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Summary
There are few things more stressful than joining a meeting and realizing no one can hear you, or your camera isn't turning on. Almost all Zoom hardware issues come down to selecting the wrong device in the settings, or Windows blocking Zoom's access to the hardware for privacy reasons. This guide walks you through fixing both.
Symptoms
- You are talking, but nobody in the meeting can hear you
- You cannot hear what other people are saying
- There is a terrible echoing or screeching sound when you speak
- Your camera is black, or Zoom says "Cannot detect camera"
Before You Start
- You must be in a Zoom meeting, or have the Zoom desktop client open
Instructions
1. Fix "They Can't Hear Me" (Microphone Issues)
If you are speaking but the green bar inside your microphone icon isn't moving, Zoom is listening to the wrong microphone.
- In the bottom left corner of the Zoom meeting window, click the small up-arrow ( ^ ) next to the Mute/Unmute microphone icon.
- Under the Select a Microphone section, you will see a list of available mics.
- Switch it to your headset (e.g., "Jabra" or "Logitech") instead of "Same as System" or the laptop's built-in mic.
- If you aren't sure which one to pick, click Test Speaker & Microphone and follow the prompts until you find the one that works. If your headset is not in that list at all, Zoom cannot see it because Windows cannot — see How to Fix a Headset Microphone Not Working on Windows.
2. Fix "I Can't Hear Them" (Speaker Issues)
If others are talking but your speakers are silent, Zoom is sending the audio to the wrong place (like a monitor that doesn't have speakers built-in).
- Click the up-arrow ( ^ ) next to the microphone icon again.
- Under the Select a Speaker section, look at what is checked.
- If it is set to your monitor (e.g., "Dell U2720Q"), change it to your headset or your laptop's Realtek speakers.
- Check your computer's master volume in the bottom right corner of your Windows taskbar to ensure it isn't muted.
3. Fix the Echo (The "Double Audio" Problem)
Echo is almost always two devices in one room rather than a setting.
If you hear a terrible echo of your own voice, or a high-pitched screeching sound, it means two devices in the same physical room are connected to the meeting audio.
How to fix it immediately:
- Identify the second device. Did you join on your phone and your computer? Is a coworker sitting next to you also in the meeting?
- On one of the devices, you must completely disconnect the audio (Muting is not enough).
- Click the up-arrow ( ^ ) next to the microphone icon.
- Select Leave Computer Audio.
4. Fix "Camera Not Detected" or Black Screen
A black camera has four common causes, and they are worth checking in this order.
If Zoom says your camera is off, or it's completely black, check these things in order:
- The physical shutter: Many modern laptops (like Lenovo ThinkPads) have a tiny plastic slider over the camera lens. Make sure it is slid open.
- The physical button: Look at your keyboard's top row (F1-F12). Is there a camera icon with a slash through it? Press it (or Fn + the key) to un-mute the camera hardware.
- Select the right camera: Click the up-arrow ( ^ ) next to the Start Video icon. Make sure the correct webcam is selected, not a virtual camera or secondary device.
- Windows Privacy Settings: If nothing else works, Windows might be blocking Zoom.
- Press the Windows key, type
Camera privacy settings, and press Enter. - Ensure Camera access is turned On.
- Scroll down and ensure Let desktop apps access your camera is also turned On. If the picture is still black with both of these turned on, the fault is in Windows rather than Zoom — see How to Troubleshoot Webcam and Camera Issues on Windows.
- Press the Windows key, type
Troubleshooting
| Symptom / Error | Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| "Your microphone is muted by the host" | Host settings | The meeting host has hard-muted everyone. You must raise your hand and wait for them to unmute you |
| Video is extremely choppy or freezing | Poor internet connection | Turn off your video to save bandwidth, or move closer to the Wi-Fi router |
| "Cannot start video. Failed to start the video camera" | Another app is using the camera | Teams, Webex, or the Windows Camera app is currently using the lens. Close the other app completely |