Meet Audio Not Working for Other Participants: Fix the Output Path

AABy the AllHands Audio crew · Published July 29, 2026 · Last updated July 29, 2026

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When you can't hear the meeting (or someone can't be heard by the room), suspect the output path first: ⋮ → Settings → Audio → Speakers pointing at the wrong device, a muted browser tab, or Bluetooth earbuds asleep in their case. The built-in Test button beside the speaker selection settles the routing question in three seconds.

Google Meet, current web & mobile clients — checked against official vendor documentation July 28, 2026.

1. Route Meet's output to your actual ears

⋮ → Settings → Audio → Speakers dropdown → pick the device on your head.
Hit Test — the chime should land immediately.
Wrong place? Walk the list until it lands.

Why this works: 'no audio' is nearly always 'audio somewhere else' — an HDMI monitor with no speakers, sleeping earbuds, yesterday's headset. Test converts guessing into checking.

2. Clear the volume stack

Right-click the Meet tab: if it offers Unmute site, that was it.
System output volume up; on Windows check the per-app Volume mixer — browsers get their own slider.
Physical wheel on the headset cable? Check it last, feel silly, move on.

Why this works: three multiplying volume controls mean any one at zero silences Meet while YouTube next door plays fine — which is precisely the confusing symptom.

The cross-app shortcut

Hearing fine, but they hear your noise?

Running Meet on Mondays and Webex on Thursdays means two settings screens — or one Krisp underneath both. One filter, both directions, every app; free plan first, decide later.

One filter for both apps Krisp with Meet & Webex — the full picture →

3. When one participant can't be heard by anyone

Participant list: slashed mic icon = they're muted — tell them; they often can't see it.
Host muted everyone on entry? They must unmute themselves — hosts only request.
Their gates, their problem: send them the mic fix guide (linked below).

Why this works: from inside the meeting you can see mute states the sufferer can't; ten seconds of looking beats ten minutes of 'can you hear me now'.

Still stuck?

Audio choppy rather than absent? Network starvation — different fault, wired connection first.
Silent in one meeting only? Organiser restrictions — ask in chat.
Echo once audio returns? Someone's speakers feed a mic; headphones at that desk.

Quick answers

Why can I hear YouTube but not Meet?

Meet routes through its own speaker selection, which can point somewhere other than the system default the rest of your audio uses. Set it explicitly and Test.

The host says they unmuted me — why am I still silent?

Hosts can't actually unmute you; they send a request. Look for the prompt in your window and accept, then check your own mic icon.