No sound, wrong microphone or feedback: an audio checklist

Identify the direction

A microphone/input problem affects sound entering an app. A headphone/speaker/output problem affects what you hear. OBS broadcast audio, intercom speech and local soundboard playback can be separate routes. A working tone is not proof that a microphone is being captured.

Test methodically

1. Select a known working input and output. Check physical mute switches, connections and OS volume.
2. Verify OS/browser permissions for the process actually using the device. OBS, a browser and native Intercom can require separate permissions.
3. Check app mute/listen state, talk mode, selected channel and levels. Speak or play known test sound while watching the relevant meter.
4. For a broadcast, check Program/output audio and actual remote reception. For intercom, have another crew member verify your voice.
5. For feedback, lower volume and use a headset. Check for duplicate microphone/system-audio capture or a speaker feeding back into the mic.

Mac system audio

Confirm the selected capture mode and supported OBS/macOS implementation. Permission to use a microphone is different from permission to capture system sound. Play actual system audio and verify its capture meter before approving readiness.

Device changes

Re-select devices after unplugging a headset or changing Bluetooth/USB routes. A saved device ID can become unavailable. If a crash occurs when starting audio, preserve the crash report and state the selected devices and exact action. Do not keep raising volume to compensate for a routing or permission failure.