Troubleshooting Microphone and Sound Permissions on Your Browser

If people can't hear you, you can't hear them, or you see a "microphone blocked" message, it's almost always a permission setting in your browser or on your computer. Work through the steps below in order, most issues are fixed in the first two sections.

Start here: the 60-second checklist

Use Avochato’s “Test Audio” tool - You can find it by clicking your profile icon in the upper right corner of the page

Check the address bar - for a crossed-out microphone icon or a small icon to the left of the URL (a lock, sliders/tune, or info icon depending on your browser version). Click it and make sure Microphone is set to Allow.

Reload the page - Permission changes don't always apply until you refresh.

Make sure you're on a secure (https://) page - Browsers block microphone access on unencrypted pages.

Close other apps that use the mic - this includes video calls, voice recorders, and screen recorders can hold exclusive control of the device.

Check your hardware - Many headsets have a physical mute switch or an inline mute button.

Try a different browser - If it works there, the issue is a setting in your original browser.

Google Chrome (desktop)

Allow the mic for this site

Click the icon to the left of the web address.

Find Microphone and switch it to allow.

Reload the page.

If the microphone doesn't appear in that menu, it was likely blocked globally:

Go to chrome://settings/content/microphone

Set the default to Sites can ask to use your microphone.

Under Not allowed to use your microphone, remove the site if it's listed.

Reload the page.

Choose the right input device

On the same settings page, use the dropdown at the top to select the microphone you actually want to use (for example, your headset rather than the built-in laptop mic).

Microsoft Edge (desktop)

Click the icon to the left of the web address, then Permissions for this site.

Set Microphone to Allow.

For global settings, go to edge://settings/content/microphone and confirm the site isn't in the Block list.

Reload the page.

Safari (macOS)

With the site open, go to Safari → Settings (or Preferences) in the menu bar.

Open the Websites tab, then select Microphone in the sidebar.

Find the site in the list and set it to Allow.

Repeat for Auto-Play if you can't hear audio.

Reload the page.

You can also Control-click the address bar → Settings for This Website for a quicker per-site menu.

Mozilla Firefox (desktop)

Click the icon to the left of the web address to open the permissions panel.

If the microphone shows as blocked, clear the block by clicking the × next to it.

For a full list, go to about:preferences#privacy, scroll to Permissions, and click Settings next to Microphone. Remove any "Block" entry for the site.

Reload the page.

Tip: If you previously checked "Remember this decision" while blocking, this is where you undo it.

Mobile browsers

Chrome on Android

Tap the icon to the left of the address bar → Permissions → set Microphone to allow.

If it's greyed out, Android is blocking Chrome itself: Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions → Microphone → Allow.

Safari on iPhone or iPad

Reload the page and tap Allow when the prompt appears.

If no prompt appears: Settings → Safari → Microphone and set it to Ask or Allow.

Also check Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and confirm Safari is enabled.

Operating system permissions

Even when the browser is set correctly, your operating system can override it.

Windows 11 / 10

Open Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone.

Turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone.

Scroll to Let desktop apps access your microphone and confirm it's ON (this is the setting that most often blocks browsers)

Restart the browser.

macOS

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.

Enable the toggle for your browser.

macOS requires a full quit and reopen of the browser for this to take effect.

If you can't hear anything (audio output)

Check that the browser tab isn't muted, look for a speaker icon on the tab and click it to unmute.

Check your system volume and, on Windows, the per-app levels in Volume Mixer.

Confirm the correct output device is selected in your system sound settings, especially after connecting a headset.

Bluetooth headsets sometimes connect for media but not for calls. Disconnect and reconnect, or switch to a wired headset to test.

Some browsers block audio from playing until you interact with the page. Click anywhere on the page and try again.

Other things worth checking

Extensions and privacy tools - Ad blockers, privacy extensions, and antivirus software can block media access. Test in a private/incognito window with extensions disabled.

Private browsing - Some browsers reset permissions every session, so you'll be prompted again each time.

Virtual audio devices - Software like virtual mixers or meeting tools can claim the microphone. Quit them and reload.

Restart the device - If the mic worked earlier in the day and suddenly stopped, a restart clears stuck audio drivers more often than you'd expect.

Still stuck?

Contact help@avochato.com and include these details so we can help faster:

Your browser and version (find it under Help → About)

Your operating system and version

The microphone or headset you're using, and whether it's wired, Bluetooth, or built in

What you see in the address bar permission menu

A screenshot of any error message