How to Mute and Unmute Yourself in Microsoft Teams

What You’ll Need

A Microsoft Teams account (free or work/school) and the Teams app installed, or the web version in a supported browser.
An active or upcoming meeting you can join.
A working microphone (built-in, USB, or headset) that Teams can detect.

Step-by-Step

Join or open a meeting – Start or join a Teams meeting from your calendar or the Teams app. Once you’re in the meeting window, the meeting controls appear at the bottom of the screen.
Locate the microphone icon – Look for the microphone icon in the meeting control bar. It’s usually on the left side, next to the camera toggle. When your mic is on, the icon is filled; when muted, it has a red slash through it.
Click the microphone icon to mute – Click the icon once to mute yourself. The icon will change to show a red slash, and a small “Muted” label may appear. Everyone else in the meeting will see a muted indicator next to your name.
Click again to unmute – To unmute, click the same icon again. Your mic becomes active, and participants can hear you. Be aware that some meetings have “mic on entry” settings that automatically mute you when you join.
Use the keyboard shortcut (optional) – For a faster toggle, press Ctrl+Shift+M (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+M (Mac). This works in the meeting window and also in the Teams main app when you’re in a call.

Common Mistakes

Clicking the wrong icon – The camera icon (video) is next to the mic icon. Clicking the camera toggles video, not audio. Make sure you’re clicking the microphone.
Muting before joining – You can’t mute yourself before you’re actually in the meeting. The controls only appear once you’ve joined.
Expecting the shortcut to work everywhere – The keyboard shortcut works in the meeting window, but not in every dialog box or while typing in chat. It’s best to use the icon if you’re unsure.
Not checking device settings – If you mute but others still hear you, you might have multiple microphones and Teams is using the wrong one. Check your device settings (see Troubleshooting).

Tips

Use the spacebar to temporarily unmute – In many meetings, holding the Spacebar while speaking will temporarily unmute you, then mute again when you release it. This is great for quick comments. (This feature may need to be enabled by your meeting organizer.)
Mute when you’re not speaking – Background noise (keyboard, pets, traffic) can distract others. Make it a habit to mute when you’re not talking, especially in large meetings.
Check your audio before joining – In the pre-join screen, Teams shows a mic test. Speak and see if the level moves. If not, click the gear icon to select a different microphone.
Use a headset – A headset with a mic reduces echo and background noise, and makes muting more predictable.
Know the meeting policy – Some organizers set meetings to “mute all” on entry. If you’re muted and can’t unmute, the organizer may have restricted it. You’ll see a message saying the organizer is controlling mute.

Troubleshooting

You can’t unmute (icon is grayed out or clicking does nothing) – The meeting organizer may have muted you and disabled your ability to unmute. Look for a message in the meeting chat or a notification. If you need to speak, use the chat to ask the organizer to unmute you.

Others can’t hear you even when unmuted – First, check that the mic icon shows you’re unmuted (no red slash). Then, go to the meeting controls, click the three dots (More actions), select “Device settings,” and make sure the correct microphone is selected. Speak and see if the input level bar moves. If not, try a different mic or check your system’s sound settings.

You hear an echo or feedback – This often happens when both you and another participant have speakers and mics on without headsets. Mute yourself when not speaking, and suggest others do the same. If you’re the one causing echo, switch to a headset or lower your speaker volume.

The keyboard shortcut doesn’t work – The shortcut may be disabled by your IT admin or may not work in the web version. Use the on-screen microphone icon instead. You can also check your keyboard shortcuts in Teams settings (Settings > General > Enable keyboard shortcuts).

Mic icon is missing – If you don’t see the meeting control bar, move your mouse to the bottom of the screen (or tap the screen on mobile) to bring it up. On a call, you might need to expand the meeting window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mute myself before joining a meeting?

No, you can’t mute before you actually join. But you can adjust your audio settings in the pre-join screen, and some meetings automatically mute you on entry.

Does the mute button affect my camera?

No, the microphone icon only controls audio. The camera has its own separate icon.

Will I still be able to hear others when I’m muted?

Yes, muting only affects your microphone. You can still hear everyone else.

Can the organizer force me to stay muted?

Yes, meeting organizers can mute participants and restrict them from unmuting. You’ll see a message if this is the case.

Does the mute shortcut work on mobile?

No, the keyboard shortcut is for desktop. On mobile, tap the microphone icon on the meeting screen.

Why does my mic keep unmuting by itself?

This can happen if you’re holding the Spacebar (which temporarily unmutes) or if your device has a physical mute switch that’s toggling. Check your headset or computer’s mute button.

Sources: Microsoft Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.