Remove Background Noise From Zoom Calls

Yes, you can remove background noise from Zoom calls using the built-in noise suppression feature, which is available in the desktop app and web client. This setting filters out common sounds like typing, fans, and traffic, and you can adjust its strength from Auto to Low, Medium, or High. This article explains how to enable and tune that feature, what it does technically, and what to do when it isn’t enough.

Where the Noise Suppression Setting Lives

Zoom’s noise suppression is part of the audio settings, not a separate download. In the desktop app (Windows, macOS, Linux) and the web client, you’ll find it under:

1. Click your profile picture (top-right) and select Settings.
2. Go to the Audio tab.
3. Scroll down to the Suppress Background Noise section.
4. Choose Auto, Low, Medium, or High.

That’s the global setting for all meetings. Zoom also lets you override it per meeting: click the ^ arrow next to the microphone icon in the meeting toolbar, select Audio Settings, and the same drop-down appears. Changes there apply to that meeting only.

On the mobile app (iOS/Android), noise suppression is not exposed as a manual setting. The app applies its own default processing, and you can’t adjust it. For a quieter mobile call, use a headset or move to a quieter room.

How Zoom’s Noise Suppression Works

Zoom uses a machine-learning model that has been trained on thousands of audio samples to recognize the difference between speech and common background sounds. When you speak, the software analyzes the audio in short frames (usually 10–20 ms) and estimates which parts are your voice and which are noise. It then attenuates the noise frequencies while preserving the speech frequencies.

The Auto setting lets Zoom decide the intensity based on your environment. Low removes only the most obvious constant hums (like an AC unit). High aggressively filters out almost everything that isn’t speech, but it can sometimes make your voice sound slightly metallic or clipped, especially if you’re in a very echoey room.

This processing happens in real time on your device before the audio is sent to Zoom’s servers. That means it also reduces the bandwidth your call uses, because the filtered stream is smaller than the raw one.

Choosing the Right Strength

There’s no single “best” setting—it depends on your environment and your microphone. Here’s a practical guide:

• Auto – Best for most people. Zoom listens for a few seconds and adjusts. If you never noticed the setting, this is what you’ve been using.
• Low – Use when you’re in a quiet room and want the most natural sound. It removes only steady hums.
• Medium – A good middle ground for a home office with occasional noises like doors closing or a dog barking in another room.
• High – Use in a noisy environment (coffee shop, open office, near traffic). It will cut out most non-speech sounds, but be aware it can make your voice sound a bit processed.

If you’re not sure, start with Auto and test with a friend. Ask them if they hear background noise. If they do, move up one step.

What It Does and Doesn’t Catch

Zoom’s noise suppression is quite good at removing:

• Keyboard typing and mouse clicks
• Fan noise, air conditioning, and heating vents
• Traffic and road noise
• Refrigerator hum and other constant low-frequency sounds
• Paper rustling and pen clicking

It’s less effective at removing:

• Other people talking (it’s not a voice isolator; it can’t tell two voices apart)
• Sudden loud noises like a dog barking right next to the mic
• Music with vocals
• Echo or reverb from a large room

For those cases, you need a better microphone or a physical change to your environment. A common misconception is that noise suppression can remove a colleague’s background conversation—it can’t. It only works on your own mic input.

Why It Sometimes Sounds Worse

If you set suppression to High and your voice starts to sound like a robot or you hear a “warbling” effect, that’s the algorithm working too hard. It’s trying to remove noise that overlaps with your voice frequencies, and it ends up removing some of your voice’s natural harmonics. This is more likely if you have a cheap microphone that picks up lots of room tone.

Another issue is that suppression can cause your audio to “duck” or fade out when you pause. If you stop talking for a second, the algorithm might think the silence is noise and cut it, making you sound like you’re dropping out. If that happens, lower the suppression level.

Also, if you’re using a headset with a built-in mic, the mic is often positioned far from your mouth, so it picks up more room noise. In that case, even High may not be enough. Consider a dedicated USB microphone or a headset with a boom arm that sits closer to your mouth.

Alternatives When Zoom’s Filter Isn’t Enough

If you’ve set it to High and still hear noise, you have several options:

• Use a physical noise gate or expander – Some USB microphones have built-in DSP (digital signal processing) that you can adjust with the manufacturer’s software.
• Use a third-party noise suppression app – Tools like Krisp, NVIDIA Broadcast (for RTX GPUs), or the built-in noise suppression in Windows (via the “Microphone array” settings) can be applied system-wide before Zoom sees the audio. These often use more advanced AI models and can be more effective.
• Improve your environment – Close windows, move away from fans, use a rug to reduce echo, or put a foam windscreen on your mic. This is the cheapest and most reliable fix.
• Use a headset – A simple wired headset with a mic close to your mouth will dramatically reduce background noise compared to a laptop’s built-in mic.

For the third-party tools, you’ll typically install them and then select them as your microphone in Zoom’s settings (instead of your physical mic). They process the audio and output a cleaned signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zoom’s noise suppression work on the free plan?

Yes. The noise suppression feature is available on all Zoom accounts, including the free tier. It’s a core part of the client, not a paid add-on.

Can I remove background noise from a recorded Zoom call?

No, the suppression only works in real time during the call. If you have a recording with noise, you’ll need to edit it with audio software that has noise reduction, like Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition, or use an online tool that processes uploaded audio files.

Why can’t I find the “Suppress Background Noise” setting?

Make sure you’re using the desktop app (Windows/macOS/Linux) or the web client. The setting is not available on the mobile app. Also, if you’re in a meeting, the setting is under the audio settings in the meeting toolbar, not in the main settings menu. If you still can’t see it, update Zoom to the latest version.

Does noise suppression affect my voice quality?

At Low and Medium, most people won’t notice any difference in their voice. At High, you might hear a slight “processed” quality, especially if your room has a lot of echo. If that bothers you, try lowering it or using a better mic.

Will noise suppression work if I use a Bluetooth headset?

Yes, but Bluetooth headsets often have their own noise cancellation that can conflict with Zoom’s. If you hear odd artifacts, try turning off the headset’s built-in noise reduction (if it has a switch) or use a wired headset.

Does Zoom suppress noise on the other participants’ audio?

No. Zoom’s noise suppression only applies to your own microphone input. It does not filter noise coming from other participants. If someone else has a noisy background, you can use the “Request to unmute” or simply ask them to mute when not speaking.

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