In today’s world, attending meetings or classes via your phone or laptop is the standard. Online meetings have made it possible to participate in any meeting while on the go.

In this article, we will walk you through the process as to how you can reduce background noise on Zoom while participating in video calls.

Since one of the most significant concerns when participating in video conversations from home is background noise. Unwanted noise from neighbors, barking dogs, fan noise, and other factors might reduce your productivity, especially during work calls. Fortunately, software-level changes can help to reduce the noise to some extent. Here are three simple ways to remove background noise from Zoom video chats, as well as some sound quality advice.

Reduce Background Noise on Zoom

Zoom is a well-known web conferencing platform that is utilized all over the world. It includes several features, one of which is an inbuilt noise reduction tool.

It eliminates background noise on your end while providing clear and sharp audio.

The only stipulation is that you have the most recent version of the Zoom desktop program (5.2.0 or newer).

If you have the most recent version, proceed as follows:

Step 1: Open Zoom desktop client on your PC, and in the top right corner, click the Settings icon.

Step 2: After that, choose the audio choice.

Step 3: You’ll discover three levels of audio separation under the suppress background noise option; choose one based on your surroundings.

Step 4: It does, however, make your voice sound a little robotic. However, it almost completely removes the annoying background clank from your video.

Reduce Background Noise in Windows

Built-in microphone options in Windows can assist reduce background noise. On Windows 7, 8, 10, and even Windows 11, the option is available in the control panel or in the Sound settings.

Step 1: On your computer, go to the Control Panel. From the Start menu, you can do so.

Step 2: Go to the Hardware and Sound tab.

Step 3: Then, under Sound, select Manage audio devices.

Step 4: Toggle over to the Recording tab.

Step 5: Select Microphone from the drop-down menu and choose Properties.

Step 6: Toggle over to the Levels tab. Reduce the microphone boost to see if it helps to reduce background noise.

Step 7: Additionally, enable Noise Reduction in the Microphone Effects tab.

Step 8: Acoustic Echo Cancellation can also be turned on to lessen echo.

Step 9: Finally, to close the window, click Okay.

Another alternate to reduce background noise on Zoom

Use rooms with furniture carpets and other sound-absorbing items

Have you ever noticed how your voice echoes in an empty room? Yes, every room produces some degree of echo; we may not be able to hear it, but every room produces some level of echo. If you have a thick curtain or furniture inside, the echo will be lessened.

As a result, you should always strive to hold meetings in the room with the most furniture, rugs, and other sound-dampening items in your home. Device microphones are sensitive and may pick up even the faintest sound. So, the next time you have an online meeting, give this strategy a shot and see what happens.

Connect the microphone properly

Most people are unaware of where their device’s microphone is located, so they either block the mic on their phone or stay too far away from the mic on their laptop. When you block the mic, your sound becomes muffled and noisy. Mics on phones are often located at the bottom of the device, and on the top bezel of laptops. As a result, make sure they aren’t blocked or that you aren’t too far away from them.

You can also use an external microphone if you have one, or any conventional pair of earbuds if you don’t have one. External microphones/earphones are often superior to inbuilt microphones on most laptops.

Always keep close to the microphone – not too close, just the right distance.

In case you don’t have a dedicated microphone, consider using headsets or earphones.

Conclusion

These are some simple methods for reducing background noise in Zoom video calls. I hope this aids you in having professional-sounding video conferences on the platform. Some of the techniques can even be used in other video conferencing systems.