Why can no one hear me on Zoom?

Usually the wrong microphone is selected, Zoom lacks microphone permission, or your input volume is at zero. Check those three in order.

How do I know if my mic hardware is broken?

Use a browser microphone test. If the level meter moves when you speak, the hardware works and the issue is in your app settings.

My mic works on the test but not in Teams. Why?

Teams is likely set to the wrong input device, or was denied microphone permission in your operating system's privacy settings.

Microphone Not Working on Zoom, Teams or Google Meet

Quick answer: If your microphone is not working on Zoom, Teams or Google Meet, the cause is almost always one of three things: the wrong microphone is selected in the app, the app does not have permission to use your mic, or your system input volume is muted or at zero. Fix those in order and the problem usually clears in under two minutes.

Before you start, test your microphone here — if the meter moves when you speak, your mic hardware is fine and the problem is inside the calling app.

1. Select the correct microphone in the app

Laptops often default to a built-in mic instead of your headset. In your meeting app, open the audio settings and pick the right input device:

Zoom: click the arrow next to the microphone icon → choose your device under "Select a Microphone".
Teams: ⋯ More → Settings → Devices → Microphone.
Google Meet: three-dot menu → Settings → Audio → Microphone.

2. Give the app microphone permission

Windows

Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone, then turn on access for the app (and for desktop apps in general).

Mac

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone, then tick the app.

Browser (Meet)

Click the padlock/camera icon in the address bar and set the microphone to Allow, then reload.

3. Check your input volume

If the right device is selected and permitted but still silent, your input level may be muted or at zero. On Windows: right-click the speaker icon → Sound settings → Input → raise the level. On Mac: System Settings → Sound → Input.

Still not working?

Close other apps that might be holding the mic (only one app can use it at a time), unplug and replug a USB mic, and restart the meeting app. Then run the microphone test again to confirm.