How to Turn On Microphone in Microsoft Teams

What You’ll Need

A device with a built-in or external microphone (laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet)
The Microsoft Teams app (desktop, web, or mobile) or the Teams meeting link
Permission for Teams to access your microphone (on Windows, macOS, or mobile)

Step-by-Step

Join or start a meeting – Open Teams and either start a new meeting or join an existing one from your calendar or chat.
Locate the meeting controls – Once you’re in the meeting, look at the bottom center (or bottom right on mobile) for a bar with icons. The microphone icon looks like a small mic.
Check the mic icon state – If the mic icon has a diagonal line through it, your mic is muted. If it’s just a plain mic, you’re already unmuted.
Click the mic icon to unmute – Click the mic icon once to toggle from muted to unmuted. The line should disappear, and you’ll see a green outline or a “Unmuted” notification.
Use the keyboard shortcut (optional) – On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+M to toggle mute/unmute. On Mac, use Cmd+Shift+M. This works in the desktop app.
Test your microphone – After unmuting, say a few words. If others can’t hear you, proceed to the Troubleshooting section below.

Common Mistakes

Clicking the wrong icon – The mic icon is often next to the video camera icon. Make sure you’re clicking the mic, not the camera.
Muting at the system level – You might have Teams unmuted, but your computer’s microphone is muted or turned off. Check your system sound settings.
Using the wrong device – Teams might be using a different microphone than the one you expect (e.g., a webcam mic instead of your headset).
Forgetting to grant permission – On first use, Teams needs permission to access the mic. If you denied it, you’ll need to enable it in your system settings.

Tips

Set your default mic in Teams – Go to Teams Settings (your profile picture > Settings > Devices) and choose the correct microphone from the dropdown.
Use the “Make a test call” feature – In Teams Settings > Devices, you’ll find “Make a test call.” This lets you record and play back your voice to confirm your mic works.
Keep your mic close – Speak within a reasonable distance (about 6–12 inches) for best audio quality.
Use headphones – This reduces echo and feedback for other participants.
Remember to unmute before speaking – Many meetings start with everyone muted. Check the mic icon before you talk.

Troubleshooting

If clicking the mic icon doesn’t unmute you, or others still can’t hear you, try the following in order:

Check if you’re muted in the system – On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select “Open Sound settings.” Under “Input,” ensure the correct mic is selected and the volume is not at zero. On Mac, go to System Settings > Sound > Input and check the input volume.
Check app permissions – On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. Make sure “Let apps access your microphone” is toggled on, and Teams is allowed. On Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and ensure Teams is checked.
Restart Teams – Close Teams completely (right-click the Teams icon in the system tray and choose “Quit” on Windows, or press Cmd+Q on Mac) and reopen it. Then join the meeting again.
Test with another app – Open a voice recorder app on your device and record yourself. If that doesn’t work, your mic hardware may be faulty or disconnected.
Switch to a different microphone – If you have multiple mics (e.g., built-in and headset), go to Teams Settings > Devices and select a different one.
Update your audio drivers – On Windows, go to Device Manager, find “Audio inputs and outputs,” right-click your mic, and select “Update driver.” On Mac, check for system updates.
Use the web version – If the desktop app is glitchy, try joining the meeting from a web browser (Teams works in Edge or Chrome).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my microphone icon crossed out and I can’t click it?

This usually means you’re muted. Click the icon once to unmute. If it’s grayed out, you might not have permission to unmute yourself (the meeting organizer may have muted all participants).

How do I unmute myself when I’m already in a meeting?

Click the microphone icon in the meeting controls, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+M (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+M (Mac).

Can I turn on my mic before joining a meeting?

Yes, in the pre-join screen (the screen before you enter the meeting), there’s a mic icon. Click it to unmute before joining.

Why can others hear me but my mic icon shows muted?

This might be a display glitch. Try toggling mute on and off again. If it persists, restart Teams.

How do I change my microphone in Teams?

Go to your profile picture > Settings > Devices. Under “Microphone,” choose the device you want. You can also test it there.

What if my mic works in other apps but not in Teams?

Check Teams’ device settings and ensure the correct mic is selected. Also, check your system permissions for Teams (see Troubleshooting step 2).

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