Even with modern calling technology, this scenario is still common and can make anyone feel frustrated — especially when time is short and you need to present yourself as a polished, prepared communicator. need to
Fortunately, this mic echo is usually caused by a variety of easily fixed factors, including:
- Where your microphone is located. This is the most common cause of echo problems. If you’re using an external mic, it may be located too close to your speakers, causing it to pick up and send out your voice in an endless loop.
- The volume level of your speakers. If your speakers are too loud, your mic may be picking up on its output no matter where it is.
- Number of microphones in use. Running more than one mic increases the volume of your voice. Make sure your main mic — whether it’s a headset, laptop, phone, or other standalone source — is the only one in use.
Some readers out there will be able to get rid of Mike Echo with just this short guide.
In the remainder of this post, I’ll go into detail about these fixes, why they work, and additional steps you can take to prevent this annoying problem.
Why is Mike Echo?
During a typical call, a person’s voice is captured by a microphone, transmitted by the system, and then played back to the listener in real time. The sound is clear and immediate, without any delay or repetition.
Mic echo occurs when the sound from the speaker is picked up by the microphone and retransmitted, causing the sound to be delayed or repeated. Delayed retransmissions cause an echo effect, which disrupts the normal flow of communication.
This phenomenon is very common VoIP phone systems vs. landline phones.
Identifying the source of a mic echo
When the mic echoes, it may not always be clear what or who is causing the problem. If everyone on the call hears your voice echoing, you’re likely the source, even if your voice sounds normal to you on your own speakers. The same goes for any other participant.
Fixing mic echo (without hanging up the call)
Once you’ve identified that you are the source of the echo, you should be able to quickly resolve the issue without disrupting the conversation.
Start by trying this series of quick fixes:
Turn down your speaker volume.
Access your device settings or press the external volume adjust button to reduce the speaker volume to their minimum volume. Then, slowly start increasing the volume until the conversation is audible, checking for any remaining echoes. This works well if the problem is caused by the feedback picked up in your speakers.
Lowering the volume is an incredibly common fix for these people. Using a computer or tablet as a softphone To make a call
Moving your microphone further away from your speakers.
Another way to reduce mic feedback is to move your microphone further away from the speaker. If you’re using an external device, such as a webcam or lavalier mic, paired with your computer or phone speakers, this is likely to solve the problem.
Switching to a headset or headphones with a built-in mic
If you’ve tried lowering the speaker volume and moving your mic away from your speakers, the next best option is to switch from an external device to a headset or headphones with a built-in mic. Any decent VoIP headset will do a good job of reducing the amount of ambient noise your mic picks up.
See: Check us out. The Complete Guide to the Best VoIP Headsets.
Disable all other nearby mics.
Many modern devices include microphones, including game controllers, laptops, phones, smart watches, smart speakers, television remotes, and webcams. If you’re still experiencing mic echo, one of these could be the culprit. Be sure to check the device’s audio settings or turn them off completely to minimize additional sound pickup.
Adjust call recording software settings.
If you are recording a call for future reference, you may need to adjust the call volume settings in your business phone service interface or app. This is usually accomplished through the main settings menu, where you can find an audio option to adjust the input (microphone) or output (speaker) volume.
See: Looking for a new phone system? Check us out Choose a top business phone service..
Disable SIP ALG on your router.
SIP ALG (Session Initiation Protocol Application Layer Gateway) is a feature often enabled by default in routers to help manage VoIP traffic. Unfortunately, this feature often causes more problems than it solves, causing lag and audio distortion that results in mic echo during calls.
To resolve this, SIP ALG can usually be disabled through router settings, often found under advanced network or firewall configuration options.
This is a slightly more technical solution than others, but I promise you won’t be the first person to Google “disable SIP ALG” for your particular VoIP router. The problem is so broad that it won’t be difficult to find beginner-friendly guidance.
See: Discover. Best VoIP Routers.
Additional fixes for Mike Echo
If you’ve tried every quick fix imaginable and still encounter a problem, there are a few more things you can do to resolve the problem:
- Restart your computer or device. Turning your device off and on again closes all programs that are messing up your sound, cleaning up your system for a better connection.
- Restart your router. Disconnect your router from its power source for a full minute, then reconnect. Once the indicator light shows that the router has rebooted successfully, try your microphone again. This may fix any connectivity or memory storage issues that are contributing to the problem.
- Update your devices. Making sure all software updates are current on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone can help ensure the best possible voice performance and seamless compatibility with VoIP services.
- Upgrade your hardware. By investing in a quality headset, you can take advantage of more recent microphone technology that helps reduce speaker feedback and ambient noise. Choose from wireless Bluetooth-enabled or traditional wired options, all priced under $100.
If mic echo is just one of many call quality issues, you might want to try some basic VoIP troubleshooting. VoIP is fairly lightweight in terms of the bandwidth it requires, but the connection must be solid. Due to the real-time nature of calls, even minor delays or echoes can cause a lot of problems.