Others can’t hear me on Zoom or Meet
Turn off mute
In the meeting, click the microphone button at the bottom so the red line disappears.
The simulation shows Windows in English, like most laptops.
Turn off mute
In the meeting, click the microphone button at the bottom so the red line disappears.
Choose the right microphone
Click the small arrow next to the microphone button and choose your laptop’s microphone or your headset.
Let apps use the microphone
Open this menu and switch on Microphone access and the two switches below it.
Settings›Privacy & security›Microphone
Did it work?
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From basic to technician
Technical details (for the curious)
The right microphone
A laptop can have several inputs: “Microphone Array” (the laptop mic), a headset mic, a Bluetooth mic and “Stereo Mix” (not a mic, but the laptop’s own sound). Picking Stereo Mix means nobody hears you.
Permission for desktop apps
Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone has two switches: one for Store apps and Let desktop apps access your microphone. Zoom and browsers are desktop apps.
The mic driver
The laptop mic uses the same driver as the speakers (Realtek or Intel Smart Sound Technology). If Settings › System › Sound shows no microphone at all under Input, check Device Manager › Audio inputs and outputs.
While you’re here
Worth reading
Quiz time
Still not fixed?
In the next update you can tell us what happened, and our AI helper will suggest another way. Until then, restart the device and go through the steps once more.