If you’ve ever been in a Microsoft Teams meeting before and have heard an echo in the background, you’ve undoubtedly been quite frustrated by it. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get rid of that echo so you can enjoy peaceful Teams meetings once again.
One of the best ways to get rid of the echo in Teams meetings is to use headphones. Using headphones will eliminate any feedback that can be caused by your computer’s speakers duplicating the sound that causes the echo in the first place.
However, sometimes the issue is caused by other factors. Therefore, there are plenty of methods to apply to solve the problem. If you’re interested in learning about other ways to eliminate the echo in Teams meetings, you’ll want to keep reading.
Other Ways To Stop Echo In Teams Meetings
In addition to using a proper microphone, there are a number of other ways to stop the echo in Teams meetings.
1. Don’t Talk Too Loud
This might sound like it’s too easy of a fix, but sometimes just talking softer than you usually would can lower the chances of an echo during a Teams meeting.
This is even more helpful if you have a microphone on because it’s close to your mouth and you won’t have the urge to speak louder than you should be.
2. Turn Up the Volume On Your Speakers
Another useful way in reducing echo is to simply turn up the volume on your speakers. If the volume from the speakers is louder in comparison to the echo that you’re hearing, it masks it out and balances it.
3. Shut Other Bluetooth Devices Off
If there are a number of other Bluetooth devices around you turned on, there is a good chance that they will cause interference with the headset that you’re currently using on your Teams meeting. Ensure to turn off other Bluetooth devices to eliminate the interference that can lead to an echo.
4. Close Other Applications
With so many different applications on computers nowadays, it’s easy to forget about the nuisance they can cause. Consider shutting other applications that might be using your microphone or speakers. Minimizing them still means that they are running in the background.
5. Shut Off Other Microphones
Another thing that you can do to reduce the echo in Teams meetings is to turn off any other microphones that are in the same room as the room where you’re doing your Teams meeting.
Other microphones can cause what is known as a feedback loop. This is very common during international calls when there is a bit of a delay in speech transmission.
6. Consider Using a Different Headset
If you’ve been using the same headset for many years and have also been dealing with the same echo for the same amount of time, there’s a good chance that your headset is part of the problem. It doesn’t hurt to go to the store and pick up another headset to try out.
A lot of the newer headsets have noise-canceling technology built right into them. If you’re using an older headset that doesn’t have this technology, there is a good chance that it will result in an echo.
7. Turn Your Microphone Off When Someone Else Is Speaking
Ensure to turn your microphone off during the Teams meeting when someone else in the conversation is speaking. Doing so can prevent other background noise from occurring.
8. Turn Your Volume Down
If you’re on a call with multiple people and only one of them has an echo, that person may have their microphone volume too high. Have them check their microphone volume settings. You should also consider doing the same thing with your microphone.
9. Consider Your Surroundings
Sometimes your office setting or room that you’re having your Teams meeting in may be the cause of the echo. If you’re in a room with furniture and surroundings that are very dense, they won’t have the ability to absorb the sound as well as furniture with softer material.
Sitting near a window can sometimes increase the chances that an echo will bounce off of it. In that case, try situating your workspace away from the window to eliminate that.
If you’re really concerned with the echo during a call, consider getting some soundproofing material to get rid of the noise. You can easily purchase sound panels online and place them on walls.
You can also try and make your own sound panels with some old rugs or carpets that you might have laying around.
10. Situate Your Microphone Properly
Sometimes simply situating your microphone right in front of you can help reduce an echo. All too often, people have their microphones situated at some weird angle across from them. This can cause the sounds to bounce off of nearby walls and other objects, resulting in an echo.
11. Shut the Windows
You’ll want to keep your windows closed during a Teams meeting. Open environments provide more space for sound to expand through.
12. Keep Your Microphone At the Right Distance From You
All too often, people think they need to have their microphones placed right up to their mouths in order to have the sound successfully pass through it.
Microphones are designed to pick up the slightest noise in the best way possible, so you don’t have to worry about having your microphone so close to yourself when you’re speaking.
In addition, consider informing everyone else in the conversation about this, as well. If everyone has their microphones close up to their faces, it will cause distortion and echo that can plague the sound of the conversation.
13. Bandwidth
Sometimes not having enough data or bandwidth can end up causing sound distortion and weird echoing in a conversation. Ensure you’re connected to a solid Wi-Fi network that isn’t overloaded with too many people.
14. Turn Off Auto Enhancements
Windows automatically provides auto enhancements to ensure the sound quality is better when you’re navigating through things.
These auto enhancements can sometimes cause the echo you hear through your speakers during a Teams meeting. Consider disabling auto enhancements if you’re tried some of the other options without much success.
In order to turn off auto enhancements, all you have to do is navigate to the control panel, then to recordings, and then click on the microphone option.
After that, click on properties, and a box should open. Once you’re there, go over to the enhancements tab and then click on the enhancements checkbox to turn it off. Click ‘Ok’.
15. Turn Off Microphone Boost
Microphone boost is another feature that Microsoft has decided to include with Windows. Unfortunately, this is also a feature that can sometimes cause an Echo in Teams meetings. You’ll want to consider turning this feature off before starting an important Teams meeting.
To do so, go to the control panel and then click on the hardware and sound option. Click on sound in order to get the sound task box open. Navigate to the recording tab and then click on the microphone that you usually use during your Teams meetings.
After that, click on properties. Highlight your receiver on that tab and click the checkmark that displays ‘microphone boost’.
How to Test Echo In a Teams Test Call
Test calls are designed to help you get familiar with the Teams calling experience without making a real call. This is especially helpful if you’re using Teams for the first time and want to test your audio and video before making a call with someone else.
To make a test call, click Calls on the left side of the app, then select Test speaker and microphone. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen, and then click Next.
You’ll be prompted to record a message, and then play it back to test your speakers. Click Next again when you’re finished.
Recording a message will help you see how you sound on a call. Click Next again when you’re finished.
Once you’ve completed the test calls, click Finish.
How to Mute Others In Microsoft Teams
It’s easy to mute someone in Microsoft Teams when you want to turn off their video or audio, and it’s a great way to host virtual meetings without interruptions.
To mute someone in Microsoft Teams on a desktop computer, click the “Participants” button (located at the bottom of the screen) and hover over the person you’d like to mute.
From here, you can choose to mute their audio or video. Or, if they’re already muted, you can select “Unmute” to restore their original settings.
If you’re using the mobile app on your phone, open the Teams meeting and tap the “Participants” icon at the bottom of your screen.
On an iPhone, this should look like a group of people with a plus sign next to them.
Next, click on the person you’d like to mute, then tap either “Mute Video” or “Mute Audio.”