How to fix a conference room speakerphone with echo or audio dropouts during Teams and Zoom calls

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix a conference room speakerphone with echo or audio dropouts during Teams and Zoom calls. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Conference room speakerphones are essential for clear communication during Microsoft Teams and Zoom calls. Echo, feedback, and audio dropouts are common issues that can disrupt meetings and make conversations difficult to follow. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you identify and resolve audio problems with USB and Bluetooth conference speakerphones.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Disconnect and reconnect the speakerphone to your computer.
2. Restart Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Check that the speakerphone is selected as the default audio device in your meeting application.
5. Move the speakerphone away from other electronic devices that may cause interference.

Detailed Instructions

Select the Correct Audio Device in Microsoft Teams

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click the Three dots (...) next to your profile picture and select Settings.
3. Select Devices from the left menu.
4. Under Audio devices, choose your conference speakerphone from the Speaker and Microphone dropdown menus.
5. Click Make a test call to verify audio quality.

Select the Correct Audio Device in Zoom

1. Open the Zoom desktop application.
2. Click your profile picture and select Settings.
3. Select Audio from the left sidebar.
4. Choose your speakerphone from the Speaker and Microphone dropdown menus.
5. Click Test Speaker and Test Mic to confirm the devices are working.

Check Windows Sound Settings

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sound settings.
2. Under Output, select your conference speakerphone.
3. Under Input, select your conference speakerphone.
4. Click More sound settings (or Sound Control Panel) to open the legacy Sound window.
5. On the Recording tab, right-click your speakerphone microphone and select Properties.
6. Go to the Listen tab and ensure Listen to this device is unchecked to prevent echo.
7. Click OK to save changes.

Check macOS Sound Settings

1. Click the Apple menu (Apple) and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
2. Select Sound.
3. Click the Output tab and choose your conference speakerphone.
4. Click the Input tab and choose your conference speakerphone.
5. Adjust the input volume slider so the input level reacts when you speak without peaking into the red.

Bluetooth Speakerphone Troubleshooting

1. Ensure your speakerphone is fully charged or connected to power.
2. On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices. On macOS, go to System Settings > Bluetooth.
3. Remove (forget) the speakerphone from the list of paired devices.
4. Put the speakerphone into pairing mode according to the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Re-pair the device and select it as the audio input and output in your meeting application.
6. Keep the speakerphone within one metre of your computer during calls to minimise dropouts.

If you are using a Bluetooth speakerphone, avoid using your computer's built-in microphone or speakers at the same time. Using mixed audio sources often causes echo and feedback.

Troubleshooting

Echo or Feedback During Calls

• Ensure only one microphone is active in the room. If multiple laptops are joined to the same meeting, mute the microphone and speaker on all but one device.
• Lower the speaker volume on the conference phone to reduce the chance of audio looping back into the microphone.
• Position the speakerphone at least one metre away from walls, windows, and reflective surfaces.
• Check that Noise suppression is enabled in Teams (Settings > Devices) or Zoom (Settings > Audio > Audio profile).
• Check that the physical mute button on the speakerphone is not engaged.

Audio Dropouts or Choppy Sound

• For USB speakerphones, try a different USB port, preferably one directly on the computer rather than through a hub.
• For Bluetooth speakerphones, reduce the distance between the speakerphone and your computer.
• Close unnecessary browser tabs and applications to free up system resources and network bandwidth.
• If using Wi-Fi, move closer to your wireless access point or connect your computer via Ethernet for a more stable connection.
• Check for firmware updates for your speakerphone using the manufacturer's software or website.

Do not plug multiple USB audio devices into the same unpowered hub. This can cause insufficient power delivery and lead to audio dropouts or device disconnection.

If you have completed these steps and are still experiencing echo or audio dropouts with your conference speakerphone, please Open a Ticket with our support team.

You may also find these related articles helpful:

• Sound not working
• How to connect Bluetooth devices

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