Microphone Hissing, Crackling, or Echo: How to Remove Unwanted Sounds?

Updated: April 2026

Why Your Microphone Picks Up Unwanted Noise

Hissing, buzzing, and mysterious hums are among the most reported issues during online calls. People on the other end hear static, your keyboard, or even their own voice echoing back. The culprit is usually over-sensitive gain settings, poor electrical grounding, or speakers placed too close to the mic. The good news: nearly all of these problems can be fixed through software adjustments alone.

Quick Solution

  1. Turn off speakers and use headphones.
    This will eliminate feedback and echo.
  2. Enable noise suppression.
    Zoom, Discord, and Windows have built-in background noise filters.
  3. Check microphone volume and sensitivity.
    Too high a level amplifies background noise.
  4. Test the result at DoCam.io.

Detailed Guide

1. Checking the Noise Source

Noise can come from:

  • A loose connector or damaged microphone cable;
  • Power supply unit (electrical interference);
  • Open speakers — creating echo;
  • Overly sensitive microphone.

To localize the problem, connect the microphone to another device — if the noise persists, the issue is with the microphone itself.

2. Microphone Settings in Windows

  1. Press Win + I → System → Sound → Input.
  2. Select your microphone → Device Properties.
  3. Reduce the level to 70–85%.
  4. Open Additional Device Properties → enable filters:
    • ✔ Noise Suppression
    • ✔ Echo Cancellation

3. Noise Removal in Zoom

1️⃣ Open Settings → Audio.
2️⃣ Enable Background Noise Suppression and select Auto or High mode.
3️⃣ In the "Microphone" section, reduce sensitivity if you hear background hum.

4. Discord Settings

User Settings → Voice & Video → enable:

  • ✔ "Automatically determine input sensitivity"
  • ✔ "Echo Cancellation"
  • ✔ "Noise Suppression" (Powered by Krisp)

These filters effectively remove hum and clicks even with low-quality microphones.

5. Equipment Check

If using an external USB or XLR microphone:

  • Don't connect it through a cheap USB hub.
  • Try another port (preferably on the back of PC).
  • Make sure the cable isn't lying next to the power adapter — this is a source of interference.

6. Driver Check

Open Device Manager → Audio Inputs and Outputs → right-click on microphone → Update Driver.

Error 0x8007001f — Audio device not responding
(Audio driver problem)

7. Alternative Methods

  • Use sound filtering software — NVIDIA Broadcast, NoiseTorch, OBS Noise Gate.
  • Move the microphone away from the keyboard and laptop fan.
  • Use an anti-vibration stand if the microphone is desktop-mounted.

Quick Reminders

  • Spot-check your audio regularly on DoCam.io.
  • Keep input gain below 90% — pushing it higher introduces electrical buzz.
  • Position the mic 15–20 cm from your mouth for the cleanest capture.
  • USB condenser mics benefit from enabling the Low Cut (high-pass) filter to eliminate low-frequency rumble.

Noise-Free and Ready

Well done! With gain properly calibrated and noise suppression engaged, your voice should now come through clean and natural. Often the entire fix is just repositioning the mic and lowering sensitivity — no new hardware needed.

Confirm your audio is clean before any call on DoCam.io.