Apps · Repair guide

How to fix the microphone not working in Microsoft Teams

9 fixes, easiest first4 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Check that you are not muted in Teams or on your headset, then open Settings and more > Settings > Devices in Teams, choose the right microphone and run Make a test call. If no mic shows up, allow microphone access in Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone on Windows 11.

What it means

If people can't hear you in a Teams call, Teams is usually either muted, listening to the wrong microphone, or blocked from using the microphone by Windows or macOS privacy settings. The same causes apply when your camera won't turn on in Teams; another app using the camera is also common.

Common causes

  • Muted in Teams or by a mute switch on the headset or mic
  • Teams is set to the wrong microphone
  • Windows or Mac privacy settings block Teams from the mic or camera
  • Another app is using the camera or microphone
  • A Bluetooth headset that is connected to another device
  • An out-of-date Teams app, Windows or audio driver

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Check that you are not mutedEasy

  1. In the meeting controls, look at the Mic icon. If it has a line through it, select it to unmute.
  2. Check your headset for a mute button or a boom mic that mutes when flipped up.
  3. If you join some meetings muted by the organiser, ask them in the chat to let you speak.
  4. Watch the mic icon while you talk; it should show activity when Teams hears you.

Why it helps: Being muted in Teams or on the headset itself is the most common reason no one can hear you.

02Choose the right microphone and make a test callEasy

  1. In Teams, select Settings and more (...) next to your profile picture, then Settings > Devices.
  2. Under Audio settings, pick your headset or mic from the Microphone list, and your speakers or headset from the Speaker list.
  3. Select Make a test call and follow the Test Call Bot: record a short message and listen to the playback.
  4. During a meeting, select the arrow next to Mic, then More audio settings, to switch devices without leaving.
  5. The test call is only in English and is not available in Teams on the web.

Why it helps: Teams can quietly pick a laptop's built-in mic or a monitor's speakers instead of your headset.

03Unplug and reconnect your headset or micEasy

  1. Unplug the USB or audio cable, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in, ideally straight into the computer rather than a hub.
  2. For a Bluetooth headset: charge it, disconnect it from your phone or other devices, then reconnect it to the computer.
  3. Go back to Settings > Devices in Teams and pick the headset again.
  4. If the mic is still missing, quit Teams fully from the taskbar icon and open it again.

Why it helps: A headset that dropped its connection or is linked to your phone won't appear as a choice in Teams.

04Allow Teams to use the microphone on Windows 11Easy

  1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
  2. Turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone.
  3. In the list of apps, turn on Microsoft Teams (it may say Microsoft Teams (work or school)).
  4. Turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone.
  5. If they were already on, turn them off and back on, then close all apps and restart the PC.

Why it helps: If Windows blocks microphone access, Teams can't hear you even when the right mic is selected.

05Allow Teams to use the microphone on a MacEasy

  1. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security; you may need to scroll down the sidebar.
  2. Select Microphone and turn on Microsoft Teams.
  3. For the camera, go back and select Camera, then turn on Microsoft Teams.
  4. Quit Teams with Command + Q and open it again.

Why it helps: macOS blocks the mic and camera for any app that hasn't been given permission.

06Check Windows sound input settingsEasy

  1. Open Settings > System > Sound.
  2. Under Input, choose your microphone under Choose a device for speaking or recording.
  3. Make sure the input volume is turned up and not muted.
  4. If your mic is missing, scroll to Advanced and select More sound settings, open the Recording tab, right-click the mic and choose Enable if it is disabled.

Why it helps: A disabled or muted microphone in Windows stays silent in every app, including Teams.

07If your camera isn't working in Teams, free it up and allow itEasy

  1. Close other apps that might be using the camera, such as Zoom, Skype, the Windows Camera app or FaceTime.
  2. Check for a privacy shutter or a camera on/off key on your laptop or webcam.
  3. On Windows 11, open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, turn on Let apps access your camera, and turn on Microsoft Teams in the list.
  4. In Teams, open Settings and more > Settings > Devices and pick the right camera.
  5. Unplug and reconnect an external webcam, then restart the computer.

Why it helps: Only one app can use the camera at a time, and privacy settings can hide it from Teams.

08If you use Teams in a browser, allow the mic and cameraEasy

  1. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Permissions > Microphone, pick your mic at the top, and set Sites can ask to use your microphone. Do the same under Camera.
  2. In Edge, open Settings, type microphone in the settings search box, open the Microphone site permission and make sure Edge is set to ask before accessing it. Do the same for Camera.
  3. Reload Teams and select Allow when the browser asks.
  4. Work or school browsers may have these settings locked by IT.

Why it helps: Teams on the web can only use your mic and camera if the browser allows it.

09Update Teams, Windows and your audio driverMedium

  1. In Teams, if an update notice appears at the top of the window, select Update, then Update and restart Teams.
  2. On Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update, select Check for updates, install everything and restart.
  3. Right-click Start, choose Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device and select Update driver.
  4. For a webcam, expand Cameras and do the same.
  5. If nothing else works during an urgent meeting, use the Call me back option if Teams offers it, so the call's audio goes through your phone.

Why it helps: Fixes for headset, mic and camera problems often arrive in Teams, Windows and driver updates.

Check it's fixed

  • The Teams test call plays back your recorded voice clearly.
  • The mic icon in a meeting shows activity when you speak, and others confirm they can hear you.
  • Your camera preview appears in Settings > Devices in Teams.

When to get help

If no app can hear your microphone, or the camera doesn't show in Device Manager, the device may be faulty; try another headset or webcam, then contact the maker or a repair shop. On a work PC where the settings are locked, contact IT.

Questions

Why can people not hear me on Teams when my mic works elsewhere?

Teams is probably set to a different microphone, or Windows privacy settings block it. Pick the mic in Teams under Settings > Devices and check Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone in Windows.

How do I test my microphone in Teams?

Go to Settings and more > Settings > Devices and select Make a test call. The Test Call Bot records a short message and plays it back so you can hear yourself.

Why does Teams say my camera is in use?

Another app such as Zoom or the Camera app is holding the camera. Close those apps, or restart the computer, then try again.

My Bluetooth headset works for music but not for Teams calls. Why?

The headset may still be linked to your phone, or Teams may be using a different microphone. Charge it, disconnect it from other devices, reconnect it to the computer, and pick it as the microphone in Teams under Settings > Devices.

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