Others can't hear me in Teams

Are you muted in Teams?

This is the most common reason.

Windows

1. Look at the microphone button in the meeting. A line through it means you are muted.
2. Click it once to unmute, or press Ctrl + Shift + M.
3. Say something and ask if you can be heard now.

Mac

1. Look at the microphone button in the meeting. A line through it means you are muted.
2. Click it once to unmute, or press Command + Shift + M.
3. Say something and ask if you can be heard now.

The button is in the meeting toolbar, next to the camera button. Teams also tells you that you are muted when you start talking.

Is your headset or keyboard muted?

Many headsets and laptops have their own mute switch.

Windows

1. Look for a mute button or switch on your headset, speakerphone or keyboard.
2. A red or lit mute light usually means “muted”. Switch it off.
3. Say something again.

Mac

1. Look for a mute button or switch on your headset, speakerphone or keyboard.
2. A red or lit mute light usually means “muted”. Switch it off.
3. Say something again.

On headsets the switch is often on the cable or on the microphone arm. On laptops a key with a crossed-out microphone (often F4) turns the microphone off.

Is Teams using the right microphone?

Teams may use the laptop microphone while you speak into your headset.

Windows

1. In Teams open the three dots (…) › Settings › Devices.
2. Under “Microphone” pick your headset or microphone.
3. Speak: the level bar next to it should move.

Mac

1. In Teams open the three dots (…) › Settings › Devices.
2. Under “Microphone” pick your headset or microphone.
3. Speak: the level bar next to it should move.

The three dots (…) are at the top right of Teams, next to your profile picture. Not sure which one is yours? Pick one, talk and watch the bar. If it stays flat, try the next one.

Make a Teams test call

This checks the microphone inside Teams.

Windows

1. Open Teams › Settings › Devices.
2. Select “Make a test call” and follow the voice.
3. Speak after the tone: you should hear your recording.

Mac

1. Open Teams › Settings › Devices.
2. Select “Make a test call” and follow the voice.
3. Speak after the tone: you should hear your recording.

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 look for your microphone 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?

Update Teams

Older versions can have audio bugs.

Windows

1. Open the three dots (…) › Settings › About Teams.
2. Teams checks for updates; restart it when asked.

Mac

1. Open the three dots (…) › Settings › About Teams.
2. Teams checks for updates; restart it when asked.

If your company manages updates you may not see this. Ask IT then.

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 allow the microphone when asked.

Mac

1. Open teams.microsoft.com in Safari, Edge or Chrome and sign in.
2. Join your meeting there and allow the microphone when asked.

Check the microphone in your system settings

We heard nothing, so your computer may use the wrong microphone or have it turned down.

Windows

1. Open Settings › System › Sound.
2. Under “Input” select your microphone.
3. Speak: the volume bar should move. Raise the volume if it is 0 and check it is not muted.

Mac

1. Open System Settings › Sound › Input.
2. Select your microphone.
3. Speak: the input level should move. Raise “Input volume” if it is low.

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

Reconnect the microphone

The test still hears nothing.

Windows

1. Unplug it, wait 5 seconds and plug it into another USB port – directly on the computer, no hub.
2. Bluetooth: switch the headset off and on, then reconnect it.
3. Restart the computer and test again.

Mac

1. Unplug it, wait 5 seconds and plug it into another USB port – directly on the computer, no hub.
2. Bluetooth: switch the headset off and on, then reconnect it.
3. Restart the computer and test again.

Bluetooth settings: Settings › Bluetooth & devices. Bluetooth settings: System Settings › Bluetooth.

Advanced: how do I check cables and drivers?

Improve the microphone level

Your microphone works, but the volume or noise is not ideal.

Windows

1. Move closer: the microphone should be about a hand’s width from your mouth.
2. Choose a quiet room and switch off fans or music.
3. Settings › System › Sound › Input: set the volume so the bar reaches about the middle when you speak.

Mac

1. Move closer: the microphone should be about a hand’s width from your mouth.
2. Choose a quiet room and switch off fans or music.
3. System Settings › Sound › Input: set “Input volume” so the level reaches about the middle when you speak.

Allow microphone access

Your computer or browser blocks the microphone.

Windows

1. Open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone.
2. Turn on “Microphone access” and “Let apps access your microphone”.
3. Scroll down and turn on “Let desktop apps access your microphone”.

Mac

1. Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone.
2. Switch on Microsoft Teams and your browser.

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Browsers and the Teams app count as desktop apps. Greyed out? Then your organisation manages this setting – ask your IT department (use the summary in the last step). Click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings.

Restart the browser and Teams

Changed permissions only apply after a restart.

Windows

1. Close all browser windows and quit Teams (taskbar icon › Quit).
2. Open the browser again and test the microphone once more.

Mac

1. Close all browser windows and quit Teams (Dock icon › Quit).
2. Open the browser again and test the microphone once more.

How do I fully restart Teams?

Close other apps that use the microphone

Only one app can use the microphone at a time.

Windows

1. Close other meeting, recording and voice-chat apps (Zoom, Skype, Discord, OBS).
2. Close browser tabs with video calls.
3. Then restart Teams.

Mac

1. Close other meeting, recording and voice-chat apps (Zoom, Skype, Discord, OBS).
2. Close browser tabs with video calls.
3. Then restart Teams.

Which app? Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone lists apps that used it recently. An orange dot in the menu bar shows the microphone is in use; Control Center shows which app.

How do I fully restart Teams?

No microphone found – check the connection

Your browser does not see any microphone, so Teams cannot use one either.

Windows

1. Plug the microphone or headset in firmly; try another USB port directly on the computer (no hub).
2. Wireless: charge it, switch it on and reconnect it under Settings › Bluetooth & devices.
3. Restart the computer.

Mac

1. Plug the microphone or headset in firmly; try another USB port directly on the Mac (no hub).
2. Wireless: charge it, switch it on and reconnect it under System Settings › Bluetooth.
3. Restart the Mac.

Advanced: how do I check cables and drivers?

Time to ask IT for help

We could not solve this together. Send the summary below to your IT support – it contains no personal data.