Check your devices first
Before you open Zoom, run the webcam and mic test. It checks your camera, microphone and speakers in your browser, without Zoom and without signing in. If a device fails there, the problem is the device or a system setting, so go to the steps for Windows 11 or macOS below. If everything passes there but not in Zoom, the fix is in Zoom's own settings.
Close the test page before you join a meeting. On Windows, a camera often works with only one app at a time.
Join Zoom's test meeting
Zoom runs a test meeting that walks you through your speaker and microphone, with nobody else in it.
- Go to zoom.us/test in your browser and select Join. Your browser opens the Zoom app, or offers to join from the browser if the app isn't installed.
- Zoom plays a ringtone and asks whether you hear it. If you don't, pick another speaker from the list and try again.
- Zoom then asks you to speak and pause, and plays your voice back. If you don't hear the replay, pick another microphone.
- When both work, choose to join with computer audio. Your video shows in the test meeting, so you can check the camera at the same time.
Test from Zoom's settings
In the Zoom desktop app, select your profile picture and choose Settings.
Audio
- Under Speaker, select Test Speaker to play a tone. If you hear nothing, pick another speaker from the list next to it.
- Under Microphone, select Test Mic, talk for a few seconds and listen to the playback. The input level bar should move while you talk.
- Automatically adjust microphone volume keeps your level steady. Turn it off only if your voice keeps getting louder and quieter, then set the volume slider yourself.
- Look for the background noise setting. Depending on your version of Zoom it's called Suppress background noise or Zoom background noise removal. Auto suits most rooms; a higher level removes more noise, such as typing or a fan.
- Original sound for musicians turns off most of Zoom's audio processing. Use it for music, not for talking in a noisy room.
Video
- Open the video tab (called Video or Video & effects, depending on your version) and pick your camera from the list. The preview shows what others will see.
- Mirror my video only changes your own preview. Others always see you the right way round.
- Adjust for low light brightens a dark picture, and the HD option sends a sharper picture when your connection allows it.
Check your audio when you join
- When Zoom asks how to join audio, choose Join with Computer Audio. The same window has a Test Speaker and Microphone link.
- In the meeting, select the arrow next to Mute or Unmute. It lists your microphones and speakers, so you can switch between them, and offers Test Speaker & Microphone.
- The arrow next to Start Video or Stop Video lists your cameras.
- To join audio by computer every time, turn on Automatically join audio by computer when joining a meeting in the Audio settings.
Zoom can't find your camera or mic on Windows 11
- Open Settings → Privacy & security → Camera and turn on Camera access and Let desktop apps access your camera. The Zoom app is a desktop app, so it needs the second switch.
- Do the same in Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone.
- Open Settings → System → Sound. Under Input, pick your microphone and talk to see its level move; under Output, pick your speakers or headset.
- Close other apps that might be using the camera or microphone, such as Teams, Discord or OBS.
- Quit Zoom completely: right-click its icon in the notification area at the right end of the taskbar and quit it. Then open Zoom again.
Zoom can't find your camera or mic on a Mac
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera and turn on zoom.us.
- Open Microphone in the same list and turn on zoom.us there too.
- Quit Zoom with Command-Q and open it again, so the change takes effect.
- Open System Settings → Sound and check the input and output devices.
Using Zoom in a browser
When you join from the browser, the browser asks for the camera and microphone. If you blocked them, click the icon at the left end of the address bar in Chrome, Edge or Firefox and allow both, or choose Safari → Settings for This Website in Safari, then reload the page. The browser also needs the system permission from the Windows or Mac steps above.
Still not working?
- Restart the computer. It frees a camera or microphone that another app didn't let go of.
- Update Zoom: select your profile picture and choose Check for Updates.
- Try another headset or USB port, and check the camera on its own with the webcam test.
- If you ask your IT team or Zoom's support for help, copy the report from the webcam and mic test into your message.