Microsoft Teams crackling with AirPods

Question

Microsoft Teams crackling with AirPods

JKL 0

Hello! I have an issue where I hear a crackling with my AirPods only with Microsoft Teams (both browser version and app) but with no other websites or apps. I have uninstalled and redownloaded drivers, turned off noise suppression, turned off audio enhancements, uninstalled and reinstalled teams and nothing works. I tried all the steps here (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5818998/microsoft-teams-not-connecting-to-airpods), and the crackling remains.

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Answer 1

Hendrix 970 Independent Advisor

Hi JKL,

Based on your sharing, since the AirPods work normally everywhere else and the crackling occurs in both Teams desktop and Teams web, this likely relates to the Bluetooth call profile that Windows activates when Teams accesses the AirPods microphone.

If you have tried all the steps in that article but the issue still persists, please try these workarounds to see if it works:

1/ Double check Teams settings

In Teams > Settings > Devices, configure:

Speaker: AirPods
Microphone: Your laptop’s built-in microphone
Turn Spatial audio off
Turn High fidelity music mode off

2/ Set the Windows Bluetooth format

With the AirPods connected:

Open Settings > System > Sound > select the AirPods under Output > expand Output settings.
Under Format when microphone is active, test with Mono (1 channel). The default option is normally Stereo.

Please give it a try and let me know the outcome. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to share them in the comment below. I'm very happy to help.

Note: Please follow the steps in the forum documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

JKL 0 Reputation points

2026-09-01T15:41:23.01+00:00

I has already turned off Spatial audio, and I don't see high fidelity music mode. I get a notice that "we were not able to set that format" when I try 1 channel (I don't see Stereo listed, just 1 channel or 2 channel as options) :(
Hendrix 970 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-01T23:00:53.8666667+00:00
Hi JKL,

If it doesn't work, can you try running a test call to see if you still hear the crackling

In Teams, go to Settings > Devices > Audio settings > Select

Speaker: AirPods

Microphone: Microphone Array, Internal Microphone, Realtek Microphone, or your laptop microphone

Then select Make a test call.

Make sure the microphone is not any option named: AirPods, Headset, Hands-Free or AG Audio
JKL 0 Reputation points

2026-09-02T02:20:18.8266667+00:00

Yes, I tried that and it is still crackling!
Hendrix 970 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-02T15:41:34.97+00:00
Hi JKL,

Since the crackling continues in a test call when Teams uses the laptop microphone, I think we need to investigate deeper to determine whether Teams is triggering a Bluetooth mode change or not

Close Teams completely.

Press Windows + R to open Run dialog and type control printers

Find your AirPods, right-click and select Properties > Services tab > clear Handsfree Telephony > Apply > OK

Disconnect and reconnect the AirPods.

Open Teams and make another test call using:

Speaker: AirPods

Microphone: Laptop microphone

If there is no Services tab, use this instead:

Press Windows + R and enter mmsys.cpl

Under Recording, disable every AirPods entry labeled Headset, Hands-Free, or AG Audio.

Under Playback, disable only the AirPods Hands-Free/AG Audio entry.

Keep the normal Headphones/AirPods Stereo playback entry enabled.

In the meantime, this is a recommended workaround for crackling audio in Windows but you can give it a try to see if it helps resolve the issue:

Close Teams completely

Press Windows + R and time services.msc

Restart these services in this order:

Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

Windows Audio

Reconnect the AirPods and test Teams again.

For reference: Fix distorted or crackling audio in Windows | Microsoft Support
Hendrix 970 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-03T22:45:40.7433333+00:00

Hi JKL,

Is there any update about the problem? Does it still persist or the workarounds help resolve it?

Please let me know if there are any updates.