Microsoft Teams Audio Settings: How to Configure, Test, and Fix Them

Many users struggle to find Microsoft Teams audio settings at first. The menu location is not always easy to spot. This guide explains where to find the Devices panel first. It also covers microphone selection, noise cancellation, audio testing, and common audio fixes. Whether you are setting up Teams for the first time or troubleshooting a call in progress, the steps below will get your audio working correctly.

Where to Find Audio Settings in Microsoft Teams?

Teams keeps its audio controls in different places across each version. You can find them under Settings > Devices or More audio settings. But before you proceed, know that the location depends on whether you use mobile, desktop, or a web browser. Microsoft may change or remove some options after updates. 

In most cases, the Devices tab includes the main audio controls. From there, you can choose microphones and speakers. You can also enable noise suppression, echo cancellation, and more. Therefore, finding this panel before a meeting helps prevent many common audio problems.

On the Desktop App (Windows and macOS)

The path is identical on both Windows and macOS:

1. Open the Microsoft Teams desktop app.

2. Click the Settings and more option (three horizontal dots) next to your profile picture in the top-right corner of the window.

3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.

4. Click Devices in the left-hand navigation panel.

The Devices page displays the following sub-sections:

• Speaker: controls audio output device

• Microphone: controls the audio input device

• Noise suppression: filter level for background sound

• Secondary ringer: optional second output for incoming call alerts

• Make a test call: launches a verification call before meetings

All changes on this page take effect immediately unless otherwise noted.

During a Live Meeting

You do not need to leave a meeting to adjust audio settings. The in-meeting path is:

1. Join or start a Teams meeting.

2. Locate the toolbar at the top or bottom of the meeting window.

3. Click the three-dot More menu (the ellipsis “…” button).

4. Select Audio settings from the dropdown.

Alternatively, you can click the downward arrow icon next to the Microphone button and select More audio settings,

5. A sidebar opens with Speaker and Microphone dropdowns. Adjust as needed.

This process does not mute you, drop the call, or interrupt other participants. It is safe to perform mid-conversation when a quick device switch is necessary.

On the Web App and Mobile

Web app (browser): Audio device access in the browser version of Teams is controlled by the browser itself, not by Teams. Before joining a call, the browser will prompt for microphone permission. 

After giving the microphone access via the browser, you can choose the hardware, such as the microphone and speaker, from the Devices option in Settings.

Note: Options might be limited on the web browser version compared to the desktop or mobile application.

Mobile (iOS and Android):

• Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner.

• Go to Settings > Calling.

• Here you can toggle noise suppression and adjust default audio behavior.

How to Select Your Microphone and Speaker in Teams?

After opening Settings > Devices, you will see two primary dropdowns: one for Speaker and one for Microphone. Click either dropdown to view every audio device currently recognized by your system.

Teams sometimes defaults to the wrong device, often a built-in laptop microphone or internal speaker, even when a headset is connected. This happens because Teams pulls the OS-level default audio device at startup. If you connected a headset after Teams launched, the app may not have updated automatically.

To lock in your preferred devices:

• Select your headset or external microphone from the Microphone dropdown.

• Select your preferred output from the Speaker dropdown.

Practical tips for avoiding device selection issues:

• If a newly connected device does not appear in the dropdown, disconnect it, reconnect it, and restart Teams.

• Bluetooth headsets may appear twice in the list, once for call audio and once for media audio. Select the entry associated with the call or HFP profile for best results during meetings.

• USB headsets are typically the most reliable option because they register as a dedicated audio device and are rarely confused with system defaults.

• After selecting your devices, use the Make a test call button immediately to confirm they are working.

Noise Cancellation and Echo Settings Explained

Teams includes built-in noise suppression that filters background sounds from your microphone signal before other participants hear them. The setting is found at Settings > Devices > Noise suppression.

Note: The different levels of Noise Suppression are available in the Microsoft Teams mobile application. In the web browser version, there is a basic toggle to enable or disable noise suppression.

Echo cancellation is a separate, always-on process that prevents Teams from sending your speaker audio back through your microphone to other participants. It is not a toggle in the Settings panel. The most reliable way to eliminate echo is to use a headset, which physically separates the input and output signals.

When to Lower Noise Suppression and Why It Matters

High noise suppression is designed to prioritize speech intelligibility above all else. At the High level, Teams may clip consonant sounds, flatten music, or cut low-volume voices that it misidentifies as ambient noise. Musicians sharing instrument audio, teachers playing back media for students, and anyone presenting recordings should set noise suppression to Low, or disable it entirely when using High-fidelity music mode. For everyday business calls in a quiet home office, Standard is usually the right balance. Reserve High for environments that genuinely produce disruptive background noise that Standard cannot mask.

How to Test Your Audio Before a Teams Meeting?

Running an audio test before an important call is the single most reliable way to prevent live audio failures. Teams provides two methods.

Make a Test Call 

1. Open Settings > Devices.

2. Click the Make a test call button.

3. Teams connects you to a bot that guides you through the process.

4. Speak for five seconds when prompted.

5. The bot plays your recording back to you.

Listen carefully during playback for:

• Volume level: your voice should be clear and audible without distortion.

• Echo or reverb: if you hear yourself twice, check whether you are using a headset and whether echo cancellation is active.

• Background noise: if ambient sound is audible in the playback, raise noise suppression before joining the real call.

Additional Audio Settings Worth Adjusting

Beyond the core microphone and speaker controls, Teams includes several audio settings that are easy to overlook but can meaningfully affect call quality or accessibility.

• High-fidelity music mode: Disables noise cancellation entirely and raises audio fidelity for music or high-quality audio playback. You can enable it from the More audio settings option during the call.

• Secondary ringer: Routes incoming call ringing to a second device independent of your primary headset or speakers. Useful for users wearing noise-canceling headphones who may not hear incoming call alerts.

• Spatial audio: Enables positional stereo audio so different speakers appear to come from different directions during a call. Requires a supported stereo headset and improves the naturalness of multi-participant meetings.

• Mono audio: Converts stereo audio to a single channel so both ears receive the same signal. An accessibility setting for users who use one earphone or have a hearing difference in one ear.

Troubleshooting Common Microsoft Teams Audio Problems

The table below covers the most frequent audio failures, their likely causes, and the specific fix to apply. Most issues point back to a device selection or permission setting that is straightforward to correct.

If the issue continues, check that your internet connection is stable. Network packet loss can make audio problems look like device failures. This can happen even when your audio equipment is working correctly.

When Software Settings Are Not Enough: Hardware-Level Improvements

Teams’ noise suppression and device routing are effective tools, but they work on the signal your microphone delivers. If the underlying hardware produces a thin or noisy signal, software can only improve it to a point.

• Use a headset with a boom microphone: A boom mic positioned close to the mouth captures a strong, direct signal with far less ambient pickup than a built-in laptop microphone.

• Check microphone placement: If using a built-in or desktop microphone, position it 6 to 12 inches from your mouth and away from fans, keyboards, and reflective surfaces such as glass desktops.

• Reduce hard surfaces in your workspace: Bare walls and glass desks create short reverb that noise suppression handles inconsistently.

If call audio quality remains a persistent issue despite correct settings, the bottleneck is likely the built-in laptop microphone. A compact wireless microphone like the Hollyland LARK M2, which clips to clothing and connects wirelessly, removes this limitation and delivers noticeably cleaner input to Teams regardless of how noise suppression is configured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do I change my microphone in Teams while already in a meeting?

Click the three-dot More menu in the meeting toolbar, then select Device settings. From the sidebar that opens, choose the desired microphone from the Microphone dropdown. The change takes effect immediately and does not interrupt the call or mute you during the switch.

Q2: Why is my microphone not showing up in Teams audio settings?

This is most often an OS-level permission issue. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and confirm Teams is allowed. On macOS, open System Settings > Privacy and Security > Microphone and enable access for Teams. Restart Teams after granting permission for the device to appear.

Q3: Why do others hear an echo when I am speaking?

Echo usually means your microphone is picking up audio playing from your speakers, which Teams then transmits back to other participants. Switch to a headset to physically separate the input and output. If speakers are required, lower their volume and confirm echo cancellation is active in Settings > Devices.

Q4: Does Teams have a built-in noise cancellation feature?

Yes. Navigate to Settings > Devices > Noise suppression and choose from Auto, Low, Standard, or High. The setting applies to ongoing and future calls immediately. Auto works well as a starting point; move to High in noisy environments and Low when you need maximum voice fidelity or are sharing audio content.

Q5: How do I run an audio test in Microsoft Teams?

Open Settings > Devices and click Make a test call. Teams connects you to a bot that records five seconds of your audio when prompted and plays it back so you can evaluate volume, clarity, and background noise. 

Q6: Can I use Bluetooth headphones with Microsoft Teams?

Yes, you can use Bluetooth headphones with Microsoft Teams after a few adjustments. Open the Teams audio settings and select your Bluetooth headset correctly. Make sure it is chosen for both speakers and the microphone. Teams may not switch to a newly paired headset automatically. Headsets with built-in microphones sometimes enter Bluetooth call mode. This mode can reduce playback quality or create audio issues. Disabling the headset microphone or telephony option in Windows often helps. Restart Teams after making changes and test your audio again.

Conclusion

A reliable Teams audio starts with a few simple checks before every meeting. Choose the correct input and output devices inside the audio settings. Set the noise suppression level for your current surroundings and environment. Complete a quick test call before any meeting that really matters. Quite possibly, Teams sometimes ignores recently connected audio devices without updating automatically. Therefore, after connecting new hardware, review the selected audio devices carefully. This quick check helps avoid unexpected sound problems during important conversations.