How to Make Slack Huddles Use the Right Mic After a Headset Swap
current Slack desktop app; phone app differences noted · Last checked · Suggest an edit
https://instructions.wiki/slack/make-slack-huddles-use-the-right-mic
The new headset works in every other app, but the huddle still picks up the laptop mic or shows the old headset's name. Slack keeps its own audio device choice, separate from the system default, and it does not move to a new device on its own. Pick the headset in Slack's preferences once and huddles use it from then on.
Open Slack's audio preferences
Click your profile picture in the top right, then Preferences, Audio & video.
Pick the headset for Microphone and Speaker
Under Microphone, open the dropdown and choose the headset by name. Do the same under Speaker, and under Camera if the swap included a webcam. Say a few words; the level meter next to Microphone should move.
Switch devices during a huddle
If a huddle is already running, click the arrow next to the mic button in the huddle window (or the settings gear) and choose the headset under Microphone. The change applies right away without leaving the huddle.
Decide whether to follow the system default
Choosing Use system default makes Slack follow whatever the OS has selected. On Windows that is Settings, System, Sound; on a Mac it is System Settings, Sound. Pick this only if the OS default is already the headset. Otherwise choose the headset by name so an OS change cannot pull the huddle back to the laptop mic.
Pick the right entry for a Bluetooth headset
On Windows a Bluetooth headset appears twice: one entry labeled Hands-Free and one labeled Stereo. Only the Hands-Free entry carries the microphone, so choose that one under Microphone. Stereo is fine under Speaker when listening quality matters more than the mic.
If the headset is not in the list. Quit Slack fully and reopen it after plugging in or pairing the device. Slack builds its device list at startup and can miss a device connected later.
If Slack is set correctly but stays silent. On a Mac, open System Settings, Privacy & Security, Microphone and make sure Slack is turned on. On Windows, open Settings, Privacy & security, Microphone and allow desktop apps to use the microphone.