Managing advanced audio settings

The Zoom desktop app includes advanced audio options that provide more control of the audio feed and troubleshooting support.

Note: These features are intended for advanced technical users. Toggling these options without knowledge of a device's hardware and software configuration can result in a sub-standard user experience.

Requirements for advanced audio settings

• Zoom desktop app for Windows, macOS, or Linux: Global minimum version or higher

How to access advanced audio options

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
3. Click the Audio tab.
4. Click Advanced.
5. The following options are available (depending on your operating system):
   • Signal processing by Windows audio device drivers (Windows only): Controls the audio signal processing performed by Window's audio drivers. Can be disabled, which will provide Zoom with the raw audio from the audio device. This may help with microphone issues on some devices.
     Auto: Allows Zoom Workplace to set the Windows signal processing mode for your device.
     On: Enables the drivers to provide a level of audio processing.
     Off: Puts the drivers into "Raw" mode so that the ZoomWorkplave app can receive an unprocessed signal.
   • Windows system audio enhancements (Windows only): A set of built-in features in the Windows operating system designed to improve sound quality and audio playback.
     Auto: Uses the audio system settings.
     On: Turns on system audio enhancements for the speakers and microphone in use.
     Off: Turns off system audio enhancements and can reduce audio issues.
     Note: Changing this setting will modify the system settings and may affect other software that uses the corresponding microphone and speakers.
   • Echo cancellation (Windows, macOS, Linux): Software-based echo cancellation technology that removes audio echoes created by the microphone or room acoustics.
     Auto: Automatically adjust echo cancellation, balancing CPU and performance.
     Low: Better echo limitation, taking into account multiple people talking at the same time, low CPU utilization.
     High: Best experience when multiple people are talking at the same time. Enabling this option may increase CPU utilization.
   • Audio capture and playback API (Windows only): Controls what API is utilized for audio capture and playback for audio quality. 
     Auto: Allows Zoom to select the API utilized automatically. 
     Windows Audio Session API: Utilizes the Windows Audio Session API (WASAPI) for audio capture and playback.
     Windows Runtime API: Utilizes the Windows Runtime API (WinRT) for audio capture and playback.

Learn more about troubleshooting issues related to audio when joining a meeting or webinar.