How to Set Up a Headset for Teams and Zoom Calls

Start with the right connection type

Most Teams and Zoom headsets use one of three connection types: USB, Bluetooth, or DECT. Your choice affects how you pair the headset, how far you can move from the computer, and how you switch between calls.

USB headsets are the simplest for desktop and laptop use. Bluetooth headsets give you wireless freedom around your desk. DECT headsets are common in office environments because their base station can connect to a desk phone and a computer at the same time. See wired USB headsets, Bluetooth office headsets, and DECT headsets for examples.

Set up a USB headset

A USB headset usually needs no special driver. Plug the USB connector into an available port, wait for the operating system to recognize it, and then open Teams or Zoom and choose it as the speaker and microphone. On many headsets, the same USB connection also powers the headset and charges it if it has a battery.

• Plug the USB cable into the computer or use the included wireless dongle if the headset uses one.
• Check that the headset appears in system sound settings.
• Open Teams, go to Settings and Devices, and select the headset for speaker and microphone.
• Open Zoom, go to Settings and Audio, and select the same devices.
• Make a test call to confirm the microphone and speaker.

Set up a Bluetooth headset

Bluetooth headsets require pairing before they appear in Teams or Zoom. Put the headset into pairing mode, open the Bluetooth settings on your computer, and select the headset from the list. After the operating system connects, the headset becomes available to your apps.

Bluetooth technology uses the 2.4GHz ISM band and includes the Classic radio, which is mainly used for wireless audio streaming, and the LE radio, which is designed for very low power operation. Most wireless headsets use the audio profiles that work with calls, but the exact pairing steps vary by model. See Bluetooth versions explained and Bluetooth profiles explained if an app does not show the microphone.

If you are shopping, see Bluetooth headsets for models with call controls and microphones.

• Turn on pairing mode from the headset.
• Pair the headset at the operating system level, not inside Teams or Zoom.
• Select the headset as speaker and microphone in Teams and Zoom.
• If the headset supports multipoint, connect it to a phone and a computer at the same time.

Set up a DECT headset

A DECT headset uses a base station instead of a direct Bluetooth connection. You normally connect the base to your computer with USB or to a desk phone with a telephone cable, then pair the wireless headset to the base. After pairing, the headset works like a dedicated phone handset for your softphone or desk phone.

Because the base handles the connection, DECT can be a good choice when you need a wider range around an office and when you want the same headset to handle desk phone and computer calls. The trade-off is that DECT headsets are less portable than Bluetooth models.

Choose the headset in Teams and Zoom

After the headset is connected, open Teams and choose it as the default speaker and microphone. The exact menu name changes between versions, but the general path is Settings, then Devices. Select the headset from both the speaker and microphone lists. Teams can also make a test call to check the setup.

Zoom has a similar audio settings panel. Open Settings, then Audio, and select the headset for speaker and microphone. Zoom includes a test speaker button and a test microphone option, so you can verify that the headset is not muted and that the microphone is picking up your voice.

Some headsets carry Teams or Zoom certification. That label means the maker designed the headset to work with the app's call controls. See certified Teams and Zoom headsets for what the label means.

Test and adjust audio for calls

Use the app's own test call before joining a real meeting. Say a few sentences, ask the other side if the audio is clear, and check that the headset microphone is not too quiet. If a colleague reports echo, see headset echo on calls and headset echo cancellation explained.

If the microphone picks up keyboard noise or other background sound, move the boom closer to your mouth and check the app's noise suppression setting.

Protect your hearing during long calls

Prolonged exposure to loud sound can damage hearing. The CDC describes hazardous noise as noise at 85 dBA or higher, and the NIDCD notes that long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. For calls, keep the volume at a comfortable level and take breaks when you can.

Choose a headset with a clear microphone so you do not need to raise your voice during calls. If you are in a noisy office, a headset with a noise-cancelling microphone or ear cups can help you hear and be heard while keeping the volume moderate. See noise cancelling headsets and office and calls headsets for models designed for this.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Why does my headset not show up in Teams or Zoom?

First check that the headset is connected at the operating system level. For Bluetooth, pair it in system Bluetooth settings. For USB, unplug and replug it. For DECT, confirm the handset is paired to the base. Then close and reopen Teams or Zoom so the app refreshes its device list.

Can I use the same headset for Teams and Zoom?

Yes. Most USB, Bluetooth, and DECT headsets work as a standard speaker and microphone in both apps. You select the headset in each app's audio settings. A Teams or Zoom certified headset may add certified controls for one app, but compatibility is not exclusive.

Do I need to install software to use a USB headset?

Most USB headsets use the operating system's generic USB audio driver, so no extra software is required. Some headsets include a companion app for EQ, firmware updates, or sidetone. You can use the headset without the app, but the app may unlock extra settings.

Can I connect a Bluetooth headset to my phone and computer at the same time?

If the headset supports Bluetooth multipoint, yes. Multipoint lets one headset stay connected to two devices, which is useful when a call comes in on your phone during a Teams or Zoom meeting.

Is it safe to wear a headset for long meetings?

The risk comes mainly from volume. The CDC classifies noise at 85 dBA or higher as hazardous, and the NIDCD says long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. Keep your call volume at the lowest comfortable level and take short breaks.

What should I do if my headset microphone does not work in one app?

Check the app's audio settings and make sure the headset is selected as the microphone. Confirm that the headset is not muted and that the operating system has granted microphone access to that app.