How to Set Default Microphone in Microsoft Teams
- 11 steps
- Needs administrator rights
Teams keeps its own microphone setting, so it does not always follow what Windows uses. Pick the device inside Teams and you control which microphone carries your voice, whatever else is plugged in.
The change takes about a minute. Here is the short version, with each step explained further down:
Open Microsoft Teams, click the three dots (…) next to your profile picture, then click Settings. Choose Devices on the left, and under Microphone pick the device you want from the drop-down menu. Teams applies the change straight away, with no restart or Save button needed. Plug in your headset first, because Teams only lists devices Windows can see.
How to change your microphone in Microsoft Teams
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Click the three dots (…) next to your profile picture, then click Settings.
- Click Devices on the left.
- Under Microphone, pick the device you want from the drop-down menu.
The app can also be opened from the Taskbar or Taskbar overflow. Use whichever is quicker for you. Make sure you are signed in, because the settings are saved to your account on this PC.
- Look at the top of the Teams window for your profile picture. The three dots (…) sit next to it.
- Click the three dots.
- Click Settings in the menu that opens.
The Settings window should now open, with a list of categories down the left side. The layout differs slightly between the new Teams app and classic Teams, but the three dots and the Settings entry are in the same place in both.
- Click Devices in the list on the left.
- Find the section labeled Audio settings.
- Open the drop-down menu under Microphone.
- Click the device you want to use, for example your headset instead of the laptop’s built-in microphone.
The drop-down should now show the device you picked. Teams applies the change straight away, so you don’t need to restart the app or click a Save button. If you are in a meeting at the time, speak for a moment and watch the level indicator to confirm that Teams is picking up your voice.
If your device is not in the list, check these in order:
- Make sure the headset or microphone is plugged in firmly, or paired if it is Bluetooth.
- Check that Windows allows apps to use the microphone. Go to Settings Privacy & security Microphone and make sure microphone access is on.
- Close Teams completely and open it again. Teams sometimes won’t list a device that was plugged in while the app was running.
To undo the change, go back to Devices and choose your previous microphone from the same drop-down menu.
Summary
Modifying your default microphone through the Settings menu allows you to switch between multiple hardware devices for clearer calls. If you swap between a headset and a desk microphone often, repeat these steps each time. Teams may remember your last choice for that device, but check the Microphone drop-down before an important call.
Have a question about this guide?
Answered by AI from this guide. Good questions may be added to this page — please don't include personal details.
Did this guide fix your problem?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
[…] message preview on or off, manage teams notifications during calls, set default speakers, set default microphone, enable high fidelity sound, and […]
[…] message preview on or off, manage teams notifications during calls, set default speakers, set default microphone, enable high fidelity sound, change mic sensitivity, set default camera, and […]
[…] preview on or off, manage teams notifications during calls, set default speakers, set default microphone, enable high fidelity sound, change mic sensitivity, set default camera, hide […]