The Blink home security camera system is equipped with a 2-way audio communication (made up of a speaker and a microphone). Though this feature can be very helpful by letting you speak to someone through the camera using your phone, it can also prove to be problematic sometimes. The audio can sound awful even though everything else on the camera is working just fine. And you might wonder, “why does my Blink camera sound distorted?” Well, it turns out that there are a few issues that can cause it to sound choppy, distorted, or loud.
So, let’s look at them one by one;
1. A Signal Strength Issue
Though not necessary, Sync Modules are often utilized with Blink home security camera systems to get the most out of the latter. Their core functionality is simple, yet very crucial. They enable synchronization across all the cameras or devices(up to 10) within your Blink home security ecosystem, connecting them to a USB flash drive for local storage. This functionality lets you save all your motion-triggered alerts locally on the flash drive and access them at any time on your phone through the Blink app. You can’t record live view with a Sync Module though.
Blink offers two types of Sync Modules;
- Sync Module 1–doesn’t come with a local flash drive.
- Sync Module 2 with a 256GB USB drive attached
If you don’t have a Sync Module, it means that you’ll either have to rely on a subscription plan or merely get notifications and have Live View. Even though the subscription plans are fairly affordable(starting at $30 per year), they still don’t offer recording longevity that local storage does. That’s why you really need a Sync Module if you want to get the most out of your Blink home security camera system.
Now, a Sync Module will only work properly if the signal connecting the cameras to it and the Wi-Fi router is strong enough. You can see the signal strength indicators for Camera To Wi-Fi and Camera To Sync Module respectively under the Camera Settings menu on the Blink mobile app.
Check the connectivity bars
Both should show at least 3 connectivity bars. If the Camera To Wi-Fi signal strength indicator or the Camera To Sync Module signal strength indicator shows less than three bars, that means there’s a weak signal strength between your devices. This could be what’s causing the choppy, distorted, or loud sound in your cameras.
A lot of things can cause signal issues within your Blink cameras and the Sync Module ecosystem. These include internet congestion, placing your cameras too far away from the Sync Module or Wi-Fi router, and connecting too many devices(more than 10) to the Module and Blink ecosystem, in general.
How to fix Distorted Sound in Blink Camera With Signal Strength Issue
A few possible fixes: To fix the noise problem, resolve your signal strength issues with any or all of the following techniques;
- Restart your Blink home security camera ecosystem to fix internet congestion.
OR
- Place your cameras at the recommended distance between them and the Sync Module as well as the Wi-Fi router—not more than 100 sq ft away in each case.
OR
- Invest in a Sync Module range extender that works with your Blink home security camera system. You can choose any of the top 3 Blink-compatible range extenders below;
- Linksys RE7000—extends your Sync Module coverage to 10,000 sqft.
- Netgear Wi-Fi EX8000—extends your Sync Module coverage to 2,500 sqft.
- TP-Link N300—extends your Sync Module coverage to 800 sq ft.
OR
- Call customer support.
2. Software or Firmware Issue
Another reason your Blink cameras could be producing an awful sound is outdated software or firmware. Your Blink app should be current and so should the firmware that supports your Blink devices. Otherwise, the app or the firmware could be affected by a bug, causing the audio to sound awful. You should also not forget to update your mobile operating system that supports your Blink app. Otherwise, it too could have a bug that could affect the app, causing your cameras to produce a bad sound whenever you speak through your phone.
A few possible fixes:
- Update your Blink mobile app.
- Update the firmware of your Blink home security camera system.
- Update your mobile operating system that supports your Blink app by following the instructions provided on this Blink support page.
- Call customer support.
3. Wear and Tear
Your Blink cameras are prone to wear and tear, which can occur naturally or due to their misuse. This can cause damage to the microphones and/or speakers with which your cameras are equipped as part of their 2-way audio communication system. Consequently, it can result in the cameras sounding a little distorted.
A few possible fixes:
- Replace your Blink cameras if you suspect that their speakers or microphones are damaged.
- Call customer support.
4. Wrong Camera Installation Location
As a matter of fact, you shouldn’t mount your Blink home security cameras just anywhere around the house. Instead, you should put these small home security surveillance devices up at strategic spots. Otherwise, doing so may create sound problems like sound distortions and echos, causing the cameras to sound terrible with distorted, choppy, or loud sounds.
A few possible fixes:
- Mount your cameras in the right places around the house. Avoid putting them up near walls and corners and walls, which could otherwise create distorted sounds or echoes when you speak.
OR
- Contact customer support.
Final Thoughts
Blink is an incredible home security camera system that comes with 2-way audio communication, allowing you to speak to someone through the camera using your phone or vice versa. Though this feature comes in handy for users, it can also prove to be problematic sometimes, especially when the camera is making an awful sound when you or someone else speaks to it.
You might wonder, “why does my Blink camera sound distorted?” Well, it’s usually due to a number of issues with weak signal strength, outdated software or firmware, wear and tear, as well as the wrong camera installation location being at the forefront.
