🩺 FixMyMeeting

Device not found: check cables, power and drivers

If your computer or browser does not list a microphone, camera or speaker at all, Teams cannot use it either. Work through these checks from simple to advanced.

A missing device cannot be fixed in the browser or in Teams. The cause is almost always the connection, the power or the driver.

Everyone: check cables and power

  1. Plug the device in firmly. For a USB device, try a different USB port directly on the computer – not a hub or docking station – and another cable if you have one.
  2. Wireless or Bluetooth devices: charge them, switch them on and reconnect them in the Bluetooth settings.
  3. Look for a hardware switch, mute button or privacy shutter on the device or laptop and make sure it is on or open.
  4. Restart the computer, then try again.

Windows (advanced): look for missing drivers in Device Manager

  1. Right-click the Start button and choose “Device Manager”.
  2. Open the matching groups: “Audio inputs and outputs” and “Sound, video and game controllers” for microphone and speakers, “Cameras” or “Imaging devices” for webcams.
  3. A yellow warning triangle, an entry called “Unknown device” or an entry with a small down arrow (disabled) shows a problem. If your device is not listed at all, choose Action › “Scan for hardware changes”.
  4. Right-click the entry: “Enable device” if it is disabled, otherwise “Update driver” › “Search automatically for drivers”. If that does not help, choose “Uninstall device” and restart the computer so Windows installs it again.
  5. Still missing? Check Windows Update and the manufacturer’s website for a driver for your model.
  6. Do not install drivers from unknown websites. If you are unsure, ask your IT department.

Mac (advanced): check whether the device is detected

  1. macOS installs drivers automatically, so most devices need nothing installed.
  2. Hold the Option key and choose Apple menu › “System Information”.
  3. Under Hardware, open “Audio” (microphone and speakers), “Camera”, “USB” or “Bluetooth” and look for your device.
  4. If it is not listed there, the Mac does not see it: check the cable, port and power again, or test with another cable or computer.
  5. Install pending updates under System Settings › General › Software Update; for special devices, check the manufacturer’s website for a macOS driver or app.

Or: ask your IT department

  1. If you are not comfortable with the steps above, ask your IT department to check the device, its power and its driver.
  2. Tell them which device is affected (microphone, camera or speaker), which computer you use (Windows or Mac) and what you already tried. The troubleshooter can copy a ready-made summary for you.
  3. Company computers often block driver installation, so IT may need to do this for you.

Once the device shows up without a warning sign, test it again with the microphone, camera or speaker test.