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Switch 2 Microphone Humming Fixes for Ocarina of Time Remake

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Average pace 5.00 min/km
Average speed
12.00 km/h
Result
Finish time
50 min
You entered
Distance
10 km
You entered

Switch 2 Microphone Humming Fixes for Ocarina of Time Remake

If your Nintendo Switch 2 microphone picks up a humming or buzzing sound when you play the Ocarina of Time remake, the fix usually involves disabling the mic monitoring feature, adjusting the audio input gain, or checking for wireless interference. Start by going to System Settings → Audio → Microphone and turning off “Play mic input during online play” or lowering the input volume, then test with a wired headset to isolate the problem.

Formula

The calculator works out your average pace and speed from the time you took to finish a run or ride and the distance you covered. The formulas are:

  • Pace (min/km) = Finish time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)
  • Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Finish time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Where Finish time is in minutes, Distance is in kilometers, Pace is the number of minutes per kilometer, and Speed is kilometers per hour.

Worked Example

Using the default values: finish time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.

  1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
  2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

The calculator displays the pace as the headline result (5.00 min/km) and the speed as a secondary output (12.00 km/h).

Why the Switch 2 Microphone Humming Happens

The humming you hear during the Ocarina of Time remake is usually not caused by the game itself. The Switch 2’s built-in microphone and the audio chip can pick up electrical interference from the console’s power adapter, the TV’s HDMI connection, or even the Joy-Con wireless signals. When you blow into the microphone or play a melody, the mic amplifies everything, including a low-frequency hum that is always present in the background. The remake uses the mic for the ocarina parts, so the game is actively listening while you play, making any hum more noticeable.

How the Ocarina of Time Remake Uses the Microphone

In the remake, you can play the ocarina by humming or whistling into the microphone instead of using the on-screen buttons. The game analyzes the pitch and rhythm of your input and maps it to the five ocarina notes (A, C, D, F, G). A humming noise can confuse the pitch detection, causing the game to register wrong notes or miss your melody entirely. The microphone is always on during ocarina scenes, so any continuous hum is treated as a low-pitch input, which can interfere with the notes you actually produce.

Step-by-Step Fixes for the Hum

  1. Turn off mic monitoring: Go to System Settings → Audio → Microphone → set “Play mic input during online play” to Off. This stops the console from feeding the mic audio back to your headphones, which is the most common cause of a hum loop.
  2. Lower the mic input volume: In the same menu, reduce the “Microphone volume” slider to about 50% or lower. A high gain amplifies the electrical noise.
  3. Use a wired headset: Plug a 3.5mm headset into the console or the Pro Controller. The built-in mic is more prone to picking up internal interference than a dedicated headset mic.
  4. Disconnect the charger: Unplug the AC adapter from the dock or the console while playing. The power supply can introduce a ground loop hum that the mic picks up.
  5. Move away from the TV: If you play in docked mode, keep the console at least 1 meter from the TV and other electronics. HDMI cables can radiate interference.
  6. Restart the game: After changing settings, fully close the game and reopen it so the new audio configuration takes effect.

What to Do If the Hum Persists

If the hum continues after trying the steps above, the issue may be hardware-related. Test the microphone in another game or in the Switch 2’s voice chat app to see if the hum is present there too. If it is, the microphone itself could be faulty, and you may need to contact Nintendo support for repair. If the hum only happens during the Ocarina of Time remake, try adjusting the game’s audio settings—some versions have a “Mic sensitivity” option in the sound menu. Also, make sure your system software is up to date, as Nintendo has released patches for audio issues in the past.

Common Misconceptions

One common mistake is thinking the hum comes from the game’s music or the TV speakers. The hum is only audible through the microphone input, so turning down the TV volume won’t help. Another misconception is that the Joy-Con controllers cause the hum because they vibrate—vibration doesn’t affect the mic, but the wireless signal can. Also, some players believe that blowing harder into the mic will fix the pitch detection, but that actually makes the hum worse because it increases the airflow noise. The correct approach is to hum clearly and steadily, not to blow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Switch 2 mic hum only when playing Ocarina of Time?

The game keeps the microphone active during ocarina scenes, so you hear the hum that is always present but usually masked. Other games may not use the mic as continuously, or they may apply noise filtering that the ocarina game doesn’t.

Can I use a USB microphone instead of the built-in one?

Yes, the Switch 2 supports USB microphones, but they must be plugged into the dock’s USB port or a USB-C adapter. A USB mic often has better noise shielding and may eliminate the hum. However, you need to select it in the system audio settings.

Does the ocarina game have a noise filter option?

Some versions of the remake include a “Mic noise reduction” toggle in the sound settings. Check the game’s options menu—if present, enable it to reduce background hum. If you don’t see it, your version may not have that feature.

Will a different pair of headphones stop the hum?

If you are using wireless headphones, the hum might come from the Bluetooth connection interfering with the mic. Try wired headphones to see if the hum disappears. If it does, the issue is with the wireless audio profile.

Is there a way to play the ocarina without the mic?

Yes, the remake allows you to use the face buttons to play the ocarina instead of the mic. Go to the game’s settings and switch the input method to “Buttons.” This completely bypasses the microphone and eliminates any hum-related issues.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you have tried all the fixes above and the hum is still present, especially when using a wired headset and with the charger unplugged, the console’s audio hardware may be defective. Contact Nintendo support and describe the issue, including what you have already tried. They may offer a repair or replacement. Do not attempt to open the console yourself, as that voids the warranty and can cause further damage.

Related

Formula used
in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.