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 the computer microphone

  • Check the computer speaker

  • Seek further assistance

Join Computer Audio

  • After entering a Zoom meeting, look for a prompt to connect audio. Click the “Join with Computer Audio” button.

  • Once connected, the “Join Audio” button in the lower-left corner of the Zoom window will change to a “Mute/Unmute” button.

    • If you still see “Join Audio,” you are not yet connected.

    • If you see “Mute” or “Unmute,” your computer audio is successfully connected.

  • Make sure your computer’s speaker volume is turned up.

Test your computer or device audio with Zoom

Video: Testing your audio settings for Zoom meetings

Test Your Computer or Device Audio

You can test your speaker and microphone before joining a meeting or at any time during the meeting.

Before or after joining a meeting:

  1. Click “Test Speaker and Microphone.”

  2. A pop-up window will open to guide you through testing:

    • Speaker Test: A ringtone will play. If you don’t hear it, use the drop-down menu or select “No” to switch speakers until you do. Select “Yes” to continue.

    • Microphone Test: Speak into your microphone. If you don’t hear your voice replayed, use the drop-down menu or select “No” to switch microphones until it works. Select “Yes” when you hear the replay.

During a meeting:

  1. Click the Up Arrow next to the Mute/Unmute button.

  2. Select “Test Speaker & Microphone…” and follow the same steps above.

When finished:

  • Click “Join with Computer Audio” (white button) to close the test window.

  • Then click “Join with Computer Audio” (blue button) to connect with your selected microphone and speakers.

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.

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.

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