If you’ve started recording a meeting but no audio is coming through or appearing in the waveform, it’s usually caused by device, browser, or operating system settings — even if you’ve already allowed microphone access.
Follow the steps below to help resolve any issues:
Quick Checks
Before diving into system settings, check:
Is your microphone physically muted?Some headsets and laptops have a hardware mute button or slider.
Check that you have the right Mic selected?External headsets, Bluetooth devices, webcams, and docks often add extra microphones. If no audio is coming through please check the selected Microphone or try another one from the available list.
Windows
Microphone Volume
One of the most common instances of no audio coming through is when your microphone gets muted or volume set to zero in Windows.
How to check and fix it
Open Settings
Go to System → Sound
Under Input, select your active microphone
Check Input volume
Make sure it’s above 50%
Ensure the speaker/mute icon is not muted
Speak and confirm the input level meter moves
If the volume is set to 0%, Windows will report the microphone as “working” but no audio will be captured.
Microphone Privacy Settings
Some web-browsers may still show permission granted to the Microphone, but Windows will still block the audio.
How to check and fix it
Open Settings
Go to Privacy & security → Microphone
Ensure:
Microphone access = ON
Let apps access your microphone = ON
Let desktop apps access your microphone = ON
If these are off, the browser may show permission granted, but Windows will still block audio.
Disable Exclusive Control
Windows provides a feature that allows some apps to lock the microphone for exclusive control.
How to check and fix it
In Sound settings, click More sound settings
Go to the Recording tab
Right-click your microphone → Properties
Open the Advanced tab
Uncheck:
Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
Click Apply
MacOS
Microphone Volume
Check the microphone volume as if its set too low audio can effectively be muted from getting through.
How to check and fix it
System Settings → Sound → Input
Select the correct microphone
Check Input volume
Ensure it’s not all the way left
Speak and confirm the input level bars move
If the bars don’t move, macOS isn’t receiving audio.
Microphone OS Permissions
Some web-browsers may still show permission granted to the Microphone, but Windows will still block the audio.
How to check and fix it
Open System Settings
Go to Privacy & Security → Microphone
Ensure your browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge) is enabled
If it’s off, macOS blocks audio even if the browser says “allowed”.