How To Change Audio Settings In Teams

Audio settings in Teams control your microphone and speaker, adjustable during a call or from the main settings menu. If you’ve ever struggled with echo, low volume, or a mic that just won’t pick up your voice, you’re not alone. Learning how to change audio settings in Teams is essential for clear meetings, and this guide will walk you through every step. Whether you’re using Windows, Mac, or the web app, these instructions work across platforms.

Let’s start with the basics. Teams gives you two main ways to adjust audio: during an active call or from the general settings panel. Both methods are simple, but knowing when to use each can save you time and frustration.

Before a meeting, it’s smart to set up your audio properly. This avoids awkward moments where people can’t hear you or you can’t hear them. Follow these steps to get everything dialed in.

Accessing The Audio Settings Before A Meeting

Open Microsoft Teams on your desktop or web browser.
Click your profile picture at the top right corner.
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
In the left sidebar, click “Devices.”
Here you’ll see all audio options: speaker, microphone, and additional settings.

This is your control center. You can test your mic, adjust volume, and choose which devices Teams uses. The “Make a test call” button is a lifesaver—use it to check everything before a big meeting.

Adjusting Audio During A Live Call

Sometimes you need to fix audio mid-meeting. Teams makes this easy without leaving the call.

During a call, click the three dots (More actions) in the meeting toolbar.
Select “Show device settings.”
A small panel appears with speaker and microphone options.
Switch devices or adjust volume sliders instantly.

This panel is temporary and disappears when you click away. It’s perfect for quick fixes like switching to headphones or muting background noise.

Choosing The Right Microphone And Speaker

Teams often auto-selects your default system devices, but that’s not always ideal. Maybe your USB headset isn’t recognized, or you want to use external speakers. Here’s how to take control.

Selecting A Microphone

Go to Settings > Devices.
Under “Microphone,” click the dropdown menu.
Choose from available devices: built-in mic, headset, or external USB mic.
Speak into your mic and watch the blue test bar. It should move when you talk.
If the bar barely moves, your mic is too quiet. If it’s constantly full, you’re too loud.

A good rule: the bar should reach about halfway when you speak normally. Adjust your distance or device if needed.

Selecting A Speaker

Under “Speaker,” choose your preferred output device.
Click “Test” to play a short chime. Adjust volume with the slider.
If you hear echo, try lowering the volume or switching to headphones.

Teams remembers your choices for future calls, so you don’t have to redo this every time.

Noise Suppression And Echo Cancellation

Background noise is the enemy of productive meetings. Teams includes built-in noise suppression that filters out keyboard clicks, fan hum, and even barking dogs. Here’s how to tweak it.

Enabling Noise Suppression

Open Settings > Devices.
Under “Noise suppression,” choose from four levels: Auto, High, Low, or Off.
Auto works for most people. High is great for noisy environments.
Low lets more ambient sound through, useful if you want to hear room noise.

Note: High noise suppression can sometimes make your voice sound slightly robotic. Test it with a colleague to find the sweet spot.

Echo Cancellation

Teams automatically enables echo cancellation when you use speakers. If you still hear echo, try these fixes:

Lower your speaker volume.
Move your mic further from speakers.
Switch to a headset.
Disable “Allow echo cancellation” in advanced settings (rarely needed).

Most echo issues are caused by physical setup, not software. Experiment with device placement before changing settings.

Advanced Audio Settings

For power users, Teams offers deeper controls. These are hidden in the “Devices” section under “Advanced.”

Disabling Automatic Device Switching

By default, Teams switches audio devices when you plug in headphones or a new mic. This can be annoying if you prefer a fixed setup.

Go to Settings > Devices.
Scroll to “Advanced” and toggle off “Automatically adjust microphone sensitivity.”
Also turn off “Automatically adjust speaker volume.”

Now Teams won’t change your levels without permission. You control everything manually.

Setting A Custom Audio Device For Calls

Some users want different devices for calls versus notifications. Teams doesn’t fully support this natively, but you can work around it.

Set your default communication device in Windows Sound Settings.
In Teams, choose “Default Device” for both mic and speaker.
This way, Teams follows your system settings.

It’s a small trick, but it helps if you use separate speakers for music and a headset for calls.

Troubleshooting Common Audio Problems

Even with perfect settings, audio can fail. Here are fixes for the most common issues.

Microphone Not Working In Teams

Check if your mic is muted (red icon in the meeting toolbar).
Go to Settings > Devices and ensure the correct mic is selected.
Test your mic in another app like Voice Recorder.
If it works elsewhere, restart Teams.
If not, check Windows privacy settings: Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone > Allow apps to access your mic.

Teams sometimes loses mic access after updates. Re-enabling it in system settings usually fixes this.

No Sound From Speakers

Check volume slider in Teams (it’s separate from system volume).
Ensure speakers are powered on and connected.
In Settings > Devices, click “Test” under Speaker.
If no sound, try a different output device.
Restart Teams or your computer.

If you hear sound from other apps but not Teams, the issue is likely in Teams settings, not your hardware.

Echo Or Feedback During Calls

Lower speaker volume.
Use headphones instead of speakers.
Move away from reflective surfaces like windows or walls.
Enable noise suppression (High).
Ask others in the call to mute when not speaking.

Echo is often caused by multiple people using speakers in the same room. Encourage everyone to use headsets.

Audio Settings For Teams On Mobile

The mobile app has fewer options but still lets you control basics. Here’s how to change audio on iOS and Android.

On IPhone Or IPad

Open the Teams app and join a meeting.
Tap the screen to reveal the toolbar.
Tap “Device settings” (speaker icon).
Choose between Speaker, Headphones, or Bluetooth.
Adjust volume with your phone’s side buttons.

There’s no separate settings menu for audio outside a call on mobile. You must be in a meeting to change devices.

On Android

Same process as iOS: join a meeting, tap the toolbar, select device.
Android also lets you switch between earpiece and speaker mode.
Bluetooth headsets work well, but check pairing before the call.

Mobile audio is simpler but still reliable. Just remember to test your mic before important calls.

Using The Test Call Feature

Teams includes a built-in test call that checks your audio end-to-end. It’s the best way to confirm everything works.

How To Make A Test Call

Go to Settings > Devices.
Click “Make a test call.”
Teams will call you. Follow the prompts: record a message, then play it back.
If you hear yourself clearly, your audio is set up correctly.

Do this before every important meeting, especially if you’ve changed devices recently. It takes less than a minute.

Keyboard Shortcuts For Audio Control

Speed up your workflow with these handy shortcuts. They work during calls without opening menus.

Ctrl+Shift+M: Mute/unmute your microphone.
Ctrl+Shift+Space: Toggle mute (same as above).
Ctrl+Shift+E: End the call.
Ctrl+Shift+O: Open device settings panel.

These shortcuts are universal across Windows and Mac versions of Teams. Memorize them for faster meeting control.

Audio Settings For Teams Rooms

If you use Teams Rooms (the conference room system), audio settings are managed differently. Here’s a quick overview.

Adjusting Room Audio

Use the touch console to select microphone and speaker.
Adjust volume with the physical dial or on-screen slider.
Enable “Noise suppression” in the room settings menu.
For advanced options, contact your IT admin.

Teams Rooms usually have dedicated hardware, so manual adjustments are limited. Trust the auto-tuning features.

Best Practices For Clear Audio

Settings alone won’t guarantee perfect sound. Follow these tips for professional-quality audio.

Use a headset with a boom mic instead of built-in laptop mics.
Position your mic 2-4 inches from your mouth.
Close doors and windows to reduce background noise.
Mute yourself when not speaking.
Use a wired connection for stable internet (Wi-Fi can cause audio drops).

Small changes in your environment make a big difference. A quiet room with a good mic beats any software setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Change Audio Settings In Teams If My Mic Is Not Detected?

First, check your system settings to ensure the mic is enabled. Then restart Teams. If still not detected, try a different USB port or reinstall the device driver.

Can I Change Audio Settings In Teams Without Being In A Call?

Yes, go to Settings > Devices from your profile menu. You can adjust all audio options there without joining a meeting.

Why Does Teams Keep Switching My Audio Device?

This is usually due to the “Automatically adjust microphone sensitivity” setting. Turn it off in Settings > Devices > Advanced to stop automatic switching.

How Do I Reduce Background Noise In Teams?

Enable noise suppression in Settings > Devices. Choose High for noisy environments, or Auto for general use. Also consider using a headset with noise-canceling features.

What Is The Best Audio Setting For Teams On A Laptop?

Use an external headset if possible. Set noise suppression to Auto, and test your mic with a test call. Disable automatic adjustments for consistent performance.

Final Thoughts On Audio Settings

Mastering how to change audio settings in Teams transforms your meeting experience. No more “Can you hear me?” or frustrating echoes. Take five minutes before your next call to check your devices, enable noise suppression, and run a test call. Your colleagues will thank you.

Remember, audio quality is a combination of good hardware, proper settings, and a quiet environment. Start with the basics in this guide, then experiment with advanced options as needed. Teams gives you plenty of control—use it to sound your best.

If you run into issues, revisit the troubleshooting section or ask your IT team for help. Most problems are simple to fix once you know where to look. Now go ahead and make your next meeting crystal clear.