One-sided audio
You hear
You can hear them but they can't hear you, or the other way round.
One-sided audio is almost always a mute, a blocked mic permission or the wrong device, in that order. Firewalls come last.
Likely causes, in order
Check them top to bottom. The room and the mic come first because no setting can remove what a closer mic or a closed door would.
| 01 · Layer | 02 · Likely cause | 03 · Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 01 · Mic | A mute button on the headset or mic is on | Check the mute button or switch on your headset or mic unmute |
| 02 · Mic | A Bluetooth headset is also connected to another device | Disconnect the headset from your other devices, then reconnect it to this one one device |
| 03 · System | Your system blocks the app from using the mic | Allow the app under Privacy & Security → Microphone on Windows, Mac or iPhone, in app permissions on Android, or in your browser's site settings mic permission |
| 04 · System | The wrong mic or speaker is selected, such as a monitor as the speaker | Pick the right mic and speaker in the app, and check your system's default devices devices |
| 05 · App | You are muted in the app, muted by a host or admin, or set to push to talk | Check the app's mute, whether someone muted you, and that the input mode isn't push to talk app mute |
| 06 · Network | A firewall, VPN or security software blocks the call's audio traffic | Test with the VPN and third-party firewall paused; Steam voice needs outbound UDP traffic to ports 27014 to 27020 firewall |
By app
- Zoom
- Zoom says that with Bluetooth headphones you may hear others while they can't hear your mic; disconnect the headphones from every device except the one you are meeting on. On mobile, give Zoom microphone access and close other apps that may be using the mic.
- Google Meet
- If you joined in Companion mode, your mic and speaker are unavailable, so leave and rejoin. The blue indicator on your own tile shows whether Meet hears your mic, and Google says to make sure a monitor isn't selected as your audio output.
- Steam voice chat
- Steam voice chat uses WebRTC and needs outbound UDP traffic to ports 27014 to 27020. Valve notes that some antivirus products, such as versions of Kaspersky Total Security, block WebRTC traffic.
- Discord
- Check that you aren't muted or deafened (a slash through the mic or headset icon), that a server admin hasn't muted you, and that Input Mode isn't set to Push to Talk by accident.
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft says to make sure your device and browser settings give Teams access to your mic and speakers, and notes that calls that keep dropping can be caused by a firewall or proxy.
Check it with the test
If the noise test's meter moves when you talk, your mic and its permission in the browser are working, and the problem is in the call app's settings or the connection. If the meter stays flat, check the mute switch, the device picker and the system's microphone permission first.
Run the noise test →Questions
Q.01They can't hear me, but I can hear them. Where do I start?
The headset's mute switch, then the app's mute, then the app's mic permission, then the selected mic. Microsoft, Zoom and Discord all start with the mute checks.
Q.02Why can't they hear me only on Bluetooth?
Zoom notes Bluetooth headphones may not work properly when they are connected to more than one device. Disconnect them from your phone or other computers and try again.
Q.03I can't hear anyone. What should I check?
Your output device and volume. Discord suggests checking that Output Device matches the device you want, and Google says to make sure a monitor isn't selected as your audio output.
Q.04Could my firewall cause it?
Yes, though it is rarer than a mute or a permission. Steam needs outbound UDP traffic to ports 27014 to 27020, and Valve notes that some antivirus products block WebRTC calls.
Related problems
- Mic too quiet People keep asking you to speak up, or your level meter barely moves.
- Bluetooth mic sounds bad Your earbuds sound fine for music but muffled and thin on calls, for you and for the people you talk to.
- Voice cutting out The first word of each sentence is clipped, quiet words vanish, or you drop out in the middle of speaking.
Checked against
Vendor help pages and manufacturer guides, last checked :
- support.microsoft.com · Fix Microphone Problems
- support.apple.com · Control Access to the Microphone on Mac
- support.apple.com · Control Access to Hardware Features on iPhone
- support.zoom.com · Troubleshooting Zoom Audio Issues on Your Mobile Device
- support.zoom.com · Using Bluetooth Headphones with Zoom
- support.zoom.com · Troubleshooting Speaker or Microphone Issues in the Desktop App
- support.google.com · Fix Audio Issues in Google Meet (Computer)
- help.steampowered.com · Voice Chat Connection and Quality Issues
- support.discord.com · Discord Voice and Video Troubleshooting Guide
- support.discord.com · Discord Audio and Video Error Codes: Troubleshooting Guide
- support.microsoft.com · Manage Audio Settings in Microsoft Teams Meetings
- learn.microsoft.com · Prepare Your Organization's Network for Teams