How to Resolve Audio/Video Issues During a Teams or Zoom Meeting

This article provides steps to help users troubleshoot and resolve audio and video issues during a Microsoft Teams or Zoom meeting. 

• General Public

• Vanderbilt University Community

  • Faculty and Staff

  • Undergraduate Students

  • Graduate and Professional Students

• VUIT Internal Knowledge  

• Have a basic understanding of your device’s audio and video settings.

• Have access to Microsoft Teams or Zoom on your device.

• Have an internet connection and access to your microphone/camera.

Experiencing audio or video issues during a Teams or Zoom meeting can disrupt your ability to participate effectively. This guide covers common troubleshooting methods to ensure your microphone, speakers, and camera are functioning properly during a virtual meeting.  

For Microsoft Teams:

1. Check Your Device Settings:

• Before joining the meeting, ensure your microphone and camera are connected and enabled.

• Click on your profile picture in Teams, then go to Settings > Devices.

• Ensure the correct microphone, speakers, and camera are selected from the drop-down menus.

2. During the Meeting:

• Click the More options (···) button in the meeting toolbar, then select Device settings.

• Ensure that your microphone and camera are turned on (icon should not be crossed out).

• If no one can hear you, check if you are muted by looking at the microphone icon in the toolbar.

3. Run a Test Call (Optional):

• In the Settings > Devices section, you can make a test call to check your audio quality and camera setup before your meeting.

4. Restart Microsoft Teams:

• If issues persist, close and reopen the Teams application. Ensure it's updated by clicking Check for updates under Settings.

5. Check for External Conflicts:

• Ensure no other applications are using your microphone or camera at the same time (e.g., Zoom, Skype, or recording software).

For Zoom:

1. Test Audio and Video Before Joining:

• Open Zoom and click on Settings (gear icon).

• Navigate to Audio and Video tabs to select and test your microphone and camera.

• Click Test Speaker and Microphone to verify that your device’s audio input and output are working.

2. Check Audio/Video During the Meeting:

• In the meeting toolbar, click the arrow next to the Mute/Unmute button.

• From the drop-down menu, ensure that the correct microphone and speaker are selected.

• If video is not working, click the arrow next to the Start Video button and verify that the correct camera is selected.

3. Restart Zoom:

• Close Zoom, then restart the app. Log back into the meeting to check if the issue is resolved.

• Make sure Zoom is updated to the latest version by navigating to Check for Updates in the Zoom client.

4. Check for External Conflicts:

• Like Teams, ensure no other applications are using your microphone or camera.

For Both Teams and Zoom:

1. Check Device Volume and Camera:

• Ensure your device’s physical volume is turned up.

• Make sure the camera isn’t covered or blocked by any software privacy settings.

2. Check Internet Connection:

• A poor internet connection can cause choppy audio or video. Ensure that you’re connected to a stable network.

• If possible, switch to a wired Ethernet connection to improve reliability.

  • If remote, see: Tips for Improving Your Home Network Performance

3. Update Audio/Video Drivers:

• Ensure that your audio and video drivers are up-to-date.

  • Place a Desktop Support Service Request for assistance

  • Or, see: How to Update Computer Operating Systems (OS): Windows and MacOS

4. Restart Your Computer:

• Sometimes restarting your device can resolve underlying system conflicts affecting your audio or video setup.

• No Sound:

  • Check if your speakers are muted or turned off in your computer’s sound settings.

  • Ensure the correct output device is selected in the Teams/Zoom settings.

• Choppy Audio/Video:

  • Check your internet connection for stability or switch to a wired connection.

  • Close unnecessary apps to free up system resources.

• Camera Not Working:

  • Make sure the camera is not being used by another application.

  • Verify that your webcam privacy settings are set to allow access for Teams/Zoom.

  • Laptops are often equipped with privacy shutters for webcams; ensure the shutter is set to an open position.

    • See: Using Webcam Shutters for Your VU Issued Laptop

• For detailed Teams troubleshooting, visit Microsoft Teams Help.

• For detailed Zoom troubleshooting, visit Zoom Support.

• Microsoft Teams Audio and Video Setup

• Zoom Audio and Video Troubleshooting

• Using Webcam Shutters for Your VU Issued Laptop