Zoom audio fails in three familiar ways: you cannot hear the meeting, nobody can hear you, or your headset connects to the wrong place. Start with the meeting controls because the fix is often already on the toolbar. Use the steps below to reconnect audio, choose the right device, restore microphone access, and clean up the app when audio still breaks.
1. Join Zoom audio properly
Look at the meeting controls toolbar.
Click Join Audio or Join audio.
Choose Join with Computer Audio or Join Audio by Computer.
On mobile, tap Wifi or Cellular Data when Zoom asks how you want to hear the meeting.
Already in the meeting on mobile? Tap Join Audio, then tap Call Over Internet.
When Zoom app audio is not working right after you enter a meeting, check this before changing device settings.
2. Unmute your microphone
On desktop, start or join the meeting and find the audio icon in the meeting controls toolbar.
Click the muted microphone icon to unmute yourself.
On mobile, tap the screen to show the meeting controls.
Tap the Mute or Unmute microphone icon.
On Windows, press Alt + A to mute or unmute.
On Mac or iPad with a keyboard, press Command + Shift + A.
3. Pick the right speaker and microphone
Open the Zoom desktop app and sign in.
Click your profile picture, then open Settings.
Go to the Audio tab.
Under Speaker, click Test Speaker, choose the speaker from the drop-down menu, and adjust the volume.
Under Microphone, click Test Microphone, choose the microphone from the menu, and adjust the input level.
During a meeting, click the upward arrow beside Mute, Unmute, or Audio, then choose the right device under Select a Microphone and Select a Speaker.
If you use earbuds, a monitor speaker, or an external mic, Zoom can be set to another audio device.
4. Check Zoom volume and device volume
This fixes meetings where your microphone works, but you cannot hear anyone else.
During the meeting, click the up arrow next to Mute or Unmute.
Open Audio Settings.
Use Test Speaker to confirm sound is coming through.
Move the Zoom volume slider up, then close the window with X.
Turn up your computer, phone, or tablet volume and make sure the device speaker is not muted.
On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar, open Volume mixer, find Zoom Meetings under Apps, and raise its slider.
5. Stop Zoom from joining silently
For desktop meetings, open Zoom desktop app > profile picture > Settings > Meetings & webinars > When joining meetings and webinars, then turn off Keep my microphone muted when you want to speak after joining.
Before joining, clear Don't connect to audio.
On mobile, use Settings > Meetings and turn off Always Mute My Microphone on Android or Mute My Microphone on iOS, then turn off Don't Connect To Audio on the pre-join screen.
6. Allow microphone access on your device
This fixes the problem where Zoom can play sound, but your voice never reaches the meeting.
On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone, then turn on Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone, and Let desktop apps access your microphone.
On Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone, then turn access on for Zoom Workplace, Zoom, or the browser you use for Zoom Web App.
On iPhone, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone, then turn on Zoom.
On Android, open Settings > Apps > Zoom > Permissions > Microphone and allow it. You can also work from the other direction with Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy > Permission manager > Microphone > Zoom.
For Zoom Web App, click Allow when the browser asks for microphone access.
7. Fix Bluetooth headset audio
Connect the headset first, then join Zoom and choose Join with Computer Audio when prompted.
In the meeting, use Mute or Unmute up arrow > Select a Microphone > headset name and Mute or Unmute up arrow > Select a Speaker > headset name.
On mobile, connect the headset, join with Wifi or Cellular Data, and tap the Bluetooth logo to confirm the headset is selected.
If it still fails, stop other music or audio apps, disconnect the headset from other devices, then unpair and re-pair it.
8. Restart, update, or reinstall Zoom
Leave and reconnect meeting audio, or relaunch the Zoom app.
If you use Zoom in a browser, restart the browser and rejoin.
Restart your device if audio still fails.
On desktop, sign in to Zoom, click your profile picture, then click Check for Updates.
On mobile, update Zoom through Google Play or the App Store.
If updating does not help, uninstall Zoom and reinstall it from the official Zoom Download Center.
On a work or school device, Check for Updates can be missing because updates are managed, so contact your IT administrator instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I hear others in Zoom but they cannot hear me?
Your microphone is muted, blocked by device permissions, selected incorrectly in Zoom, or blocked because the host prevented participants from unmuting.
Why do my Bluetooth headphones work elsewhere but not in Zoom?
Zoom is using a different speaker or microphone. Select the headset inside Zoom audio controls, close other audio apps, disconnect it from other devices, then unpair and re-pair it.
Can I use phone audio if computer audio keeps failing?
Yes, but only when the host can offer it. Zoom requires the host account to be Pro or above with the Audio Plan add-on, and telephone audio has to be enabled in the account and meeting settings. On desktop or the web, choose Join Audio, open the Phone Call tab, dial a listed number, and enter the meeting details when prompted. On Android and iOS, tap Join Audio, tap Dial In, then tap the phone icon beside a listed number.
What should I do before an important Zoom meeting?
Join a Zoom test meeting and run the speaker and microphone test. On mobile, open zoom.us/test, launch the Zoom app, choose Wifi or Cellular Data, and let Zoom test audio.
