Audio Echo in Conference Software

Users may report an audio echo, distortion, or other sound problems when in conference calls or remote meetings. This will only occur when sound is being output from the speakers, and the microphone is unmuted and on.

Who is affected?

This can affect any user using speakers and a microphone. This issue is not unique to Dell hardware but is more likely to be noticed on portable laptop models.

Typically this issue is seen when speakers are being used in close proximity to a microphone. The audio coming out of the speakers is either too loud, or the microphone is too sensitive, and it will pick up the audio from the speakers and repeat it. Repeating electronic sounds causes distortion and can in some cases cause a “screeching” sound that is similar to feedback from a microphone. This is because the audio will be continuously recycled through the computer and will become more distorted with each repetition.

There are several ways to mitigate the echo and distortion seen.

1. Participants can mute their microphones when they are not speaking. This helps avoid any unnecessary audio being shared in the meeting and will also prevent the microphone from picking up and repeating this audio.

2. Participants can use a headset if available to reduce the risk of having audio repeated on the call.

3. Participants may be able to reduce the effects by lowering the volume of the computer if they are not able to mute their microphone, as this will help prevent the microphone from picking up the additional audio.

Additional steps can be found on Zoom’s website regarding Audio Echo during Meetings.