Why isn't sound on Teams coming through my headphones, when it is when I use other apps on my laptop?

Phil Cairns 0 Reputation points
2026-11-03T12:54:59.8966667+00:00

I've tried 2 sets of bluetooth headphones with my laptop. I can't hear sound on Teams through either, even though when I play a youtube video, sound does come through my headphones on both.

When I test the speaker and mic, the mic on my headphones is working, but speaker isn't, so it seems like this must be something wrong in my Teams setup, rather than something wrong with my headphones.

Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams for business | Meetings and calls | Audio and video
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  1. Innocent Cyubahiro 85 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-03T13:10:34.97+00:00

    Hello Phil,

    Thank you for clarifying what you've already tested.

    Since both Bluetooth headphones play audio correctly in YouTube, and Teams detects their microphones, I would focus on the speaker selected within Teams.

    Please try the following:

    1. Open Microsoft Teams and select Settings and more (…) then to Settings then to Devices.

    Under Audio settings, check the Speaker dropdown and explicitly select the Bluetooth headphones you want to use. Make sure the headphones are selected as the speaker, not just as the microphone.

    1. If you're using the Teams desktop app, select Make a test call to check whether audio plays through the headphones.

    If the headphones are already selected but the speaker test still produces no sound, please let me know whether you're using the Teams desktop app or Teams on the web. That will help narrow down the next troubleshooting step.

    You can also refer to Microsoft's guide: My speaker isn't working in Microsoft Teams.

     

    Kind regards,

     

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-03T12:55:20.4633333+00:00

    Since audio works in other apps, the headphones and Windows audio path are at least partly working. The most likely causes are Teams using the wrong speaker device, Windows routing call audio to a different Bluetooth profile, or a Bluetooth/Windows issue that shows up specifically during real-time calls.

    Try this in order:

    1. In Teams, check the selected speaker device.
      • Open Teams > Settings > Devices.
      • Under Speaker, make sure the expected Bluetooth headset is selected.
      • Since the headphone mic works but speaker does not, confirm Teams did not select a different output than the headset.
    2. In Windows, confirm the active output device while Teams is open.
      • Select the speaker icon on the taskbar.
      • Open the list of audio devices and make sure audio is going to the Bluetooth headphones, not laptop speakers or another device.
      • If multiple Bluetooth entries appear, Windows may be sending call audio to the wrong one.
    3. If using Surface Headphones, select the correct Bluetooth audio profile.
      • For calls, use Surface Headphones Hands-Free.
      • For music/media, use Surface Headphones Stereo.
      • Teams call audio can fail if the wrong profile is active for the scenario.
    4. Check Windows app-level audio routing.
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sounds.
      • Open Advanced sound options > App volume and device preferences.
      • Find the app in the list and make sure the app input/output is set to Default or the expected headset device.
    5. Turn off audio enhancements.
      • In Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > Sound > select the output device > Advanced settings > Audio enhancements > Off.
      • In Windows 10: Start > Settings > System > Sound > select playback device > Properties > Enhancements > Disable all enhancements.
      • Audio enhancements can interfere with playback.
    6. Reconnect the Bluetooth headset.
      • Disconnect and reconnect the headset.
      • Make sure it is charged and not actively connected to another device.
      • If possible, remove and pair it again.
    7. Run Windows audio troubleshooting.
      • On Windows 11 or Windows 10, run the automated Audio troubleshooter in the Get Help app.

    Important note for Bluetooth headsets in Teams:

    • Some Bluetooth devices, especially LE Audio–only devices, may not work correctly with Teams on Windows.
    • There are also reported cases where Bluetooth headsets disconnect or lose audio only during Teams calls after Windows updates, while wired headsets and built-in audio continue to work.
    • If both Bluetooth headsets fail only in Teams calls, test with:
      • laptop speakers,
      • a wired headset,
      • or Teams on the web.

    If wired audio or laptop speakers work in Teams but both Bluetooth headsets still do not, that points to a Windows Bluetooth call-audio issue rather than a general Teams speaker failure.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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