Google Meet Microphone Not Working (Windows + Mac): Top Issues and Fixes

As more companies switch to remote and hybrid work, Google meet provides seamless video and audio conferencing. You can collaborate on a project by simply sharing your screen and boosting productivity with this efficient software.

However, just like any video conferencing software, you may encounter problems with the Google Meet microphone not working. Whether you are hosting a conference or participating in it, being unable to transmit audio is a hitch. 

However, you are not alone! Many users have experienced a problem with the microphone when using Google Meet. Here are some common fixes that will help you solve this problem so that the audio works properly on PC and Mac and you have smooth conferencing.

Method #1: Unmute yourself in Google Meet

There are chances that your audio is muted, and you may think there is some issue with your microphone. So the first step when facing a problem with the mic is to check if you have been muted.

If you have muted yourself or have been muted by someone, you can unmute yourself by following these simple steps:

When using Google Meet on the Web

Step 1: Open Google Meet on your browser and join the meeting

Step 2: Click the microphone icon at the bottom of the meeting screen to unmute yourself.

Once the microphone button turns white, it indicates that the mic has been unmuted and your voice can be heard in the meeting. 

Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + D in a meeting to mute or unmute yourself faster.

When Using the Google Meet App on Your Phone

Step 1: Open Google Meet app on your phone and Join a meeting.

Step 2: Click the Microphone icon at the bottom(highlighted in red) of the meeting screen to unmute.

Method # 2: Allow Google Meet to Access the Correct Microphone

Sometimes, more than one audio peripheral could be connected to your PC or MAC. In that case, your microphone may not work on Google Meet as it may use your device’s built-in microphone. So, you must select the correct microphone you want Google Meet to use. Here are the steps for choosing the preferred microphone for the web app.

Step 1: On the Google Meet menu, click on Settings.

Step 2: Hover on the Audio tab and select your preferred microphone.

Step 3: Click Done to save the settings.

Method # 3: Select the Right Microphone via Google Chrome

Step 1: Open Google Chrome.

Step 2: On the top right corner, Click on the More icon (three vertical dots) and then go to Settings.

Step 3: Click Privacy and Security in the menu bar on the left.

Step 4: Click Site Settings under Privacy and Security.

Step 5: Click Microphone.

Step 6: On your microphone settings page (chrome://settings/content/microphone), ensure that your microphone has been selected in the drop-down menu.

If the microphone has been set on Default, you can change it to the microphone you are using. 

Method # 4: Check Microphone Input Levels

One of the reasons that your voices cannot be heard on Google Meet is that the input level is too low, and therefore your device is unable to pick up your voice. This can be corrected by changing the input level to a high range. Here are the steps that will help you set the input level.

Adjust Input Level on PC

Go to Windows Settings on your PC.

Step 1: Click on System on the left side menu.

Step 2: Click on Sound.

Step 3: On the Sound settings page, select the microphone you are using under Input. It will take you to the Properties page for your microphone.

Step 4: Move the slider adjacent to the Input volume to the right as it increases the input level.

Adjust Input Level on Mac

Step 1: In the Apple menu, go to System Preferences.

Step 2: Next, click on Sound.

Step 3: Go to the Input tab.

Step 4: Ensure that the Microphone is enabled.

Step 5: Move the volume slider to the right to increase input volume.

Method #5: Restart Google Meet Web Browser

Sometimes, if you simply restart your browser, your microphone will start working. It is because closing and relaunching your web browser not only clears the cache but also fixes any problems with background extensions by restarting them. Here are steps you can follow to restart your browser:

Step 1: Launch a new tab and type the command ‘chrome://restart.’

Step 2: Next,  press the Enter key to launch the browser. It will ensure that all tags are still intact.

Method #6: Restart Your Computer

So, you have restarted your Google Meet browser but are facing the problem with your microphone again? It’s time to restart your PC or Mac device. Restarting your device helps close all the programs and makes them run again. It helps in taking care of minor technical issues.

Moreover, restarting updates your system and improves its performance, and is also a simple process. Here are the steps you need to follow to restart your system.

On The PC

Step 1: Select the Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen.

Step 2: Click on the Power button. You will now be given three options: Sleep, Shutdown, and Restart.

Step 3: Select Restart and your computer will shut down and start again automatically.

On The Mac

Step 1: Click on the Apple icon at the top left corner of your screen.

Step 2: You will see several options in the drop-down menu. Click Restart. The computer will shut down and start again automatically.

Method #7: Clear Cache & Cookies

Cache accumulates in your system over a period of time and may result in several problems with the browser. So, you should clear the browser cache and cookies from time to time. It will also help fix your microphone. Here are a few simple steps that will help you clear cache from Google Chrome:

Step 1: Launch the Chrome browser.

Step 2: Click on the More icon (three dots) at the top right corner.

Step 3: Click on More tools.

Step 4: Select the boxes next to Cookies and Cached images and files.

Step 5: Select the time range for which you want to delete data. Clicking on All data will delete the entire data from your system.

Step 6: Click on Clear data to remove cookies, cached images, and files.

Apart from deleting the above-mentioned data, you also have the option of deleting your Browsing history & Download history.

Method #8: Reinstall Google Meet on Mobile

Even after trying these methods, if your microphone is still not working, you can reinstall the Google Meet software as it may be experiencing a glitch with the hardware of your mobile device.

To correct this issue, uninstall the Google Meet app on your phone and then reinstall it. This will help fix the software malfunction and ensure your microphone is up and running. 

Here are the steps to uninstall Google Meet on your mobile.

Step 1: Tap the Settings icon on your smartphone.

Step 2: Go to  Apps and Notifications.

Step 3: Click on Uninstall.

Step 4: Click Ok as you will be prompted to confirm the uninstallation. The Google Meet app has now been successfully uninstalled.

Once the app has been uninstalled, you can reinstall the app with the following steps:

Step 1: Go to Google Play Store.

Step 2: Type Google Meet on the search bar.

Step 3: Click on the Install option to download it again.

Step 4: Once the software has been downloaded and installed, click on Open.

Step 5: Type your Email Address in the respective field.

Step 6: A pop-up appears on the screen asking you to provide access to the camera and microphone. Click on Allow.

Step 7: Go to your inbox and click the meeting link to join the meeting.

 After reinstalling the software on the phone, the Google meet software should run smoothly.

Method # 9: Allow Microphone Access to a Browser

If you have tried the above options and your microphone is still not working, there is a chance that your browser is not allowing access. To prevent security issues, the privacy settings on PC and Mac restrict access to the microphone. Follow these steps to give microphone access to your browser:

Allow Microphone Access on PC

Step 1: Click on Windows settings.

Step 2: Select Privacy and security.

Step 3: Click on Microphone.

Step 4: Toggle the switch on next to Microphone access, as this will ensure that anyone using the device can choose if their apps have access to the microphone.

Step 5: Scroll down to turn the switch on; next to Allow desktop apps access, your microphone is also set to On.

Allow Microphone Access on Mac

Step 1: Select the Apple menu.

Step 2: Select System Preferences.

Step 3: Click on Security and Privacy.

Step 4: Select Microphone.

Step 5: Check the box next to your preferred web browser.