Audio gets cut off whenever there are notifications from other apps/websites

[zivillan]

I didn't use to have this issue before, but now whenever there are notifications from other apps/websites (e.g. whatsapp message notifications on whatsapp web) or even error sounds from Windows applications, my zoom audio gets cut off for about 3 seconds.

[Jpeace]

**ANSWERS**

There are multiple things to do to try and fix this issue. I have them below.  (Just fixed for a co-worker):

1. From Zoom ~ "The Bluetooth speaker will be taken away by the system with an incoming sound notification from another app, this is by design. The system has the highest priority.”

   e.g., if you are joining a zoom and already have your computer set to use your headset/bluetooth device - this means you don't have to change your input/output source to have zoom play through your headset - this is because your headset is set as your “system default” which is the auto-selected source for zoom calls. Here in lies the first issue. If you are on ‘system default’ when a notification sound happens, it switches your machine’s ‘system default’ to be the computer speakers instead as notification sounds come out of the machine. To fix issue one: it means that even if you are hearing audio from your headset when you join a zoom call, you still need to go to input & output and select your headset as the source as opposed to using the system default - every time you join a call. Then, it should not switch over when there is a notification sound.
   
   

2. Another thing to change:
   - Go into the Zoom app
   - Go to preferences
   - Go to Audio
   - On the top under ‘speaker’ click the “use separate audio device to play ringtone simultaneously” check box - turn that on (set it to any other option so you now have two places for audio - one for notification sounds and the other for your call audio - this may prevent the switching issue, it also may not. unclear.)
   
   
3. If none of these things work, you are not crazy; this is an ongoing issue with Zoom. Ultimately, the only guaranteed workaround if all else fails is to either:
   - close all notification apps that you have open when entering a zoom;
   - turning on a form of 'do not disturb' which mutes notification sounds before you get on and while you're on a zoom;
   - or lastly, turning off sound notifications in your system setting altogether either before/while you're on a zoom call . . . or permanently.

[janonuevo_shc]

My organization is also experiencing this issue on Windows 10 and Windows 11. I've opened case TS0680760  to formally request Zoom support.

[janonuevo_shc]

My organization is also experiencing the Zoom speaker audio interruption when other apps play notification sounds. I opened TS0680760 to engage Zoom support with this issue.

Has anyone else opened a case with Zoom support or found a solution?

Our computers typically have one speaker connected unless the user attaches an external speaker or uses a headset. We want to be able to hear other app notification sounds while on an active Zoom meeting through the same speaker.