Reduce Background Noise in Skype: 9 Fixes

To reduce background noise in Skype, use the built-in noise suppression feature (Settings > Audio & Video > Noise suppression) and set it to “High” or “Best” for the most aggressive filtering. For persistent noise like keyboard clatter or room echo, also enable echo cancellation and use a headset or external microphone placed close to your mouth.

Why Skype Calls Have Background Noise

Skype, like most VoIP apps, picks up whatever your microphone hears. The problem is rarely the app itself; it’s that laptop microphones are small, omnidirectional, and located near fans, keyboards, and speakers. When you’re on a call, Skype processes that raw audio and tries to separate your voice from everything else. If the microphone is far from your mouth, your voice is quieter relative to the noise, making the noise more noticeable to the person on the other end.

There are two main sources of background noise: acoustic (sound waves entering the mic) and electrical (hum from USB ports, poor grounding, or cheap audio hardware). Skype’s software can handle some acoustic noise, but electrical hum often needs a hardware fix like a different USB port or a ground loop isolator.

Skype’s Built-in Noise Suppression

Skype has a dedicated noise suppression setting that many users miss. It’s not in the main settings menu; you have to go into the audio settings for a specific call or the general settings.

1. Open Skype and click your profile picture (or the three-dot menu) at the top left.
2. Select Settings > Audio & Video.
3. Under the microphone preview, you’ll see a drop-down labeled Noise suppression.
4. Choose High or Best (the options are typically Off, Low, Medium, High, and Best).

The “Best” setting uses more CPU and may cut off faint speech, but it’s the most effective for masking fans and traffic. If you’re on an older computer, “High” is a good balance. Note that this setting applies to all calls, not just the current one.

Microphone Placement and Hardware Fixes

Software can only do so much. The single biggest improvement comes from getting the mic closer to your mouth and farther from noise sources.

• Use a headset or earbuds with a mic: Even a cheap wired headset puts the mic an inch from your mouth, which dramatically improves the signal-to-noise ratio.
• If using a laptop’s built-in mic: Keep your hands off the keyboard while talking, and avoid typing during the call. The mic is often near the keyboard, so keystrokes are amplified.
• External USB microphones: Position them 6-12 inches from your mouth, off to the side to avoid plosives (pops on ‘p’ and ‘b’ sounds).
• Turn off other noise sources: Close windows, mute your phone, and move the router or any humming electronics away from the desk.

Echo Cancellation and Speaker Settings

Echo is a form of background noise that happens when the other person’s voice comes out of your speakers and back into your mic. Skype has echo cancellation built in, but it works best when you’re using headphones. If you’re using speakers, the echo cancellation has to guess which audio is yours and which is the other person’s, and it often fails.

To enable or check echo cancellation:

• In the same Audio & Video settings, look for Automatically adjust microphone settings and Echo cancellation (on some versions it’s just a checkbox).
• Keep both enabled. If you’re still getting echo, the fix is to use headphones.

Advanced Software Solutions (Third-Party)

If Skype’s built-in suppression isn’t enough, you can use a virtual audio cable or a third-party noise suppression app that processes your mic before it reaches Skype. These tools act as a virtual microphone that Skype sees as your input.

• Krisp: An AI-based noise suppression app that works system-wide. It has a free tier and integrates with Skype by selecting “Krisp Microphone” as your input device.
• RTX Voice / NVIDIA Broadcast: If you have an NVIDIA RTX GPU, this tool removes background noise using AI. It’s free and works with any app.
• Voicemeeter: A virtual mixer that lets you route audio through plugins, but it’s more complex to set up.

These tools work by analyzing the audio in real time and filtering out non-voice frequencies. They’re especially useful if you have a noisy environment (e.g., a fan or a busy street) that Skype’s basic filter can’t handle.

Common Mistakes That Make Noise Worse

Many users try to fix noise by turning down the microphone volume, which actually makes the problem worse. Lowering the volume reduces both your voice and the noise equally, so the signal-to-noise ratio stays the same. Instead, you want to increase the signal (talk closer) or decrease the noise (move away from it).

Another mistake is enabling “Automatically adjust microphone settings” while also using a third-party noise gate. These two can conflict, causing the volume to fluctuate. If you’re using an external noise suppressor, turn off Skype’s automatic adjustments.

Also, be aware that some USB microphones have their own gain control. If you set the gain too high, you’ll get clipping (distortion) and more background hiss. Set the gain to about 70-80% and adjust the distance to the mic instead.

When to Upgrade Your Microphone

If you’ve tried everything and still get complaints, the issue may be your microphone’s hardware. Laptop mics and cheap webcam mics are notoriously bad at rejecting noise. A dedicated USB condenser mic (like the Blue Snowball or Audio-Technica ATR2100x) will have a cardioid pickup pattern that captures sound from the front and rejects sound from the sides and rear. This alone can eliminate most background noise without any software.

However, a better mic also means you need to be more careful about placement. A cardioid mic placed too far away will pick up room reverb, which sounds like a hollow echo. The general rule: the closer the mic, the less room tone you capture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my background noise still audible on Skype even with noise suppression on “Best”?

The “Best” setting is aggressive but not perfect. It may still let through sudden loud noises like a dog bark or a door slam. Also, if your mic is very far from your mouth, the noise-to-voice ratio is too high for the filter to work effectively. Try moving the mic closer or using a headset.

Can I reduce background noise on Skype for mobile (Android/iOS)?

Yes, the mobile app has a similar noise suppression setting. Go to Settings > Calling > Noise suppression and choose “Best”. However, mobile microphones are even more limited, so using a wired headset or earbuds is the most reliable fix.

Does Skype have a noise gate?

No, Skype does not have a traditional noise gate (a threshold below which audio is muted). Instead, it uses continuous noise suppression. If you want a noise gate, you’ll need a third-party tool like Voicemeeter or a hardware mixer.

Will using a USB sound card help reduce noise?

Sometimes. If your computer’s built-in audio jack has electrical interference (a hiss or hum), a USB sound card or a USB microphone can bypass that. But if the noise is acoustic (like a fan), a USB sound card won’t help.

Is it better to use headphones or speakers to avoid background noise?

Headphones. Speakers create echo and also let the other person hear your environment through your mic. Headphones keep your voice isolated and prevent the other person’s audio from leaking into your mic.

Why does my voice sound robotic or cut off when I use noise suppression?

That’s the suppression algorithm being too aggressive. It may be mistaking parts of your speech for noise. Try lowering the suppression level to “High” or “Medium”, and ensure your mic is not too close to your mouth (which can cause clipping).

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