6 Fixes for Zoom Microphone Not Working on Windows 11/10

Quick Tips

• Use the Join Audio option once you are in the meeting.
• Switch the microphone to the webcam microphone if the PC microphone is not working.
• The Switch to Phone audio option lets you use the phone as a microphone quickly.

Basic Fixes You Should Try

• Restart the Zoom app and Windows PC.
• Make sure the microphone is connected to the correct port or Bluetooth.
• Make sure to update the sound driver from the OEM website.

Fix 1. Use the Join Audio Button

Even though Zoom asks you to let it use your computer’s audio before joining a meeting, one sometimes misses it. That could be the reason why others are unable to hear you. To fix it, follow these steps:

Step 1: Click on the Join Audio option present at the bottom-left corner of the meeting window.

Step 2: Click on Join with Computer Audio in the pop-up window.

Fix 2. Unmute Microphone in Zoome App

If you’re wondering why your mic is not working on Zoom, you might be surprised to know there might not be any issue. It could be that your microphone is muted on Zoom, and that’s why it doesn’t work.

When that happens, you will see a red line on the microphone icon or Audio icon at the bottom of the Zoom app. Click on it to unmute it. Alternatively, press the spacebar key to unmute the audio.

Tip: Find out how to mute and unmute on the Zoom mobile app.

Fix 3. Change the Input Microphone

Your selected Zoom microphone may not be working correctly with the app, or you may have selected the wrong device as the mic. In this case, you can change the microphone used in the Zoom app.

Step 1: Click on the settings icon at the top-right corner of the Zoom app.

Step 2: From the left panel, go to the Audio section. Click on the drop-down box next to the Microphone label.

Step 3: Change the microphone. You can also test it using the Test Mic button. If the audio works fine, the progress bar next to the Input level will change. Relaunch the Zoom app.

Tip: Increase the volume level from the slider under the Microphone tab.

Step 4: If you are in a meeting, click on the small arrow next to the Mute/Unmute option on the bottom bar of the meeting screen. Select a different microphone from the list.

Fix 4. Grant Zoom Access to Your Microphone

If the Zoom app doesn’t have permission to use your microphone in Windows, Zoom will fail to detect your mic. So, you need to check and grant access to Windows privacy settings.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings (Win + I) and navigate to Privacy & security.

Step 2: Scroll to find the Apps permissions section, and then click on Microphone.

Step 3: Enable the toggle next to Let desktop apps access your microphone.

Fix 5. Troubleshoot Microphone Issues

Microsoft offers a native way to troubleshoot microphone-related issues on your computer. You’ll need to use it to fix the issues with your Zoom microphone not working on Windows.

Step 1: After that, right-click on the sound icon in the taskbar and choose Troubleshoot sound problems.

Step 2: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. If it doesn’t show anything, type Sound troubleshooter, and you should see the troubleshooter.

Fix 6. Last Resort: Use Audio From the Phone

Zoom offers an exciting way to use audio from your phone instead of the computer. So, if nothing fixes the microphone issue on your computer, you should use your phone’s audio. When doing so, you must speak into your phone, i.e., consider it your mic.

Download the Zoom app on your Android or iPhone to use this feature—login with your account. Now, on the desktop version of Zoom, click on the arrow present next to Mute. Select Switch to Phone audio. You will be given a meeting ID and password. Use it to join the meeting on your phone.

Here’s a video on our YouTube channel about fixing Zoom mic call issues.

This video will give you a detailed idea about the fixes.