Audio Latency: What is It and How Can You Reduce It?

Audio latency’s meaning is simple: it’s the tiny delay between when a sound is created and when you hear it. If you’ve ever clapped and heard the clap a split second late, you already get what audio latency is.

As general guidance, below about 10 to 20 ms can feel like low audio latency. Once you get above about 40 to 60 ms, it often becomes noticeable audio latency, especially in calls, live mics, or instruments.

For a baseline definition of “latency” as a time delay.

Why audio latency happens: The 6 most common causes

High audio latency usually comes from one or more “delay builders” stacking up across devices, software, and networks. Here are the most common culprits, in plain language.

1. Audio buffer size too high
   Bigger buffers are more stable, but they add delay. This is a classic cause of high audio latency in music apps and some drivers.
2. Bluetooth and wireless processing
   Wireless codecs and interference can add delay. Bluetooth is convenient, but it’s a common source of noticeable audio latency.
3. USB and driver issues
   Outdated drivers, generic drivers, or mismatched sample rates can increase delay and create drift that feels like an audio latency fix is impossible.
4. DSP and AV processing chains
   Echo cancellation, noise suppression, EQ, routing, and mixing all add time. In conference rooms, too many stages are a big reason you cannot reduce audio latency.
5. Network latency and jitter
   For calls and streaming, Wi-Fi congestion, VPN overhead, and jitter buffers can push you into high audio latency.
6. Video sync pipeline
   Some systems delay audio to match video. If the video is slow, the audio gets held back, too.
   

You may also hear “universal audio latency.” Think of it as the end-to-end delay across the whole chain: mic to processing to network to speakers.

How to diagnose where the delay is coming from

When audio latency is driving everyone nuts, the fastest path is isolation. Start broad, then narrow down one piece at a time. This takes minutes, not hours.

• Step 1: Is it only on wireless or Bluetooth? If yes, switch to wired once and retest.
• Step 2: Does it happen in all apps or one app? That tells you if it’s system-level.
• Step 3: Test local playback vs live monitoring vs a video call. Note where noticeable audio latency shows up.
• Step 4: Swap one component at a time: headset, USB interface, cable, Wi-Fi, or room input.
• Step 5: Do a clap test or metronome test. If it feels “slapback,” you likely need to reduce audio latency in the chain.

10 practical ways to reduce audio latency by situation

If your goal is to reduce audio latency, treat it like weight loss. You get the best results by removing the biggest sources of delay first, then trimming the smaller ones. These tips cover calls, AV rooms, recording, and everyday playback.

For video calls and conferencing (Teams, Google Meet)

1. Go wired first
   Use a wired headset or a USB audio device instead of Bluetooth. This alone can reduce audio latency fast.
2. Check app audio settings
   Try toggling heavy noise suppression modes. Some “studio” enhancements add delay. Test and keep the setting that delivers low audio latency.
   
3. Stabilize the network
   Use Ethernet when possible. If Wi-Fi is required, prefer 5 GHz and avoid crowded channels.
4. Update room firmware
   If a conference room has a codec, DSP, or camera bar, keep firmware current. Old firmware can create high audio latency and audio dropouts.

For AV rooms, classrooms, and live reinforcement

5. Simplify the DSP chain
   Avoid redundant processing like double AEC or multiple noise reducers in series. Fewer stages often reduce audio latency more than any single tweak.
6. Avoid “delay stacking” for lip-sync
   If you add a delay for video sync, confirm you are not also adding a delay in another device. A clean plan beats guessing.
7. Set AEC and noise suppression carefully
   Aggressive settings can increase delay and artifacts. Start moderate, test, then adjust.

For creators, musicians, and recording

8. Lower buffer size carefully
   A smaller buffer is a direct audio latency fix, but it can cause pops if your system cannot keep up. Reduce it until stable, then stop.
9. Use optimized drivers
   On Windows, ASIO can help. On macOS, CoreAudio is typically strong. Good drivers are a reliable path to low audio latency.

For gaming and everyday playback

10. Disable laggy enhancements
    Virtual surround and some “spatial” modes can add delay. If you want low audio latency, keep it simple and wired for competitive play.

If you keep seeing high audio latency, write down the chain. Device, driver, app, network, output. That list makes troubleshooting faster.

Audio latency fix: “quick wins” vs “real fixes.”

A quick audio latency fix is great when you’re five minutes from a meeting. Real fixes are what stop the same complaint from coming back next week.

Quick wins

• Switch from Bluetooth to wired
• Restart the app or the audio service
• Change input and output device
• Close heavy background apps
• Move to Ethernet or better Wi-Fi

Real fixes

• Update drivers and firmware
• Set buffer size and sample rate correctly
• Simplify DSP routing and processing
• Add network QoS for voice and video
• Standardize room configs to reduce audio latency everywhere

When to call a Managed IT Service Provider

If audio latency keeps recurring across rooms, teams, or sites, it’s usually not “one bad headset.” It’s governance and consistency. A managed IT service provider can coordinate device policies, network tuning, and change control so fixes stick.

A strong AV managed services plan adds centralized monitoring, standard room templates, and remote diagnostics. You get fewer surprise failures, faster triage, and a repeatable process to reduce audio latency across hybrid meetings.

If your goal is consistent low audio latency at scale, a combined approach often beats one-off troubleshooting.

Here’s the repeatable process that works: define the problem, isolate the chain, test one change at a time, then standardize what worked. Save your “known good” settings, so your next room or laptop starts from a stable baseline.

Follow these steps to reduce audio latency and keep meetings, streams, and AV rooms feeling natural and in sync.

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