Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team
If you are still having trouble, refer to the Step-By-Step Guide below, or Contact Support.Com for Personalized Assistance.
No matter what kind of computer you're using, if you're suddenly unable to hear the sound your apps are supposed to be producing or communicate with others using your microphone, you're in for a very frustrating experience.
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.
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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.
If you're using an analog microphone
Make sure the microphone is plugged into the Pink audio port.
If you're using a digital microphone
In most cases, USB ports output power to drive the devices we've plugged in. Sometimes certain USB ports don't have enough power to properly drive the device we've connected. Make sure the USB cable has been fully connected/seated. If this doesn't have an effect, try using a different USB port on your computer.
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.
There may be a small indicator light nearby the mute button or switch; this is a great way to tell if your microphone has been locally muted.
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
Check the Mic Volume on Apple macOS
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.
Unmuted Microphone
A green circle with a microphone in it is shown when you can be heard by others.
Muted Microphone
A microphone with a cross in a red circle is shown when you can't be heard by others.
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
Select Your Microphone on Apple macOS
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
Before you restart or shut down your PC, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.
To Reboot a Mac
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.
If you're using analog speakers or headphones
Make sure the speakers or headphones are plugged into the Green audio port.
If you're using digital speakers or headphones
In most cases, USB ports output power to drive the devices we've plugged in. Sometimes certain USB ports don't have enough power to properly drive the device we've connected. Make sure the USB cable has been fully connected/seated. If this doesn't have an effect, try using a different USB port on your computer.
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
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.
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
Select the Correct Audio Output Device on Apple macOS
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
Before you restart or shut down your PC, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.
To Reboot a Mac