Cannot hear participants in a zoom meeting that I host

Hi, 

If you can't hear participants in a Zoom meeting that you are hosting, here are the most likely causes and how to fix them:

1. Check Your Audio Output Device

• Zoom might be playing sound through the wrong device (e.g., a monitor speaker or disconnected headphones).
  
  
• Fix:
1. In your Zoom meeting, click the arrow next to the microphone icon (bottom left).
2. Choose “Select a Speaker” and test the output.
3. Click “Test Speaker” – if you don’t hear the chime, switch to a different speaker.
   
   

2. Speaker Volume is Muted or Too Low

• Your system or Zoom volume may be turned down or muted.
  
  
• Fix:
• Use your computer volume controls to increase output.
• On Windows, check the Volume Mixer to ensure Zoom isn't muted.
• On Mac, open System Preferences → Sound and verify output.
  
  

3. Zoom Audio Settings Misconfigured

• Zoom may be set to use a non-working or disconnected audio device.
  
  

• Fix: 

• In Zoom, go to Settings > Audio.
• Under Speaker, click “Test Speaker”.
  Use the dropdown menu to choose a working device.
  
  

4. Headphones or Bluetooth Device Not Working Properly

• Audio might be routed to Bluetooth or USB headphones that are disconnected or have battery issues.
  
  
• Fix:
• Disconnect and reconnect your headphones.
• Try switching audio to your computer speakers.
  
  

5. Participant Microphones Muted

• If participants are muted, you won’t hear them—even if your audio works fine.
  
  
• Fix:
• Ask participants to unmute.
• As host, you can check the Participants list to see if they’re muted.
  
  

6. Audio Driver or OS Issue

• Outdated drivers or OS sound issues can cause problems.
  
  
• Fix:
• Restart your computer.
• Update your audio drivers (especially on Windows).
• Check if sound works in other applications.