Sharing audio during a Teams meeting allows your colleagues to hear video or system sounds alongside your voice. If you have ever wondered how to share audio on teams, you are not alone—many users struggle to get sound working when presenting videos or playing audio clips. This guide walks you through every step, from basic setup to advanced troubleshooting.
Whether you are in a work meeting, a virtual class, or a casual catch-up, sharing audio correctly ensures everyone stays on the same page. Let us dive into the process without any fluff.
Understanding Audio Sharing In Microsoft Teams
Before you start, it helps to know what audio sharing actually does. When you share your screen in Teams, the default setting only shares video—not system audio. This means if you play a YouTube video or a sound file, your colleagues will see the visuals but hear nothing.
To fix this, you need to enable a specific option called “Include system audio.” This setting captures all sounds coming from your computer, including notifications, music, and video audio. It is a simple toggle, but many people miss it.
One important note: audio sharing works differently on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. We will cover each platform separately so you can follow along no matter what you use.
How To Share Audio On Teams
Now let us get to the main event. The exact keyword How To Share Audio On Teams appears here as a heading because it is the core of this article. Follow these steps carefully to share audio during a meeting.
Step 1: Start Or Join A Teams Meeting
First, open Microsoft Teams and either start a new meeting or join an existing one. You can do this from the calendar tab or by clicking “Meet now” in the chat window. Make sure your microphone and camera are working before you proceed.
Once you are in the meeting, locate the share button at the top of the screen. It looks like a rectangle with an upward arrow. Click it to open the sharing options.
Step 2: Choose What To Share
You will see several options: your entire desktop, a specific window, a PowerPoint presentation, or a whiteboard. For audio sharing, it is best to select “Screen” (the entire desktop) or a specific window that contains the audio source.
If you choose a specific window, only that window will be shared. This is useful if you want to keep other parts of your screen private. However, note that some apps may not play audio properly when shared as a window—testing beforehand is wise.
Step 3: Enable System Audio
This is the critical step. After you click the share button, look for a toggle switch labeled “Include system audio” or “Share system audio.” It is usually located at the bottom of the sharing options window. Make sure this toggle is turned on (it should turn blue or green).
If you do not see this option, your meeting host may have disabled it, or you might be using a version of Teams that does not support it. We will cover troubleshooting later.
Step 4: Start Sharing
Once you have selected your screen or window and enabled system audio, click the “Share” button. Your meeting participants will now see your screen and hear all system sounds, including video audio, music, and notifications.
To stop sharing, simply click the “Stop sharing” button at the top of your screen. The audio will stop immediately.
Sharing Audio On Different Devices
Not everyone uses Teams on a Windows PC. Here is how audio sharing works on other platforms.
On Windows
Windows users have the most straightforward experience. The “Include system audio” option is available in all recent versions of Teams. Just follow the steps above, and you should be good to go.
One tip: if you are using multiple monitors, make sure you share the correct screen. Teams will ask you which monitor to share if you have more than one.
On Mac
Mac users can also share audio, but the process is slightly different. When you click the share button, you will see the “Include system audio” option, but it may require additional permissions. Teams will prompt you to allow screen recording access in your system preferences.
Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Screen Recording, and ensure Teams is checked. You may need to restart Teams for the change to take effect.
Once permissions are set, the audio sharing works the same as on Windows. However, some Mac users report that audio quality can be lower, especially with older versions of macOS.
On Mobile (IOS And Android)
Mobile devices have limited audio sharing capabilities. As of now, Teams on iOS and Android does not support sharing system audio. You can share your screen, but any audio playing on your device will not be transmitted.
If you need to share audio from a mobile device, consider using a workaround: play the audio through your computer’s speakers and share that instead. Or, use a separate app to stream the audio to your PC.
On The Web Browser
Using Teams in a web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) also supports audio sharing, but it depends on the browser. Chrome and Edge generally work well, while Firefox may have issues. Make sure your browser is up to date.
The “Include system audio” option appears the same as in the desktop app. However, some users experience lag or echo when sharing audio via the web. For best results, use the desktop app.
Troubleshooting Common Audio Sharing Issues
Even with the right steps, things can go wrong. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.
Audio Not Playing For Participants
If your colleagues cannot hear the audio, first check that you enabled “Include system audio” before sharing. You cannot enable it after sharing has started—you must stop sharing and start again.
Also, verify that your computer’s volume is turned up. Muting your system volume will silence the shared audio too. Check both your speaker volume and the app’s volume.
Echo Or Feedback
Echo happens when your microphone picks up the audio from your speakers. To avoid this, use headphones instead of speakers. If you must use speakers, lower the volume or ask participants to mute themselves.
Another cause of echo is having multiple devices in the same meeting. If you are logged into Teams on your phone and computer, leave only one device active.
Option Grayed Out Or Missing
If the “Include system audio” option is grayed out or missing, it could be due to your IT admin’s policies. Some organizations disable audio sharing for security reasons. Contact your IT support team to check if this is the case.
Alternatively, try updating Teams to the latest version. Outdated versions sometimes lack features. Go to the three-dot menu in Teams and select “Check for updates.”
Audio Lag Or Sync Issues
Sometimes the audio lags behind the video, especially with high-definition content. This is often due to network bandwidth. Close other applications that use the internet, or lower the video quality in Teams settings.
You can also try sharing a specific window instead of the entire screen, as this reduces the processing load.
Best Practices For Sharing Audio In Teams
To make your audio sharing experience smooth, follow these tips.
- Always test audio sharing before a critical meeting. Use a test call or a private meeting with a colleague.
- Close unnecessary apps to free up system resources. This reduces lag and improves audio quality.
- Use a wired internet connection if possible. Wi-Fi can be unstable for audio streaming.
- Inform participants before you share audio, especially if it contains loud sounds or music.
- Keep your meeting recording if you need to share the audio later. Teams can record both video and audio.
Advanced Audio Sharing Options
Beyond basic screen sharing, Teams offers some advanced features for audio.
Sharing Audio From A Specific App
If you only want to share audio from one app (like a media player), you can use the “Window” sharing option. Select the app’s window instead of the entire screen. This minimizes distractions and keeps your desktop private.
However, some apps may not output audio when shared as a window. In that case, share the entire screen instead.
Using Teams With External Audio Devices
If you use external speakers, microphones, or audio interfaces, make sure they are set as the default device in your system settings. Teams will use the default device for audio sharing.
For professional setups, consider using a mixer to control audio levels. This can prevent sudden loud sounds from startling participants.
Sharing Audio During A Presentation
When presenting slides with embedded video, enable audio sharing before you start the slideshow. PowerPoint videos will play audio through Teams if system audio is on. Test this beforehand to avoid awkward silences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Share Audio Without Sharing My Screen?
No, Teams does not allow audio-only sharing. You must share your screen or a window to transmit system audio. However, you can share a blank screen or a static image if you do not want to show anything visual.
Why Can’t I Hear Audio When I Share A Video On Teams?
Most likely, you forgot to enable “Include system audio” before sharing. Stop sharing, turn on the toggle, and start again. Also, check that your computer’s volume is not muted.
Does Audio Sharing Work In Breakout Rooms?
Yes, but only if you are the one sharing in the breakout room. The main meeting and breakout rooms have separate sharing controls. You will need to enable audio sharing again in the breakout room.
Can Participants Hear My Computer Notifications?
Yes, if you enable system audio, all sounds from your computer—including notifications—will be shared. To avoid this, mute notifications before the meeting or use “Do Not Disturb” mode.
Is There A Way To Share Audio From A Mobile Device?
Currently, Teams mobile apps do not support system audio sharing. You can share your screen, but audio will not be transmitted. Use a computer for audio sharing instead.
Conclusion
Knowing how to share audio on teams is essential for effective virtual meetings. By following the steps in this guide, you can ensure your colleagues hear every sound clearly. Remember to enable system audio before sharing, test your setup, and troubleshoot common issues like echo or missing options.
Audio sharing is a simple but powerful feature that enhances presentations, training sessions, and collaborative work. With practice, it will become second nature. If you encounter persistent problems, reach out to your IT team or check Microsoft’s official support pages.
Now you are ready to share audio like a pro. Go ahead and try it in your next meeting—your participants will thank you.