The Annoyance of Choppy Audio in Teams Calls: Simple Fixes for Smooth Conversations
Imagine this: You're deep in discussion during your virtual meeting on Teams, passionately sharing your ideas or keenly listening to a vital update, and then, bam! The audio cuts out. Again. Frustrating, right? Microsoft Teams has become a cornerstone tool for collaboration and communication, especially with the rise of remote work. However, the experience can quickly turn sour when faced with the all-too-common issue of audio cutting out during calls. But worry not! We're here to guide you through some straightforward steps to resolve this annoying hiccup and ensure your conversations flow smoothly.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
The most common culprit behind audio glitches is a shaky internet connection. Teams require a stable and reasonably speedy internet connection to function correctly. Here’s what you can do:
- Test Your Speed: Use an online tool like Speedtest by Ookla to check your connection's upload and download speeds. Teams calls generally need at minimum of 1.2 Mbps for a high-quality experience.
- Wired Over Wireless: Consider switching to a wired Ethernet connection if possible. It’s more reliable and faster than Wi-Fi.
- Limit Bandwidth Usage: If others are streaming videos or downloading large files on the same network, it might be time to ask them to pause until your meeting is over.
2. Update Teams and Your Audio Drivers
Keeping your software up to date is crucial. An older version of Teams or outdated audio drivers can lead to various issues, including audio problems.
- Update Teams: Check for updates in Teams by clicking on your profile picture at the top of the app and selecting 'Check for updates.'
- Update Drivers: For your audio drivers, you can usually find updates through your computer’s device manager or the manufacturer's website.
3. Re-Select Your Audio Device in Teams
Sometimes, Teams might be confused about which audio device (like headphones or speakers) it should be using, especially if you’ve switched devices recently.
- Go to Settings in Teams by clicking on your profile icon.
- Under Devices, you’ll find the section for ‘Audio devices.’ Make sure the correct device is selected for both speaker and microphone. Test the settings to ensure they’re working as expected.
4. Close Unnecessary Applications
Having too many applications running in the background can hog your system's resources and potentially interfere with Teams’ audio. Close any unnecessary programs, especially those known to consume a lot of memory (looking at you, web browsers with dozens of tabs open).
5. Adjust Teams’ Audio Settings
Teams allows you to tweak its audio settings, which can help mitigate issues:
- Within the Teams settings under ‘Devices,’ find the ‘Noise suppression’ option. If it’s set to ‘High,’ try switching it to ‘Standard’ or ‘Off’ to see if there's any improvement.
- Ensure that the ‘Automatically adjust mic sensitivity’ option is enabled, which might help maintain consistent audio levels.
6. Check for External Interference
External devices and even some types of software can interfere with Bluetooth or wireless connections. If you’re using a wireless headset, try shifting to a wired one to see if that resolves the problem. Also, ensure your audio devices are charged up and not running on low battery.
7. Disable Other Audio Enhancements
Some computers come with built-in audio enhancements that might conflict with Teams’ audio. You can usually find and disable these settings within your computer’s audio settings or control panel.
8. Use the Web Version
If all else fails, consider using the web version of Teams instead of the desktop app. Although the desktop app provides a more comprehensive set of features, the web version might dodge some of the issues causing audio problems.
Bringing It All Together
Audio issues in Teams calls can test your patience, especially during pivotal moments of collaboration. However, by systematically checking and addressing the common causes, such as your internet connection, device settings, and software updates, you can often resolve these annoyances fairly easily. Remember, the goal is smooth and effective communication, which is perfectly attainable with a little troubleshooting savvy.
So, the next time your Teams audio decides to go on an unexpected hiatus, take a deep breath, run through these steps, and you'll likely find your way back to clear, uninterrupted conversations. Happy Teams-ing!