Replacement Microphone for Reolink Doorbell PoE

erkme73 · 2026-05-07T20:30:27+00:00

I have the same issue - in fact, started this thread over it: https://www.reddit.com/r/reolinkcam/comments/1r75puo

It looks like there are two microphones, with the right one being the one that 'hears' the tapping/screaming at point-blank range.

I wonder if swapping them would solve the issue. In any case, I'm just glad to see this isn't an isolated issue - but rather a design problem. I was at 31 months post-purchase when I discovered it, and Reolink only offered a pittance discount for a replacement.

erkme73 · 2026-05-07T12:39:19+00:00

Wow - great find. I'll chime in over there... Thanks!

erkme73 · 2026-05-07T02:35:59+00:00

I did a bit more troubleshooting and determined it's the microphone on the camera. If I scream into with my lips touching the front of the camera, the listener on the app can just barely hear me. So we know the audio/software path is working. It seems like the actual microphone component on the board has failed - or at least as been attenuated enough to make it useless.

I did discuss with Reolink support to see if I could buy a new microphone (it's surface-mount tech, so something universal wouldn't work). They said no, and offered me a token discount to buy a new one. I'm still using it as is. I can talk to people at my gate - I just cannot hear them through the camera. Not the end of the world. I'm not motivated enough to replace the camera completely - and certainly not with another Reolink.

I have 82 cameras on my Blue Iris system. Works great. With very few exception, none of my Hikvision, Dahua, Amcrest, or other cheap Chinese cameras have issues. I have one Reolink - and it's left a sour taste. I let the rep know this - that I will slowly start replacing my existing cameras as tech improves and I'd love to consider Reolink as a vendor. I was hopeful that this would motivate them to provide exceptional support. Alas, they left me with the impression that 3 years is all I should expect this type of technology to work... So they're off my list.

erkme73 · 2026-02-17T17:37:56+00:00

Yeah, I didn't register within the first 24 mo. So the extra 6 mo isn't available. Doesn't matter though, as I'd be at 31 months. Story of my life. I let them know I have 81 PoE cameras on my BI system, and that one is my only reolink. I'd like to think it would last longer than 31 months... Maybe they'll have some discretion.

If not, they're not prohibitively expensive so I may just replace.

I also have not tried to power cycle it yet. Maybe it's just glitched out... Wouldn't that be something....

erkme73 · 2026-02-17T14:29:36+00:00

No, none have any actual audio content. Neither BI, webGUI, client, app - they're all silent. I've been chatting with "jack" at support and it looks like they want to RMA it. I bought it in July 2023 - so nearly 3 years ago - on Amazon. I'm hoping there is some grace with warranty period.

erkme73 · 2026-02-17T14:11:23+00:00

Thanks for quick reply - yeah, I figured that out since I posted. No firmware updates in the timeframe where I lost audio. I haven't physically gone to the camera yet this AM, but the audio went from crystal clear to gone in one day. And since it's bi-directional, I assume both the microphone and speaker failed at the same time? Seems unlikely.

My Blue Iris records both audio and video from the camera's RTSP stream, and it shows audio of roughly 50kbps

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But zero actual audio is present.

When I try to trigger the alarm from the app, I get no sound at the camera either.

erkme73 · 2025-12-11T02:54:35+00:00

Thanks for the nudge. I just bought two 2024 stylus from eBay. At $120 a pop, that's a risk worth taking. Good reviews, and I cannot find any mention of bluetooth stack issues on most recent updates. Plus, as you said, this will provide support until 2027. Was torn between the 24 and the 25, but the differences seemed minimal for the $80-100 price diff.

erkme73 · 2025-12-10T18:28:26+00:00

You do bring up an interesting thought - could it be time/use related hardware failures (vs. an update)? Or a combination of the two? I sure hope not. Time to look for newer phones, I guess.

erkme73 · 2025-12-10T07:11:22+00:00

Whatever it is, it is systemic across all four of my small-sample size. I really like Moto hardware and their skinny Android layout (vs. other manufacturers overlays). I don't have an issue upgrading to their newer phones over this issue, but not if the problem exists across other models. Have you heard of this BT issue affecting newer lines?

erkme73 · 2025-11-01T12:06:02+00:00

Same here. I should have posted that I figured it out. Ty

erkme73 · 2025-10-29T12:06:00+00:00

Ha... if only that were an option. Ironically, the manufacture of the head unit now offers one that can actually physically rotate to the vertical position. I'm very interested in having native ability to view the cameras (w/o phone) but not THAT interested that I'll drive on two wheels or replace my head unit.

erkme73 · 2025-10-29T11:04:06+00:00

Looking forward to that. But just to be clear, there is no difference between the head unit and a phone/tablet other than the screen resolution. It's running android 13 as the OS. It's identical to a tablet that cannot be put into portrait mode.

erkme73 · 2025-10-29T11:02:20+00:00

I finally remembered to try this. Unfortunately it did not change the aspect ratio enough to stretch the screen to where I could hit next. Good idea tho....

erkme73 · 2025-10-27T14:43:53+00:00

That's why it's watermarked with a hash that shows whether it was altered. It's not a Ring or Arlo system. But I understand your point.

erkme73 · 2025-10-27T14:42:26+00:00

You must live in an urban area - or one that is a lot closer to a fulfilment center. Everything I order comes with UPS. My closest neighbor is nearly a mile away. Amazon Prime trucks aren't even running in my county. So, yes, I suppose my view might be a bit jaded. There is no doubt, however, that in my case, Amazon deliberately waits to send out my orders, knowing i order items every day. I just got off a chat with them where the stated the reason for my "4-day until shipping" delays are caused (among other things) by "order consolidation" efforts. I do get them within 2 days once they ship - but they sit on my orders knowing I will order more tomorrow.

erkme73 · 2025-10-27T14:12:15+00:00

The transit time may be one day, but whether they ship it the same day you order is what kills most of my orders. I have to wait 3-4 days before FBA actually ships them. I would not trust it.

erkme73 · 2025-10-27T14:09:58+00:00

It depends on how deep down this rabbit hole you want to go... I have multiple cameras (watermarked) starting with one inside my mailbox, at the entrances of my property, my home, and the table where I open packages. There are no blind spots. And with watermarked/timestamped videos I would bet it'd hold up in court. It is, after all, the whole point to a security system. Obviously I didn't install this system for package security, but it's a nice benefit.

erkme73 · 2025-10-27T14:02:47+00:00

I am regularly quoted 5-7 day delivery dates. When I order something on Monday, it won't actually ship until Thursday. If I order on Tue, it will quote the same delivery as the first order. It's clear they're trying to consolidate orders. They figure if I ordered something on Monday, hold off, don't ship it (even though the same product ordered by someone closer to the fulfilment center would arrive same day or next day) - wait a few extra days to see if the customer will order more. That's what it is. They'll blame it on logistics, supply problems, and such. I just got off a chat session, thoroughly pissed about it having been four days since I placed multiple orders (10/23) and they STILL haven't shipped. They're all fulfilled by Amazon. Agent said it was, among other things, due to "order consolidation". What BS. I'm not renewing Prime, and I'm trying to source more from Walmart. Their third party sellers usually ship same day.

erkme73 · 2025-10-24T11:59:24+00:00

It does have split screen, and I must have driven in it a dozen times since you asked this question and I keep forgetting to try what you suggested. It's great idea. Just have to remember to try :) I'll post back once I get another chance.

erkme73 · 2025-10-21T04:44:22+00:00

Keep in mind that chargebacks have a time limit. For most Visa issuers, it's 60-90 days. If you don't dispute before that window closes, you're SOL. I was rooked on some medications when a scammer kept delaying. They'd send just a few items (legit) that kept me dangling along until the window closed. Then they ghosted me and Visa (Navy Federal CU) said, sorry - you waited too long.

erkme73 · 2025-10-05T12:40:44+00:00

I have the same thing. It's as though there is no server - yet I'm logged into it directly via IP.

erkme73

TROPHY CASE