Q: I have an online tutorial via Zoom, and during the class I shared my screen with students to play a YouTube video. However, they can see the video but cannot hear the audio. What is wrong, and how can I fix it?
A: This usually happens because Zoom is not sharing your computer’s audio during screen sharing.
How to share computer audio in Zoom?
- In the Zoom meeting toolbar, select Share Screen.
- In the screen-sharing window, check the option Share Sound at the bottom before starting the share.
- (Optional) Use the dropdown next to Share Sound to choose between Mono or Stereo (High Fidelity) audio, depending on your needs.
- (Optional) Select Optimize for video clip when playing videos to improve playback quality.
For detailed instructions and more information about sharing computer audio on Zoom, see the guide Sharing background music or computer audio on Zoom.
Same issues in Teams?
A similar issue can occur in Teams if computer audio is not included when sharing your screen. When selecting Share, make sure Include sound is enabled before sharing your screen or window.
For further details, see Microsoft guide: Share sound from your computer in Microsoft Teams meetings.
Additional tips for better audio and video sharing
- Make sure your system volume is not muted and the correct output device (speakers/headphones) is selected for the zoom meeting.
- Before your session, test the YouTube video locally to confirm that both video and audio work properly.
Chat with us!
For further questions or assistance with using Zoom for online meetings or setting up Zoom sessions, please contact the EdTech Office or book a consultation!