How to Fix UniFi Protect Camera Audio Not Recording
- Audio recording disabled in camera settings
- Camera model has no microphone
- Privacy/mute setting enabled
Problem Description
Your UniFi Protect camera records video but no audio — playback of recorded clips has no sound, even though the camera has a built-in microphone. Audio recording must be explicitly enabled per camera in the Protect settings, and microphone sensitivity must be set high enough to capture useful audio.
Why This Happens in Real Homes
A UniFi Protect camera recording video but no audio usually just has audio recording turned off, or the model doesn't have a microphone — not every UniFi camera includes one. There's also a privacy/mute setting and, in some regions, audio recording is disabled by default for legal reasons.
In the camera's settings in Protect, confirm the model has a mic and that audio recording is enabled (and not muted by a privacy setting). Some regions require you to explicitly enable audio capture. Update firmware, and verify the recording profile includes the audio track. If a mic-equipped camera with audio enabled still records silence, test the mic and contact UI support for a possible hardware fault.
Symptoms
- Video records but no audio
- No sound in recordings
- Audio missing from clips
- Silent recordings
- Audio not captured
- No audio track
- Recorded video is mute
- Audio recording off
Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.
Common Causes
- Audio recording disabled in camera settings
- Camera model has no microphone
- Privacy/mute setting enabled
- Regional/legal audio setting off
- Firmware issue
- Mic hardware fault
- Audio disabled at the controller
- Recording profile excludes audio
Most fixes happen in the first 3 steps.
Do not assume audio is captured just because video is recording.
Tools & Requirements
Step-by-Step Solution
Enable audio recording in camera settings
Audio recording is disabled by default on most UniFi cameras for privacy compliance. In the Protect web UI or app: go to Devices > select the camera > Settings > Recording. Enable 'Record Audio' (or 'Microphone' toggle). This enables audio capture on the camera's built-in microphone and includes it in recordings. Without this setting: the camera records video only. Note: audio recording laws vary by jurisdiction — in many US states, recording audio requires consent from all parties. Check your local laws before enabling.
Verify the camera model has a built-in microphone
Most UniFi Protect cameras (G4 Bullet, G4 Pro, G5 Bullet, G5 Flex, G4 Doorbell) have built-in microphones. However, some older or specialized models may not include audio hardware. Check the camera's spec sheet on the Ubiquiti store page for 'Built-in Microphone: Yes.' If your camera does not have a microphone: audio cannot be recorded. The G3 Instant and G3 Flex do have microphones. The G3 Bullet and G3 Pro also have microphones but with lower quality than G4/G5 models.
Check microphone sensitivity settings
In Protect: Devices > select camera > Settings > find the microphone sensitivity or audio gain control. If the sensitivity is set very low: the microphone captures audio but the volume is too quiet to be useful. Increase the sensitivity to 75-100%. Test by speaking near the camera and checking the recorded clip for audio. If audio is present but very faint: increase the gain further. If no audio at all despite max gain: the microphone hardware may be defective.
Test audio in live view playback
In the Protect web UI: open the camera's live view. Click the speaker icon to unmute the audio stream. If you hear live audio: the microphone and audio pipeline are working. Now check a recording: go to the timeline, select a clip, and verify audio is present during playback. If live audio works but recordings have no audio: the 'Record Audio' setting is likely off (step 1) — live view streams audio independently of the recording setting.
Restart the camera to reinitialize the audio pipeline
If audio settings are correct but no audio is captured: the camera's audio encoder may be stuck. In Protect: Devices > select camera > Settings > Restart. After reboot (60-90 seconds): check live view for audio. If audio returns after restart: the encoder was frozen. If audio is still missing after restart and all settings are correct: update the camera firmware (Devices > select camera > check for updates). Firmware updates frequently fix audio encoding bugs. If still no audio: the microphone hardware may need replacement.
Quick Solutions
Still having issues? This is usually the deeper cause below.
Camera issues that start suddenly almost always trace back to an upload bandwidth drop — run a speed test before assuming hardware failure.
Audio evidence settings should be validated during camera commissioning.
Live view problems that start suddenly usually trace back to an upload speed drop — the camera itself is fine, the bandwidth path to the cloud isn't.
- Audio recording disabled in camera settings
- Camera model has no microphone
- Privacy/mute setting enabled
- Regional/legal audio setting off
- Firmware issue
Before you go — try one of these (they fix most cases).
Official Manufacturer Manual
UniFi Protect provides official product documentation through their online manual rather than downloadable PDF. Access setup guides, troubleshooting steps, and product specifications for your UniFi Camera Audio Recording.
Source: help.ui.com
Need More Help? UniFi Protect Support
Note: The contact information below connects you directly to UniFi Protect's official customer support team, not Trunetto. They can help with warranty claims, device replacements, and advanced technical issues.
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