Auto noise cancellation impacting detection

Some devices or communication apps use automatic noise cancellation to suppress background sounds, which can unintentionally block your voice during microphone or speech checks in a proctored test or interview.

✅ Common scenarios

Apps/Features that cause issues	What can happen
Zoom, Teams, Google Meet	Mic input suppressed if voice is too soft
System-level noise filtering (Windows, macOS)	Voice chopped or not detected
Headphones or Bluetooth mics that have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature	Voice clarity lost due to aggressive filtering

🛠What you can do

• Disable noise cancellation in system or app settings (e.g., Zoom > Audio > Uncheck “Suppress background noise”)
  • Follow the steps in this article to disable noise cancellation when using an application.
• Use a basic wired headset or built-in mic without filtering enhancements like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
• Speak directly into the mic and avoid whispering or trailing off.
• Run a mic test from your system settings or browser-based tools.