Webcam or microphone not working in Zoom or Teams

Step by step

1. Check for a physical privacy shutter or a camera key (often F8/F10 with a camera icon) and a mic mute key.
2. Close other apps that could be using the camera (Teams, Skype, browser tabs, camera app), then restart the meeting app.
3. Windows: Settings › Privacy & security › Camera (and Microphone). Turn on access and turn on Let desktop apps access.
4. In Zoom/Teams settings, pick the correct camera and microphone from the dropdowns. Headsets often add a second mic.
5. Settings › System › Sound › Input: choose the mic, speak, and watch the level bar. Raise the input volume if it barely moves.
6. Mac: System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera / Microphone and turn on the app, then quit and reopen it.
7. Update or reinstall the camera driver: Device Manager › Cameras › right-click › Uninstall device, then restart.
8. Test in the built-in Camera app. If it works there, the problem is the meeting app's settings.