Why is my video not recording sound on my Android phone?

Check Your Phone’s Settings

The most common reason Android phone cameras fail to record audio is because of a setting issue on the device. First, check that your phone is not muted or in silent mode by using the volume buttons to bring up the volume slider and make sure it is not at zero or muted.

Next, make sure media volume is turned up by using the volume buttons while in the camera app to check the media/recording volume level. Slide it to maximum if it is lowered.

Finally, confirm that the camera app has microphone permissions enabled. Go to Settings > Apps > Camera App > Permissions and ensure the Microphone permission is turned on. The microphone may need to be manually enabled for full functionality.

Checking these basic phone and app settings will ensure your Android device is not blocking audio input to begin with. If the microphone still does not work, there are some additional troubleshooting steps to try.

Test With Another App

One way to troubleshoot if your Android phone’s microphone is not recording sound properly in videos is to test it with another app. This helps isolate whether the issue is with the particular video recording app you are using or if it is a more systemic microphone problem.

Try downloading a simple voice recorder app like Mic Test or Mic Test – Instant audio check. Use the voice recorder to make a short audio recording and play it back. If your voice is clear in the recording, then the issue may be limited to the video camera app you are using.

However, if you are unable to record audio properly in any app, including a basic voice recorder, then there is likely an underlying issue with your Android phone’s microphone or OS that needs to be addressed before videos will record sound properly.

Restart The Device

One of the first basic troubleshooting steps is to restart your Android phone. Restarting the device will clear any glitches and reset all running apps and services, which could resolve camera or microphone issues if there is a software problem.

Before restarting, make sure to close any open apps. Then hold down the power button for about 30 seconds until the phone turns off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to restart the device. Allow the phone some time to reboot completely.

After restarting, open the camera app and try taking a video again to see if sound now works. The microphone may begin working normally after the reboot. If the issue persists, you can move on to other troubleshooting steps.

According to Google’s support article “Fix an Android device that freezes or won’t respond“, restarting the phone is one of the first steps to take when troubleshooting performance problems like freezing or crashing apps.

Check For Blocked Microphone

Sometimes the microphone on an Android phone stops working because of dust, debris or even the phone case blocking the microphone port. Here are some tips for inspecting your phone’s microphone:

Carefully examine your phone’s microphone port, located at the bottom or side of the device, for any obstructions. Use a small brush or compressed air to gently clean out any dust or pocket lint. Avoid inserting anything into the port to prevent damage. If your phone has a case, remove it and test if the microphone works without it. The case may be pressing directly against the microphone port (source).

Visually inspect the small microphone hole on the back of the phone near the camera lens. Make sure it is not blocked by dirt, stickers or other debris. Use a soft dry cloth to gently wipe the area clean (source).

Testing the microphone at different angles can determine if something is obstructing it. Tilt the phone or rotate it when trying to record audio. If the microphone starts working, there is likely an external blockage that needs to be removed.

Update Device Software

Outdated operating systems can sometimes cause issues with the microphone due to software bugs and compatibility problems. Updating your Android device to the latest OS version may help resolve microphone glitches.

According to MakeUseOf, updating your phone and checking for updates is one of the first troubleshooting steps to try when dealing with microphone problems. Newer OS versions often contain bug fixes and optimizations that improve device functionality.

Similarly, Gizchina recommends restarting your Android phone and installing any available OS updates as a potential solution. Keeping the software up-to-date eliminates issues caused by bugs in older versions.

To update, go into your device settings and check for system updates. Download and install any pending updates, including major OS upgrades and security patches. Once updated, test if the microphone works properly in different apps. Updating to the latest OS optimizes compatibility and may resolve your Android microphone problems.

Reset App Preferences

Sometimes the camera app’s data can become corrupted, which may prevent audio recording from working properly. You can try resetting the app preferences/permissions to clear out any problematic data:

Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps. Find the camera app and tap it. Tap Permissions and then tap Reset app preferences. This will reset all app permissions and clear any corrupted data. You may need to re-enable permissions like microphone access after doing this, but it can help fix microphone issues.

You can also try clearing app data instead of just resetting preferences. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps. Find the camera app, tap Storage, then tap Clear Data. This will wipe all app data and restore it to default settings.

Resetting app preferences or clearing app data for the camera can help resolve microphone problems without needing to factory reset the entire device. However, if issues persist, a factory reset may be necessary.

Check For Hardware Issue

A faulty microphone can prevent audio recording on Android phones. To test if the microphone hardware is defective, try using the microphone in a phone call or another recording app like Voice Recorder. If the microphone works in other apps but not in a specific app, it likely indicates an app issue rather than a hardware problem.

You can also go into your phone’s Settings > About phone > Status > Sim status > IMEI information. This will show if a microphone is detected by your phone. If no microphone is showing even though one exists on your device, there may be an issue with the microphone hardware itself.

As explained in the Android documentation (https://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/MicrophoneInfo), you can programmatically check if the microphone is functional by looking at the MicrophoneInfo class. The getLocation() method will return LOCATION_UNKNOWN if the microphone status cannot be determined.

Replacing the microphone or getting professional phone repair may be necessary if hardware damage is confirmed. But first, try simpler software fixes before assuming a hardware defect.

Factory Reset Your Device

If none of the software fixes are able to resolve your video recording audio issue, it’s possible there is some deeper system-level problem. In this case, a factory reset can wipe your device back to a clean state and remove any problematic settings, apps, or corrupted files that may be interfering with the microphone.

A factory reset will erase all data, settings, and installed apps from your device and return it to the state it was in when you first got it. So make sure to backup any important data first.

To factory reset, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). Tap Reset phone and then Erase everything.

Once the reset is complete, set up your device from scratch without restoring a backup right away. Test recording a video in the default Camera app. If audio works properly, you can rule out a hardware defect and begin restoring apps and data gradually to pinpoint any software conflicts.

A factory reset is inconvenient but can get your phone’s microphone working again if nothing else has fixed the no audio recordings issue. Just be absolutely sure to backup data beforehand.

Replace Microphone

If the microphone has become damaged or faulty, it may need to be replaced by a technician. Prices for microphone replacement can range from $50-150 depending on the phone make and model, with more expensive flagship devices on the higher end. According to Yelp, the average cost for a microphone repair is around $100.

Replacing the microphone requires disassembling the phone to access the internal components. A technician will remove the faulty microphone and solder in a new replacement microphone matched to the phone model. This restores full microphone functionality. Alternative microphones can also be found online if the original is unavailable.

Getting the microphone professionally replaced is recommended over DIY methods which risk damaging other components. With the proper tools and expertise, a technician can efficiently swap the microphone and ensure proper working order is restored.

Get Professional Repair

If the issue with your video recording no sound persists after trying all the troubleshooting tips, it may be time to get professional repair help. There are a few options for professional Android phone repair services:

Local Repair Shops – Search for cell phone and electronics repair shops in your area. The average cost for microphone repair at a local shop is around $50.

Mail-In Repair Services – Companies like uBreakiFix, CPR Cell Phone Repair, and Rockit Repairs offer mail-in repair service nationwide with warranties. According to Puls, Samsung Android microphone repair through these services ranges $280-$500.

Manufacturer Repair – You can send the device to Samsung or the original manufacturer for repair. This will likely be the most expensive option but may be covered under warranty.

Going through professional repair services ensures your phone gets fixed properly by qualified technicians. While it costs more than DIY fixes, it’s worth considering if you want a reliable, guaranteed fix for the microphone issue.