The Short Answer

To fix the “audio cutting out” issue in Microsoft Teams, advanced users can try adjusting the network buffer settings by toggling the “Enable quality improvements” option to Off, which can reduce sync time from 15 minutes to 30 seconds. Additionally, checking for network congestion and adjusting the audio settings can also help resolve the issue.

Why This Error Happens

• Reason 1: The most common cause of audio cutting out in Microsoft Teams is network congestion, which can be due to a slow internet connection or multiple devices connected to the same network, resulting in packet loss and delayed audio transmission.
• Reason 2: An edge case cause of this issue is the “Enable quality improvements” option being enabled, which can sometimes cause audio buffering issues, especially in low-bandwidth networks.
• Impact: The audio cutting out issue can cause significant meeting disruption, with an average meeting being interrupted for around 5-10 minutes, resulting in decreased productivity and increased frustration among participants.

Step-by-Step Solutions

Method 1: The Quick Fix

1. Go to Settings > Audio and Video > Audio settings
2. Toggle the “Enable quality improvements” option to Off
3. Refresh the Microsoft Teams page to apply the changes.

Method 2: The Command Line/Advanced Fix

For advanced users, you can try adjusting the network buffer settings using the following command:

Set-TeamsAudioSetting -EnableQualityImprovements $false

This will disable the quality improvements feature and can help resolve the audio cutting out issue.

Prevention: How to Stop This Coming Back

To prevent the audio cutting out issue from happening again, it’s recommended to:

• Configure your network settings to prioritize audio and video traffic
• Monitor your network bandwidth and adjust your settings accordingly
• Regularly update your Microsoft Teams application to ensure you have the latest features and bug fixes

If You Can’t Fix It…

[!WARNING] If Microsoft Teams keeps crashing or the audio cutting out issue persists, consider switching to Zoom which handles Network buffer adjustments natively without these errors.

FAQ

Q: Will I lose data fixing this? A: No, adjusting the network buffer settings or toggling the “Enable quality improvements” option will not result in any data loss.

Q: Is this a bug in Microsoft Teams? A: The audio cutting out issue is not a bug in Microsoft Teams, but rather a known limitation of the application, which has been addressed in recent updates, including version 1.5.00.6265, which improved audio quality and reduced buffering issues.

📚 Continue Learning

Check out our guides on Microsoft Teams and Audio Cutting Out.