I can't hear others in Teams

Turn the sound up

The most common cause: the sound is turned down or muted.

Windows

1. Turn up the volume on your speakers or headset and check its mute switch.
2. Click the speaker icon in the taskbar, raise the volume and make sure it is not muted.
3. Play something else, like a video, to check.

Mac

1. Turn up the volume on your speakers or headset and check its mute switch.
2. Press the volume-up key or open Control Center › Sound and make sure it is not muted.
3. Play something else, like a video, to check.

Choose the right speaker in your system settings

You heard nothing, so the sound probably goes to another device.

Windows

1. Open Settings › System › Sound.
2. Under “Output” select your headphones or speakers.
3. Play the test sound again.

Mac

1. Open System Settings › Sound › Output.
2. Select your headphones or speakers.
3. Play the test sound again.

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings.

Is your wireless headset really connected?

A headset can be paired but not connected.

Windows

1. Charge it and switch it on.
2. Open Settings › Bluetooth & devices: it must say “Connected”.
3. If it does, switch it off and on again.

Mac

1. Charge it and switch it on.
2. Open System Settings › Bluetooth: it must say “Connected”.
3. If it does, switch it off and on again.

No speaker or headphones found?

If your speakers do not show up at all, the cause is the connection, power or a driver.

Windows

1. Plug the speakers or headset in firmly; try another port or cable.
2. Check that they appear under Settings › System › Sound › Output.
3. Advanced: check the driver (guide below) or ask IT.

Mac

1. Plug the speakers or headset in firmly; try another port or cable.
2. Check that they appear under System Settings › Sound › Output.
3. Advanced: check System Information (guide below) or ask IT.

Advanced: how do I check cables and drivers?

Restart the computer

A restart clears most stuck audio drivers.

Windows

1. Save your work and restart the computer.
2. Test the speakers again.

Mac

1. Save your work and restart the computer.
2. Test the speakers again.

Is meeting audio switched on?

The speakers work, so check how you joined.

Windows

1. On the join screen choose “Computer audio” (not “Don’t use audio” or “Phone audio”).
2. Already in the meeting? Leave, rejoin and check this option.

Mac

1. On the join screen choose “Computer audio” (not “Don’t use audio” or “Phone audio”).
2. Already in the meeting? Leave, rejoin and check this option.

Is Teams using the right speaker?

Your computer plays sound, but Teams may use another device.

Windows

1. In Teams open the three dots (…) › Settings › Devices.
2. Under “Speaker” pick your headphones or speakers.

Mac

1. In Teams open the three dots (…) › Settings › Devices.
2. Under “Speaker” pick your headphones or speakers.

The three dots (…) are at the top right of Teams, next to your profile picture.

Make a Teams test call

This plays a sample inside Teams.

Windows

1. Open Teams › Settings › Devices.
2. Select “Make a test call” and listen to the voice.

Mac

1. Open Teams › Settings › Devices.
2. Select “Make a test call” and listen to the voice.

The button is below the speaker and microphone lists. In some company setups it is missing – skip this step then.

Restart Teams completely

A full restart makes Teams find your speakers again.

Windows

1. Quit Teams: right-click its icon in the taskbar notification area › Quit.
2. Start Teams again and rejoin the meeting.

Mac

1. Quit Teams: right-click its Dock icon › Quit.
2. Start Teams again and rejoin the meeting.

How do I fully restart Teams?

Try Teams in your browser

This shows whether the problem is the Teams app or your computer.

Windows

1. Open teams.microsoft.com in Edge or Chrome and sign in.
2. Join your meeting there and check the sound.

Mac

1. Open teams.microsoft.com in Safari, Edge or Chrome and sign in.
2. Join your meeting there and check the sound.

Time to ask IT for help

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