How to test your microphone
- Press Start mic test. Your browser asks for permission to use the microphone; choose Allow.
- Speak normally. The green waveform should move and the level meter should rise. When we pick up sound, the status says your microphone is working.
- If you have more than one microphone (a headset and a built-in mic, say), choose the right one from the Microphone list.
- Press Record 5 seconds, say something, then listen back to check it sounds clear.
Reading the results
- Input level is the loudness right now in decibels below full scale (dB). Normal speech at a sensible distance usually sits between about −30 and −12 dB.
- Peak is the loudest moment in the last second and a half. If the bar hits the red zone and the status warns of clipping, your voice is being cut off and will sound distorted. Move back or turn the input level down.
- If the level hardly moves above −50 dB when you talk, the mic is very quiet or muted. Turn up its input level in your system settings, or move closer.
Microphone not working? Try this
Windows
Open Settings → System → Sound and choose your microphone under Input. Check its volume, and in Privacy & security → Microphone make sure microphone access is on for apps and for your browser. Some headsets have a mute switch or button on the cable.
Mac
Go to System Settings → Sound → Input, pick your microphone and watch the input level as you speak. Then check Privacy & Security → Microphone and allow your browser.
iPhone and iPad
Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and allow your browser, or check Settings → Safari → Microphone. Remove any case that covers the microphone holes at the bottom.
Android
Open Settings → Apps → your browser → Permissions and allow the microphone. Clear any fluff from the microphone hole with a soft brush.
If you blocked the browser's permission by mistake, click the microphone or padlock icon in the address bar, set the microphone to Allow and reload the page.
Your privacy
The test runs entirely in your browser. Sound is analysed on your device, the 5-second recording is kept in memory only so you can play it back, and nothing is sent to us or anyone else. The microphone switches off when you press Stop or leave the page.