then test the two-way talk feature again. Remember to press and hold the microphone icon in the app while you are speaking.
### 2. Improve the Network Connection
A weak Wi-Fi signal or poor network connection can cause audio to lag, crackle, or drop out entirely. The audio stream requires a stable connection, just like the video.
- Test Signal Strength: Check the Wi-Fi signal strength for your camera in the Reolink app.
- Move Camera or Router: Try moving the camera closer to your Wi-Fi router to see if the audio quality improves.
- Use a Clear Stream: In the app, you can often switch between 'Fluent' (low quality) and 'Clear' (high quality) video streams. While it may seem counterintuitive, sometimes switching to the 'Fluent' stream can stabilise a poor connection and improve audio consistency.
### 3. Power Cycle the Camera and Router
A classic troubleshooting step that works wonders for electronic devices. A simple reboot can clear temporary glitches affecting audio processing.
- Unplug the power supply from your Reolink camera.
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Plug the camera back in and let it fully restart.
- If the issue persists, perform the same reboot process for your home's Wi-Fi router.
### 4. Update Firmware
Reolink frequently releases firmware updates for their cameras that include bug fixes and performance improvements. An outdated firmware could have a known audio-related bug.
- Check for the latest firmware for your specific camera model on the Reolink download centre website.
- Follow their instructions carefully to update the firmware through the app or web client.
If you've tried all these steps and are still experiencing audio problems, it may indicate a hardware issue with the camera's microphone. In this case, it is best to contact Reolink's official support team for further assistance.