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

Introduction

Your conversation partner complains they hear hissing, humming, or their own voice? Background noise, echo, and microphone "buzz" are common problems during online calls. The cause may be incorrect sensitivity settings, poor grounding, or speakers that are too loud. Let's explore how to eliminate noise and improve sound quality without buying new equipment.

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.

Tips

  • Regularly check your microphone at DoCam.io.
  • Don't set volume above 90% — this causes "buzz".
  • Keep the microphone 15–20 cm from your mouth.
  • If using a USB condenser microphone — enable Low Cut filter.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've eliminated noise and echo. Now your voice sounds clean and natural — without background hum and annoying sounds. Remember: sometimes it's enough just to change the microphone position and sensitivity level.

Before a call, test your microphone quality at DoCam.io.