Top 7 Ways to Fix Google Meet Audio Not Working

Big IT companies like Twitter and Spotify are encouraging their employees to work from home. Google is already participating in the Google Meet software, and sensing the current trend, the search giant has made the service free for everyone. It quickly became the go-to video conferencing tool on GT. If you’re starting out with Google Meet and you’re having audio problems, read on to troubleshoot it.

Audio problems on the admin side can interrupt the ongoing Google Meet meeting. Something not ideal for the overall software experience. There can be many reasons behind the behavior.

1. Check Audio Before Meeting

Google Meet lets you control audio and video before joining a meeting. You can tap Control audio and video and choose the default PC/Mac speakers for a smooth meeting.

2. Check Computer Volume

You may have accidentally pressed it because of the mute button on the Apple MacBook. Sometimes I use the mute button on the keyboard to quickly mute the sound. MacBooks do not display the LED indicator on them that indicates the mute button.

You can forget to unmute before the Google Meet meeting. Press the F10 key and make sure you turn up the volume on your device.

3. Select Device Speakers from Google Meet Settings

Google Meet allows you to change the default speakers for the meeting. If you’re using your phone as a webcam or connected to some third-party speaker, you’ll need to make sure you select a relevant Google Meet audio accessory.

Let me share what happened to me. With EpocCam software, you can use iPhone as a webcam in Google Meet. For this, you can download the relevant drivers and install the service. During setup, change the Sound Settings in Google Meet from MacBook Speakers to EpocCam.

The next time I tried meeting in Google Meet, it remembered my last settings and tried to use EpocCam for audio instead of MacBook speakers. When I wasn’t using the EpocCam app, I couldn’t hear any sound from the other side. So I had to go back to the MacBook speakers from Google Meet Settings > Audio to fix the issue.

4. Disable Bluetooth

You may have used Bluetooth on your PC or Mac to connect headphones or TWS (True Wireless Stereo). Most users forget to turn off Bluetooth after using it. The next time you create a Google Meet meeting, it can use the Bluetooth function and connect to a paired device.

Some TWS will also turn on when the battery case runs out of juice. In such cases, you cannot hear sound from your side. Make sure you have disabled Bluetooth on your end and not connected to any third-party Bluetooth accessories.

5. Make Sure The Microphone Is Working On The Other Side

Sound works just fine on your end. The problem may be from the other side. Google Meet participants may be experiencing microphone issues on their side. You can ask them to fix the microphone so you can hear in the Google Meet meeting.

We have prepared a detailed post on troubleshooting microphone issues in Google Meet. Share the post link with attendees to fix the issue.

6. Fix Sound Drivers

The sound/speaker problem may be caused by corrupt drivers on your computer. You should update the sound drivers on your Windows PC. Follow the steps to update them on your PC.

Stage 1: Tap the Windows button and type device manager.

Step 2: Press enter and it will open device manager.

Stage 3: From the Audio Input and Output option, you will find the Intel drivers and Realtek microphone responsible for using your phone’s microphone as the default microphone in video applications. Right click on the microphone and select update drivers.

Step 4: Scroll down and go to Sound, Video and Game controllers.

Step 5: Right click and update the sound drivers (Realtek drivers in my case).

7. Close Other Tabs

As you know, Google Meet lives on the web. You may experience audio problems during Google Meet calls if another tab in the browser is using device speakers. Identify and close those tabs with a small speaker icon on the tab.

Have Crystal-Clear Google Meet Conversations

Before starting a meeting in Google Meet, it is always recommended to check the audio, video and microphone for a smooth meeting. Such a topic disrupts the flow of the meeting and makes you an amateur. Follow the guide above and fix audio problems in Google Meet.

Next: Looking to improve the overall Google Meet experience? Read the post to learn about the six best Google Meet extensions to increase your productivity.