Fix Microsoft Teams Mic and Audio Not Working on Windows

You join a meeting and realize you cannot hear a word, or your team is staring at you wondering why your mic is silent. This usually happens because Windows or Teams is trying to push audio through the wrong device, like a monitor that doesn't have speakers.

Why this happens

Windows often struggles to pick the correct hardware when multiple devices are plugged in, or an outdated driver is blocking the signal.

Steps

1. 01
   Open the Start menu, type Windows Update, and click Check for updates to install any pending driver fixes for your audio hardware.
2. 02
   Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar and select Sound settings to verify that your headset or speakers are selected as the default Input and Output devices.
3. 03
   Open Microsoft Teams, click the three-dot menu icon, and select Settings, then Devices.
4. 04
   Ensure the Speaker and Microphone dropdowns in the Teams settings menu match the devices you confirmed in your Windows Sound settings.
5. 05
   Restart your computer to allow all device drivers to re-initialize if the audio still does not trigger after changing your settings.

Still not working?

If your device still isn't showing up, right-click the Start button and open Device Manager. Expand Sound, video and game controllers and check for any yellow warning icons. If you see them, right-click your audio driver and select Update driver or Uninstall to force Windows to reinstall the hardware on the next reboot.

Frequently asked questions

Will changing these settings affect other apps?

Yes, changing your default device in Windows Sound settings will change the output for all applications, not just Teams.

Why does my microphone work in Windows but not in Teams?

This often happens because Teams has its own independent device selection menu that sometimes overrides or ignores your global Windows default settings.