I got my samsung galaxy s2 a few days ago and I'm having problems with a voice echo. Whenever someone calls me they complain that they can hear their own voice, to the point where I'm being asked to call them back on a different phone.
The problem only happens when I use a phone cover (currently using the Case Mate Tough case). I think it has something to do with the noise reduction, as the problem stops when I turn this off.
Does anyone know if this is normal or if the handset is faulty? I've tried different phone covers but the same thing happens.
I'd love to be able to switch off the noise reduction permanently but there doesn't seem to be this option.
I got my samsung galaxy s2 a few days ago and I'm having problems with a voice echo. Whenever someone calls me they complain that they can hear their own voice, to the point where I'm being asked to call them back on a different phone.
The problem only happens when I use a phone cover (currently using the Case Mate Tough case). I think it has something to do with the noise reduction, as the problem stops when I turn this off.
Does anyone know if this is normal or if the handset is faulty? I've tried different phone covers but the same thing happens.
I'd love to be able to switch off the noise reduction permanently but there doesn't seem to be this option.
I haven't had any problems with my phone yet but am concerned as I've ordered a Case-Mate Tough Case to keep my new gadget safe. I'll post here if I have any problems once I've got the case on.
Otherwise, I'm happy to report no problems with my S2 aside from there's a few things I'm used to as a CrackBerry user that don't come as standard on Android, but hey, as the fruit phone merchant says "there's [usually] and app for that"
I got my samsung galaxy s2 a few days ago and I'm having problems with a voice echo. Whenever someone calls me they complain that they can hear their own voice, to the point where I'm being asked to call them back on a different phone.
The problem only happens when I use a phone cover (currently using the Case Mate Tough case). I think it has something to do with the noise reduction, as the problem stops when I turn this off.
Does anyone know if this is normal or if the handset is faulty? I've tried different phone covers but the same thing happens.
I'd love to be able to switch off the noise reduction permanently but there doesn't seem to be this option.
Cheers
Happens to me to. It's most peculiar. Still haven't got to the bottom of it.
Ive bought a cheap case from play and getting a similar thing apparently, Dont tink I can hear it myself its the person im speaking to that hears it.... Im going to try to modify my case I think....
I have a silicon case on the phone. Whenever I'm in phone calls the other person is complaining that he hears his own voice. This happens with the case on my phone, if I remove it the echo is gone. Anyone have the same problem ? Do you know how it can be solved ?
I have the same problem! Sooo many ppl complained. And I didn't know the solution until I saw your post here, thank you! Try another cover, you know those hard cases with little holes, use those ones. Cause I bought two cases at the beginning, I have one problem with the case that have holes.
I think the echo issue is due to the phone's internal noise reduction technology. The silicon case has shielded the sound from outside. Therefore it ends up picking up sound from the phone itself and produces the echo.
Conclusion: your phone is NOT faulty! I love my galaxy S2!
Same issue: called party hears echo of their own voice and low volume of my voice
Quote:
Originally Posted by aegisuk
Hi guys
I got my samsung galaxy s2 a few days ago and I'm having problems with a voice echo. Whenever someone calls me they complain that they can hear their own voice, to the point where I'm being asked to call them back on a different phone.
The problem only happens when I use a phone cover (currently using the Case Mate Tough case). I think it has something to do with the noise reduction, as the problem stops when I turn this off.
Does anyone know if this is normal or if the handset is faulty? I've tried different phone covers but the same thing happens.
I'd love to be able to switch off the noise reduction permanently but there doesn't seem to be this option.
Cheers
Hi, I have same issue with my SGS2. Using case mate barely there. When removing case situation improves but I even have this issue without case. Checked latest sw version. SGS 2 for the rest is splendid.
guys...i had the same problem with my s2....whenever i put my case on..all the callers would complain of voice echo....i spoke to samsung service center guys....at first they were confused but then they figured the problem out. Actually their is a cushion on back of the speaker of the mobile....which is not properly placed.....if not placed properly....when u put the case on ..it presses the cushion close to the speaker...which leads to the echo.....the service center guy fixed it in 10 mins.....So i would recommend u to go a service center guy and tell him the problem and he will fix it....its been over 2 days my fone is fixed and is working like a charm....Hope this helps..
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I'm having this problem too. It's seems to be intermittent and does it more often with the case on (a cheapo ebay item). It also seems to relate to where you hold the handset during the call. it is definitely better if you hold the phone using finger and thumb at the top, rather than towards the bottom of the handest.
I have the same problem! Sooo many ppl complained. And I didn't know the solution until I saw your post here, thank you! Try another cover, you know those hard cases with little holes, use those ones. Cause I bought two cases at the beginning, I have one problem with the case that have holes.
I think the echo issue is due to the phone's internal noise reduction technology. The silicon case has shielded the sound from outside. Therefore it ends up picking up sound from the phone itself and produces the echo.
Conclusion: your phone is NOT faulty! I love my galaxy S2!
Thanks for this! Can you give me an idea of what cases you mean by the hard cases with little holes?
Ok....so can we bgin to nail this issue as it is driving me crazy?
In summary I have the echo when phone is in any of 3 cases I have tried: Official Samsung meshed, Casemate Tough and a silicone skin.
The problem disappears if:
a) When wearing a case I turn off noise reduction during a call
b) When wearing a case I turn on speaker during a call
c) I take the case off.
Is this a hardware issue as some posters suggest and due to case and phone somehow interacting?
Is this a software issue?
Is there likely to be a fix coming?
Do I need to send phone back for repair?
Is there a simple workaround other than those above to allow me to use a case whilst maybe disabling noise reduction by default rather than call by call?
guys...i had the same problem with my s2....whenever i put my case on..all the callers would complain of voice echo....i spoke to samsung service center guys....at first they were confused but then they figured the problem out. Actually their is a cushion on back of the speaker of the mobile....which is not properly placed.....if not placed properly....when u put the case on ..it presses the cushion close to the speaker...which leads to the echo.....the service center guy fixed it in 10 mins.....So i would recommend u to go a service center guy and tell him the problem and he will fix it....its been over 2 days my fone is fixed and is working like a charm....Hope this helps..
Which service center did you use please, can you post the location or contact details?
Roozin,
Yes I am having the same problem and I did the followings and problem disappear. I have tried something more is that I have 2 TPU cases and 1 is slightly thicker than the other. The thicker ones give more echo compared to the thinner ones.
I am still using the thinner case and disable the Noise Reduction everytime I use it. I may want to remove by cutting of the back of the case and see if there is any improvement.
Ok I just discovered by putting a piece of paper over the Noise Reduction mic (Locate on top of the phone near the ear piece) with the casing + enabling the noise reduction feature, the echo goes away.
Can confirm tonight that this issue has been solved....... Done so by many test calls to the wife with SG2 in various states.
1. Remove you case and there is no echo
2. Cut larger holes around mic holes and this lessens the echo
3. Turn noise reduction off and there is no echo....
So it appears the combination of the case and NR creates the echo effect... Now I don't want to remove my case but also don't want to have to turn NR off every time I get or make a call, can anyone tell me how to make NR off the default setting.
I've had exactly the same problem happen with my phone. It was driving me crazy. I originally thought that it was the magnet on my case that was interfering with the speaker...so I went out to buy a clear case thinking that would solve the problem...but still the dreaded echo on the other person's line - to the point it makes it impossible to have a conversation.
About 5 of my family members have the Samsung Galaxy S2 and they all have cases on their phone and don't have this problem. For me the solutions about cutting bigger holes in cases and buying certain kinds of cases doesn't cut it for me. You should be able to buy a phone and have it work properly. And considering the SG S2 is a thin phone that could easily be damaged it needs a cover if you're out and about. (I'm on a two year plan so if it get's damaged I'm stuffed!)
I am convinced it is a hardware problem. Took my phone back to Optus shop in Sydney, it's now in the process of getting sent away for repairs. We'll see how things pan out. I'm sure Samsung are aware of the problems but probably keep things quiet as it would bring bad publicity for them.
By the way - I love the phone. I've had to revert to my iPhone 3gs while phone is getting repaired and I miss the brilliance of the SG S2. Here's hoping it get's repaired and all sorted. By the sounds of it others have had success this way. I would just suggest anyone with this problems takes their phone back for repairs.
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I have the same problem(i have casemate), and i tried to use another case and the same problem occurs. So its not the case but something is wrong with the phone, since i tried my case on another S2 and he didn't have the problem.
It just doesn't work on mine.
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Hi
I have had the problem, got really angry with 3 who exchanged the handset after I verified the problem instore. New handset exactly the same. read your forum took the case off... magic. I have since cut the back of the removable cover making a hole approx 20 by forty mm mid way between the camera lens and the samsung name on the back. Seems all clear now. I started with a small hole and enlarged it until the echo disappeared. I am trying to get info from samsung but they dont want to talk.
I posted on a similar thread on this site a few weeks back. I have two cases both very different in construction and price yet both still cause echo to the call reciever i.e not just cheap ebay ones!
I totally agree phone needs a case but you shouldn't have to cut it up to stop the problem!
Like a lot of you I love the phone but don't hold out for good customer service or simple fix from Samsung. Are you aware of their fridge freezer issues? Google RS21....
Oh! I must be missing something here but I cant find the NR button on my S2 anywhere, any help appreciated.
I posted on a similar thread on this site a few weeks back. I have two cases both very different in construction and price yet both still cause echo to the call reciever i.e not just cheap ebay ones!
I totally agree phone needs a case but you shouldn't have to cut it up to stop the problem!
Like a lot of you I love the phone but don't hold out for good customer service or simple fix from Samsung. Are you aware of their fridge freezer issues? Google RS21....
Oh! I must be missing something here but I cant find the NR button on my S2 anywhere, any help appreciated.
Martin.
I believe NR is only available during a call.. (mad if you ask me.. should be able to toggle it on or off). In a call, press menu and you will have the option there to turn on nr..
Worth a try, but cutting holes doesn't always work!
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoom 4360
Hi
I have had the problem, got really angry with 3 who exchanged the handset after I verified the problem instore. New handset exactly the same. read your forum took the case off... magic. I have since cut the back of the removable cover making a hole approx 20 by forty mm mid way between the camera lens and the samsung name on the back. Seems all clear now. I started with a small hole and enlarged it until the echo disappeared. I am trying to get info from samsung but they dont want to talk.
Another voice echo sufferer here.
I now have an untidy 20x40mm hole in the case - at least it was only a cheap eBay one - but judging by the reaction of callers, it's actually made the echo worse! It was worth a try anyway. Now the decision about whether it should be returned for service or just put up with not using a case. After internet problems which were probably Orange's fault, and two replacement phones being sent (very promptly) I still think this is a lovely phone.
Actually I have changed from a cheap TPU one to "Genuine Samsung i9100 Galaxy S 2 II Black Cool Vent/Mesh Case/Cover/Skin" from amazon.co.uk (sorry, can't post links...) which is quite open on the top and on the bottom (and actually looks very-very nice). Unfortunately the problem is less than before but still present
I have a cheap case from ebay which is pretty thick, and I don't get the echo issues, although I didn't with the first one I had either, so could be software or hardware? but definitely not the case or all SGS 's.
What firmware and carriers are you all using?
I've been on UK unbranded KE7 and KF3, Polish KG5 and now KG7. Orange and O2.
Got my Galaxy S II last week, have a case of some kind on it and was getting the same echo problems.
As everyone has already figured out, it is to do with the mic on the top of the phone. There are a couple of simple solutions that will have it working perfectly without having to send it away or switch off NR with every call.
You can either a) use your finger to cover the top mic on the phone. Simple and cuts out the echo 100% or do as I did, b) place a couple of small pieces of tape over the top mic, that also fixes it.
My S II now has zero echo, has it's protective case on without holes hacked in it and nobody is getting the echo anymore. Best part, I can't even see the tape as it's covered by the case.
Might not be the most high tech problem solve, but for a phone that is otherwise sensational, it's great.
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Might try that. The echo is realy annoying and to have to turn NR off everytime you use the phone is a complete nonsense. Come on Samsung pull your finger out.
Sticking my finger over the top mic (I assume we mean the tiny pinhole mic to the right of the 3.5mm headphone jack) doesn't make any difference. Might try the tape option.
Alright, I must apologise. My simple fixes that did seem to work, don't.
After further experimentation I am stuck in the exact same boat as everyone else. If I have the protective case on, there is an echo for the person on the other end. If I remove the case, the echo is gone and the call quality is exceptional. Alternatively, I can leave the case on and turn the noise reduction off and the echo vanishes.
So, just like everyone else, I'm not wanting to know how to turn NR off permanently or having to go without the case.
Take the case off and make a call. Cover the lower mic with you finger and see if there's an echo on the other end. Dobthe same with the top. Mic and the USB charging hole. Mine worked out when I covered either of these it would echo. So on my otterbox commuter case a actually took the two tabs off the USB hole and top mic hole ans enlarged the lower mic hole. This seems to have gotten rid of it almost completely. With the casemate tough case I cur the top and bottom portions of the silicone and this fixed the issue also. I can use a leather flip case and the case mate barely there case with no issues. Hope this helps.
Taking the case off makes no difference with my S2. Case on or off - echo. The only proper solution for me would be to be able to turn NR off permanently.
whizzkid
Last edited by whizzkid; September 25th, 2011 at 04:49 AM.
Reason: spelling
Really. That's a new one. Mines always only with cerrain cases like the otterbox commuter and the case mate tough. I have a mercuryav leather flip. and a casemate barely there which are flawless. Now after my Modding ofmy commuter the echo is nowhere to be found.
Even rang Samsung and they were far from helpful. Looks like I will have to manually turn off NR every time i use the phone. Shouldn't have to be doing this.
I realized the same problem in my second day of usage. To sum up here is the outline of my problem:
- Problem:
There is a echo on the other side of the line. I cant hear it, but the other person I speak hears her voice within 1-2 seconds of delay - Conditions:
It echoes when there is protective case, stops echoing when I take it off. It also doesnt happen on hands free mode. - Debugging1:
Since there is nothing special about my protective case, I tried to elaborate the reasons. First I thought that the case is covering the noise cancelling mic, but it doesnt. On contrary, it makes it impossible to cover that area with your hand! So, without using the cover, I tried covering that mic (I dont know it is noise cancelling mic or is it even mic, but it is at the rear side of the phone near to the bottom) with my hand and uncovering it. Then I realized, when not using the protective case I was indeliberately covering that mic(?) with the fleshy part of my thumb. - Debugging2:
After trying almost anything mentioned in this thread, I tried master reset the phone. But before I backed up everything.
After Master reset, the echo was gone. So I restored the backup and echo came back with my backup
Then I only made a backup of my contacts to sd, made a master reset and imported my contacts back from sd, and now it seems there is no echo now.
- Conclusion:
I believe the problem is not related with hardware. It is software related. At least in my case.
Before realizing the problem I was updated my firmware to KG1, using android 2.3.3, and rooted the system. Master reset doesnt change any of these, it simply wipes of any apps you installed and restores the apps deleted with root privileges. So it must be related either related with a deleted default app, or an installed app.
I cant recall the whole list of apps I downloaded (I downloaded too much.. really) And I dont want to restore-reset-import contacts again without knowing whether this solution is specific to me or not. But if you guys try to backup/master reset and let us know about the result, we may continue to investigate the real problem.
EDIT:
The phone seems to be fixed until the next reboot. When you restart the OS, the echo sure came back. Master resetted again, the echo is gone. Restarted again, echo is back. Phone is in the service now. Hope they change or fix it.
Last edited by masquerade81; October 4th, 2011 at 06:48 PM.
Reason: update
I got my samsung galaxy s2 a few days ago and I'm having problems with a voice echo. Whenever someone calls me they complain that they can hear their own voice, to the point where I'm being asked to call them back on a different phone.
The problem only happens when I use a phone cover (currently using the Case Mate Tough case). I think it has something to do with the noise reduction, as the problem stops when I turn this off.
Does anyone know if this is normal or if the handset is faulty? I've tried different phone covers but the same thing happens.
I'd love to be able to switch off the noise reduction permanently but there doesn't seem to be this option.
Cheers
I also had this problem but after reading your post solved it in 2min.
I realized the phone covers have specific openings and holes to allow the phone to collect data and info from the environment, microphones, cameras, light sensor flash and so on. After inspecting my cover I realized the one hole is blocked, manufacture of the cover defect. I unblocked the hole with a sharp object and my problem was solved. I think the hole is suppose to be for the one microphone its located next to the USB port on the lower side of the phone.
My advice is to check that all the sensors are open and not closed or blocked by something
I found an interesting website whilst trying to look for an answer to this frustrating issue (its about fixing low call volume although thats not an issue i've had)
It lets your phone enter a service mode after entering a code and there are audio options and NR (presumably noise reduction?) settings but alot of it doesnt make sense to me and i don't want to mess about with things i don't understand!
Wondering if anyone who's more techy might be able to work it out for turning off noise reduction permanently !
i cant post links but if you google fix for low microphone volume on samsung galaxy s II should bring it up.
Failing that, lets hope samsung send out a software fix for turning off noise reduction!
I found from other sites that the problem lies with the hardware where the UI Board (Part No:GH-5910949A) is faulty. I went over to Samsung today to have the part replace and it took them 30 mins to change the part. After the replacement, everything is superb. No more echo with thick or thin casing. The problem is fixed for sure.
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I found from other sites that the problem lies with the hardware where the UI Board (Part No:GH-5910949A) is faulty. I went over to Samsung today to have the part replace and it took them 30 mins to change the part. After the replacement, everything is superb. No more echo with thick or thin casing. The problem is fixed for sure.
Where did you have this done? Did you have to ring ahead and have them order in the part? Were they familiar with the issue prior to your turning up?
Aneema,
I just walk in to Samsung service center and tell them I want a permanent fix to this issue and not containment by manually disable the Noise Reduction feature. I did not ring prior to the visit. The customer service seems to be proposing the containment but I insist a permanent fix and she approached their technician and the technician seems to know what needs to be done.
I've never had the echo problem without the case, only ever when it's on. I got quite excited when I saw the upgrade fixed it for you, unfortunately it still remains for me. I'd be interested to know what other peoples experiences are like though
Aneema,
I believe Samsung seems to know that it is the hardware problem. Go and have it change and you can use all kinds of casing without any echo. Get it done soon before warranty expires. Beside, you have nothing to lose as it takes only 30 mins to have the part replaced.
The Galaxy S2 (sometimes known as the Galaxy S II) is the follow up to Samsung's widely successful Galaxy S lineup. This time, the Galaxy S2 raises all the stakes and Samsung has found a way to double almost every spec in a true, one of a kind ... Read More
Voice echo. Anyone else getting this?
voice echo
