Audio works when I'm a guest, but not when I host

[johnc1]

I have a similar issue as a user presented here in March 2022.

New M1 Mac computers (MacBookPro and iMac) but no sound when I host a meeting - but fine when I'm invited (or using other meeting platforms).

Computers updated. I have updated and uninstalled Zoom more than ten times! Testing sound before and during meetings looks fine, but not in communication with other users. They can't hear me - and I can't hear them!

Zoom help center has already suggested that I should do these things and check my headset (!!), but nothing seems to help.

All suggestions are most welcome, as this has been going on for the last week. As I have many scheduled online meetings, I assume I have tested it with at least 20-30 different users on various computers in the last week. When I ask the participants to set up a meeting and invite me (with Zoom), everything works (with the same headsets/sound).

[johnc1]

Recently I removed (uninstalled) my anti-virus software and made sure that permissions are correctly set for ZOOM in the Firewall (allow connections). Nothing helps. I hope that ZOOM someday sets their software specialists to look into this.  ---> There are multiple messages around here about similar situations: Host has no sound!

[johnc1]

Hi  charlesmyron009.

Have I done that? Yes, more than 20 times I guess over the last ten days! 

[johnc1]

Thanks. I have struggled with this issue for more than two weeks now. But no success.  I have now deleted and reinstalled Zoom more than ten (10) times. On two computers. Both with the new M1 chip from Mac.  Lastly, I have made sure that the Firewall settings allow Zoom and has removed my anti-virus software.

[johnc1]

This message has been reported as a SOLUTION - my BIG mistake - it is NOT a solution to anything I know of. Sorry.

[johnc1]

Hi jameslehner992,

I agree with you. This is strange! Why does it work one way but not the other? The thing is, that I have found at least two other cases where users had the very same experience! No solution was offered, so I guess those - also - went to another platform.

Over the last ten days I guess I had scheduled between 10-15 meetings, that did not work when I was host, but went perfectly fine when I asked one of the other participants to be the host and invite me.  I think I know how to use Zoom, as I have been using meeting software for more than 25 years now. Sorry. But normally, users do not have to do anything special to get a Zoom meeting to work. So what should be the special thing I should ask for information about? That is a really good question, that I would like to know. the answer on.

I can get Zoom to work on (older) iPad - but not on any of my never M1 Apple computers. Therefore I suspect something in the OS direction. Also, Zoom offers two different Zoom versions, one for M1 computers and one for older OS, so there must be a reason for Zoom to do that....They are very smart people. I would just like to get a little help on this strange issue.

[johnc1]

Hi, my university uses Cisco AnyConnect Socket Filter, which can create a VPN but also always run in the background of the computer, and uses something they call "Umbrella" that does some filtering. I tried today to stop these services and see if it made any difference to the workings of Zoom. But to no avail. I also guess some other users might have seen the issue if it was true. I think there must be hundreds - or more - Zoom users here. 

Status: Sill not possible to be hosting a Zoom meeting from my M1 computers - as the sound seems to go only in one direction.

[johnc1]

Hi, critically thinking about my sign-in process and figured out that I have developed a habit of pressing  "Test Speaker and Microphone" before entering the Zoom meeting. This sequence of presses leaves the Zoom meeting in a state where no sound is transferred.

Question to Zoom (I know nobody reads this - but if someone maybe knows how to reach Zoom?):

Why have the option to test sound - before entering a meeting - if that removes sound for the host?

I guess users should typically select the checkbox in the lower right corner, "Always connect with computer sound."

Please see attached screenshot.

[Meg]

Has anyone determined a fix for this issue?

Meg

[johnc1]

Hi Meg, I deleted all Zoom stuff, restarted the computer, and installed it from the newest version (update), and it worked!

However: Be careful when Zoom starts and presents the first screen: and it asks if you want to test the microphone/sound - do NOT select that. Select: Use the default (or similar) and enter the Zoom world/meeting.

[johnc1]

Please see my own "solution" above this message.

[Paul_the_N-1]

I have the (nearly) exact reverse problem!  When others invite me, the audio on my end has fierce static.  When I invite them, no problem.  Using a MacBook with M1 chip.  Uninstalling and re-installing Zoom did not fix it.

[johnc1]

Hi Paul, Sorry to hear about your problems. I know the feeling of having the "reverse" issue when traveling abroad and having many scheduled meetings....That's frustrating.

One thing I discovered was not to check sound before entering the meetings. As I described above, "However: Be careful when Zoom starts and presents the first screen: and it asks if you want to test the microphone/sound - do NOT select that. Select: Use the default (or similar) and enter the Zoom world/meeting."

You write that you have a fierce static noise. Do you have any anti-virus applications or like running? Does Zoom have all the needed Accessibility settings put to "on"? You can check it in Systems Settings/ Privacy & Security/Accessibility. There should be a "zoom.us" setting put to "on".

Finally, sound settings and canals are managed on MacOS via the Audio MIDI application found in Applications/Utilities. Here, one can check many different settings, e.g. how the input/output ports work. Try to identify Audio Midi, and check the settings for your devices. Maybe there is a setting to put it all back to "default"?

After this, you should consider sending a mail to Zoom zupport.