SimpliSafe Microphone Not Working? A Troubleshooting Guide
The microphone on your SimpliSafe camera is a key security feature, enabling two-way audio communication and capturing sound with recordings. When you can't hear what's happening or can't be heard through the camera's speaker, it can be frustrating. This guide will walk you through the common causes of microphone issues and how to resolve them.
Initial Checks for All SimpliSafe Cameras
Before diving into deeper troubleshooting, let's cover the basics that apply to both the SimpliCam and the Video Doorbell Pro.
### 1. Check the Privacy Shutter
This is the most common reason for a non-working microphone. The physical privacy shutter on SimpliSafe indoor cameras is designed to give you peace of mind. When it's closed, it physically blocks the lens and, importantly, disables the microphone.
- Action: Check your camera. If the shutter is closed, open it either manually or through the SimpliSafe app. You should hear a small click, and the LED light will turn solid blue.
### 2. Verify Your Monitoring Plan
The two-way audio feature is not available on all SimpliSafe plans. You must have an interactive monitoring plan that includes camera recordings to use the microphone for talking through the camera.
- Action: Log in to your account on the SimpliSafe website and confirm that your subscription is active and includes camera support.
### 3. Check App Permissions and Settings
The problem might be with your smartphone's settings, not the camera.
- Microphone Permissions: Go into your phone's settings, find the SimpliSafe app, and ensure you have granted it permission to access your microphone.
- In-App Mute: When you are in the live view for your camera, there is a microphone icon on the screen. Make sure this is not muted. To speak, you typically have to press and hold this microphone icon.
Troubleshooting Audio Quality Issues
If the microphone is working, but the sound is poor, choppy, or delayed, the issue is most likely your network connection.
### Improve Your Wi-Fi Connection
Audio and video data require a stable and strong Wi-Fi connection. If your bandwidth is insufficient, the audio stream is often the first thing to suffer.
- Check Signal Strength: In the SimpliSafe app, check the network connection for your camera. If the signal is weak, the data can't transfer reliably.
- Move the Camera or Router: Try moving your camera closer to your Wi-Fi router. Even a few feet can make a significant difference.
- Restart Your Network: Unplug your Wi-Fi router and modem from power for 60 seconds, then plug them back in. This can clear up temporary connection issues.
### Dealing with Echo or Feedback
If you hear a loud screeching or echoing sound when you try to speak through the camera, you are experiencing an audio feedback loop.
- Cause: This happens when your phone, which is listening for your voice, is too close to the camera's speaker, which is broadcasting your voice. The camera's microphone picks up the sound from its own speaker and sends it back to your phone, creating a loop.
- Solution: Simply move away from the camera when you are using the two-way talk feature. Step into another room to test it, and the feedback should disappear.
Final Steps
If you have tried all of the above and your microphone is still not working, it's time to try a reset.
- Power Cycle the Camera: Unplug the camera from its power source, wait a minute, and plug it back in.
- Factory Reset: As a last resort, you can perform a factory reset by pressing and holding the reset button on the top or back of the camera. You will need to set up the camera again from scratch in your SimpliSafe app.
By systematically checking the privacy shutter, your subscription, app settings, and network connection, you can solve the vast majority of microphone-related issues with your SimpliSafe system.