Begin with a short, engaging paragraph that immediately answers the main question or issue.
Teams audio doesn’t work in Windows 10 can usually be fixed quickly — most problems are caused by wrong device selection, muted audio, driver issues, or app permissions. This guide explains the ten most common causes and gives step‑by‑step fixes so you can restore sound for calls and meetings.
This article covers what typically causes the problem (device selection, drivers, services, settings, Bluetooth/headset pairing, updates, and app-level issues) and provides clear, beginner‑friendly instructions for each fix.
Key Takeaway
The fastest way to restore sound is to verify the correct playback/input device in both Windows and Teams, ensure Windows Audio services are running, and update or reinstall audio drivers; if that fails, clear Teams cache or reinstall the Teams client.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| Wrong device selected in Teams | Select the correct microphone and speaker in Teams > Settings > Devices. |
| Windows default device incorrect or muted | Set the correct default in Settings > System > Sound and unmute. |
| Windows Audio service stopped | Restart Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder in services.msc. |
| Outdated or corrupt audio drivers | Update or reinstall the audio driver from Device Manager or manufacturer site. |
| Microphone access disabled for apps | Enable Microphone access in Settings > Privacy > Microphone. |
| Teams app settings or corrupted cache | Clear Teams cache or sign out/sign in, or reinstall Teams. |
| Exclusive Mode or audio enhancements | Disable Exclusive Mode and audio enhancements in Sound control panel. |
| Bluetooth/headset pairing or profile issue | Re-pair headset, select correct Bluetooth profile (Hands-Free vs A2DP). |
| Windows update or driver conflict | Roll back recent audio driver or uninstall problematic Windows update. |
| Firewall/antivirus or background apps blocking audio | Temporarily disable or configure firewall/AV and close conflicting apps. |
Detailed Fixes for “Teams audio doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1) Wrong device selected in Teams
Why this causes the problem:
- Teams can use a different microphone or speaker than Windows’ default; if Teams is pointed at a disabled or disconnected device, you get no audio.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Click your profile picture (top right) and choose Settings.
- Go to Devices.
- Under Audio devices, from the Speaker and Microphone drop‑downs, select the correct device (e.g., your headset or speakers).
- Click Make a test call to verify sound and microphone levels.
Notes/tips:
- If you use USB or Bluetooth headsets, make sure they are connected before starting Teams so they appear in the list.
2) Windows default playback or recording device incorrect or muted
Why this causes the problem:
- Even if Teams selects a device, Windows’ default device or master volume/mute state can block audio output/input.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- Right‑click the speaker icon on the taskbar and choose Open Sound settings.
- Under Output, ensure the correct device is selected. Under Input, pick the right microphone.
- Click App volume and device preferences and confirm Teams is using the correct devices.
- To unmute or change levels: click Sound Control Panel (right side), select the device, click Properties, then Levels — ensure not muted and volume is up.
Notes/tips:
- Some apps have per‑app volume; verify Teams isn’t turned down in the volume mixer (right‑click speaker > Open Volume mixer).
3) Windows Audio service stopped
Why this causes the problem:
- Windows audio depends on services such as Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder; if they’re stopped, sound won’t work.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
- If either shows Stopped, right‑click and choose Start. If running, choose Restart.
- If the service won’t start, open Properties and set Startup type to Automatic, then click Start.
Notes/tips:
- If services fail repeatedly, check Event Viewer (Windows Logs > System) for service errors to diagnose deeper issues.
4) Outdated or corrupt audio drivers
Why this causes the problem:
- Broken or incompatible drivers cause no audio, poor quality, or device not recognized.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right‑click your audio device (e.g., Realtek High Definition Audio) and select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If update fails, choose Uninstall device (check Delete the driver software for this device if present). Restart Windows — Windows will auto‑reinstall drivers.
- For best results, visit the PC or motherboard manufacturer website and download the latest driver; install it following vendor instructions.
Advanced command (optional):
- Run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to detect system file corruption, and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth if needed.
Notes/tips: - If a recent driver caused the issue, in Device Manager use Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
5) Microphone access disabled for apps (privacy settings)
Why this causes the problem:
- Windows can block apps from using the microphone globally or per-app; Teams won’t capture audio if blocked.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- Open Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
- Turn Microphone access for this device to On (use the Change button if shown).
- Ensure Allow apps to access your microphone is On, and confirm Microsoft Teams (under Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone) — for desktop app, ensure Allow desktop apps to access your microphone is On.
Notes/tips:
- If using the Teams web app in a browser, ensure the browser has permission to use the microphone (browser prompt or site settings).
6) Teams app settings or corrupted cache
Why this causes the problem:
- Corrupted Teams cache or wrong internal settings can break audio behavior even when Windows is correctly configured.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- Sign out of Teams and close the app.
- Press Windows + R, paste: %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams, and press Enter.
- Delete these folders (or move them to backup): Cache, blob_storage, databases, GPUCache, IndexedDB, Local Storage, tmp.
- Restart Teams and sign in. Reconfigure audio in Settings > Devices.
- If problems persist, uninstall Teams (Settings > Apps), reboot, and reinstall the latest Teams from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app.
Notes/tips:
- Clearing cache preserves your account but can force re‑authentication for SSO users.
7) Exclusive Mode and audio enhancements conflicts
Why this causes the problem:
- Some apps take exclusive control of audio devices or apply enhancements that break compatibility with Teams.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- Right‑click the speaker icon > Open Sound settings > Sound Control Panel (right side).
- Select your playback device, click Properties, then go to the Advanced tab.
- Uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
- Go to Enhancements (or Spatial sound, depending on device) and check Disable all enhancements, then click OK.
- Test Teams audio again.
Notes/tips:
- Disabling exclusive mode is especially important for USB headsets and virtual audio devices.
8) Bluetooth or headset pairing/profile problems
Why this causes the problem:
- Bluetooth devices can connect with multiple profiles (A2DP for high fidelity, Hands‑Free for calls). If the wrong profile or a stale pairing is active, mic or audio may fail.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- Ensure headset is charged and in pairing mode. In Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, remove the device: select it and click Remove device.
- Reboot Windows and then re‑pair the headset: Add Bluetooth or other device.
- After pairing, go to Sound settings and select the correct profile: for calls select the Hands‑Free AG Audio or the headset as default communications device.
- If the headset shows two devices (Stereo and Hands‑Free), pick the right one for calls; for best call quality pick Hands‑Free.
Notes/tips:
- If audio is very poor, switch to the Stereo (A2DP) profile (but note that A2DP usually disables microphone input).
9) Recent Windows update or driver conflict
Why this causes the problem:
- A Windows update can install drivers or change settings that conflict with audio drivers or Teams.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- If audio stopped after a Windows update, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history to check recent updates.
- To uninstall a problematic update: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates and remove the offending update.
- In Device Manager, right‑click your audio device, choose Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver if the option is available.
- If you roll back, reboot and test.
Notes/tips:
- Create a system restore point regularly so you can revert if updates cause issues in future.
10) Firewall, antivirus, or conflicting background apps blocking Teams audio
Why this causes the problem:
- Security software or apps (e.g., virtual audio cables or conferencing software) can block microphone access or network features that impact Teams audio.
Step‑by‑step fix:
- Temporarily disable third‑party antivirus/firewall and test Teams audio. Consult vendor instructions to re‑enable safely.
- In Settings > Privacy > Microphone, recheck microphone permissions.
- Close other communication apps (Zoom, Skype) and disable virtual audio tools (e.g., VoiceMeeter) that may hijack devices.
- If disabling fixes the issue, add an exception for Teams in your security software instead of leaving it disabled.
Notes/tips:
- For corporate devices, contact IT before changing firewall settings.
Maintenance and Prevention Tips
- Keep Windows, Teams, and audio drivers up to date — check vendors periodically.
- Before meetings, test audio with Teams > Settings > Devices > Make a test call.
- Use a dedicated headset for calls to avoid device switching problems.
- Create a small checklist: headset connected, default device set, Teams device set, microphone permission enabled.
- For recurring problems, collect logs: Teams has an option Help > Download logs (or press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1) to provide to IT or Microsoft support.
FAQ
How can I test my audio quickly in Teams before a meeting?
Use Teams > Settings > Devices > Make a test call; this records a short message and plays it back so you can verify both microphone and speaker.
Does the Teams web app use the same audio settings as the desktop app?
No — the web app relies on browser permissions and settings. If the web app shows no audio, check the browser’s site permissions and ensure the browser has access to the microphone and speakers.
Can I use two audio devices at the same time (one for mic, another for speaker)?
Yes. In Settings > System > Sound and in Teams > Settings > Devices, you can select different input and output devices; for best stability, choose devices that are not competing drivers (avoid mixing Bluetooth and USB if you see issues).
What advanced diagnostics can I run if none of these fixes work?
Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in an elevated Command Prompt, capture Teams logs (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1), and check Event Viewer > Windows Logs for audio or driver error entries to share with IT support.
Will reinstalling Teams delete my settings?
A normal uninstall/reinstall usually preserves cloud‑based account settings but clearing the local cache resets client settings (device choices, local preferences). Back up any local data if needed.
Conclusion
Most audio failures in Teams are caused by device selection, Windows sound settings, services, drivers, or app permissions; systematically checking each area will restore sound in almost all cases. Use the steps above to identify and fix the issue quickly — remember to verify both Windows defaults and Teams device settings when troubleshooting Teams audio doesn’t work in Windows 10.
