Why is there Echo for some calls? What is Phone Echoing?

What is Phone Echoing?

Phone echoing is the repetitive and loud sound or noise that one hears during a call at a delayed interval. Usually, the party that hears the echo is not the party creating the echo. Phone echo can appear on mobile devices, tablets, or landlines.

A few possible factors which can cause an echo in the line are mentioned below:

### Speakerphone


The most common form of phone echoing is caused by the caller’s voice going through the recipient’s loudspeaker and coming back through the microphone.

If using a call center headset or headphones, test for an echo problem on the phone with a handset. If there is no echoing with the handset, the headset likely needs to be replaced. Some headsets have settings to adjust or prevent echo on the line.

### Slow Internet


VoIP devices require an upload and download speed of 0.1 Mbps each. Computers and connected devices such as wirelessly connected smartphones, printers, etc. need an upload and download speed of 0.3 Mbps each. Jitter must be less than 15 – 20 ms, and packet loss must be 0%.

If the internet connection does not have these capabilities, there will be a lag in voice transmission which will cause your audio to echo. While some systems have echo cancellation, most mobile phones, and wired earpieces can still experience echo problems.

To make sure you have the bandwidth to handle VoIP calls, first run a speed test. If the person on the other end of the line has a poor internet connection, it creates an echoing problem. 

### Electromagnetic Interference


Another cause of phone echo is electromagnetic interference.  This is usually the result of placing a wireless or landline VoIP device too close to other electronic devices, such as, on top of a computer or near the back of a monitor, or right next to a power strip.

These devices, in particular, have large electrical fields and could interfere with VoIP phones. There are other devices that can create electromagnetic currents as well.  A good rule of thumb is simply not to place any part of your VoIP phone too close to other devices. Poor quality splitters, badly set up SD-WAN or MPLS, and other devices that are positioned between the VoIP device and the analog adapter can also cause these issues.

### Damaged Equipment


Defective or damaged wall jacks and damaged ethernet, power, or handset cords may cause your phone call to echo. Poor wiring can also cause problems.

Long lengths of untwisted cabling, wet or damaged cabling, and poorly terminated cables, for example, can all cause such problems. If you think a cable might be the culprit, replace each cable and retest, plugging into an alternate Ethernet wall jack. If the issue is resolved, replace the faulty cabling or wall jack. Even the top IP phones won’t give you the service you need if they’re not properly connected.

Network Bandwidth


Network Speed is one of the most probable factors that create an Echo in the line. The echo has been experienced if there is low network connectivity or the internet speed is not good. Please make sure that the quality Internet is being used.

When making calls from Laptop and using laptop's default speakers and mic instead of using headphones:


 It has been noticed that if the user is using the laptop's default speakers and mic, it might be possible that the sounds from the speaker get captured by its mic and get re-propagated to the user. Headphones are preferred for better call quality.

When boost is 100% (in Linux) or 36dB (in windows) in Microphone settings:


This is also one of the reasons that can cause echo. In the Sound setting of the system, if the boost of the microphone is 100% (in Linux) or 36db (in windows), then we need to reduce it as much as possible to get rid of the echo. But do it till the user gets a clear sound.

Steps to change the settings in the windows system:

-In Windows Control Panel>Hardware & Sound settings>Sound>Recordings>Microphone>Levels>, reduced the Microphone Boost to 0.0dB.

-Control Panel>Hardware & Sound settings>Sound>Communication Tab, select 'Mute all other sounds" option.

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Updated on: 19/04/2022