Discord echo cancellation removes sound that comes out of your speakers and gets picked up again by your microphone. Without it, friends can hear their own voices bounce back, or hear your game, music or video through your mic.
In September 2026, Discord made echo cancellation on Windows system-wide. Before, it focused only on audio from Discord calls. Now it tries to remove a much broader range of sounds playing on your PC. This page covers why echo happens, what the change means, and the settings that fix the most common problems.
Key Information
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What echo cancellation does | Removes speaker sound that your mic picks up again |
| September 2026 change | System-wide on Windows, not just Discord call audio |
| Where to find it | User Settings > Voice & Video > Voice Processing |
| Related settings | Noise Suppression (Krisp), Automatic Gain Control, Input Mode |
| Quickest fix | Wear headphones |
| Last resort | Reset Voice and Video Settings in the Debugging tab |
Why Echo Happens on Discord
Most echo has one of these causes:
- Speakers instead of headphones. Your mic hears other people's voices from your speakers and sends them back.
- Game or music audio leaking into the mic. Loud speakers or an open-back headset let sound reach the mic.
- The wrong input device. An input like "Stereo Mix" sends everything your PC plays into Discord.
- Windows mic enhancements or "Listen to this device." These can loop audio back.
- Two devices in the same call. A phone and a PC logged in to the same call will echo each other.
How Discord Echo Cancellation Changed in September 2026
Discord's 25 September 2026 update brought system-wide echo cancellation to Windows. Discord said the old version "was focused on just audio from Discord calls," while the new one will "attempt to remove a much broader set of things."
Discord's September 2026 update added system-wide echo cancellation on Windows. Image: Discord.
In practice, this should help if friends could hear your game, music or YouTube through your mic on Windows. It doesn't replace headphones, which are still the most reliable fix.
How to Fix Echo on Desktop
1. Check your voice settings
- Open User Settings (the cogwheel next to your name).
- Select Voice & Video.
- Under Voice Processing, make sure Echo Cancellation is turned on.
- Check that Input Device is your actual microphone, not Stereo Mix or "Default" if you have several mics.
Pick your real microphone under Input Device. Image: Discord.
2. Turn on Noise Suppression
Discord's Krisp noise suppression uses machine learning to remove non-voice sounds. Discord's Krisp FAQ says it runs on your device and doesn't send voice data to Krisp.
- In Voice & Video, scroll to Noise Suppression.
- Choose Krisp. Discord also offers Standard and None.
You can also toggle it during a call with the Noise Suppression icon.
Echo Cancellation and Noise Suppression sit together under Voice Processing. Image: Discord.
3. Use Push to Talk or lower sensitivity
Switching Input Mode to Push to Talk means your mic only sends sound while you hold a key. That stops game audio leaking through between sentences.
Input Mode lets you switch to Push to Talk. Image: Discord.
4. Check Windows sound settings
Discord's Voice & Video Troubleshooting Guide suggests checking microphone enhancements in the Windows Sound Control Panel. Also turn off Listen to this device for your mic if it's on.
5. Try the other Audio Subsystem
On Windows, Discord lets you switch the Audio Subsystem between Standard and Legacy in Voice & Video. If echo started after an update, switching can help.
6. Reset voice settings
As a last resort, open the Debugging tab and select Reset Voice and Video Settings. Discord says this should "restore everything."
How to Fix Echo on Mobile
Discord's troubleshooting guide suggests testing these voice settings on mobile:
- Echo Cancellation
- Noise Suppression and Noise Reduction
- Automatic Gain Control
- Auto Sensitivity
To find them, tap your avatar, open Settings, then Voice. Toggle one at a time and test with a friend.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Friends hear themselves | You're using speakers | Wear headphones and check Echo Cancellation is on |
| Friends hear your game | Game audio reaches your mic | Use headphones, Push to Talk or Krisp |
| Friends hear everything on your PC | Stereo Mix selected as input | Pick your real mic under Input Device |
| Echo only in one call | Two of your devices are in the call | Leave the call on one device |
| Echo started after an update | Audio subsystem issue | Switch between Standard and Legacy |
| Nothing works | Settings conflict | Reset Voice and Video Settings |
For other recent voice and app changes, see our roundup of new Discord features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Discord echo cancellation do?
It removes sound from your speakers that your microphone picks up again, so friends don't hear themselves or your other audio.
Why can people hear my game on Discord?
Your mic is picking up game sound from your speakers or headset, or your input device is set to something like Stereo Mix.
Did Discord change echo cancellation in 2026?
Yes. In September 2026, Discord made echo cancellation system-wide on Windows, so it tries to remove more than just call audio.
Should I use Krisp or echo cancellation?
Use both. Echo cancellation handles sound coming back from your speakers, and Krisp removes background noise.
How do I reset Discord voice settings?
Open User Settings, go to the Debugging tab and select Reset Voice and Video Settings.
Summary
Discord echo cancellation stops your speakers' sound from looping back through your mic, and on Windows it's now system-wide. For the cleanest audio, wear headphones, keep Echo Cancellation and Krisp on, choose your real mic as the input and use Push to Talk in noisy games. If all else fails, reset your voice settings.
For more on running voice events, see our guide to Stage channels vs voice channels.
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