Introduction
Whether your speakers or microphone aren't properly connected, haven't been configured properly, or aren't at an appropriate volume level because they've been mistakenly muted, there's a lot of things to check.
This guide will take you through checking both your speakers and microphone to make sure that your computer and the app you're working with can make use of them like they're supposed to.

1 If Your Microphone Isn't Working
If the microphone that's built-in or attached to your computer isn't picking up your voice, it may not be connected or configured properly. Check the following to be sure that others are able to hear you within whatever app or software you're using.
Make sure your microphone is properly connected
Make sure the microphone or headset isn't muted
Depending on the microphone or headset you're using, it may have its own mute button or switch. These types of buttons and/or switches do not report their status to your computer, but may have an indicator light to let you know that your microphone has been 'locally' muted in this way. Always make sure your microphone has not been locally muted by a physical button or switch.

Check the microphone's volume on your computer
There's a possibility that your microphone is working just fine, but the volume of your microphone may be set too low, and others are unable to hear you. Check the volume of your microphone (sometimes referred to on your computer as the recording or input device) to be sure it is at an adequate level.
Check the Mic Volume on Windows
- Using your right mouse button, Right click on the speaker in your System Tray, and select Open Sound settings.
- Under Input, select Device properties.
- Make sure Disable is not checked, and make sure the volume is at a reasonable volume.A volume between 50 and 75 is usually appropriate.
Check the Mic Volume on Apple macOS
- Open the Apple Menu, then select System Preferences.
- Select Sound.
- Select the Input tab at top, and make sure the Input volume is at a reasonable volume.A volume between 50 and 75 is usually appropriate.
Check the app or software you're using
Many apps and software programs that make use of your microphone have their own built-in mute controls. This is typical primarily on audio & video conferencing software to prevent other users from interrupting or disturbing the presenter and/or other attendees.
For example, the following depicts the popular conferencing program GoToMeeting, and what a muted and unmuted microphone looks like. Always make sure that you have not mistakenly muted yourself within whatever app or software program you're using.
Make sure your computer is using the right microphone
Depending on your computer setup, you may actually have multiple 'input' or 'recording' devices connected at any given time. If you're attempting to use one microphone, but your computer believes it should be using a different one, this could be the cause of your problems.
The following will demonstrate how to make sure your computer is using the right microphone (sometimes referred to as an Input or Recording device).
Select Your Microphone on Windows
- Using your right mouse button, Right click on the speaker in your System Tray, and select Open Sound settings.
- Under the Input header, make sure the correct microphone is selected within the Choose your input device dropdown box.
Select Your Microphone on Apple macOS
- Open the Apple Menu, then select System Preferences.
- Select Sound.
- Select the Input tab at top, and make sure the correct device is selected.
If nothing else has worked, reboot your computer
If none of the suggestions have resolved your microphone issue, reboot your computer and try again. This may seem like a useless step, but sometimes the audio services on a computer can fail. Rebooting can restart those services and potentially resolve the issue you're experiencing.
If you're still experiencing problems after a reboot, your microphone or headset may be malfunctioning. Try a different device, or reach out to the manufacturer for further assistance.
To Reboot a Windows Computer
- Select the Start menu, then select Power.
- Select Restart.
To Reboot a Mac
- Select the Apple menu, then Shut Down...
- Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button on the keyboard.
2 If Your Speakers or Headphones Aren't Working
If the speakers or headphones you've got connected to your computer aren't producing sound at all, there's a chance they may not be connected or configured properly. Use the following to be sure that your machine is outputting sound to the proper device.
Make sure your speakers or headphones are properly connected
Check for adequate volume levels and muting
While many sets of speakers and some headsets have their own volume knobs or wheels, many users tend to forget that your computer also has its own volume adjustments, including the ability to mute sound output entirely. This is important to check.
Check Volume Levels and Muting on Windows
- Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Volume Mixer.
- You can set each application's audio level from here. If the icons at the bottom are blue then nothing has been muted.
Check Volume Levels and Muting on Apple macOS
For an Apple Mac you can just check the volume slider and make sure it's set to your liking.
Make sure your computer is using the right speakers or headphones
As was previously mentioned for microphones, your computer also has numerous 'Output' devices that it can send its audio to. Making sure your computer is sending audio to the correct device can make the difference between hearing nothing and hearing everything you expect to be hearing.
Select the Correct Audio Output Device on Windows
- Left-click the speaker icon.
- Click the arrow.
- Make sure the correct playback device is selected.
Select the Correct Audio Output Device on Apple macOS
- If you are not using external headphones or speakers, make sure none are plugged in.
- Click the Apple Menu, and choose System Preferences.
- Click Sound.
- Choose Output at the top. Make sure your device is selected, the “Output volume” slider is not all the way to the left, and the Mute checkbox is not selected.
If nothing else has worked, reboot your computer
If none of the suggestions have restored audio to your speakers or headphones, reboot your computer and try again. This may seem like a useless step, but sometimes the audio services on a computer can fail. Rebooting can restart those services and potentially resolve the issue you're experiencing.
If you're still experiencing problems after a reboot, the speakers or headphones you're using may be malfunctioning. Try a different device, or reach out to the manufacturer for further assistance.
To Reboot a Windows Computer
- Select the Start menu, then select Power.
- Select Restart.
To Reboot a Mac
- Select the Apple menu, then Shut Down...
- Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button on the keyboard.
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Whether your speakers or microphone aren't properly connected, haven't been configured properly, or aren't at an appropriate volume level because they've been mistakenly muted, there's a lot of things to check.
This guide will take you through checking both your speakers and microphone to make sure that your computer and the app you're working with can make use of them like they're supposed to.

If the microphone that's built-in or attached to your computer isn't picking up your voice, it may not be connected or configured properly. Check the following to be sure that others are able to hear you within whatever app or software you're using.
Make sure your microphone is properly connected
Make sure the microphone or headset isn't muted
Depending on the microphone or headset you're using, it may have its own mute button or switch. These types of buttons and/or switches do not report their status to your computer, but may have an indicator light to let you know that your microphone has been 'locally' muted in this way. Always make sure your microphone has not been locally muted by a physical button or switch.

Check the microphone's volume on your computer
There's a possibility that your microphone is working just fine, but the volume of your microphone may be set too low, and others are unable to hear you. Check the volume of your microphone (sometimes referred to on your computer as the recording or input device) to be sure it is at an adequate level.
Check the Mic Volume on Windows
- Using your right mouse button, Right click on the speaker in your System Tray, and select Open Sound settings.
- Under Input, select Device properties.
- Make sure Disable is not checked, and make sure the volume is at a reasonable volume.A volume between 50 and 75 is usually appropriate.
Check the Mic Volume on Apple macOS
- Open the Apple Menu, then select System Preferences.
- Select Sound.
- Select the Input tab at top, and make sure the Input volume is at a reasonable volume.A volume between 50 and 75 is usually appropriate.
Check the app or software you're using
Many apps and software programs that make use of your microphone have their own built-in mute controls. This is typical primarily on audio & video conferencing software to prevent other users from interrupting or disturbing the presenter and/or other attendees.
For example, the following depicts the popular conferencing program GoToMeeting, and what a muted and unmuted microphone looks like. Always make sure that you have not mistakenly muted yourself within whatever app or software program you're using.
Make sure your computer is using the right microphone
Depending on your computer setup, you may actually have multiple 'input' or 'recording' devices connected at any given time. If you're attempting to use one microphone, but your computer believes it should be using a different one, this could be the cause of your problems.
The following will demonstrate how to make sure your computer is using the right microphone (sometimes referred to as an Input or Recording device).
Select Your Microphone on Windows
- Using your right mouse button, Right click on the speaker in your System Tray, and select Open Sound settings.
- Under the Input header, make sure the correct microphone is selected within the Choose your input device dropdown box.
Select Your Microphone on Apple macOS
- Open the Apple Menu, then select System Preferences.
- Select Sound.
- Select the Input tab at top, and make sure the correct device is selected.
If nothing else has worked, reboot your computer
If none of the suggestions have resolved your microphone issue, reboot your computer and try again. This may seem like a useless step, but sometimes the audio services on a computer can fail. Rebooting can restart those services and potentially resolve the issue you're experiencing.
If you're still experiencing problems after a reboot, your microphone or headset may be malfunctioning. Try a different device, or reach out to the manufacturer for further assistance.
To Reboot a Windows Computer
- Select the Start menu, then select Power.
- Select Restart.
To Reboot a Mac
- Select the Apple menu, then Shut Down...
- Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button on the keyboard.
If the speakers or headphones you've got connected to your computer aren't producing sound at all, there's a chance they may not be connected or configured properly. Use the following to be sure that your machine is outputting sound to the proper device.
Make sure your speakers or headphones are properly connected
Check for adequate volume levels and muting
While many sets of speakers and some headsets have their own volume knobs or wheels, many users tend to forget that your computer also has its own volume adjustments, including the ability to mute sound output entirely. This is important to check.
Check Volume Levels and Muting on Windows
- Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Volume Mixer.
- You can set each application's audio level from here. If the icons at the bottom are blue then nothing has been muted.
Check Volume Levels and Muting on Apple macOS
For an Apple Mac you can just check the volume slider and make sure it's set to your liking.
Make sure your computer is using the right speakers or headphones
As was previously mentioned for microphones, your computer also has numerous 'Output' devices that it can send its audio to. Making sure your computer is sending audio to the correct device can make the difference between hearing nothing and hearing everything you expect to be hearing.
Select the Correct Audio Output Device on Windows
- Left-click the speaker icon.
- Click the arrow.
- Make sure the correct playback device is selected.
Select the Correct Audio Output Device on Apple macOS
- If you are not using external headphones or speakers, make sure none are plugged in.
- Click the Apple Menu, and choose System Preferences.
- Click Sound.
- Choose Output at the top. Make sure your device is selected, the “Output volume” slider is not all the way to the left, and the Mute checkbox is not selected.
If nothing else has worked, reboot your computer
If none of the suggestions have restored audio to your speakers or headphones, reboot your computer and try again. This may seem like a useless step, but sometimes the audio services on a computer can fail. Rebooting can restart those services and potentially resolve the issue you're experiencing.
If you're still experiencing problems after a reboot, the speakers or headphones you're using may be malfunctioning. Try a different device, or reach out to the manufacturer for further assistance.
To Reboot a Windows Computer
- Select the Start menu, then select Power.
- Select Restart.
To Reboot a Mac
- Select the Apple menu, then Shut Down...
- Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button on the keyboard.
