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Why is my Loopback device volume changing on its own?

If you’ve noticed that your Loopback device’s volume changes on its own while you’re on a call, you may wonder why. Loopback itself never automatically adjusts volume levels. Instead, the culprit is likely the communication app you’re using. Video conferencing and voice calling apps like Zoom and FaceTime include audio processing features that can change the volume of any audio device on your Mac.

How to identify which app is changing your volume

To determine which application is adjusting your Loopback device’s volume, try the following.

1. Open the Loopback application and note your device’s current volume level.
2. Quit all communication and video conferencing apps.
3. Monitor the volume level, and confirm that it remains constant.
4. Open each communication app one at a time and start a test call or meeting.
5. When you find the app that causes the volume to change, search its audio settings for automatic adjustment options, then disable them.

Disabling automatic volume adjustment in popular communication apps

Several popular communication apps include automatic volume adjustment features which attempt to improve call quality. These features can negatively adjust your Loopback device’s volume, without any indication that they’re doing so. Below, you can find details on how to disable the automatic adjustments in several common communications apps.

FaceTime

FaceTime on macOS includes Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum modes that process audio, which can affect Loopback device volumes configured as inputs for the call.

To reduce audio processing in FaceTime:

1. During a FaceTime call, open Control Center.
2. Select Mic Mode.
3. Choose "Standard" instead of "Voice Isolation" to reduce audio processing.

Google Meet

Google Meet includes automatic volume adjustment as part of its noise cancellation and audio enhancement features. Even with noise cancellation disabled, Meet may still adjust input levels to maintain consistent audio during calls.

To disable automatic adjustments in Google Meet:

1. Open Google Meet in your browser.
2. Select the Settings (gear) icon.
3. Navigate to Audio settings.
4. Look for noise cancellation or audio enhancement options and disable them.

Microsoft Teams

Teams includes automatic audio level adjustments that can affect Loopback device volumes during meetings.

To disable automatic adjustments in Teams:

1. Open Teams and select your profile picture.
2. Choose Settings, then select Devices.
3. Look for “Noise suppression” and set it to Off.
4. Disable any automatic microphone adjustment options if available.

Slack

During Slack huddles and calls, the app may adjust your audio device volumes. Users have reported seeing the Loopback volume slider move while speaking during Slack meetings.

To disable automatic adjustments in Slack:

1. Open Slack Preferences.
2. Navigate to Audio & Video settings.
3. Disable any automatic adjustment or noise reduction features.

Other apps

Any app can be capable of adjusting your Loopback device’s volume. Look for features labeled as:

• “Automatically adjust microphone volume”.
• “Echo cancellation”.
• “Background noise reduction” or “Noise suppression”.
• “Audio enhancement” or “Audio leveling”.

Once you locate such a setting in your app’s audio preferences, disabling it should stop the volume changes.

If adjustments continue

If you’ve disabled automatic adjustment features but still experience volume changes:

• Check for other communication apps that may be running in the background.
• Verify that browser-based conferencing tools haven’t re-enabled their default audio settings.
• Consider using a separate physical audio interface for communication apps, keeping your Loopback device dedicated to audio routing.

If you’re still experiencing unexpected volume changes after trying these solutions, please contact our support team. We can help identify other potential causes specific to your setup and suggest alternative configurations.

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