Guide: Fix ‘Google Meet Microphone Not Working on Windows and Mac’ Issue
Google Meet is revolutionizing remote collaboration for the city, offering free video and audio conferencing with end-to-end encryption, HD audio and HD video. Already widely used by educators and organizations worldwide, this powerful tool is transforming how people work together.
Many users have experienced difficulty using their microphones on Google Meet. Here are some common solutions to help you get back up and running.
Unmute yourself in Google Meet
Don’t forget to mute yourself on Google Meet. Look for the red microphone icon with a slash at the bottom of the screen – this indicates that your mic is muted.
Click the unmute button to ensure your audio is ready for a Google Meet. Before joining, check the microphone status in the preview pane.
If you join a Google Meet meeting with five or more participants, your microphone will be automatically muted. The host can also mute you remotely, and the only way to regain sound is to unmute yourself.
Allow access to the microphone
Major web browsers are taking steps to protect user privacy by blocking microphone access to websites and web apps such as Google Meet. When you first use a service like Google Meet, your browser will prompt you to allow microphone access. If you accidentally dismissed the notification, you can still adjust your settings manually.
Users must manually grant the web app the necessary permissions, though the process varies depending on which browser they are using.
To enable microphone access on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge Chromium, click the padlock icon in the address bar’s left corner and select “Allow.”
Firefox users can unlock their microphone by clicking the padlock-shaped icon in the address bar and removing the “Temporarily blocked” restriction.
To enable audio on Meet, Safari users should go to their browser’s Preferences, select the Websites tab, and set meet.google.com to Allow for Microphone access.
Select Preferred microphone
Google Meet may use a different microphone than the one you want, such as the one built into your computer. To ensure you’re using the right mic, you can specify it in the web app.
Tap into Settings in the Google Meet menu to get started.
Ensure your microphone is correctly selected under the Audio tab to avoid potential echo issues. For optimal sound quality, use the same hardware for both speakers and microphone.
Save your changes by clicking Done.
Check the input level of the microphone
Your computer’s mic may not be sensitive enough to capture your voice.
To access the Sound Control Panel on a PC, open the Windows Settings app from either the Start menu or Action Center, then select System and Sound.
Increase the microphone input level by adjusting the slider in the Microphone Properties dialog box. Ensure that the mute icon is not enabled.
To adjust sound input on a Mac, open System Preferences from the Apple menu, select Sound, then switch to the Input tab.
Choose a mic and set the volume – your settings will be saved automatically.
Provide microphone access to the browser
Ensure your privacy by checking that your browsers cannot access your microphone: both Windows and macOS have built-in settings to prevent programs from doing so.
Windows users should ensure their microphone is enabled by navigating to Windows Settings > Privacy > Microphone and turning on the toggle for “Allow apps to access your microphone.”
Ensure the ‘Allow desktop apps to access your microphone’ switch is set to On for optimal performance.
To ensure your Mac’s security, head to System Preferences> Security & Privacy.
Ensure your desired web browser is selected by ticking the corresponding box next to Microphone.
Restart the web browser
Restarting your browser can help resolve microphone issues, such as when audio fails to come through after a few minutes in a Google Meet session. To fix the problem, simply close and restart your browser before rejoining the meeting.
To ensure a smooth restart of your Mac’s browser, make sure to exit it from the menu bar before doing so.
Restart the PC or Mac
If restarting your browser didn’t fix the issue, restarting your computer may be the solution. This can help resolve microphone issues in Google Meet.
Troubleshoot microphone problems (Windows)
Windows 10 has a built-in tool to help users with microphone issues. To access it, open Windows Settings, then select System and Sound.
To troubleshoot your microphone, select it from the menu in the Input section and click Troubleshoot.
If your microphone is having issues, the troubleshooter can help. Just follow the instructions onscreen to get it fixed.
Release microphone (Mac)
Users of Apple Mac computers should be aware that their microphone may be used by other applications or browser extensions, potentially preventing Google Meet from accessing it.
To determine if Google Meet is running in the background, open Terminal (Finder> Applications> Utilities> Terminal) and enter the command:
Enter your Mac’s login password, restart the device, and rejoin the meeting to complete the command.
Use Google Meet in Chrome
Google Meet is best accessed through Google Chrome, as it works on all major browsers such as Firefox and Safari. However, it can only be used via a browser-based interface on PC and Mac.
If your microphone is still causing problems during Google Meet meetings, switching to Google Chrome may help.
For those looking for an alternative to Chrome, Microsoft Edge offers a Chromium-based browser.
Fix ‘Google Meet Microphone Not Working on Windows and Mac’ Issue: benefits
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Final note
If you’re having trouble with your Google Meet microphone, this guide can help. Have questions? Reach out to us. And don’t forget to share the article with your friends!
Have a query about fixing Google Meet microphone issues on Windows and Mac? Need help or want to add an alternate method? Contact us through our comment section, contact page, social media accounts, or Telegram channel. We’ll answer your questions within 24-48 hours (weekends excluded).
