How to fix Microsoft Teams call quality issues and jittery audio

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Microsoft Teams call quality issues and jittery audio. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Experiencing "robotic" voice, audio drop-outs, or lagging video during Microsoft Teams meetings is usually caused by network instability, hardware conflicts, or outdated software. This guide will help you analyse your connection and optimise your settings to ensure clear communication for your business communications.

Quick Fix Steps

Before diving into deep configuration changes, try these immediate solutions to resolve the majority of common audio issues:

• Restart the Teams App: Fully quit Teams (right-click the icon in the system tray and select Quit) and relaunch it.
• Check Hardware Connections: Ensure your headset is securely plugged in or your Bluetooth connection is stable.
• Close Bandwidth-Heavy Apps: Shut down cloud backups (like OneDrive or Dropbox), streaming services, or large downloads that may be competing for your internet bandwidth.
• Move Closer to the Router: If using Wi-Fi, move closer to your access point or connect via an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.

Detailed Instructions

Verify Audio Device Settings

Teams may be using the wrong input or output device, or a device with lower quality drivers.

1. Open Microsoft Teams and click the three dots (...) next to your profile picture in the top right.
2. Select Settings > Devices.
3. Under Audio devices, ensure the correct Speaker and Microphone are selected from the dropdown menus.
4. Click Make a test call. This allows you to record a short message and listen back to it to verify clarity and latency.

Optimise Network Performance

Jitter and lag are typically symptoms of "packet loss" on the network. To stabilise your connection:

• Disable VPNs: If you are using a VPN, disconnect it and try the call again. VPNs can add significant latency to real-time voice traffic.
• Update Network Drivers: On Windows, right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your adapter, and select Update driver.
• Check for Interference: Ensure your router is not placed behind a metal cabinet or next to other electronic devices that may cause signal interference.

Update Microsoft Teams

Microsoft frequently releases patches to improve call stability and codec efficiency.

1. Click the three dots (...) next to your profile picture.
2. Select Check for updates.
3. Teams will check for updates in the background; if one is available, it will prompt you to restart the application.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Disable Audio Enhancements

Some Windows audio "enhancements" can conflict with Teams' built-in noise suppression, leading to choppy audio.

1. Press Win + R, type mmsys.cpl, and press Enter.
2. In the Playback tab, right-click your active headset/speakers and select Properties.
3. Navigate to the Enhancements tab (if available) and check Disable all enhancements.
4. Repeat this process in the Recording tab for your microphone.

Adjust Noise Suppression Settings

If your audio sounds "clipped" or words are being cut off, the noise suppression may be too aggressive.

1. Go to Settings > Devices.
2. Locate the Noise suppression dropdown.
3. Change the setting from Auto to Low. This is particularly helpful if you are in a quiet environment but your voice is still being filtered out.

If you have followed these steps and are still experiencing poor call quality, please Open a Ticket so our technicians can analyse your network traffic and hardware logs.

Still Having Issues?