If you own a SwitchBot camera, you may notice a clicking noise in your audio. This can result in poor sound quality during the recordings and cause problems when viewing sensitive recordings.
Usually, your SwitchBot makes a loud clicking noise in audio due to electrical interference and audio surveillance white noise. So, what really causes this issue, and what can you do about it?
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Below, we’ll discuss why the SwitchBot Camera makes a loud clicking noise in audio and give you some troubleshooting tips to solve the issue.
Key Points
- If you hear a clicking sound in your SwitchBot camera’s audio, you should take steps to fix the issue before it gets any worse.
- Electrical interference and white noise are the most common roots of this problem.
- Also, poor cable and internet connections can contribute to the issue.
- Other factors not to overlook are the usage of high or low voltage and very high audio output volume.
Where is the Clicking Noise In Audio Coming From?
Clicking noise in audio results from electrical interference, audio surveillance white noise, or poor cable connection. It could also be due to a lack of voltage during recording or overly amplified sound.
Now, let’s break down these issues in the section below:
1. Electrical Interference and White Noise
A camera microphone has a transducer that converts electrical signals into mechanical movements to create sound. Therefore, when your smartphone or other electrical devices, like a microwave, are close to the camera itself, the resulting audio gets distorted.
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Additionally, your camera’s audio surveillance could be producing excessive white noise that makes the loud clicking noise. Usually, white noise results from sounds caused by simultaneous waves produced with different sound levels and frequencies.
2. Poor Connection
Degraded or damaged wires could be the reason why you are experiencing this issue in the first place. A poor and unprofessional coaxial cable or power supply connection may cause a clicking noise in your camera’s audio.
Also, you may be having a poor internet connection. A slow internet can not upload audio to a smartphone or computer, especially if you depend on the cloud for storage.
3. Sound Issues
It is true that SwitchBot microphones feature a type of noise suppression. So if your camera makes loud clicking noise in its audio, then it could only mean this capability is damaged.
Also, whenever you increase the sound by moving the volume slider to the higher side, you might notice certain noises emerging from your output device. This can potentially affect the transmission of normal audio.
4. High or Low-voltage
Using higher or lower than the required power feeding into the SwitchBot’s audio system will result in poor performance. The outcome could cause big problems, including poor sound quality during the recordings.
Ways to Fix this Loud Clicking Noise In Audio
As we mentioned earlier, there could be a few possible causes why your SwitchBot Camera makes a loud clicking noise in audio. While we may help you fix it, some solutions will be easier than others.
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Below, we share six ways to stop your camera from making loud clicking noise in audio.
1. Reposition the Camera
Yes, we are starting with the most obvious method. Repositioning the camera into a more or less recessed space to find a sweet spot. Ensure you angle it in the direction where the audio will hit the audio sensors or microphone.
On top of that, see that your camera is far from other electrical devices, like a microwave and smartphones. The camera is designed for monitoring through cloud services and remote access. Therefore, other electronic devices can cause interference in the audio output.
2. Check Cables and Connectors
Not many SwitchBot users know that damaged shielding on the wire or poor auxiliary connections could lead to such audio problems. To eliminate the issue, check the cables and connectors for damage and replace the wires, especially when using analog audio cables.
Ensure that you channel, ground, and place the cables away from the sources of interference. Also, confirm if disconnecting your other cameras reduces the clicking noise level in audio. Once done, test the device and each configuration to see if the issue is fixed.
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3. Move the Switchbot Camera Close to Your Router
Sometimes, the issue is simply due to an unwavering internet connection. With slow internet, the camera system struggles to upload audio data to a smartphone or computer.
Usually, moving the camera closer to your router will give you the best WiFi signal strength. Ensure your network bandwidth is sufficient for audio download. You can check this by accessing your camera's WiFi settings page to get your connection's detailed signal strength.
4. Issue With Noise Suppression
Most of the new SwitchBot cameras have a microphone noise suppression feature. To keep you up to speed, here is how this feature works. It creates an analog sound wave; the external SwitchBot microphone then picks up this sound and cancels out any exterior noise from the surroundings.
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In case this component of your camera gets damaged, you should look for a technician to check and fix it. You can get some aftermarket noise reduction accessories if that is too much work. Commonly used ones are wind shield, power adaptors, shock mounts, and mic preamplifier.
5. Use the Right Voltage
A SwitchBot camera needs to get the required voltage to function correctly. Using too high or low a voltage could damage the camera, leading to loud clicking noise in the audio.
This is why powering the camera with the manufacturer's specifications is highly recommended. SwitchBot cameras recommend using a DC power supply or similar transformer.
6. Reduce the Output Volume
Think of it like this: if a person screams into a microphone and the mic can not handle the loud sounds, the audio signal will produce a clicking noise.
A louder volume on the camera may increase the noise decibel, while a moderate volume will produce a good quality sound with minimum noise. Therefore, if your output sound volume is set to high, reduce it to mid or low.
Other SwitchBot Camera Alternatives to Try
Noise in the camera audio recordings is a physical phenomenon, and it’s inevitable. Most IP cameras experience audio noise. So, here are other SwitchBot camera alternatives you can try:
1. Ring Cam
Yes, this camera will alert you if someone approaches your door, but it also has two-way audio with noise cancellation. Meaning you may not experience any clicking noise in your audio in case you decide to record audio.
The Ring cam features a 1080p HD video recording capability, a wide viewing angle, and a built-in siren. The best part is that it is compatible with Echo devices, just like the SwitchBot camera.
2. TP-Link Tapo
If you are just looking for a camera to monitor a specific area or a fixed view of an entrance, TP-Link Tapo would be a good choice. It has two-way audio with crystal-clear sound quality.
That’s not all. The camera is affordable and records clear videos, with some models like the C110 recording up to 2K footage resolution.
3. Blink
The Blink cameras are versatile, compact, and pocket-friendly. They do a great job of watching over both indoor and outdoor spaces. Just like SwitchBot cameras, these cameras provide quality video, two-way audio, and activity zones and are also compatible with Alexa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Normal to Hear a Metallic Sound When Using the Talk Mode on the SwitchBot Cam?
To address this problem, it is advisable to keep smartphones and other electrical devices like Bluetooth speakers and microwaves away from the SwitchBot camera.
Why Is My Switchbot Camera Blinking Red and Green?
How Do I Connect My Switchbot Camera to My Phone?
1. Start by installing the SwitchBot App and creating an account.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone, open the SwitchBot App, and allow it to access your location.
3. Select “+” from the app, and tap “Indoor Cam.” After that, click next.
4. Pick a 2.4 GHz WiFi network and enter your password.
5. You will get a prompt to scan a QR code; do so to continue.
6. The final step is to create your camera’s name, and you are all done!
Note: Your SwitchBot Camera should be active as you proceed with these steps. Power it on and ensure the indicator light is flashing continuously.
Bottom Line
There you have it! All the possible reasons why a SwitchBot Camera makes a loud clicking noise in audio and potential troubleshooting tips to solve the issue. We hope that the tips provided in this article address your concern.
But if you try all these solutions but are still having trouble with your Camera, we recommend you contact SwitchBot customer service for more assistance.
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