Too Quiet Call: Fix Low Volume in VoIP Calls with Simple Fixes

When your VoIP call sounds like it’s coming from inside a pillow, you’re not imagining it. This is a too quiet call, a common VoIP issue where audio levels are too low to understand, even with headphones or speakers turned up. It’s not your hearing—it’s your setup. You might be using a great provider, but if your codec, packet size, or headset isn’t matched to your network, your voice gets lost in the digital shuffle.

Behind every VoIP codec, the digital format that turns your voice into data packets for internet transmission is a trade-off: bandwidth vs. clarity. Codecs like G.711 sound clear but chew up bandwidth. G.729 saves bandwidth but can sound muffled—especially if your network is shaky. Then there’s packetization interval, how often your device sends voice data (10ms, 20ms, or 30ms). Too long, and your speech sounds robotic. Too short, and your network gets overwhelmed, causing dropouts that make voices fade in and out. Most systems default to 20ms, but if you’re on a crowded Wi-Fi network, switching to 30ms might actually improve your volume stability.

It’s not just about codecs. Your SIP audio, the signaling system that controls how your call connects and transmits voice can also be the culprit. If your SIP device (phone, ATA, or softphone) has its input gain turned down, or if your firewall is throttling RTP streams, your call volume drops—even if everything else looks fine. Many users don’t realize their headset’s mic sensitivity is set too low, or that their router’s QoS settings are prioritizing video over voice. Even a bad Ethernet cable can cause intermittent volume loss.

And don’t forget the basics: is your microphone blocked? Are you using a USB headset that’s not set as the default device in your OS? These sound simple, but they’re the top reasons people think their VoIP system is broken—when it’s just misconfigured. Real fixes don’t require expensive gear. They require checking your audio settings, testing with a different headset, and confirming your network isn’t congested during calls.

What you’ll find below are real fixes from people who’ve been there. From adjusting codec settings on your PBX to diagnosing SIP registration issues that mute your voice, these posts cut through the noise. You’ll learn how MOS and PESQ scores help measure what your ears can’t, why transrating beats transcoding when you’re fighting low volume, and how to spot if your problem is hardware, software, or your internet provider. No fluff. No theory. Just what works.