No sound in video calls? Here’s how to fix it

Are you in the middle of a video conference, everyone is waiting, but your microphone is not working? Or you can be heard, but everyone else remains silent? Welcome to the Windows audio victims’ club. Whether Teams, Zoom or Google Meet: Audio problems are one of the most common problems during video calls.

Good news: in most cases, the problem does not come from a technical fault, but from a poorly checked checkbox, a forgotten driver or a stubborn Bluetooth profile. Here you’ll learn step-by-step how to get your connected audio devices working again in Windows, from getting the jack right to boosting the microphone.

1. Check the socket: trivial, but still the first step

It sounds simple, but it’s the most common cause of audio problems: a loose cable or poor connection. Check the following:

• Plug or USB: First check if your headset is plugged in correctly. Some connections differentiate between microphone and headphone jacks. The TRRS (four-pole) jack plugs must be inserted securely, otherwise you will not hear anything or the microphone will not work.
• USB headsets: Pay attention to a brief LED lighting or pinging sound when connecting. If nothing happens, try another USB port. Give Windows time to set up the new device the first time you plug it in.
• Bluetooth: Make sure the headset is shown as connected in Windows Setup. To do this, look below Bluetooth and other devices to see if your audio device was recognized. If problems arise, sometimes it helps to remove the headset and pair it again.

Advice: A quick restart of Windows or turning the headset off and on can sometimes do wonders before you head into a lengthy troubleshooting session.

2. Select the correct audio input and output

Sam Singleton

Windows often recognizes devices automatically, but not always. So check these settings in case of problems:

• Windows 10 and 11: Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar → Sound settings.
• Below To input you can see which microphone is currently active. Select your connected device here. Below Test the microphoneyou should see a reaction when you speak into the microphone and it is set as the default device.
• Below To go outcheck that the speakers or headphones are correctly selected. In the drop-down menus, you will see all the audio devices currently managed by Windows.

Note: Many video conferencing tools (such as Teams, Zoom, or Discord) have their own audio settings, which you should also check. You can often test your current setup directly with these apps by making a test call before conferences or important calls. Please note that Windows and individual applications may specify different standard devices.

3. Windows does not recognize the audio device

Sam Singleton

Sometimes Windows simply won’t recognize an audio device, even if a cable or Bluetooth connection is plugged in correctly. The first step is to take a look at Device Manager: right-click on Start → Device Manager and find your device under Audio inputs and outputs. If it does not appear here, it may be helpful to uninstall and reinstall the device: right-click the icon headset → Uninstall → Install again after a few seconds. Windows then often realizes that a microphone is finally connected.

With USB or Bluetooth headsets, it may also be helpful to completely remove the device and reconfigure it. For USB devices, simply unplug the device, wait a few seconds and plug the headset back in. For Bluetooth, open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices, select your headset and click Remove device. Then pair it again by activating pairing mode on the headset and clicking Add Bluetooth or another device. Restarting Windows does no harm and often ensures that drivers and profiles are loaded correctly.

4. Bluetooth headset connected, but no sound

Bluetooth headsets are convenient, but can be finicky. Windows distinguishes between headphone mode for speech and stereo mode for music or other sounds. Sometimes, however, the system makes a mistake and thinks that only the microphone is relevant: the audio output is then assigned elsewhere. Result: you hear nothing. So check the sound settings (like in step 2: right-click on the speaker icon → Sound Settings) if your headphones are selected as both the output device and the input (microphone).

If the sound is still missing, remove the headset via Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices → Remove device then pair it again. Windows will then reset the profiles and hopefully communication will be successful. Also pay attention to the distance between the PC and the headset and sources of interference such as other Bluetooth devices: this can also affect the audio quality or, in the worst case, not let anything through. Technical issues or issues with outdated devices are best resolved with new hardware. We offer you a detailed comparison of the best headsets if you need new headphones for your computer setup.

5. Check volume, mute and app settings

Sometimes the problem is not with the headset itself, but with a setting that is easily overlooked. First check the physical mute switch on the headset or directly on the cable. Many models have a small slider or button that allows you to mute the microphone or speakers. Next you need to check the Windows volume: click on the speaker icon in the taskbar and check if the slider is high enough.

Still no sound? Then check the application settings: Teams, Zoom or Discord have their own audio menus. There you will find test functions, small “Check microphone” buttons and even volume controls.

Note: A headset may physically work perfectly fine, but if Windows or an application has not selected the device as default, it will not be used and the audio channel will remain muted (see steps 2-4 above if this is the case).

6. Update or reinstall drivers

If none of this fixes the problem, there is often a driver problem. Modern versions of Windows automatically install drivers, but sometimes older versions are left behind or updates cause new problems.

First, check via Device Manager → Audio Inputs and Outputs → Right-click your audio device → Update Driver to see if Windows can find a current driver. Alternatively, it is worth taking a look at the manufacturer’s website: there you will usually find the latest version specific to your model and Windows (10 or 11).

If problems persist, it may help to completely uninstall the driver: Device Manager → Audio Inputs and Outputs → Right-click your audio device → Uninstall the device → then reconnect the headset. Windows will then automatically reinstall the appropriate driver. The same often applies to USB headsets: unplug, wait, plug again. Sometimes this alone guarantees a clean reinstallation.

Tips and tricks for optimal audio quality during video conferences

1. Adjust the microphone gain correctly

Sometimes the microphone is active but sounds too quiet. Below Sound Settings → Input you can increase the microphone gain. Tip for Windows 10: Here you need to click Device properties below To input. Small adjustments are often enough to make the sound clear and intelligible. Make sure the value is not too high, otherwise annoying background noise will occur.

2. Make short test calls

Many video conferencing tools offer test calls or preview functions. Use them before the meeting starts. This allows you to immediately see if the microphone and speakers are working properly and you don’t need to keep other participants waiting while you deal with Windows issues.

3. Pay attention to room acoustics

Background noise and reverberation can seriously impair call acoustics. Headsets with foam protection over the microphone can effectively minimize annoying noises.

4. Check drivers regularly

Even if everything works fine: Regularly checking for driver updates from the manufacturer or via Windows Update prevents sudden crashes. With tools like Drivermax, you can also easily outsource these updates to a tool.

5. Rebooting can do wonders

If all else fails, unplug the headset briefly, restart Windows, and then pair the headset again. Some errors go away on their own if you can quiet the ghost of the machine.

Conclusion

With the right steps and a few check-ups, you’ll be ready for any video conference, whether you’re using Windows 10 or 11. A quick glance at jacks, settings, and drivers can avoid awkward silences and ensure you can always be heard clearly and hear everything yourself. This way, you can start the meeting relaxed instead of struggling with technical issues. However, if all attempts to resolve the problem fail, it may be time to buy a new headset: even the best software tweaks are powerless if the hardware is damaged.