When I call someone I can hear them but they can t hear me?

One-way audio during phone calls is a common issue where the caller can hear the receiver, but the receiver can’t hear the caller. This frustrating problem leaves conversations feeling disjointed and can make it very difficult to communicate effectively over the phone. One-way audio issues tend to arise unexpectedly on both mobile and landline calls, leaving people confused about what’s going wrong with their devices or network connections.

While losing audio in one direction on a call can be disruptive and annoying, the good news is that this problem is fairly widespread and numerous solutions exist. With some focused troubleshooting, one-way audio problems can typically be resolved and full two-way communication restored.

Potential Causes

There are several potential causes of one-way audio during calls where you can hear the other person but they cannot hear you:

Microphone or speaker issues. If your microphone is not working properly or muted, the other party will not be able to hear you. Similarly, if their speaker is not working, they will not hear your voice. Checking your microphone settings and ensuring your speakers are not muted can resolve simple device issues.

Network connectivity problems. Issues with your internet connection, cellular network, or VoIP service can all lead to one-way audio. Slow speeds, packet loss, and network latency can prevent voice data from transmitting properly in both directions (Source).

Incorrect software settings. Your operating system, app, or calling software may have audio settings configured incorrectly. Going through all audio settings can identify if a wrong input or output device is selected.

Cellular network limitations. Cellular networks have limitations and may struggle with two-way VoIP calls. Switching between WiFi and cellular can determine if the network is a factor.

Bluetooth interference. Bluetooth devices connecting and disconnecting during a call can cause audio issues. Ensure any Bluetooth devices are not causing interference.

Firewall or NAT traversal issues. Firewalls blocking UDP packets or NAT causing private/public IP addressing issues can prevent voice data from transmitting (Source). Proper firewall and NAT configuration tailored for VoIP is needed.

Microphone/Speaker Issues

Damaged or faulty microphones and speakers are a common cause of one-way audio. If the microphone is damaged, it may not be able to accurately convert speech into an electrical audio signal. Similarly, a damaged speaker may not be able to convert the electrical signal back into audible sound. Here are some tips for troubleshooting microphone and speaker issues:

Try using different microphones and headsets to isolate the problem. Switch to a different headset, USB microphone, or phone audio source to see if the microphone itself is functional. According to VoIP Mechanic, you can also try using Windows Sound Recorder to test that your microphone is working properly (source).

Inspect microphones and connectors for any physical damage. Look for issues like frayed wires, bent connectors, moisture damage, or dirt/debris blocking the microphone hole. Clean connectors with isopropyl alcohol and check for bent pins.

Update audio drivers and check audio settings. Make sure the correct input and output devices are selected, and that headphone and microphone volume levels are set appropriately and not muted. Try updating drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website.

If using a softphone, verify software microphone settings. As Zoiper recommends, use the audio setup wizard to check that the correct devices are selected and audio levels are configured properly (source).

Network Connectivity Issues

Network problems like low bandwidth or high latency can disrupt two-way audio in calls. When there isn’t enough bandwidth for the audio stream in both directions, one direction may get cut off, resulting in one-way audio. This often happens on congested networks or with low-speed internet connections [1].

If you are experiencing one-way audio, try switching to a different network connection if available. For example, switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data or use a wired Ethernet connection instead. This can help determine if the issue is related to network connectivity. Improving your internet bandwidth through upgrading your service plan or switching providers may also resolve one-way audio problems caused by insufficient bandwidth.

Software Settings

Incorrect software settings like muted microphones can sometimes cause one-way audio issues. Here are some tips for checking your software settings:

Make sure your microphone is not muted in your operating system’s sound settings or within your calling software. Unmute your mic if needed.

Check that your microphone is set as the default input device and that your speakers or headset is set as the default output device in your sound control panel.
Within your calling software, confirm that your microphone and speakers are selected in the settings rather than other unused devices.
Adjust the input and output volume levels in your software to make sure you have adequate sound coming in and out.

Test your microphone and speakers in another application to rule out a system-wide issue.

If your mic works properly outside of your calling software, you may need to reinstall or update the application to resolve one-way audio issues stemming from the software itself. Changing key settings back to defaults could also help in some cases.

As a note, incorrect permission settings can sometimes cause one-way communication problems as well. Make sure your calling application has access to use your microphone.

Cellular Network Issues

Cellular networks can sometimes cause one-way audio issues due to weak signal strength or network congestion. As you move around, the signal strength on your device can fluctuate, which can lead to temporary drops in connectivity. This is especially common when transitioning between different cell towers. Additionally, if there is heavy network traffic in your area from many users, it can cause intermittent issues.

Some steps you can try to troubleshoot one-way audio problems on cellular networks include:

Check the signal bars on your phone – move to an area with stronger signal like near a window

Disable LTE/5G and revert back to 3G or 4G network if possible
Toggle airplane mode on and off to force your device to re-register with the network
Try calling from a different location where cell signal is better

Contact your mobile carrier and ask if there are any network issues in your area

If the problem only occurs with one contact, ask them to try the call from a different WiFi network or cellular connection to isolate if it’s their side. Persistent one-way audio issues may require contacting your carrier’s tech support for further investigation.

Bluetooth Interference

Bluetooth uses radio waves for data transmission, operating in the same frequency band (2.4 GHz) as Wi-Fi and some other devices. This can sometimes lead to interference, disrupting audio transmission during calls (1).

Potential sources of Bluetooth interference include microwave ovens, cordless phones, wireless video cameras, and even high-power LED light bulbs. Having many other Bluetooth devices nearby can also contribute to interference. The signal can also be impacted by proximity to metal objects or thick walls (2).

If you suspect Bluetooth interference, try moving your Bluetooth headset or phone away from other electronic devices to see if that helps stabilize the connection. Make sure you are within the effective wireless range – generally up to 30 feet or 10 meters, with shorter ranges for many headsets. Consider switching to a different Bluetooth channel through your device settings if issues persist (1).

As a last resort, use wired headphones or speakerphone instead of Bluetooth to rule out wireless interference as the cause. If the wired connection works properly, Bluetooth interference is likely the culprit (2).

Firewall/NAT Settings

Firewalls and Network Address Translation (NAT) play an important role in blocking unwanted traffic to devices on a local network. However, overly restrictive firewall or NAT settings can also inadvertently block the audio portion of VoIP calls.

VoIP calls require opening ports and configuring NAT to allow the audio data packets to traverse firewalls. If these ports or NAT settings block the voice audio data packets, it will result in one-way audio where one caller can hear the other, but not vice versa.

According to How to Troubleshoot One-Way Audio on VoIP Calls, common solutions involve:

Checking if UDP ports 5060, 5061, and the RTP port range are open in firewall settings
Enabling NAT traversal in VoIP phone and server settings
Configuring port forwarding rules properly on NAT routers and firewalls

Adjusting these firewall and NAT settings to allow VoIP audio data can resolve one-way audio issues. If problems persist, checking with your VoIP service provider for recommended network and firewall settings is advised.

VoIP Specific Issues

There are some causes of one-way audio that are specific to VoIP phone systems. According to the article What Causes VoIP One Way Audio?, the most common VoIP-related cause is firewall misconfiguration. If a firewall or router access control list (ACL) is not properly configured, it may block the voice data packets while allowing other packets to flow freely.

Other potential VoIP causes include:

Incompatible voice codecs – The devices on the call may not have a voice codec in common that allows two-way communication.
Port blocking – Critical ports like 5060 (SIP signaling), 10000-20000 (RTP media) may be blocked on the network, preventing voice data from flowing.
SIP ALG issues – SIP Application Layer Gateways on routers can sometimes interfere with VoIP calls.

To troubleshoot VoIP call issues:

Check firewall, router, and SIP ALG configurations to ensure critical ports are open and ALG is disabled if possible.
Force both devices to use the same codec like G.711 for troubleshooting.

Monitor the network traffic using packet captures to verify voice packets are able to flow.

When to Seek Help

If you have tried the common troubleshooting steps listed in this guide and are still experiencing one-way audio issues, it’s time to seek additional help.

Contact your phone system provider or IT department if the issue persists after rebooting equipment, checking settings, updating software/firmware, and trying different devices. Provide detailed information on the specific symptoms, devices, and configurations involved.

Seeking timely assistance is recommended if one-way audio issues affect critical business operations or customer service. Prolonged problems may require advanced diagnostic tests, equipment replacement, network reconfiguration, or updates to firewall rules or NAT settings.

Depending on the root cause, resolving one-way audio could involve coordination across multiple teams like networking, security, applications, and telecom vendors. Leverage available technical support resources through your providers or internal IT staff to troubleshoot efficiently.

In summary, don’t hesitate to seek help if self-service troubleshooting is ineffective. One-way audio significantly degrades communication, so timely resolution should be a priority, especially for mission-critical phone services.