How to Change Speaker and Microphone Audio Devices in Microsoft Teams

Audio disruptions remain the single most frequent distraction during remote meetings, client webinars, and collaborative calls. When participating in Microsoft Teams meetings on Windows or Mac, having sound inadvertently blast through tinny monitor speakers instead of a noise-cancelling headset—or having colleagues unable to hear you because Teams defaulted to a disabled webcam microphone—undermines professional communication.

Fortunately, Microsoft Teams provides granular device management controls that let you select your preferred audio equipment globally, verify hardware levels before joining, and switch devices mid-call without interrupting the meeting. This guide walks you through configuring speakers, microphones, and secondary ringers in Microsoft Teams on both desktop and web platforms.

Method 1: Change Default Audio Devices via Teams Global Settings

To establish your permanent audio preferences across all future Teams calls:

1. Launch the Microsoft Teams desktop application on your Windows PC or Mac.
2. Click the Settings and more button (the three dots ...) located in the upper-right corner next to your profile picture.
3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Settings window, select Devices from the left-hand navigation list.
5. Under the Audio devices section at the top, inspect your configuration:
   • Speaker: Click the drop-down menu to choose your preferred output hardware (e.g. USB Headset, Bluetooth Headphones, or External Desktop Speakers).
   • Microphone: Click the drop-down to choose your dedicated voice input hardware (e.g. USB Condenser Microphone or Headset Mic).
6. Test your output by clicking the Make a test call button under the microphone section. Teams will place a brief simulated call, recording your voice and playing it back to confirm clarity.

Why You Should Configure a Secondary Ringer in Teams

One of the most practical yet overlooked features in Microsoft Teams is the Secondary ringer. If you wear a headset during meetings but take it off and place it on your desk while working on other tasks, incoming call chimes only play through the headset earcups, causing you to miss urgent calls.

Setting up a secondary ringer solves this problem:

1. In Settings > Devices, scroll to the Secondary ringer option.
2. Select your computer’s built-in speakers or external desk monitors.

Whenever someone calls you on Teams, both your headset and your desktop PC speakers will ring simultaneously, alerting you across the room while keeping meeting dialogue restricted to your headset once answered.

Method 2: Select Audio Devices in the Pre-Join “Green Room”

Before entering any scheduled meeting or impromptu huddle, Teams presents a pre-join screen where you can fine-tune equipment before your camera and microphone go live:

1. Click Join on any calendar invite or channel meeting.
2. On the pre-join staging screen, look beneath the video preview window.
3. Click the Gear icon (or click Custom Setup / Computer Audio).
4. A Device settings pane will slide open on the right side of the screen.
5. Verify that your desired Speaker and Microphone hardware options are selected.
6. Speak a few words aloud; the vertical volume bar beneath the microphone field should bounce with green bars to confirm audio detection.
7. Click Join now to enter the meeting.

Method 3: Switch Audio Devices Mid-Meeting Without Disconnecting

If your wireless headphones run out of battery midway through a discussion, or if you need to switch from a headset to a conference room speakerphone, you do not need to leave the call:

1. Inside the active meeting window, click the More button (represented by three dots ...) on the top meeting toolbar.
2. Hover over or click Settings, then select Device settings.
3. In the side panel, click the Speaker or Microphone drop-down menu and choose your alternative hardware.

Teams instantly transfers audio routing seamlessly to the newly chosen device in real time without causing packet stutter or audio dropout for other participants.

Troubleshooting Audio Hardware Detection in Teams

If your microphone or headphones do not appear in the Teams device menu or produce zero sound, check these common operating system permissions:

• Windows Microphone Privacy Permissions: Navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone in Windows 11. Ensure both Microphone access and Let desktop apps access your microphone are toggled On.
• macOS Security Permissions: On Mac, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Ensure the checkbox next to Microsoft Teams is checked.
• Exclusive Mode Conflicts (Windows): Open the classic Sound Control Panel (Win + R > mmsys.cpl), right-click your headset, choose Properties, navigate to the Advanced tab, and uncheck “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device”. This prevents other music players or DAWs from hijacking the audio interface.

Configuring your Microsoft Teams audio devices properly eliminates technical meeting delays, guarantees clear vocal delivery, and ensures a seamless remote collaboration experience.