Ring Camera Microphone Not Working? Let's Troubleshoot.
The two-way talk feature is one of the most useful functions of a Ring device, allowing you to communicate with visitors, delivery drivers, or even deter intruders. When the microphone fails, and people can't hear you, this critical feature is lost. Whether the audio is distorted, completely silent, or cuts out, it's a problem that needs a solution.
This guide will walk you through the most common causes of microphone issues on Ring cameras and doorbells. By following these steps, you can diagnose the problem and, in most cases, get your two-way audio working again.
Common Symptoms of Ring Microphone Issues
You'll know you're facing a microphone problem if you experience any of the following.
- When you use two-way talk, the person at the door cannot hear you at all.
- The audio from your end is reported as being heavily distorted, garbled, or robotic.
- Your voice cuts in and out during a conversation.
- The audio in your video recordings is missing or extremely quiet.
- You hear a loud echo or feedback sound when you try to speak.
- The microphone icon in the Ring app is unresponsive or greyed out.
How to Fix Your Ring Device's Microphone
Let's start with the most common and easiest-to-fix issues, which are often related to your smartphone's settings rather than the Ring device itself.
1. Check Ring App Permissions on Your Phone
For two-way talk to work, the Ring app must be given permission to access your smartphone's microphone. This is the number one cause of this issue.
- On iOS (iPhone/iPad): Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Find "Ring" in the list and ensure the toggle next to it is switched ON (green).
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Ring > Permissions. Tap on "Microphone" and make sure it is set to "Allow only while using the app".
After changing this setting, force close the Ring app and try Live View again.
2. Check Your Phone's Volume and Mute Switch
This may seem obvious, but it's a common oversight.
- Ensure the physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone is not enabled.
- While in the Live View in the Ring app, press the volume up button on your phone to make sure the media volume is turned all the way up.
3. Test Your Wi-Fi Connection
Both video and audio are streamed over your Wi-Fi network. A weak or unstable connection can cause the audio data packets to be lost, resulting in no audio or garbled sound, even if the video seems okay.
- In the Ring app, go to your device's "Device Health" page.
- Look for the "Signal Strength" (RSSI) value. If it's in the red or orange range (e.g., -65 to -90), you have a weak signal that is likely causing the problem.
- Try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to your Ring device or installing a Ring Chime Pro or other Wi-Fi extender.
4. Reboot Your Ring Device
A simple power cycle can often resolve temporary software glitches affecting the microphone's operation.
- For battery-powered devices: Remove the battery for about 30 seconds before reinserting it.
- For hardwired devices: Turn off the power to the device at the circuit breaker for 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
If you have tried all these steps and the microphone still doesn't work when testing from multiple different smartphones, it could indicate a hardware fault with the Ring device itself. In this case, your next step should be to contact Ring Support for further assistance.