How to Mute and Unmute on Google Meet

What You’ll Need

A computer, phone, or tablet with a working microphone.
The Google Meet app (mobile) or a web browser (desktop).
An active Google Meet call (you can mute before joining too).

Step-by-Step

Join or start a meeting – Open Google Meet in your browser or app, and join a meeting or start a new one. You can also mute before joining by clicking the microphone icon on the pre-join screen.
Find the microphone icon – During the call, look at the bottom toolbar (desktop) or the bottom of the screen (mobile). The icon looks like a small microphone.
Click or tap the icon to mute – When you click it, the microphone turns red with a slash through it, and others can no longer hear you. You’ll see a brief “You’re muted” message.
Click or tap again to unmute – To speak again, click the same icon. The red slash disappears, and you’re unmuted. Be aware that in some meetings, the host may have set “mute all” which prevents you from unmuting yourself.
Use keyboard shortcuts (desktop only) – On a computer, press Ctrl + D (Windows/Chrome) or Cmd + D (Mac) to toggle mute/unmute quickly. This works even when the Meet tab isn’t focused, but you need to be in the Meet tab for it to work.

Common Mistakes

Clicking the wrong icon – The microphone icon is separate from the camera icon (which looks like a video camera). Don’t confuse them.
Muting before joining and forgetting – If you mute on the pre-join screen, you’ll join muted, but you might forget and talk silently. Check the icon after joining.
Keyboard shortcut not working – If Ctrl+D or Cmd+D doesn’t work, you might be in a different tab or the Meet window isn’t focused. Click on the Meet video area first.
Host has muted you – If the host has muted all participants, you’ll see a message that you’re muted and cannot unmute. You’ll need to ask the host to unmute you.

Tips

Use the pre-join screen – Before joining a meeting, you can adjust your mic and camera settings. This is a good time to test your microphone.
Mute when not speaking – To reduce background noise, mute yourself when you’re not talking. This is especially important in large meetings.
Check your device settings – If the microphone icon isn’t working, ensure your computer’s mic is not physically muted (e.g., a mute button on your laptop).
Use the “Raise hand” feature – If you’re muted and want to speak, use the “Raise hand” button (under the reactions icon) to signal the host.

Troubleshooting

Microphone icon is grayed out – This usually means Meet can’t access your microphone. Check your browser or device permissions and allow access to the mic.
Others can’t hear you even when unmuted – First, check that the mic icon is not red. Then, test your microphone in your device settings. In Google Meet, click the three-dot menu (⋮) > Settings > Audio, and select the correct microphone from the dropdown.
Echo or feedback – If you hear an echo, it’s often because both you and another participant are in the same room. Mute one of them, or use headphones.
Keyboard shortcut not working – Try clicking the microphone icon instead. If that works, the shortcut may be overridden by another app. Restart your browser and try again.
Mobile app issues – If the mic icon doesn’t respond, close the app and reopen it. Also, check that the app has mic permission in your phone’s settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mute myself before joining a Google Meet?

Yes, on the pre-join screen (the page where you see your camera preview), click the microphone icon to mute before you click “Join now”.

Why can’t I unmute myself in a Google Meet?

If the host has muted all participants, you’ll be unable to unmute. You’ll see a message saying you’re muted. You can ask the host to unmute you via chat or by raising your hand.

Does the keyboard shortcut work on a Mac?

Yes, on a Mac, use Cmd + D (Command key) to mute/unmute. On Windows, use Ctrl + D.

Can I mute other participants?

Only the meeting host or a co-host can mute other participants. If you’re the host, you can mute all participants by clicking the participants icon, then the “Mute all” button.

Why does my microphone icon have a slash through it?

That’s the mute indicator. It means you’re muted. Click the icon to unmute.

Is there a way to temporarily mute with a keyboard shortcut?

Yes, pressing Ctrl + D (or Cmd + D) toggles mute on and off. It’s a quick way to mute and unmute during a call.

Sources: Google Meet Help. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.