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Audio drops when on Teams call

KGR 20 Reputation points
2026-03-11T15:53:42.84+00:00

Hi All,

Starting late last week, I was told that my audio drops for around 15-20 seconds when I am on Teams calls. I do a speed test, and my internet shows a stable connection (100 Mbps and up for both download and upload - considered good where I am from).

We do not have an on-site IT, so any advice will be much appreciated. My internet provider says there are no issues, and I just want this problem to go away. Thank you!

Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams for business | Meetings and calls | Audio and video
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Kristen-L 10,815 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-03-11T17:12:44.8866667+00:00

    Hi @KGR,

    Thank you for reaching out about the audio dropouts you’ve been experiencing during your Teams calls. I understand how disruptive it can be when your audio unexpectedly cuts out for several seconds, especially when your network appears stable on speed tests.

    Here are a few things you can try:

    1. Test Teams on the web vs. the desktop app

    Try joining a call using Edge or Chrome via the web version of Teams: https://teams.cloud.microsoft/

    If audio works normally in the browser but continues to drop in the desktop app, this points to an issue with the app itself or its cached data.

    2. Try a wired connection for one call

    If you're currently on Wi‑Fi, plug in an Ethernet cable or move very close to your router (preferably on 5 GHz/6 GHz). If the audio dropouts disappear, the root cause is likely Wi‑Fi stability, interference, or roaming - not overall bandwidth.

    3. Clear the Teams cache or repair the app

    Completely quit Teams (right‑click the taskbar icon > Quit).

    For the new Teams client, you can clear the cache here: %LocalAppData%\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams

    You can safely delete the contents inside LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams (do not delete your profile folders).

    Then go to: Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Teams > Advanced options > Repair (Use Reset only if Repair doesn’t help.)

    4. Update Teams

    Make sure the app is up to date by checking for updates from the profile menu.

    5. Reinstall Microsoft Teams

    If the problem persists, completely uninstall Teams, restart your device, and then reinstall the latest version. A fresh installation can resolve deeper app or configuration issues that cache clearing alone won’t fix.

    6. Test with a different microphone or headset

    If available, try using another headset or microphone. This helps confirm whether the issue is related to the audio device itself. Hardware‑level mic interruptions can cause short audio dropouts even when the network and app are functioning normally.

     

    I hope this information helps. Please try the steps and let me know whether they resolve the issue. If the problem persists, we can work together to find a solution.  

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-03-11T15:53:57.3666667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    Audio drops of 15–20 seconds on Microsoft Teams are typically caused by network quality issues rather than raw bandwidth.

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Check call health inside Teams
      • During a call, select More actions (…) → Settings → Call health.
      • Look at:
        • Roundtrip time (aim for < 200 ms)
        • Received packet loss (aim for < 2%)
        • Teams send/receive limits (audio needs ~70 kbps)
      • If packet loss or high roundtrip time spikes when audio drops, the issue is the network path, even if speed tests look good.
    2. Improve the network connection
      • Prefer a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi‑Fi if possible.
      • If using Wi‑Fi:
        • Move closer to the router and reduce walls/obstacles between the device and router.
        • Keep the router away from microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and other electronics.
        • Use the best band for the environment:
          • 2.4 GHz: better range and wall penetration, but slower and more congested.
          • 5 GHz: faster and less congested, but shorter range and weaker through walls.
      • Limit other heavy internet use on the network during calls (large downloads, streaming, cloud backups, gaming, etc.).
    3. Avoid problematic connection types
      • Avoid making calls over VPN or remote access connections if possible.
      • If VPN is required for work, test a call with VPN temporarily disconnected (if allowed) to see if stability improves.
    4. Reduce load during calls
      • Turn off incoming video or screen sharing temporarily if audio is unstable.
      • Close other apps or browser tabs that may be using the network heavily.
    5. Check devices and Teams client
      • Ensure the microphone/headset is stable and, if external, firmly connected.
      • Avoid non‑certified audio devices if possible; use Teams Certified Devices for best reliability.
      • Restart the Teams app and ensure the latest version is installed.
    6. Check for service issues
      • If multiple colleagues see similar behavior at the same time, check Microsoft 365 Service Status for any ongoing incidents.

    If call health shows good metrics during the entire call (low packet loss and latency) while audio still drops, test with a different audio device (another headset or microphone) and on another machine or network to isolate whether the issue is local to the device or the network.

    References:

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