There are a few common reasons why your friend may not be able to hear you on a Facebook video call:
Your microphone is muted or not working properly
The most obvious reason your friend can’t hear you is because your microphone is muted or not working properly. Here are some things to check:
- Make sure the microphone on your device is not muted. On most computers there is a microphone icon on the taskbar that you can click to unmute.
- Check your microphone settings and make sure the correct microphone is selected as the input device.
- Make sure nothing is obstructing the microphone on your device. For laptops, check that the microphone hole is not covered.
- Test your microphone in another app like Sound Recorder to see if the microphone is working properly.
- Restart your device in case the microphone drivers have malfunctioned.
- Update your audio drivers to see if that resolves any microphone issues.
- Try using a different microphone, like plugging in headphones with a built-in mic.
Your friend’s speakers/headphones are muted or not working
Just as your microphone being muted will prevent your friend from hearing you, if your friend has their speakers or headphones muted or turned off, they won’t hear anything from the video call. Have them check that:
- Their speakers/headphones are not muted.
- The correct output device is selected in their sound settings.
- Their speakers/headphones are plugged in properly and turned on.
- The volume on their device is turned up.
Connection issues
Since Facebook video calls rely on an internet connection, any issues with your or your friend’s connection can disrupt the audio:
- Slow internet speeds can cause laggy, jittery audio.
- Using a VPN or firewall that blocks certain ports may cause connectivity problems.
- WiFi interference from other devices can disrupt the signal.
- Being too far away from the WiFi router results in a weak signal.
- Using a cellular connection with poor reception.
Try switching to a more reliable network if you suspect connection issues are to blame.
Facebook app issues
Problems with the Facebook app itself can also interfere with video call audio:
- The Facebook app may not have permission to access the microphone. Enable microphone access in your device settings.
- The app may be outdated. Update the Facebook app to the latest version.
- Reinstalling the Facebook app can fix bugs that may be impacting audio.
- Too many background processes on your device can affect Facebook’s performance. Close other apps to free up resources.
Browser issues
If you are using Facebook video calling directly through the browser, you may encounter browser-specific audio issues:
- Allow microphone access in your browser settings for the Facebook website.
- Make sure any ad blockers are not preventing microphone access.
- Update your browser or try a different browser like Chrome or Firefox.
Facebook website issues
Problems on Facebook’s end can also cause video call difficulties:
- Check Facebook’s platform status page to see if they are experiencing an outage or reported issues.
- Try video calling again later if Facebook is undergoing maintenance or facing technical problems.
Other people can hear you, but not your specific friend
If other people can hear you on video calls except for one specific friend, the issue is likely on their end with their microphone, speakers, or Facebook app. Have them try the troubleshooting tips above.
Adjust your microphone settings
If your friend can hear you but says the audio is soft or muffled, adjusting some microphone settings may help:
- On Windows, go to Sound Settings > Input > Device Properties and adjust the volume and boost if needed.
- On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and adjust the volume and levels.
- Speak closer to the microphone for improved sound quality.
- Reduce background noise around you so your voice is clearer.
Use audio or video call troubleshooting tools
Facebook provides some troubleshooting tools that can help diagnose audio issues during calls:
- In the Facebook app, tap the circle with 3 dots at the bottom and select “Audio and Video Diagnostics.”
- Follow the steps to play a test sound and record audio. This helps detect any problems.
- On the Facebook website, click the gear icon in a call and select “Troubleshooting” to run audio tests.
Contact Facebook support
If you still cannot get video call audio working after trying the above suggestions, you can reach out to Facebook support:
- In the Facebook app, go to Settings & Help > Contact Support and select Video Calling Support.
- On the Facebook website, click Help Center and select Contact Us to get in touch with support.
Be prepared to provide detailed information about when the issue started, what troubleshooting you’ve tried, and exactly how the audio is not working.
Conclusion
Facebook video call audio issues can be frustrating, but are usually fixable. Start by checking your microphone, your friend’s speakers, and your internet connections. If the problem persists, updating software, using audio diagnostics tools, and contacting Facebook support can help resolve sound problems so you can communicate clearly.