How to Select or Change Audio Devices in Zoom Meetings

How to Select or Change Audio Devices in Zoom Meetings

If you're experiencing audio issues or want to switch between different microphones, headsets, or speakers, Zoom makes it easy to change your device settings before or during a meeting.

Before a Meeting: Change/Verify Audio Settings

1. Open Zoom.
   Launch the Zoom desktop application and ensure you're signed in.

2. Access Settings.
   Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner and select Settings from the dropdown menu.

3. Navigate to Audio.
   In the Settings menu, click on Audio in the left-hand sidebar.

4. Select Audio Devices.
   Under the Speaker section:

   • Choose your preferred output device (e.g., built-in speakers, headset) from the dropdown menu.

   • Click Test Speaker to play a test tone and confirm the device is working. (Changing settings in the Zoom desktop/mobile app)

5. Under the Microphone section:

   • Select your input device (e.g., laptop mic, USB mic) from the dropdown menu.

   • Click Test Mic to record and play back your voice to ensure it's functioning correctly.

6. Adjust Volume Levels.
   Use the sliders to adjust the speaker and microphone volumes to suitable levels.

7. Advanced Settings (Optional).
   Click on Advanced to access additional settings like:

   • Suppress background noise: Choose the level of suppression (Auto, Low, Medium, High).

   • Echo cancellation: Enable or disable echo cancellation based on your setup.

   • High-fidelity music mode: For better sound quality during music sessions.

During a Meeting: Change Audio On the Fly

1. Open Audio Settings.
   While in a meeting, click on the ^ arrow next to the Mute/Unmute button in the bottom-left corner of the meeting toolbar.

2. Select Audio Devices.
   From the menu that appears:

   • Choose a different Microphone or Speaker from the respective lists.

   • Click on Audio Settings... to open the full Audio settings window if more adjustments are needed.

Illustration:
Envision a screenshot of an active Zoom meeting with the dropdown menu open from the ^ arrow next to the Mute button, showing options to switch Microphone and Speaker devices.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• USB Devices: Ensure they're properly connected; Zoom usually detects them automatically.

• Echo Issues: Use a headset to prevent feedback loops between microphone and speakers.

• Device Defaults: Zoom might revert to previous devices; double-check settings after hardware changes.

• Test Audio: Before joining important meetings, use Zoom's Test Speaker and Microphone feature to ensure everything works smoothly. (Testing audio before Zoom Meetings - Zoom Support)