What the test shows
- Status: whether the browser has permission, which microphone is in use and whether a signal arrives.
- Level meter: how loud the input is. Normal speech should move it to the middle or upper part, not to the very end.
- Waveform and spectrum: live pictures of the sound. A flat line means silence; a constant pattern without speaking can mean noise or hum.
- Device information: the name of the microphone, the sample rate and the number of channels.
- Record and play back: the best way to judge the real quality, because you hear what other people will hear in a call.
The test runs completely in your browser. Nothing you say is recorded on a server or sent anywhere.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| Permission denied | you blocked access earlier. Click the lock or camera icon in the address bar, allow the microphone and reload the page. |
| No microphone found | the device is not connected or is disabled. Plug it in again, then check Windows Settings, System, Sound, Input or macOS System Settings, Sound, Input. |
| Level does not move | the wrong device is selected, or the microphone is muted with a hardware switch on the headset or a key on the laptop. |
| Very quiet | input volume is low in the system settings, or you are too far away. Raise the input level to 70–90%. |
| Distorted sound | input volume is too high or you are too close. Lower the level until loud speech stays out of the red. |
| Microphone used by another app | close Zoom, Teams, Discord or other apps that may hold the microphone, then try again. |
Privacy settings on Windows and macOS
Both systems can block microphone access for all browsers. On Windows, open Settings, Privacy and security, Microphone, and make sure that microphone access and access for desktop apps are on. On macOS, open System Settings, Privacy and Security, Microphone, and allow your browser. Restart the browser after changing these settings.
Phones and tablets
On iPhone and iPad, Safari asks for permission each time unless you allow it in Settings, Safari, Microphone. On Android, the browser app itself needs the microphone permission in the system app settings. Only one app can usually use the microphone at a time, so end any calls first.
Next steps
A working microphone can still sound bad. Listen to your test recording and check for three things: a hollow, echoey sound (move closer or into a softer room), a constant hiss or hum (try another USB port, move away from chargers, or turn off noise from fans), and a muffled sound (check that nothing covers the microphone and that the headset microphone points to your mouth). Laptop microphones are often placed near the keyboard and fan, so a simple headset usually sounds much better in calls.
When the microphone works, record with the audio recorder. To see the sound in more detail, open the spectrum analyzer. If your recordings have a constant hiss or hum, clean them with Noise Reduction.