Microsoft Teams Microphone Not Working?

1. Compare Teams with a browser microphone test

Start the Microphone Test, approve access and select the microphone you mean to use. Speak and make a short recording if supported. Stop the test before returning to Teams.

• You hear your voice: the browser captured audio. Continue with the Teams desktop or web branch below, checking the same device name.
• Permission is blocked: resolve browser and operating-system access. A blocked browser test does not tell you whether the desktop app has permission.
• The input is missing or silent: inspect the connection, mute switch and selected input before concluding that the issue is specific to Teams.

The general microphone checklist covers input problems outside a particular meeting app.

2. In the Teams desktop app

1. Open the menu beside your profile, choose Settings, then Devices.
2. Under the audio controls, select the microphone you intend to use. Review the speaker separately so you can hear the test response.
3. Choose Make a test call if available. Follow the spoken instructions, record a short message and listen to the returned audio.

During a meeting, the arrow beside the microphone control opens audio options. Check the input there if you connected a headset after joining.

The built-in test call is a desktop feature for Windows and Mac; it is not available in Teams on the web. If the option is absent, check the route you are using and verify audio in a short meeting instead.

3. In Teams on the web

Keep the Teams meeting page open and inspect its microphone permission in the browser. A previous refusal can remain saved for that site. Allow access, refresh the page and select the intended microphone in the meeting audio controls.

In Chrome, microphone permissions and the default input are available through its site settings. Other browsers provide their own per-site controls. The operating system must also allow that browser to use the microphone.

Changing the desktop Teams app's permission does not give the browser access, and allowing Device Tests does not allow the Teams site. On an organisation-managed browser, contact IT if the relevant control is locked.

4. Check the permission for the route you use

Windows 11: find Microphone under Privacy & security in Settings. Check the main access control and the relevant app permission. Desktop apps use the separate desktop-app access control; they may not have an individual switch.

Mac: open Microphone within System Settings, Privacy & Security. Allow Teams for the desktop app, or your browser for Teams on the web. Restart the affected app if prompted.

Return to the same Teams route after changing permissions. Switching between the app and browser halfway through makes it harder to tell which change helped.

5. Check mute controls and meeting restrictions

A headset boom, cable switch or USB microphone can have its own mute control. Check it as well as the Teams meeting button. If a Bluetooth input is missing, check its power and connection, then reconnect it and select it again.

If your microphone button is dimmed or Teams prevents you from turning it on, the organiser may have disabled attendee microphones. Ask the organiser whether you are allowed to speak, or use the meeting's hand-raising control. Repeatedly changing your device permission will not change a restriction set for the meeting.

6. Confirm the fix in Teams

Repeat the test call or ask a participant to confirm a short sentence. Keep the input, distance from the microphone and speaking level consistent. Change one setting at a time, then repeat the check.

A clear local recording with poor audio only in the meeting calls for a closer look at the Teams session, processing or connection; it does not identify the cause by itself. If your camera or speaker also needs checking, run the Video Call Test and compare each result with Teams.

Still stuck? Record the selected device name, whether the browser recording worked, whether the Teams test call worked and any exact error text. Those observations give your IT team a useful starting point.