5 Ways To Fix Audio Issues In Zoom

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5 min. read

Published on October 4, 2025

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Zoom has become an indispensable tool for virtual meetings, online classes, and connecting with friends and family. However, audio problems can quickly derail a Zoom call, leading to frustration and missed information. Fortunately, many common Zoom audio issues have simple solutions.

This article will guide you through five effective methods to troubleshoot and resolve audio problems in Zoom, ensuring your meetings are clear and productive. From basic troubleshooting steps to more advanced settings adjustments, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get your Zoom audio working perfectly.

How Can I Fix Audio Problems In Zoom?

1. Check Your Microphone and Speaker Connections

The first step in resolving audio issues is to ensure your microphone and speakers are properly connected and selected within Zoom.

Step 1: Verify that your microphone and speakers are physically connected to your computer or device. For external devices, ensure the cables are securely plugged in.
Step 2: Open Zoom and click on the settings icon (gear icon).
Step 3: Navigate to the “Audio” tab.
Step 4: In the “Microphone” section, select the correct microphone from the dropdown menu. Speak into the microphone to test if the input level indicator is moving.
Step 5: In the “Speaker” section, select the correct speaker from the dropdown menu. Click “Test Speaker” to play a sound and confirm the audio output.

2. Adjust Audio Settings Within Zoom

Zoom offers various audio settings that can be tweaked to improve sound quality and resolve issues.

Step 1: Open Zoom settings and go to the “Audio” tab.
Step 2: Uncheck “Automatically adjust microphone volume” to manually control your microphone input level. Adjust the slider to a suitable level where your voice is clear without being too loud or distorted.
Step 3: Enable “Suppress background noise” to reduce unwanted sounds during your meetings. You can choose between “Auto,” “Low,” “Medium,” or “High” suppression levels, depending on the environment.
Step 4: Check “Show in-meeting option to ‘Enable Original Sound’ from microphone” if you need to capture more nuanced audio, such as music. Be aware this may also capture more background noise.

3. Update Your Audio Drivers

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can cause various audio problems. Updating them can often resolve these issues.

Step 1: Open the Device Manager on your computer (search for “Device Manager” in the Start Menu on Windows, or use Spotlight on macOS).
Step 2: Expand the “Audio inputs and outputs” category.
Step 3: Right-click on your microphone and speaker devices and select “Update driver.”
Step 4: Choose “Search automatically for drivers” to let Windows or macOS find and install the latest drivers.
Step 5: Restart your computer after updating the drivers.

4. Check Your Computer’s Audio Settings

Sometimes, the issue isn’t within Zoom itself but in your computer’s audio settings.

Step 1: On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select “Open Sound settings.” On macOS, go to “System Preferences” and click “Sound.”
Step 2: In the “Input” section (Windows) or “Input” tab (macOS), select your microphone and adjust the input volume.
Step 3: In the “Output” section (Windows) or “Output” tab (macOS), select your speaker and adjust the output volume.
Step 4: Ensure that your microphone and speakers are not muted in the system settings.

5. Close Other Applications Using Your Microphone

Other applications running in the background might be interfering with Zoom’s access to your microphone.

Step 1: Close any applications that might be using your microphone, such as voice recording software, video editing programs, or other video conferencing tools.
Step 2: Restart Zoom and check if the audio issues are resolved.

Tips

Use headphones with a built-in microphone for better audio quality and noise isolation.
Ensure your internet connection is stable, as poor connectivity can also cause audio problems.
Mute yourself when you’re not speaking to minimize background noise for other participants.

Comparing Common Audio Solutions

Here’s a quick comparison of the solutions discussed:

Solution	Difficulty	Effectiveness	Time Required
Check Connections	Easy	High	2-3 minutes
Adjust Zoom Settings	Medium	Medium	5-7 minutes
Update Audio Drivers	Medium	High	10-15 minutes
Check Computer Audio Settings	Easy	Medium	3-5 minutes
Close Other Apps	Easy	Medium	1-2 minutes

Resolving Zoom Audio Glitches

By systematically troubleshooting these five areas, you can effectively identify and resolve most audio problems in Zoom, ensuring clear and productive communication.

FAQ

Why can’t I hear anyone in Zoom? Make sure your speaker is selected correctly in Zoom’s audio settings and that your computer’s volume is turned up.

How do I stop Zoom from automatically adjusting my microphone volume? Go to Zoom’s audio settings and uncheck “Automatically adjust microphone volume.”

Why is my microphone not working in Zoom? Ensure your microphone is properly connected, selected in Zoom’s audio settings, and not muted in your computer’s system settings.

How do I reduce background noise in Zoom? Enable the “Suppress background noise” feature in Zoom’s audio settings and choose an appropriate suppression level.

What if none of these steps work? Contact Zoom support or consult your device manufacturer’s support resources for further assistance.