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Microphone not working in Microsoft Teams

For the new Teams app and Teams in a browser, on Windows and Mac.

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.

Start with the microphone test: if the meter moves here, the mic works and only Teams needs fixing (steps 1–4).

  1. Pick the right device inside Teams. In a meeting: More (···) › Settings › Device settings, then choose the microphone under Audio devices. Outside a meeting: Settings and more (···) › Settings › Devices. Watch the test bar move as you speak; if it moves, you’re done.
  2. Check you are not muted. Ctrl+Shift+M toggles mute. Organisers can also hard-mute attendees; in that case you’ll see “Your mic has been disabled by the organiser”.
  3. Noise suppression. Device settings › Noise suppression: set to Auto or Low. “High” can suppress a soft voice, especially with music or when you are far from the mic.
  4. Windows privacy switches. Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone: Microphone access on, Let apps access your microphone on and make sure Microsoft Teams is on in the list; for Teams classic also Let desktop apps access your microphone.
  5. macOS privacy switch. System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone › Microsoft Teams on. If Teams is not listed, quit Teams, start a call and accept the prompt when it appears.
  6. Bluetooth headset quirk. When Windows uses the headset’s “Hands-Free” profile the mic works but music quality drops; when it uses the “Stereo” profile the mic is silent. In Teams pick the device whose name contains Hands-Free or Headset, not Stereo.
  7. Still nothing. Sign out of Teams and back in; clear the cache (Windows: quit Teams, delete %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams for classic or use Settings › General › Clear cache in new Teams); update the audio driver; test in the browser version of Teams to see whether the app or the system is at fault.

Teams in a browser

Edge or Chrome must have microphone permission for teams.microsoft.com (lock icon in the address bar). Safari is supported for the new Teams web experience but still needs Safari › Settings for this website › Microphone › Allow. Details: browser permissions guide.

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 DiscordDesktop app, browser and mobileMic not working in Google MeetMeet is a web app: the browser’s permission and the OS privacy switch for the browser are what matter.Mic 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

Teams says “We couldn’t find your microphone”.

Teams sees no input device. Plug the device in, check Windows Sound › Input lists it, then step 4. If our mic test also shows no device, the problem is below Teams.

My mic works in Teams but cuts in and out.

Lower noise suppression, disable Bluetooth power saving, and connect a USB headset directly rather than through a hub or dock when possible.