Class for Teams – Best Practices to Prevent Echo

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Instructor/Program Administrator

An echo in sessions can be highly disruptive, affecting the quality of communication and productivity.

Admins can choose to Automatically disable cameras and microphones when recordings are enabled. This enables explicit recording consent in Class. When enabled, participants’ microphones and cameras are turned off when recording starts. Unmuting or turning on the camera acts as consent to being recorded.

Troubleshoot an echo while sharing your screen

If you share your entire screen while others in the session are talking, you may notice a feedback loop. It’s coming through your system audio. There are a couple things you can do to stop this:

  • Stop sharing your entire screen and share a browser tab with audio enabled instead.
  • Rejoin the session.
  • Mute everyone in the room until you are done sharing.

Best practices to prevent echo and background noise

An echo occurs when sound from your speakers is picked up by your microphone and played back through the speakers, creating a feedback loop. Common causes include poor audio hardware, incorrect settings, or environmental factors.

  1. Use Headphones
    • Why: Headphones prevent sound from your speakers from being picked up by your microphone.
    • Recommendation: Use good-quality, noise-canceling headphones with an integrated microphone.
  2. Adjust Microphone and Speaker Settings
    • Why: Properly configured audio settings can minimize the risk of echo.
    • Recommendation:
      • Set your microphone volume to a moderate level to prevent it from picking up background noise.
      • Adjust your speaker volume so it’s audible but not too loud.
  3. Position Your Microphone and Speakers Correctly
    • Why: Incorrect positioning can lead to sound feedback.
    • Recommendation:
      • Place your microphone close to your mouth but away from your speakers.
      • Ensure that the speakers are not directly facing the microphone.
  4. Mute When Not Speaking
    • Why: Background noise and side conversations can contribute to echo.
    • Recommendation:
      • Mute your microphone when you are not speaking.
      • Encourage all participants to follow this practice.
  5. Optimize Your Environment
    • Why: Hard surfaces can reflect sound and contribute to echo.
    • Recommendation:
      • Use soft furnishings, rugs, and curtains to absorb sound.
      • Conduct meetings in a quiet, enclosed space.

Troubleshooting echo issues

If you encounter echo despite following the best practices, here are some troubleshooting steps:

  1. Check Device Settings: Ensure your microphone and speakers are properly connected and configured.
  2. Test Your Equipment: Use online tools or built-in testing features to test your microphone and speakers.
  3. Inspect the Network: Ensure you have a stable internet connection, as poor connectivity can sometimes lead to audio issues.
  4. Restart Your Devices: Sometimes restarting your computer and audio devices can resolve the issue.
  5. Noise Suppression: Turn on Noise Suppression to improve everyone’s experience. Once enabled, the setting is remembered for future sessions.
    • Class for Teams:
      • Select the >caret V beside the microphone button.
      • Select Noise Suppression.
        Microphone menu caret (^) menu open

Conclusion

Preventing echo in sessions involves using the right hardware, configuring settings correctly, and optimizing your environment. By following these best practices, you can enhance the audio quality of your sessions and ensure a more productive and enjoyable experience for all participants.

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