Audio, video, or Skype is not working in a Workstation virtual machine

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article provides information to troubleshoot issues related to audio, video, or Skype in a Workstation virtual machine.

Symptoms:

• Audio input is not working in the Workstation virtual machine
• Audio output is not working in the virtual machine
• Cannot record audio
• Cannot hear the audio output
• Webcam video is not working in the virtual machine
• Skype is not working in the virtual machine

Environment

VMware Workstation 11.x (for Windows)
VMware Workstation 7.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 10.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 6.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 9.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 8.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation Pro 14.x (for Windows)
VMware Workstation Pro 15.x (Windows)

Resolution

For audio or video to work within a VMware workstation virtual machine, the device must be attached to the virtual machine. To attach an external audio device, such as an external microphone, headphones, or combination mic/headphones to a virtual machine:

1. Click within the virtual machine window.
2. Plug in the device.
   
   The device should now be attached to the virtual machine.

For video to work from within a virtual machine, you must enable/connect the video device in the virtual machine. For example, enabling video for a Skype phone call. To enable video from within the virtual machine:

1. From the VMware workstation menu bar, go to VM > Removable Devices.
2. Select the device name/type and click Connect.
   
   The video device gets added to the virtual machine. You may have to install the drivers for the video device in the virtual machine.
    
3. Click the video icon within Skype to use the video.

Troubleshooting audio issues

If you have issues with hearing audio output through the headphones or the built-in speakers:

1. Verify and ensure that the host audio output settings are correct.
2. Check the output settings within the virtual machine:
    
   • In Windows, click Settings > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices.
   • In Sounds and Audios Devices Properties, ensure that the desired sound playback device is selected and that its volume is sufficiently high. You may need to go through every tab and button within Properties. You can even test some hardware from within these windows.

• If you are unable to record or be heard (audio input problems), check the settings for the microphone, whether external or built-in.

1. Check the host audio input settings.
2. Check the virtual machine's audio input settings.
   • In Windows, click Settings > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices.
   • In Sounds and Audios Devices Properties, ensure that the desired sound input device (voice or sound recording) is selected and that its volume is sufficiently high. You may need to go through every tab and button within Properties. You can even test some hardware from within these windows.

For related information, see Audio is not working in Windows virtual machine (1003425).

Additional Information

Sound is not working in Windows virtual machine