How to Check and Adjust Microphone Levels in Microsoft Teams

If people in a Teams call say you sound too quiet, too loud or distorted, the cause is usually the selected microphone, the input level set in your operating system, or the automatic processing Teams applies to your voice. This guide shows where to check each one and how to adjust it without guessing.

Before you start

Microsoft Teams is available as a desktop app, in a web browser and on mobile devices. Menu names and available options differ between classic Teams, new Teams, the web version and organisation-managed installations, so treat the labels below as a guide and look for the nearest equivalent in your version. In many versions Teams does not provide its own input volume slider: it lets you choose the microphone and shows a level indicator, while the actual input gain is set in Windows, macOS or on the microphone itself.

• Connect the microphone or headset before opening Teams, so it appears in the device list.
• Make sure the operating system allows apps to use the microphone. On Windows this is under Privacy and security, Microphone; on macOS under Privacy and Security, Microphone.
• If you use Teams in a browser, allow microphone access for the Teams page when the browser asks, or in the browser's site permissions.
• Check for a hardware mute switch, an inline volume wheel or a gain knob on the microphone or headset.
• Note your current input level and Teams device settings so you can return to them if a change makes things worse.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Select the correct microphone in Teams

Open Settings and more (the three dots next to your profile picture), choose Settings, then Devices. Under the audio device or microphone section, pick the input device you actually speak into. Laptops, webcams, docks and headsets can each add a separate entry, and Teams may default to a different one than you expect. Also confirm the output device, so you can hear playback during a test call.

2. Watch the level indicator

With the microphone selected, speak at your normal volume and distance. The indicator under the microphone should react while you talk and fall back when you stop. If it does not move at all, Teams is not receiving a signal from that device; go to the troubleshooting section before changing levels.

3. Review automatic adjustment and noise suppression

Some Teams versions include an option to automatically adjust microphone sensitivity. When it is on, Teams changes your input level during calls, which can override manual settings. Leave it on if you want hands-off behaviour; turn it off if you prefer to set a fixed level in the operating system. New Teams and some other versions also offer a noise suppression setting that reduces background noise such as fans or typing. Higher suppression can make speech sound thinner, so lower it if your voice cuts out between words.

4. Adjust the input level on Windows

Open Settings, then System, then Sound. Under Input, select the same microphone you chose in Teams and change Input volume. For more options, open the classic Sound control panel, go to the Recording tab, open the microphone's Properties and use the Levels tab; some devices also show a separate boost control there. The Advanced tab lists the default format, including the sample rate, and an option that allows apps to take exclusive control of the device. Change one setting at a time and return to Teams to see the effect.

5. Adjust the input level on macOS

Open System Settings, then Sound, and select the Input tab. Choose the microphone you use in Teams and move the Input volume slider while watching the level meter. If the device came with its own control software, check whether it also has a gain setting, because both affect the final level.

6. Change devices during a meeting

In a meeting you can usually open device settings from the arrow next to the microphone button or from the More menu. This lets you switch the input device without leaving the call. Input gain is still controlled by the operating system, so keep the system sound settings open in another window if you need to fine-tune the level live.

Check the output

In the desktop app, Settings, Devices often includes a Make a test call option. It records a short message and plays it back, so you hear roughly what other participants receive. Availability depends on your Teams version and organisation settings, and it may not appear in the web version. If it is missing, ask a colleague to join a short call and give feedback.

• Your voice should be clear at normal speaking volume without leaning toward the microphone.
• The level indicator should move clearly while you speak but not stay at its maximum; constant peaks usually mean distortion.
• Silence between sentences should not contain loud hum, hiss or fan noise.
• The level should stay consistent during the test instead of rising and falling on its own.

Keep in mind that Teams applies its own processing, such as echo cancellation and noise suppression, and adapts to network conditions. A local recording in another app, or the sample rate set in Windows, does not tell you exactly how your audio sounds to others; the test call or live feedback is the more reliable check.

Common problems and next steps

The microphone level indicator does not move

Confirm that the selected input device is the one you speak into, that hardware mute is off and that operating system or browser permissions allow microphone access. Close other apps that may be using the microphone, then restart Teams. If the device still shows no signal, test it in the operating system's sound settings; if it is silent there too, the problem is with the device, cable or driver rather than Teams.

Others say you are too quiet

Raise the input volume in Windows or macOS, check for a low hardware gain or inline volume wheel, and position the microphone closer to your mouth. If automatic sensitivity adjustment is turned off, try turning it on.

Your voice is distorted or too loud

Lower the input volume and any microphone boost until the indicator no longer sits at its maximum while you speak. Moving the microphone slightly further away also helps.

The level keeps changing by itself

Automatic adjustment in Teams, in another meeting app or in headset software can change the system input level. Turn off automatic adjustment in the app where you want manual control and check whether another running program manages microphone volume.

Bluetooth headset sounds muffled

When a Bluetooth headset's microphone is in use, many headsets switch to a lower-quality call mode, and some appear as more than one device. Make sure the headset entry selected in Teams is the one intended for calls, or use a wired or USB microphone if voice quality matters.

Settings are missing or locked

Work or school installations may hide options or restrict device access through organisation policies. If a setting described here is unavailable, update Teams first, then contact your IT administrator rather than trying to work around the policy.