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Microphone not working in Google Meet

Meet is a web app: the browser’s permission and the OS privacy switch for the browser are what matter.

First, test it.
The mic test shows in seconds whether the device works at all — that decides which steps below apply.
Open the mic test

Three places can block a microphone or camera, and all three must say yes: the operating system (privacy settings), the browser or app (site permission or device picker) and the hardware (mute switch, shutter, cable). Work through them in that order.

Our microphone test uses exactly the same browser API as Meet. If it works here but not in Meet, the permission for meet.google.com is the issue (step 1).

  1. Allow the microphone for meet.google.com. Click the lock / tune icon at the left of the address bar › Site settings (Chrome/Edge) and set Microphone to Allow, then reload. If you once clicked Block, Meet will not ask again until you change this. Firefox: click the lock icon › Clear permissions. Safari: Safari menu › Settings for meet.google.com › Microphone › Allow.
  2. Pick the device inside Meet. In the call: More options (⋮) › Settings › Audio › Microphone. The bar next to the device name moves when it hears you.
  3. Unmute. Ctrl+D (Windows) / ⌘+D (Mac) toggles your mic. Hosts can mute everyone; you can’t unmute yourself if the host has locked audio.
  4. The OS must allow the browser. macOS: System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone › switch on Google Chrome (or Safari/Firefox/Edge). Windows: Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone › Let desktop apps access your microphone on.
  5. Another tab or app holds the mic. Close other Meet/Zoom/Teams tabs and apps, then reload.
  6. Extensions and incognito. Privacy extensions can block device access. Try an incognito window with extensions disabled, or another browser profile.
  7. Chrome’s own device setting. chrome://settings/content/microphone: check the default device at the top and that meet.google.com is not under “Not allowed”.

Meet on phone

Use the Meet app rather than a mobile browser. iPhone: Settings › Meet › Microphone on. Android: Settings › Apps › Meet › Permissions.

Did it work?

Run the mic test again. If the device now registers here, every app that has permission will see it too.

Related guides

Mic not working in ZoomNobody can hear you, or Zoom says “Unable to detect your microphone”Mic not working in TeamsFor the new Teams app and Teams in a browser, on Windows and Mac.Mic not working in DiscordDesktop app, browser and mobileMic not working on Windows 11Laptop array, USB mic, headset or Bluetooth — the same order of checks finds the fault.Mic not working on MacMacBook internal mic, USB or Bluetooth headset, external interface.

Questions, answered

Meet shows “Microphone is blocked”.

That is the site permission (step 1). It is per-site, so Meet can be blocked while other sites work.

Meet worked yesterday; today it does not.

A browser or macOS update often resets permissions. Re-grant the browser in Privacy & Security › Microphone, then the site permission.