Troubleshoot audio in-meeting

If you are having trouble with your audio, you should check the following items.

You can use the Zoom.us/test if you need a place to test.

This Guide Will Help You to:

  • Join computer audio

  • Test your audio with Zoom

  • Reboot the computer

  • Check operating system permissions

  • Check computer microphone

  • Check computer speaker

  • Seek further assistance

Join Computer Audio

Check that the meeting has “joined to computer audio”.

  1. After joining a meeting, click “Join with computer audio” (blue button).

The “Join Audio” button in the bottom-left should be replaced with the “Mute/Unmute” button:

Before:Zoom audio and video settings with automatic join audio on 

After: Zoom audio and video settings with automatic join audio off

  1. Make sure the computer’s speaker volume is turned up. 

  2. If this doesn’t resolve the problem go to the next area.

Test your computer or device audio with Zoom

Youtube: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362283-Testing-computer-or-device-audio

  1. You can test your speaker and microphone before joining a meeting or during:

    1. After joining a meeting, click “Test Speaker and Microphone”.

Screenshot of Zoom popup audio settings

  1. During the meeting, click the Up Arrow next to the Mute/Unmute button. Select “Test Speaker & Microphone…”

Popup settings from audio tab

  1. The meeting will display a pop-up window to test your speakers. If you don't hear the ringtone, use the drop-down menu or click “No” to switch speakers until you hear the ringtone. Click “Yes” to continue the microphone test.

Screenshot of speaker testing screen in Zoom

  1. Speak into the mic. If you don't hear an audio replay, use the drop-down menu or click “No” to switch microphones until you hear the replay. Click “Yes” when you hear the replay.

Screenshot of the Zoom microphone testing area

  1. Click “Join with Computer audio” (white button) to exit the speaker and microphone test.

Screenshot of approved zoom speaker and microphone settings

  1. Click “Join with Computer Audio” (blue button) to join the meeting with the selected microphone and speakers.

Screenshot of Zoom join with computer audio button in the middle of the screen

  1. If this doesn’t resolve the problem go to the next area.

Reboot the computer

  1. Turn the computer off and back on. This should reset the configuration of the microphone and speakers. 
    • You may need to integrate this step into the other areas when making changes to the computer as part of the problem-solving process. 

Check Operating System Permissions

If you have a computer that is issued by the university or a specific department, some of the mentioned settings may only be available to the computer’s administrator.

  • If you are on Mac OS 10.14 Mojave or earlier and can't access the microphone, check your operating system permissions to confirm that Zoom has access to the microphone. See Using the Zoom client and Zoom Rooms with macOS for more information.

  • If you are on Windows 10 and can't access the microphone, use the Windows search box to navigate to Microphone privacy settings. Switch on the Allow apps to access your microphone toggle, and enable access for Zoom. See Turn on app permissions for your microphone in Windows 10 for more information.

Windows Microphone settings tab

Check Computer Microphone

PC/Windows

  1. Make sure your microphone is connected to your PC.

  2. Select Start

  3. Select Settings

  4. Select System

  5. Select Sound

  6. In Sound settings, go to Input then Choose your input device, and then

  7. Select the microphone or recording device you want to use.  

  8. In the Test your microphone, you should be looking for movement in the bar (when you speak into the microphone, the bar should indicate sound).

Note: If you aren’t hearing sound from the microphone, click on the Troubleshoot button. You may need to contact the IT Service Desk for additional help.

Mac

  1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.

  2. Click Sound.

  3. Click the Input tab, then select the input device (i.e., the mic that you want to test).

  4. Adjust the volume so that it can pick up the sound you want the mic to pick up and speak into it.

  5. The bars will light up to indicate the input is detected. If they do not light up, your mic is not detecting any input.

Check Computer Speaker

PC/Windows

  1. Make sure your speaker is connected to your PC.

  2. Select Start  

  3. Select Settings 

  4. Select System

  5. Select Sound

  6. In Sound settings, go to Output then Choose your output device, and then select the speaker device you want to use.

  7. In the Master volume, move the sound bar. When the volume is adjusted you should hear sound from the computer and see the bar move to indicate sound.

Note: If you aren’t hearing sound from the speakers, click the Troubleshoot button. You may need to contact the IT Service Desk for additional help.

Mac

First, disconnect any cables from the USB, Thunderbolt, or 3.5mm audio ports on your Mac.

  1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.

  2. Click Sound.

  3. Click the Output tab, then select the built-in speakers. If you don’t see built-in speakers as an option in the Output window, contact Apple Support.

  4. If the Output volume slider is set low, move the slider to the right and test again.

  5. If the Mute checkbox is selected, deselect it and test again.

  6. If you still don’t hear any sound, contact Apple Support.

Seek Further Assistance

For additional assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk.

  • On-Campus: xHELP (4357)

  • Off-Campus: (208) 282-HELP (4357)

  • Email: help@isu.edu

For more information please visit Zoom Help Center: Testing computer or device audio.

Creative Commons License

This work was created by the Idaho State University Instructional Technology Resource Center and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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