The microphone in one or more apps is not working

The microphone in one or more apps is not working

Problem

When using apps like Microsoft Teams or Zoom the other participants are unable to hear you.

Resolution

There are two potential causes of this condition that are readily fixed.
• Windows microphone privacy settings need attention.
• The app you are using is not set up for the microphone device.

Example apps

The following are examples of apps you may wish to look for and enable their microphone access:

  • Microsoft Teams
  • Skype
  • Webex
  • Zoom

Steps

  1. Open Start menu and type “Microphone privacy” into the search box and open the item “microphone privacy settings”.
  2. In the section at the top “Allow access to the microphone on this device” click the “Change” button.
  3. If the toggle in the pop up is showing “off” click this so it is turned “on”.
  4. Then for any desktop app that needs access to the microphone scroll down to the section “Allow desktop apps to access the microphone” and make sure the toggle switch here is also turned on.

Application specific steps

The following are application specific and may be given to customers to carry out themselves.

Microsoft Teams

  1. In the Teams main window click the button with the three dots and choose “Settings”.
  2. In the “Settings” dialogue click “Devices” in the list.
  3. Under the section “Audio devices” make sure that “microphone” is set to the correct device. If you are unsure what to select, contact technical support.
  4. If you wish to test click the “Make a test call” button and leave yourself a message and wait to hear the playback. If you can hear yourself you have selected the correct device which you have verified is working.

Zoom meetings app

  1. In the Zoom app click on your “profile” image and select “Settings” in the menu.
  2. In the “Settings” dialogue click “Audio” from the left hand list.
  3. Then under “Microphone” select the device to use for the microphone. If you are unsure what to select contact technical support.
  4. When you have selected the microphone device click “Test mic” and then speak so it has something to record. Then click the button now showing “Recording” to stop recording and hear the playback. If you heard your voice then you have everything set up.

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