How to Test Your Microphone
- Press Start microphone and allow access when your browser asks.
- Speak normally or tap near the mic. The waveform should move and the level meter should rise.
- If you have more than one microphone, pick it from the list. The test switches immediately.
- Press Record 5 s, say a sentence, and listen to the playback to hear how you really sound.
If nothing moves, see the troubleshooting steps below.
Reading the Level Meter
Levels are shown in dBFS (decibels relative to full scale). 0 dBFS is the loudest a digital signal can be; everything else is negative.
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Below -55 dBFS | Silent or almost silent — the mic may be muted or the wrong device |
| -45 to -30 dBFS | Quiet — fine for a close condenser mic, too low for most headsets |
| -30 to -12 dBFS | Good speaking level |
| -12 to -3 dBFS | Loud — fine for shouting or singing |
| 0 dBFS (orange) | Clipping — the signal is distorted |
The Peak value holds the loudest moment briefly so you can see if you came close to clipping.
Microphone Not Working? Try This
No Sound at All
- Check that the mic isn’t muted with a hardware switch or button on a headset cable.
- Select the right device from the list — laptops often have both a built-in and a headset mic.
- On Windows: Settings → System → Sound → Input and check the level bar there too.
“Microphone Busy” Error
Another app has exclusive control. Close calling, recording and streaming apps, then try again.
Very Quiet
Raise the input volume in your system’s sound settings. For USB microphones, check for a gain knob on the mic itself. Speak 5–15 cm from the microphone.
Distorted or Clipping
Lower the input gain until loud speech stays under -6 dBFS.
Background Hiss or Hum
Hiss usually means gain is too high on a cheap mic. A steady hum points to a grounding problem or a USB hub — plug directly into the computer.
Built-In vs Headset vs USB Microphones
Laptop microphones pick up keyboard noise and room echo. Headset mics sit close to your mouth and sound clearer on calls. USB and XLR microphones offer the best quality but need correct gain settings. Whatever you use, the playback here is the honest reference.
Check Your Camera Too
Before a video call, check your camera with the webcam test and your audio output with the headphone test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does the Test Say Permission Denied?
The browser blocked microphone access for this site. Click the camera/microphone icon in the address bar, allow the microphone, and reload. On Windows, also check Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone and make sure desktop apps and your browser are allowed.
My Microphone Works Here but Not in Zoom or Teams. Why?
Each app chooses its own input device. Open the app's audio settings and select the same microphone you see in the list here. Also check that the app isn't muted and that no other app has exclusive control of the mic.
What Is a Good Microphone Level?
For speech, aim for roughly -30 to -12 dBFS on the level meter, with peaks staying below -3 dBFS. Much quieter and people will struggle to hear you; touching 0 dBFS means clipping and distortion.
Why Do I Sound Different than on Calls?
Calling apps apply echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain. This test turns those off so you hear the raw microphone. If you sound clear here, the hardware is fine.
Is My Recording Uploaded?
No. The recording is made and played back entirely in your browser. It isn't saved anywhere and is discarded when you leave the page.
Related Tests
- Headphone TestMake sure your headphones play each side correctly, are wired in phase, and cover the full frequency range.
- Webcam TestCheck that your camera works and see the resolution and frame rate it actually delivers.
- Speaker TestCheck that both speakers work, are connected the right way round, and can play bass and treble.
Last updated · Part of our audio & video tests.