Why Echo Happens
Echo on a conference call occurs when audio from the room's speakers is picked up by the room's microphone and sent back to remote participants.
Immediate Fixes
- Mute unused microphones — If the room has multiple mics, mute any not near active speakers
- Lower the speaker volume — Reducing room speaker volume decreases the chance of the mic picking up audio
- Close laptop lids or mute laptop speakers — If your laptop speakers are also playing call audio, mute them
- Move the microphone away from speakers — Physical distance reduces echo
Check Your Setup
- Only one audio system should be active — If both your laptop AND the room speakers are active, echo is almost guaranteed
- In Zoom/Teams settings, select the room microphone and room speakers, then mute your laptop's devices
DSP (Digital Signal Processing)
Your room may include a DSP processor (Biamp Tesira or similar) that handles echo cancellation automatically. If echo is a new problem:
- The DSP may need a reboot — contact Smart Systems
- A recent change in speaker or mic placement may have affected calibration
- A firmware update may be needed
When to Contact Smart Systems
If echo persists after checking the basics, the room's DSP may need recalibration. We can adjust settings remotely in most cases.
