How to Change Audio Sources in Microsoft Teams

Setting Up Your Audio Before You Join

The Microsoft Teams meeting join screen allows users to check their audio setup before joining a call. This screen provides an opportunity to confirm sound input and output devices are correctly selected. Testing audio here is like performing a sound check before a live event, ensuring clear communication.

It takes a few seconds, and it is much easier than fixing the problem after everyone has heard you say “can you hear me?” three times.

Using Your Computer’s Sound

To change Teams audio source to your computer’s built-in speakers and microphone, select Computer audio on the pre-join screen before entering a meeting. This uses whatever default audio hardware you have already set up in Windows, ensuring your sound works right away without needing extra equipment.

Upon clicking to join a meeting, the pre-join screen appears. Follow these steps:

1. Look for the Audio section on the pre-join screen. You should see a list of audio choices.
2. Check that Computer audio is selected. It is usually the default.
3. Open the device list under Computer audio if you want a specific speaker or microphone. Choose the device you want from the list.
4. Speak for a moment and watch the microphone level bar. If it moves, Teams hears you.
5. Click Join now.

If a device you plugged in does not appear in the list, unplug it and plug it back in, then reopen the pre-join screen. If it is still missing, check Settings › System › Sound in Windows to confirm that Windows can see it.

Switching to Your Phone's Sound

To change Teams audio source to your phone when your computer mic fails, select Phone audio on the pre-join screen and choose Call me. Microsoft Teams will then call your phone directly, letting you use your mobile handset's microphone and speaker for the call.

Here are a couple of methods for using your phone for audio:

1. On the Teams screen before joining, go to the Audio section.
2. Choose Phone audio. You will see two choices:

   • Call me: Teams will call your phone. You need to type in your phone number. Then Teams will connect you to the meeting sound. Your phone will be your microphone and speaker.
   • Dial in manually: This gives you a phone number, a Conference ID, and a toll-free number. You can call this number using your phone's dialer to join the meeting's audio.
3. For Call me, enter your phone number and answer the call when it comes in.
4. For Dial in manually, dial the number shown, then enter the Conference ID when the phone system asks for it.

The phone options only show up if your organization allows dial-in audio for the meeting. If Phone audio is missing, ask your Teams administrator or the meeting organizer. Standard call rates from your carrier may apply, so check the number before you dial.

Once you select your phone as the audio source and complete the steps, your phone will manage the audio playback and recording. Your computer will still show the meeting video and chat, but it will not send or play any sound. To hang up the audio only, end the phone call. You can then pick another audio source from the meeting controls.

Using a Meeting Room's Sound System

To change Teams audio source to a meeting room's sound system, choose Room audio on the pre-join screen and pick the correct room from the list. This connects your meeting directly to the conference room speakers and microphones so everyone in the room can participate clearly.

1. On the screen before joining, find the Audio options.
2. Choose Room audio.
3. A list will show up with meeting rooms and their sound systems. Pick the right room.
4. Click Join now.

If you join with room audio and also keep your laptop speaker and microphone active, you will get echo and feedback. If the room you need is not in the list, the room device may be turned off or may not be set up for Teams, so contact whoever manages it.

Joining Without Any Sound

To change Teams audio source to completely off when you only want to watch or use text chat, select Don't use audio on the pre-join screen. This stops your computer from sending or receiving any sound, which is helpful in large meetings or quiet environments.

1. On the screen before joining, under the Audio section, select Don't use audio.
2. Click Join now.

This setting is practical for large meetings where speaking is not required. It also helps if audio problems exist and you want to join silently first. You can turn on your sound later if needed. Use the in-meeting steps in the last section to choose a speaker and microphone once you are inside.

Changing Audio While In a Meeting

To change Teams audio source while already inside a meeting, click the three dots in the meeting controls and open Device settings. From there, you can pick a new speaker or microphone from the dropdown menus to fix sound problems live without leaving the call.

1. In the Teams meeting controls, click on More actions (it looks like three dots ...). A menu opens.
2. Hover over Device settings. In some versions of Teams, this item sits under Settings in the same menu. A panel opens.
3. Under Audio devices, you will see options for your speaker and microphone.
4. Click the dropdown menu next to Speaker to choose where you want to hear sound from.
5. Click the dropdown menu next to Microphone to choose which microphone you want to use.

Teams will immediately begin using your newly selected audio devices. No restart is needed, and you stay in the meeting. To undo the change, open the same menu and select your previous device again.

If a headset you just plugged in does not appear, unplug and reconnect it, then reopen the menu. Bluetooth headsets must be connected in Windows before Teams can list them.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/teams/meetings/manage-audio-settings-in-microsoft-teams-meetings

Summary

Changing your audio source in Microsoft Teams helps you hear meetings better and ensures others hear you clearly by telling the app which hardware to use. Knowing how to change Teams audio source quickly fixes common sound problems before or during any call.

Switching your audio source tells Teams which device to use for sound output and voice input. This action ensures clear audio during meetings. Check the pre-join screen each time you join, and use the in-meeting device settings when something sounds wrong.