How to Troubleshoot Audio in Microsoft Skype for Business Basic

There are 3 methods to access Audio Device Settings on Microsoft Skype for Business Basic:

  1. Click on Show Menu (1) > Tools > Audio Device Settings;
  2. Click on Options (2) > Audio Device;
  1. Click on Select Primary Device (3) > Audio Device Settings;
  1. Audio Device (4) > Select the device you want to use for audio calls: PC Mic and Speakers (5);
    • Customize your device (changes will apply to your next call);
    • Speaker: select (if available) Speaker/Headphones (Realtek® Audio) (6);
    • Microphone: select (if available) Microphone Array (Realtek® Audio) (7);
    • Check Call Quality (8) to make a test call.
  1. If the microphone is not working then check the following:
    • Go to the search bar (Windows key + S)  and type “Microphone privacy settings“;
    • Select from Privacy > Microphone (9);
    • The „Allow apps to access your microphone” must be On;
    • „Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone” for Skype click to be On (10);
    • „Allow desktop apps to access your microphone” > On (Skype for Business, see „Last accessed”).
  1. Check if your Digital-array microphones for your device is set up as Default Device:
    • Go to the search bar (Windows key + S)  and type „control panel” and click on it;
    • Go to Sound > Recording tab. If your Digital-array microphone (11) is not selected, then right-click on it and select „Set as Default Device”;
  • Double-click on the Microphone (in our case Microphone Array (Realtek® Audio)) option to reveal a popup;
  • Select the Advanced tab here and make sure that both the options under the Exclusive Mode are unselected (Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device; Give exclusive mode applications priority).
  1. If the microphone was selected but you can’t still hear your voice then check:
    • Go to the search bar (Windows key + S)  and type „control panel” and click on it;
    • Go to Sound > Playback tab. If your Speaker/Headphones (Realtek® Audio) is not selected then, right-click on it and select „Set as Default Device” or „Set as Default Communication Device”.
  1. If your „microphone does not detect of single jack headset/earphones” then it doesn’t work. However, on many PCs, the smartphone headset/mic
    combo does not work without an adapter for the plug. The smartphone plug is a “TRRS” (Tip, Ring1, Ring2, Sleeve), and PC’s use a “TRS” (Tip,
    Ring, Sleeve). There are adapters available to convert and split the mic and headset into separate plugs.
  2. If your audio device may cause an echo then check your AUDIO Boost from the Control Panel > Sound:
    • Go to the search bar (Windows key + S)  and type „control panel” and click on it;
    • Control Panel > Sound > Recording and select your active microphone, in our case Microphone Array (Realtek® Audio) > then Properties;
    • At Levels select +10.0 dB for Boost. If you still have issues with echo, then select 0% but you must talk closer to the microphone.
  1. NO AUDIO from Remote Desktop Connection?
    • Open Remote Desktop Connection > Local Resources > Remote audio > Configure remote audio settings > Settings…;
  • Remote audio playback > Play on this computer;
  • Remote audio recording > Record from this computer.
  1. NO AUDIO from remote connection?
    • Click on Show Details when the Remote Desktop Connection > “Do you trust the publisher of this remote connection?” shows;
  • Allow the remote computer to access the following resources on my computer: Audio recording to be checked.

Other Reference: Troubleshoot audio and video in Skype for Business.

Linux » How to Troubleshoot Audio in Microsoft Skype for Business Basic