How to Fix Echo on a Video Call

Echo during video calls occurs when your microphone picks up audio from your speakers, creating a feedback loop. This disrupts communication and frustrates participants, but the problem can be resolved quickly with the right adjustments.

1. Use headphones or earbuds. Connect wired or wireless headphones to your device. This prevents your microphone from picking up audio output from your speakers, which is the most common cause of echo. Any standard headphones will work, including earbuds, over-ear headphones, or a gaming headset.
2. Adjust your microphone sensitivity. Lower your microphone input level in your computer's audio settings. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray, select 'Open Sound settings,' click 'Device properties' under Input, and reduce the volume slider. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and lower the input volume.
3. Enable noise suppression in your video call app. Turn on echo cancellation and noise suppression features in your video calling software. In Zoom, go to Settings > Audio and enable 'Suppress background noise.' In Microsoft Teams, click your profile picture > Settings > Devices and toggle on 'Noise cancellation.' Most platforms offer similar options in their audio settings.
4. Move away from hard surfaces. Position yourself away from walls, windows, and hard surfaces that reflect sound. Sit in a room with soft furnishings like curtains, carpets, or upholstered furniture. These materials absorb sound and reduce echo. Avoid sitting in empty rooms, kitchens, or bathrooms where sound bounces off hard surfaces.
5. Check for multiple audio devices. Ensure only one microphone and speaker are active on your device. Close other applications that might be using your microphone, such as voice assistants or recording software. Disconnect external speakers if you are using built-in laptop speakers, as having multiple audio outputs can create feedback loops.
6. Test your audio setup. Use your video calling platform's audio test feature before joining important calls. In Zoom, go to Settings > Audio and click 'Test Speaker' and 'Test Mic.' In Teams, go to Settings > Devices and use the test call feature. This allows you to identify and fix echo issues before they disrupt your meeting.
7. Update your audio drivers. Install the latest audio drivers for your computer's sound card. On Windows, go to Device Manager, expand 'Sound, video and game controllers,' right-click your audio device, and select 'Update driver.' On Mac, audio drivers update automatically with system updates through System Preferences > Software Update.