Green Room

Fix · Slack on a Mac

Slack huddle audio not working? Hear your huddle again.

If a huddle is silent, Slack is likely playing to a different speaker, or your connection is dropping the sound.

Quick check first: Play a tone on the free speaker test. If you hear it, your speakers work and the fix is in Slack (steps 1 to 3). If not, start with the Mac checks.

Fix it in Slack

  1. Pick the speaker in Slack.Click your profile picture, then Preferences › Audio & video. Under Speaker, choose where you want sound and click Test to hear a chime.
  2. Test it during the huddle.Click the three dots in the huddle and choose Test Speaker.
  3. Try Audio-only mode.If sound cuts in and out, click the troubleshooting icon at the bottom left of the huddle and turn on Audio-only mode.

Run the full test

Preferences › Audio & video › Troubleshooting › Run test checks your devices and connection. It works in the desktop app and in Slack in Chrome.

Then check your Mac

If Slack looks right and the sound still doesn't work, go through these in order.

  1. Check your Mac's output.Open System Settings › Sound and click Output. Select the speakers or headphones you're listening on, raise the Output volume, and make sure Mute is off.
  2. Reconnect Bluetooth headphones.AirPods can switch to your iPhone or iPad when you use it. Connect them to this Mac from the Sound section of Control Center or Bluetooth settings, then pick them again.
  3. Reconnect wired speakers.Unplug USB speakers or a headset and plug them back in, or try another port. A display with speakers can take over the sound when you plug it in.

Test it outside Slack

The free speaker test runs in your browser, with nothing to install. If your sound works there, your Mac and the hardware are fine, and the fix is in Slack's settings above.

Speaker testLeft, right, and a sweep to check every speaker. Webcam testLive preview, resolution, frame rate, and lighting. Microphone testLive meter, then hear yourself back.

On a Mac? See where Slack's sound is really going.

Green Room shows which app has each speaker open, and warns you when Slack is playing somewhere that isn't your setup. When AirPods drop into call mode, it tells you and offers your Mac's own mic so the sound comes back. One click puts your setup back. Free, with no account.

Download free See how it works

Questions

Why can't I hear anyone in a Slack huddle?

Slack may be playing to another speaker. Click the three dots in the huddle, choose Test Speaker, and change the speaker in Preferences › Audio & video if you don't hear it.

Why does huddle audio keep cutting out?

Usually the connection. Turn on Audio-only mode from the troubleshooting icon at the bottom left of the huddle.

Does Slack need permission to play sound?

No. Speakers don't need a privacy permission on a Mac. Only the mic and camera do.

Other fixes

Slack huddle mic not workingSlack huddles use their own mic choice, and another calling app can take away Slack's mic access without telling you. Zoom audio not workingIf the meeting is silent, Zoom either hasn't joined audio or is playing it somewhere you aren't listening, like a monitor or AirPods in another room. Teams audio not workingSilence in a Teams meeting usually means Teams is playing to a different speaker than the one you're listening on. Google Meet audio not workingIf Meet is quiet, the sound is usually going to a speaker you aren't using, or the browser tab is muted. Discord audio not workingWhen Discord goes quiet, check whether you're deafened, which Output Device it's using, and whether one person is turned down. FaceTime audio not workingFaceTime can play to its own output, separate from the rest of your Mac.

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