What causes "Zoom Audio Not Working (Others Can't Hear Me)"?

Muted or audio not joined Wrong microphone or speaker selected OS microphone permission off Another app holding the audio device Audio driver or Zoom update problem

How do I fix "Zoom Audio Not Working (Others Can't Hear Me)"?

1. Unmute and join computer audio: Check the mic icon in the toolbar for a red slash and click it If you see 'Join Audio', click it and choose Join with Computer Audio 2. Select the correct mic and speaker: Click the arrow next to the mic icon Pick your headset/mic and speaker; use Test Speaker & Microphone 3. Grant microphone permission: macOS: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone > enable zoom.us Windows 11: Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone > enable mic access and desktop apps 4. Close other audio apps and rejoin: Quit apps using the mic (Teams, Discord, recorders) Leave the meeting and rejoin with computer audio 5. Update audio drivers and restart: Update drivers via Device Manager > Audio inputs and outputs Restart Zoom and the computer

Try or Bye

Browse all analyzed products with real user feedback patterns.

Zoom Audio Not Working (Others Can't Hear Me)

Ongoing Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

When nobody can hear you on Zoom, you're usually muted, joined without computer audio, using the wrong microphone, or Zoom lacks mic permission. Check the mic icon, choose the right device and grant permission.

Most likely fix: Unmute and join computer audio.

Symptoms

Others can't hear you, you can't hear them, the mic level meter doesn't move, or there's no 'Join Audio' connection.

Why it happens

Muted or audio not joined
Wrong microphone or speaker selected
OS microphone permission off
Another app holding the audio device
Audio driver or Zoom update problem

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. Unmute and join computer audio
1. Check the mic icon in the toolbar for a red slash and click it
2. If you see 'Join Audio', click it and choose Join with Computer Audio
2. Select the correct mic and speaker
1. Click the arrow next to the mic icon
2. Pick your headset/mic and speaker; use Test Speaker & Microphone
3. Grant microphone permission
1. macOS: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone > enable zoom.us
2. Windows 11: Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone > enable mic access and desktop apps
4. Close other audio apps and rejoin
1. Quit apps using the mic (Teams, Discord, recorders)
2. Leave the meeting and rejoin with computer audio
5. Update audio drivers and restart
1. Update drivers via Device Manager > Audio inputs and outputs
2. Restart Zoom and the computer

This guide also covers

zoom audio not working
zoom mic not working
people can't hear me on zoom
zoom no sound

Still not working?

If Zoom keeps failing, you're not alone. See every Zoom problem users report or the alternatives people switch to.

Other Zoom errors