How to Fix Audio Delay in VoIP Calls?

Audio delay on VoIP calls is frustrating for most people. It occurs when your voice or the voice of another person arrives late, making it awkward and hard to understand. This delay can interfere with matters as small as a personal conversation to big business deals.

To resolve these issues, it is necessary to understand the causes of the delay and how VoIP works. Complications with external devices, weak connections, or incorrect sound settings may be the cause; minor adjustments can make a huge difference.

In this blog, we will explain the reasons behind audio delay and give you convenient, easy-to-follow tips on how to fix audio delay in calls, from restarting the device to advanced network adjustments.

Understanding Audio Delay

Audio delay is defined as the time difference between when a person speaks and when the listener hears that sound. Such an issue is usually caused by devices that handle digital audio in digital communication. It is especially noticeable when using apps that encode voice into data, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Picture this-you’re watching a movie, and the actor’s lips are moving before you hear the words. That is a clear audio and video sync issue. Now apply the same problem to a live call. You speak, and then you can hear your voice after some time, or the response of the other person comes late. This is commonly referred to as delayed audio or out-of-sync audio.

How VoIP Works in Simple Terms

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) converts your voice into digital data that travels over the Internet. When you speak, your voice is converted into small packets of digital audio. These packets are transmitted through various network paths to reach the other individual. As soon as they arrive, the packets are reassembled into sound so that the listener hears your voice.

VoIP also allows you to use features like a virtual phone number, which lets you make and receive calls from anywhere, even without a physical SIM card or landline. It’s especially useful for remote teams or anyone working across locations.

The process is fast enough, but it relies on a stable internet connection and quality network paths to avoid the possibility of any audio delay or syncing issues between the audio and video during calls.

Understanding Audio Delay in VoIP Calls

Since you understand how VoIP works, it is easier to understand where the audio delay comes from. The technical terms might be complicated, but we will elaborate on simple concepts. The three key factors causing audio delay problems are: VoIP latency, jitter, and packet loss.

1. Latency

VoIP latency refers to the duration it takes for the voice in your device to reach the other person via the speaker. It is a major cause of audio delay during calls.

Just consider it as sending a letter. When it arrives in two days, that is your latency. This is measured in milliseconds in VoIP. A response time of less than 150 ms is okay. However, any latency over 250 ms, you start hearing your voice too late.

Latency is usually caused by a slow internet connection, overloaded routers, or external devices that cannot maintain high-speed data. Some apps attempt to address this issue through compression, which can sometimes compromise sound quality and volume.

2. Jitter

Jitter occurs when the audio packets arrive at unequal speeds. They are in waves as opposed to a constant stream. This causes a distortion in the voice, an echo, or a robotic sound.

Think of a marching band. When every player walks in perfect rhythm, the music sounds great. But when they keep on staggering their steps, it breaks down the tune. That is what a jitter can do.

Jitter commonly occurs when your network is busy. It can happen due to multiple apps accessing data simultaneously or weak Wi-Fi signals. Syncing issues can be seen in the reconstruction of the audio on the other end.

3. Packet Loss

Packet loss is when some parts of your audio don’t arrive at all. Your voice is divided into small data chunks. When one is lost, the system is forced to make assumptions about what was said.

It is like watching a movie in which every fifth word is not audible. You get the idea, but it’s not clear. This causes people to sound as though they are cutting out or skipping words in VoIP.

Packet loss can occur because of a network issue, poor cabling, or a faulty HDMI or optical cable when routing the audio to other audio output devices. It also takes a turn for the worse when Wi-Fi is weak or the network is overloaded. The larger the packets you lose, the more difficult it is to sync the audio and video.

What Causes Audio Delay in VoIP Calls?

Understanding audio delay starts with knowing what happens behind the scenes during a VoIP call. A single source does not necessarily produce these delays. They tend to pile one on top of the other, found on your device, network, or even on your VoIP provider.

Let’s start by looking at the most common causes, beginning with the devices and apps you use daily.

1. Local Device and App Issues

The first instinct of most people is to blame the internet, although many issues begin on their devices. The most common and first culprits are poor sound settings, outdated hardware, and conflicting apps.

A. Outdated Devices

Older devices struggle to keep up with the modern VoIP apps. Audio processing is slowed by low-end CPUs or limited memory. This may result in high delays. Also, when a device has poor firmware, it may fail to sync with other devices, such as webcams or headsets, during construction.

B. Poor Headsets

Damaged or aging headsets are among the sources of the delayed audio. Devices that use Bluetooth are particularly weak. An unreliable USB connection or a faulty auxiliary port can make it worse. First, wireless audio needs to be converted, sent, and then decoded. In each step, there is more latency.

C. Software Clutter

Several background apps may use your bandwidth and CPU. This includes cloud backups, browser tabs, or even music players. Even the updates of antivirus software can cause a sudden spike.

2. Network Infrastructure Issues

With excellent equipment, a bad network can cause delays in your audio. The nature of your internet setup contributes to the quality of the calls.

A. Low Bandwidth

VoIP requires an internet connection with fast upload capacity. The majority of users pay attention only to the download speed, which is a mistake. Each VoIP call requires a minimum of 100 Kbps of both upload and download speed for clear, uninterrupted audio. If multiple people are on their calls or someone is uploading files, your bandwidth turns into a bottleneck.

B. Wi-Fi Instability

Wi-Fi can be convenient, yet it is easily interfered with. The performance can be affected by other wireless devices, thick walls, or even your neighbor’s network. Packet loss gets worse when signals experience weakness. This makes audio sync much more difficult. There can be dropped or robotic calls.

C. Network Congestion

When multiple users are online, especially during peak hours, your router is forced to process more requests. This results in congestion. Also, your voice data competes with all other content. This is more frequently linked to ping-pong delay, where music is transmitted, stops, and then resumes.

3. Uncontrollable External Factors

Some issues may be beyond your control, but you can still work on addressing them.

A. No Quality of Service (QoS)

When Quality of Service (QoS) is disabled, your network sends all your data without distinguishing it in any way. In other words, the video games or downloads may get priority over your voice. VoIP traffic can be given priority based on QoS, using the audio source, port number, or MAC address.

B. Geographic Distance

The longer the distance your data is carried, the higher the probability it gets delayed. When the servers of your chosen VoIP provider are very distant from your area, it introduces latency.

C. VoIP Provider’s Network

The quality of VoIP providers varies, and this directly affects your call performance and overall audio experience. Some lack up-to-date infrastructure, poor routing networks, or limited audio formats. Services that support new codecs and provide proper uptime guarantees could be a significant help.

D. Codec Mismatch

Codecs determine your voice compression. High-compression codecs such as G.279 consume less data, but lower the quality. The low-compression ones, such as G.711, are clearer; however, they require more bandwidth. Delays may occur if the codecs used by your system and your provider differ.

How to Test VoIP Call Quality and Delay?

It is important to identify the source of the problem before attempting to fix any audio delay. Testing will help you confirm whether the issue is with your device, network, or the VoIP service itself.

Here are some practical methods for testing the delay audio.

I. Perform a VoIP Speed Test

Begin with a VoIP speed test. The regular internet tests only display the download and upload speeds. VoIP tests are deeper, measuring delay times, packet loss, and jitter. Visit some websites such as VoIP Test or PingPlotter. Run the test when you’re making a call or playing a video.

Expect the following results:

• Low latency (less than 150 ms)
• Less than 30ms jitter
• Less than 1% packet loss

In case of increased values, expect your syncing issues during the calls. You may also encounter issues such as low sound quality or poor audio output.

II. Record and Compare Audio on Multiple Devices

Make the test calls on two different devices. Connect with the same person or voicemail system, then record the call. If one speaker is audible while another is not, then it is probably due to one of the delay devices.

You can attempt to change external devices such as headsets or microphones. Small lags usually happen due to poor cables, faulty USB ports, or bad sound volumes.

III. Use Call Quality Metrics from the VoIP App

Most modern VoIP Apps track their statistics. Zoom and Microsoft Teams are among the most quality reports available. These display data like audio sync, dropped packets, and jitter.

In Zoom, go to settings and visit “Statistics”. On Teams, use the Call Health Dashboard. These tools help identify common patterns. These tools are especially useful when managing features like call routing or call queues, where multiple users are involved.

IV. Monitor HDMI or Optical Cable Connections

When you pass your VoIP audio through a television or soundbar, ensure that the cables are in good condition. Digital audio sound is distorted due to loose HDMI or optical cables. Try using new wires and cleaning the ports.

Conduct test calls using an HDMI or optical cable and headset. Your TV setup may be lagging behind the signal since the headset performs better. Verify the audio format of the TV and sound system. Some models have an “Auto” option, which may take longer during the decoding process. For fast processing, set it to “PCM” or “Direct”.

How to Fix Audio Delay in VoIP Calls?

When you have tested your VoIP setup, you’re ready to take action. Fixing audio delay rarely needs major upgrades. In most cases, a minor adjustment to your system settings, sound settings, or hardware can make a significant difference.

Let’s begin by taking simple steps, then we will cover the more technical solutions that IT users or advanced setups might make.

1. Quick Wins

These are quick and simple things you can use immediately.

A. Use Wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is convenient; however, it is not reliable for syncing video and voice. Signals drop, interference occurs, and the delay time increases.

Instead, use a hard-wired Ethernet cable. This allows for a constant speed and minimizes jitter and multi-tap delay. If you’re using Google TV or smart devices, consider using a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.

This fixes the issues where audio and video are out of sync, particularly when streaming or during video meetings.

B. Restart Devices and Network Equipment

A quick restart clears session bugs, resets audio source paths, and releases memory. Reboot your modem, router, computer, and phone. This can prevent stuttering, fix sound levels, and clear the blocked ports, which can cause audio delays.

Ensure that you disconnect and reconnect external devices such as headsets and speakers.

C. Shut Down Unnecessary Apps

Extra tools use bandwidth and CPU. Ensure you close cloud backups, browsers, music players, and any other non-essential applications before making a call.

Stop downloading files or videos that you are not playing. This places your VoIP app in full control of system resources, minimizing ping-pong delay and digital audio skips.

D. Test or Replace Headset

Switch to a wired headset. Having lag responses to sound effects or uneven sound levels might be a problem with your headset.

Use a different headset or play back the audio using your phone or tablet speaker. Update instructions or headset firmware by following the product manual.

2. Intermediate Fixes (For Tech-Savvy Users & IT Staff)

Here are some technical approaches to address the situation in case the quick wins fail.

A. Set Up QoS

Without QoS, all network traffic is treated equally, including gaming, downloads, and VoIP. It increases the possibility of audio lag.

Sign in to your router. Find the QoS settings. Enable it for your VoIP app, phone, or computer by MAC address or specific port.

This setting can reduce delay times when the internet is heavily used.

B. Run VoIP-Specific Speed Tests

Use online VoIP testing tools to test jitter, delay time, and packet loss. Tools like PingPlotter, 8×8 VoIP Test, or VoIP Spear present visual reports.

When you notice high delays or packets missing, you may need to reset the setup. Make manual adjustments or network usage based on test results.

 C. Optimize Wi-Fi Channels

Be smart enough with Wi-Fi, at least when you have to use it. Install a Wi-Fi analyzer app. Use a channel with minimum traffic, switch your router to that channel, and set it to 5 GHz.

You should relocate your router close to the device or away from the walls. This prevents delays in watching videos or voice calls.

3. Advanced Solutions (For IT Admins & Business Owners)

These are best suited for office power users with multiple VoIP lines.

A. Choose the Right VoIP Provider

Not every provider provides stable service. Some lack good data centers or use outdated routing. Choose a provider that has its servers located near your area, offers excellent audio format support, and provides performance SLAs.

Check whether they support G.711 or Opus codecs, which helps lower syncing problems. Look for real-time monitoring, good uptime, and minimal packet loss history.

B. Upgrade Internet Connection

The internet at home is not always capable of conducting video conferences and telephone calls. If, during busy times, there is latency in both audio and video flows, then you should improve your bandwidth.

Consider switching to a business fiber plan. The business fiber plan has symmetrical upload/download speeds, lower jitter, and improved latency.

C. Configure Audio Codecs

Some VoIP platforms allow you to select or prioritize codecs. Codecs that use lower compression, such as the G.711, have better quality and shorter delay times.

You need to go to the settings in your VoIP app. Look for codec preferences. Make sure you don’t use codecs such as G.279 unless you have bandwidth limitations.

D. Use a Separate Voice VLAN

A separate voice VLAN establishes a dedicated line just for VoIP traffic. This leaves your call traffic separate from internet use. Set this up in your router or network switch. Tag all VoIP devices to use a VLAN. It reduces multitap delay and enhances clarity.

This setup is ideal for those who rely heavily on VoIP and are in the business sector.

Best Practices to Avoid Audio Delay in Future Calls

It is not a problem to fix the audio delay once. But long-term prevention is even better. Whether you’re a daily user or a businessperson, it is always better to be ahead of problems, resulting in fewer dropped calls or even better communication.

Here are the best practices that make your audio stay sharp, stable, and in sync over time.

1. Install a Regular Maintenance of Devices

Devices become slow with time. Restart your computer and your phone once every week. This clears memory, resets the sound options, and enhances audio output performance. Update apps and the operating system monthly. This will avoid synchronization audio difficulties caused by outdated parts or unavailable patches.

Ports and HDMI or optical cords should also be cleaned up periodically to maintain the sharpness of audio and video.

2. Use Quality Cables and External Devices

A poor-quality optical cable can create audio lag, audio drops, or echo. Purchase high-quality HDMI or optical cables that are well-shielded. Change them once every year or when they become loose. Select microphones and headsets of reliable brands. Ensure it is compatible with your system. If you’re using Google TV, make sure that you have a supported audio format.

When external devices are well-matched, performance will be smoother and avoid manual adjustments in the future.

3. Monitor Your Network Health Monthly

Use VoIP testing tools like VoIP Spear or 8×8 Diagnostics to monitor the jitter and delay times. Set reminders to test call quality every month. Watch for sudden fluctuations in audio delay, jitter, or packet loss.

The system health check helps you identify problems in time, before they interrupt important calls or video meetings. If results decline, you can take effective measures by adjusting sound volume, minimizing background traffic, or restarting your modem.

4. Isolate VoIP Traffic When Possible

Your VoIP traffic may struggle when multiple people stream or upload files. Consider setting up a QoS rule or a dedicated VLAN to prioritize the original audio.

Even in a home setup, it can enhance stability. It helps keep the audio in sync even when playing a video or downloading large files. You can find the setup using your router manual or online guides.

Conclusion

Audio delay during VoIP calls is not only annoying. It can ruin communication, customer relations, and team performance. Fortunately, the syncing problems are usually easy to fix. Whether it is the need to update apps, adjust sound settings, or upgrade your network, there are many ways to solve it.

Start with the simple, restart devices, use Ethernet, and test your headset. Then, move on to more complex fixes, such as QoS, codec adjustments, or isolating VoIP traffic using VLANs. It is not necessary whether you use Google TV, smart devices, or a desktop setup; the key is to keep your system updated and focused.

With these tips and the development of intelligent habits, your VoIP calls will remain clear with synced audio becoming the norm and not the exception.

FAQs

How much audio delay is noticeable?

Anything over 150 milliseconds can feel off. Once it hits 250 milliseconds or more, it starts to disrupt the flow of conversation. When audio and video are synced well, it’s much easier to respond naturally.

Why is there an audio delay on only some VoIP calls?

Not all calls take the same path. If you’re talking to someone farther away, using different apps or servers, or switching between audio formats, the delay can vary.

Why is there a delay only on some calls?

Network traffic can spike during periods of high activity. Factors such as your device’s volume, bandwidth, or outdated hardware can cause random audio lag.

Can using a mobile hotspot fix or worsen the delay?

It depends. Hotspots can help if your Wi-Fi is unstable, but they usually have more jitter and packet loss. If possible, plug in with an Ethernet cable for the most stable connection.

What’s the best VoIP app with low latency?

Apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams do a good job of optimizing audio. Look for ones that support high-quality audio codecs such as G.711 or Opus.

Do wired headsets really help with delay?

Yes, they do. Bluetooth naturally adds some delay. A wired headset provides a more direct signal, eliminating interference and keeping audio in sync.

Can my router affect VoIP call quality?

Definitely, if your router doesn’t have Quality of Service (QoS) features or its firmware is outdated, it might struggle with real-time audio. Updating it or tweaking the settings can really help.