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Microphone not working in Zoom

Nobody can hear you, or Zoom says “Unable to detect your microphone”. Work down this list; most people are fixed by step 3.

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.

First, find out whether the microphone works at all

Open the microphone test in this browser and speak. If the level meter moves, your mic and operating system are fine and the problem is inside Zoom (steps 1–4). If it does not move, start at step 5.

Fixes, fastest first

  1. Zoom is listening to the wrong microphone. In a meeting, click the ^ arrow next to Mute and pick your mic under Select a Microphone. Laptops often have “Microphone Array”, a webcam mic and a headset mic; a disconnected Bluetooth headset can still be selected.
  2. You are muted — by Zoom or by the host. The mic icon with a red line means muted; press Alt+A (Windows) or ⌘+Shift+A (Mac) to unmute. If the host muted everyone, you may need to use Raise Hand and wait to be unmuted.
  3. You never joined audio. If the toolbar shows a headset icon labelled Join Audio instead of a microphone, click it and choose Join with Computer Audio. Tick “Automatically join audio by computer” in Settings › Audio so it doesn’t happen again.
  4. Noise suppression is eating your voice. Settings › Audio › Background noise suppression: set it to Auto or Low. “High” can cut quiet or distant voices completely. Also untick Automatically adjust microphone volume if your level keeps dropping, and drag the input slider up.
  5. The operating system is blocking Zoom. Windows 11: Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone — turn on Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone and Let desktop apps access your microphone (Zoom is a desktop app). macOS: System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone — switch Zoom on; if the switch was already on, turn it off and on, then quit and reopen Zoom. macOS updates sometimes reset these permissions.
  6. Hardware mute. Many laptops have a mic-mute key (often F4 with a crossed-out mic, sometimes with an orange LED). Headsets have a mute switch on the cable or a tap gesture on the ear cup. Unmute, then watch the mic test meter.
  7. Another app owns the mic. Close Teams, Discord, OBS, browser tabs with calls, and any voice-changer software, then restart Zoom. On Windows also open Sound settings › More sound settings › Recording › your mic › Properties › Advanced and untick Allow applications to take exclusive control.
  8. Zoom itself. Update Zoom (profile picture › Check for Updates). Still silent? Settings › Audio › Test Mic records and plays back a few seconds — if that works, the fault is at the other end (their speakers), not you.

Using Zoom in a browser instead of the app?

The browser must be allowed to use the mic: click the lock or microphone icon at the left of the address bar and set Microphone to Allow. See how to unblock camera and microphone in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.

On a phone or tablet

iPhone/iPad: Settings › Zoom › Microphone on; also Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone. In the meeting tap Join Audio › Wi-Fi or Cellular Data. Android: Settings › Apps › Zoom › Permissions › Microphone › Allow. If a Bluetooth headset is connected but not on your head, audio may be routed to it — switch with the speaker icon.

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 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 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

Zoom says “Unable to detect your microphone”. What does that mean?

Zoom cannot see any input device. Check the hardware is connected and that the OS privacy switch for Zoom is on (step 5). Our mic test will show whether the browser can see a microphone, which tells you whether the device itself is working.

People hear me but very quietly.

Raise the input volume in Zoom › Settings › Audio, untick automatic adjustment, lower noise suppression to Low, and get the mic closer to your mouth. A headset mic 2–3 cm from your mouth beats any laptop array.

It works in the mic test here but not in Zoom.

Then the microphone and the operating system are fine — Zoom is using a different device or is muted. Steps 1–4.