Run a quick speaker test 2-3 minutes before your meeting: open an online speaker test and verify you hear stereo tones clearly in both channels. Then open your meeting app and use its built-in test: in Zoom go to Settings > Audio > Test Speaker; in Teams click the pre-join device settings to hear a test tone. Make sure the same output device is selected in both your OS and the meeting app. Check that the volume is at a comfortable level — not so loud it causes echo when your mic is on, not so quiet you miss what people say. If you're using Bluetooth headphones, connect them before opening the meeting app. Close music and video apps so audio routing doesn't compete. For dual-monitor setups with HDMI, verify audio isn't routing to the monitor instead of your headphones.
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