Symptoms
- You hear your own voice delayed after speaking
- Others report hearing an echo of themselves
- Loud feedback squeal during the call
- Echo only happens when multiple people are in one room
Likely causes
- CommonTwo devices open in the same roomEach device's speaker feeds into the other's microphone, creating a loop.
- CommonSpeakers set too loud relative to the microphoneMicrophones can pick up sound directly from nearby speakers.
- CommonNot using headphones with a laptop microphoneBuilt-in mics are close to built-in speakers, making echo more likely.
- PossibleRoom acoustics causing sound reflectionHard surfaces can reflect audio into the microphone.
- Less commonApp's echo cancellation not enabledMost apps handle this automatically but a setting can be turned off.
What to do
- Have everyone in the same physical room join from just one device, muting the rest.
- Lower speaker volume, or switch to headphones or earbuds instead of speakers.
- Move the microphone farther from the speakers if using separate devices.
- Check the meeting app's audio settings to confirm echo cancellation is enabled.
- Mute your microphone when not speaking to reduce feedback loops.
- Restart the call if echo continues after adjustments.
When to call a pro
For frequent conference calls in a shared office, consider a dedicated conference speakerphone with built-in echo cancellation.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.