Speaker is making a strange noise

Dear @Siphokuhle Duma,

I hope you’re having a good day.

Thank you for raising this question. I understand how distracting it can be when you hear unusual or distorted sounds during a Microsoft Teams call, especially when you are not sure whether the issue is related to the speaker itself or the app.

The most reliable way to check whether your speaker is functioning correctly is to test it directly within Microsoft Teams. Teams includes a built‑in Test Call feature that allows you to play audio back through your selected speaker. If the playback during the test call is clear, this usually indicates that the speaker hardware is working as expected and that the issue may be related to settings, drivers, or the audio environment rather than a faulty speaker. If the strange noise is still present during the test call, the problem is more likely related to the speaker, its connection, or the audio device being used.

To do this, open Microsoft Teams, select More (⋯) > Settings > Devices, and make sure the correct speaker is selected under Audio settings.

Then choose Make a test call and listen carefully to the playback. This test helps confirm whether Teams is sending audio correctly to your speaker. Follow the instructions from Test Call Bot and record a short message. The message will play back for you. After that, you'll get a summary of the test call.

If the speaker sounds normal during the test call, it is a good idea to check your system sound settings as well. Ensure that the same speaker is selected as the default output device in your operating system and that the volume is not distorted or affected by enhancements. In many cases, unusual noises can be caused by outdated audio drivers, Bluetooth instability, docking stations, or audio enhancements rather than by Teams itself.

However, if the strange noise also occurs outside of Teams, such as when playing system sounds or videos, this strongly suggests a hardware or connection issue with the speaker. In that situation, testing with a different speaker or headset can help confirm whether the original device may be faulty.

I hope this explanation helps you determine whether the speaker is functioning correctly and where the issue may be coming from. Please feel free to share what you observe during the test call or whether the noise also appears in other applications, and I’ll be happy to help further.

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.  

Looking forward to hearing back from you with any updates or additional details. 

Warm regards, 

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To check whether the speaker is functioning correctly when Microsoft Teams makes strange noises, verify both Teams and Windows sound settings, then test the device.

1. In Teams, confirm the correct speaker is selected and working:
   1. Select Settings and more (⋯) > Settings.
   2. Select Devices.
   3. Under Audio > Audio settings, make sure the intended Speaker is selected from the dropdown.
   4. Select Make a test call. Follow the Test Call Bot instructions and listen to the playback:
      • If the playback is clear, the speaker and Teams audio path are likely fine.
      • If the noise occurs during the test call, the issue is likely with the speaker or its connection.
2. During a meeting, re‑check the in‑meeting audio device:
   1. In the meeting window, select the dropdown arrow next to Mic.
   2. Select More actions > Audio settings.
   3. Under Speaker, ensure the correct device is selected and not muted.
3. Check Windows sound output and hardware:
   1. From Start, search and select Sound settings.
   2. Go to System > Sound.
   3. Under Choose where to play sound, select the same speaker used in Teams.
   4. Make sure the Volume is turned up and not muted.
   5. If using a wired speaker/headset, unplug and plug it back in or try a different USB/3.5mm port.
   6. If using Bluetooth, ensure it is charged and not connected to another device, then reconnect.
4. If using Remote Desktop, confirm audio is playing locally:
   1. Open Remote Desktop Connection.
   2. Go to Local Resources > Settings… under Remote audio.
   3. Under Remote audio playback, select Play on this computer.

If strange noises persist across Teams test calls and Windows audio tests (and on different ports or devices), the speaker hardware itself may be faulty.

References:

• My speaker isn't working in Microsoft Teams
• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows