Annoying camera clicking sound

How do I shutoff the annoying clicking sound on my SimpliSafe camera every time I access it?

This conversation has been merged. Please refer the main conversation:

KNOWN ISSUE: Indoor Camera Recordings/Livestream Noise

Responses

ws729

434 Messages

That clicking sound is probably the privacy shutter opening. Thus, to stop the sound you must configure the privacy shutter always open (off, home, and away).

sfcmdr

4 Messages

Sorry but that explanation doesn't work for me, as the shutter is currently closed but i still hear the noise.

mikemcneil68

4 Messages

Not sure if will help your scenario or not but it did mine. My house is borderline dark all the time even in the middle of the day, yes I am a cave dweller. My camera in the LR was constantly clicking so I went into the camera settings and switched the "Night Vision" setting into "On" and this has eliminated the clicking on this camera. Hope it helps, I fully understand how irritating that constant clicking can be.

lance843

1.1K Messages

Ours does the same thing, it will be fine you walk in room near it click it goes walk away click, its just the night vision sensing you and it clicks on go away from it it gets enough light back click goes back off so nothing to worry about but you can go in app and change it like mikemcneil68 said turn it on or off or auto.

darin_1323

3 Messages

I have a simplisafe camera and there is a constant clicking going on in the background of the audio feed (when there is no sound in the house). It was so annoying that I called customer support (who were AMAZING...quick and right to the point) who sent me a new device and RMA. Unfortunately, I have installed the new camera and it has the exact same clicking issue.

Is this common across other users? It's bad enough that I think I need to switch to a different system. Thank you.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Camera feed has a constant clicking in the background

davey_d

Former Community Admin

•

5.7K Messages

Hi darin_1323,

We have heard of this happening from time to time. My theory is that the camera's mic is picking up on waves that aren't normally audible by humans. If you try moving the camera to a different room, do you still hear it in the feed?

- Johnny M.
SimpliSafe Home Security

GMBulley

4 Messages

@darin_1323 same here.

mb43

58 Messages

I've just installed a new SimpliCam outside (with the outdoor kit). When viewing any video there is lots of noise, it sounds like static. I can hear noise from the yard as well but the static sound never stops.

I have a doorbell camera as well but that one doesn't have this same issue.

Has anybody run into this? Any idea what the cause might be and how to fix it?

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Lots of noise on new camera

davey_d

Former Community Admin

•

5.7K Messages

Hi MB43,

Could there be anything nearby that camera that could be the cause? It's possible for the camera to pick up on noises that are normally inaudible to humans.

You could also try simply resetting the camera to wipe any incorrect settings. You can do that by holding the top button for 16 seconds, then releasing. You'll of course need to set the camera up again through the SimpliSafe app.

- Johnny M.
SimpliSafe Home Security

mb43

58 Messages

There is nothing near it that could be causing that sound. It sounds almost like a Geiger counter f you know what that sounds like.

I searched for "simplysafe camera noisy" and came up with a LOT of results for people reporting the same thing going back more than a year. Is this a issue with the camera or the software? Will it ever be fixed?

mm1524152

4 Messages

I have a similar issue where it always sounds like a motor is adjusting inside the camera constantly.

worthing

774 Messages

When I view the camera in my garage from my phone app I hear a very rhythmic and fast tick tick tick sound non-stop with some background static as well. The quality of the image is fine, I just have the constant noise. Is this what you're experiencing?

You mention the camera is outside and has the outdoor kit on. It's possible there's an issue with the outlet it's plugged into and/or with the outdoor kit. Can you move the camera inside and test it with the kit on? Then remove the kit and test again while inside? I would also make sure the camera is plugged into an outlet (or plug strip/surge protector) by itself when you test indoors.

I'm not saying this is the issue for sure, I'm just trying to eliminate variables.

mb43

58 Messages

Yes, that fast ticking noise is exactly what I'm experiencing.

When I first got the camera I connected it to an outlet in my dining room (without the outdoor kit on it) and configured it there. It has the same noise.

Now it's outside in the back yard and plugged into an outlet in the garage and has the same noise.

wat5

17 Messages

Their is a very distinct clicking sound during live view and any motion detected videos with all my Simplicams. Tech support tried to help, couldn't resolve the issue. They sent me a replacement Simplicam, same thing happens. I have read that the type of camera the Simplicam is causes this sound? Is this true?Does everyone's Simplicam do this? I would expect a lot more quality from a $100 camera.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Simplicam clicking sound during live view

captain11

6.7K Messages

When the privacy guard opens or closes, by design it will generate a clicking sound. If thisis all you hear it is normal. If you posting about a continous clicking sound, that is not normal and you should call support back. I have 3 simplicams and only ake noise whenhe privacy guard moves, or there is a frimware update.

davey_d

Former Community Admin

•

5.7K Messages

Hi Wat5,

I've also heard of a 'noise' being recorded, and from what our engineers have theorized, it could just be regular background noise that humans aren't normally able to hear. But the camera is picking it up, and in the process of saving the video, the sound is converted so that it's audible.

Maybe try that camera in a different spot on the opposite side of your house - just to experiment. The sound might disappear there.

- Davey D.
Community Development Manager
SimpliSafe Home Security

wat5

17 Messages

I have moved the original 2 cameras and 1 replacement that got sent to me around the house and they still have the clicking sound all the time. It is like a clicking and spinning sound almost sounds like it could be a mechanical sound coming from the camera. Captain11, so you don't hear any audio feedback clicking sounds in your live videos and motion events?

nands_palmer

11 Messages

I just purchased a new system a week ago and my simplicam is doing the same thing, plus if you talk through the camera, you would need your ear on the camera to hear it.

worthing

774 Messages

It's a very steady, relatively quick, ticking? Like, a few ticks a second kind of quick? If so, this is something I've seen reported multiple times here and on Reddit and I have the same problem myself on one of my SImpliCams.

mrjamesrhall

3 Messages

Like everyone else… my camera constantly makes clicking noises when viewing in live mode. Tried multiple rooms, multiple outlets and it continues to constantly click.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Sound Issues on Camera

HectorDiaz5

4 Messages

I have the exact same issue. In order to get rid of the noise during live feed, I had to disable the microphone and audio on each camera. This has stopped me from buying the outdoor camera and doorbell, afraid they will experience the same issue. I am actually currently looking at switching to Ring due to this. Very disappointed. Note: I have had the cameras replaced but same issue.

davey_d

Former Community Admin

•

5.7K Messages

@HectorDiaz5 I'm sorry to hear that. I will say that the Video Doorbell Pro and the Outdoor Camera are both built on very different hardware. I have not seen any reports of either having this same issue, which is still under investigation.

HectorDiaz5

4 Messages

@davey_d is it possible to trade one of my indoor cameras for an outdoor to test? Or get an outdoor camera to test?

davey_d

Former Community Admin

•

5.7K Messages

@HectorDiaz5 unfortunately that's not something I can promise. But I can request a call from our Support team just in case we can come up with some options.

ASTRAL

4 Messages

After having a noise issue myself, reading all over the internet about others having the same problem, & extrapolating all of their fixes & a few of my own... I've decided it's just an issue with the Indoor cameras. They're bunk.

Sounds like my neighbor has a sprinkler right next to the mic, 24/7. It only occurs while viewing Live. The privacy shutter isn't the problem here & is already disabled on all modes, same with the IR/night vision settings (makes the same noise at all times). Perhaps it's network "noise" in the form of audio interference?

Using an Indoor cam outside with a wet kit on it.

I say the problem is exclusive to the Indoor cam cause I also have the Doorbell & viewing its feed Live doesn't produce that incessant racket. It's so loud that it almost drowns out all other audio, which is pointless if I ever have to rely on the footage it records for any legal reasons.

Best part is I unfortunately have 2 of these "ticky" cams since the full-fledged outdoor cams weren't available at the time of purchase. Myself as well as other are obviously not pleased with them. Hopefully Simplisafe sorts this crap out.

cyball778

4 Messages

So I see that this is a common issue. I thought it was just me. I've had the camera for a few months now and it's doing the same thing. I've called Tech support and they act like they don't know this is a common problem. They sent me a new one to replace the one I have, it does the same thing!

I have cameras I bought from Walmart and they sound clear and is visually better.

I gone through all of the technical stuff you all suggest but nothing is working. I just want what I pay for!!

MikeA

5 Messages

I also have the annoying clicking sound on live and playback. I only have it on my 4 indoor wired cameras. My 3 wireless and doorbell work awesome, crystal clear vide and audio. I love my system and I really hope that this issue gets resolved.

worthing

774 Messages

@davey_d

Yet another issue that's been going on for over a year with no fix, no update, not even a "we're working on it".

First, can we please get a status on the constant ticking noise that comes from viewing some Simplicam feeds regardless of what room they're in? You had asked for a video of the noise, I provided one and then nothing. I've also noticed that the other threads mentioning this give a 404 when I click on them which is pretty crappy.

Second and very related question, when are you all going to provide a list of known issues that we report and then beg for months/years for a fix and whether you're working on it or if we just have to live with it?

mb43

58 Messages

@worthing I am sure glad I dumped these crappy cameras for ones that don't have issues like this (Google Nest).

No clicking noises, no going offline when trying to view them, no lost recordings...

GMBulley

4 Messages

I’ve got the same issue.

Other commenters and questioners think we’re talking about a single click. That’s not it at all… …think about the sound of an old wind up alarm clock ticking, directly next to the camera, but more rapidly about three times to five times per second not so loud that you can’t hear other things in the room, but loud enough to be annoying.

It’s constant from the time the camera opens the shutter to the time to you select another camera in the app.

It is not an audible when you are next to the camera, meaning, it is not physical, however, is somewhere in the software between the camera, the base station, and the app.It is only common to the interior cameras on our system, the exterior cameras do not do this.

Has anyone else had this problem and the SimpliSafe have a solution? It looks like this question has been sitting for years.

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Annoying camera clicking sound

davey_d

GMBulley

davey_d

mb43

mm1524152

worthing

mb43

captain11

davey_d

wat5

nands_palmer

worthing

davey_d

HectorDiaz5

davey_d

mb43

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