Webex Background Noise Removal: Optimize for My Voice or Noise Removal?

How we checked this

Sources read 3 November 2026 and re-checked 5 November 2026: three Webex Help Center articles (smart audio modes, optimize for voices, switching your audio connection). The screenshot is our own capture of Webex's public help page. We didn't test the modes against recorded noise, so the "pick it for" column follows Webex's own wording. How we work: About AllHands Audio.

The modes, from Webex's own help page

Webex's smart audio article describes each mode in one line:

• Noise removal (Default): removes all noise detected on your side. Webex's use case: a noisy environment.
• Optimize for my voice: removes all noise and background voices. Webex's use case: an open office space.
• Optimize for all voices: removes all noise and enhances background voices. Webex's use case: a group in a conference room.
• Music mode: optimises the audio for vocal and instrumental music, when the original sound has to survive.

Which mode for which room

The question behind every row is the same: which sounds should the meeting hear?

• Only you, and the noise is things (fan, traffic, keyboard): Noise removal is enough, and it's already the default.
• Only you, and the noise is people (colleagues on calls, a café): Optimize for my voice. Noise removal won't touch those voices, because to it they are speech.
• Everyone around one laptop or room device: Optimize for all voices. Optimize for my voice would treat your colleagues as background and remove them.
• An instrument or a singer: Music mode, for the session only.

How to switch to Optimize for my voice

Webex's optimize for voices article gives two routes, before or during a meeting or webinar:

1. Click Audio options, then the drop-down arrow under Webex smart audio, and select Optimize for my voice (or Optimize for all voices).
2. Or click Audio options > Audio settings and select the mode there.

Outside a meeting, the Webex App keeps the same choice under Settings > Audio > Smart audio.

One behaviour to remember: once you pick a smart audio option, Webex sets it as the default for your future meetings and webinars on your site. That's convenient for Optimize for my voice at a busy desk, and a trap after a music lesson: Music mode will still be on next time unless you switch back.

Smart audio missing? Check your audio connection

Both Webex articles start with the same condition: these modes are only available when you use computer audio. If you joined by having Webex call your phone, or by dialling in, the smart audio dropdown has nothing to act on. To switch, Webex's audio connection article says: in the meeting, select More Options > Audio Connection, then Use Computer for Audio and Switch. Depending on the meeting type, you may not see every option.

Still noisy in the right mode?

• Voices still get through: you're on Noise removal or Optimize for all voices. Switch to Optimize for my voice.
• Your colleagues at the same table vanish: you're on Optimize for my voice. Switch to Optimize for all voices.
• Echo or a robotic voice instead of noise: that's a different fault; see Webex echo and robotic audio.
• Choosing between Webex's built-in levels and an app: our built-in noise levels guide and Krisp with Meet and Webex cover that decision.

Quick answers