How to use the mic test
- Press Start and allow microphone access when the browser asks.
- If you have more than one microphone, pick the right one in the Device list.
- Speak at your normal volume and watch the Level bar and the Waveform.
- Press Record 5 s, talk, then play Your recording to hear yourself back.
- Press Stop when you are done. The microphone also closes if you leave the page or switch tabs.
Below the meter you can see the sample rate, the number of channels and whether the browser applied echo cancellation. The audio is processed on your device: nothing is recorded to a server or uploaded, and the recording disappears when you close the page.
What the result means
| Message | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No sound is reaching the browser. | The microphone is open but the signal is silence. | Check the mute switch on the headset, the Device list and the system input level. |
| Very low. Speak closer or raise the input level. | Sound arrives, but too quiet for a call. | Raise the input volume in your system settings or move the mic closer. |
| Your microphone works. | A healthy level for voice. | Nothing. Play the recording to judge the quality. |
| Too loud: the sound distorts. Lower the input level. | The signal often hits the maximum (clipping). | Lower the input volume or any gain knob on the mic or audio interface. |
The level is shown in dBFS, where 0 is the loudest a digital signal can be. Normal speech usually sits well below 0; frequent peaks at the top mean distortion.
Browser permission blocked
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Microphone. Move the site from the blocked list to Allow, then reload.
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Microphone, or click the lock icon left of the address bar.
- Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions > Microphone > Settings…, then remove or allow the site.
- Safari on Mac: Safari > Settings > Websites > Microphone, then set this site to Allow.
- iPhone and iPad: Settings > Apps > Safari > Microphone (iOS 18 and later; on older versions Safari is directly in Settings).
- Android: Chrome > Settings > Site settings > Microphone. If you turned off the system Microphone access toggle in Quick Settings, turn it back on.
Windows 11
- Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone: turn on Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone and Let desktop apps access your microphone.
- Settings > System > Sound > Input: choose the right microphone, then open it with the arrow to raise the Input volume.
- If the device is missing or shows an error, open Device Manager > Audio inputs and outputs, update or reinstall the driver.
Mac
Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and turn on your browser. Quit and reopen the browser afterwards. To change the device or level, go to System Settings > Sound > Input and adjust Input volume.
Works here but not in Meet, Teams, Zoom or Discord
If this test works, the microphone and the system are fine and the problem is the app's own setting: it often keeps a different microphone selected. Quit and reopen the app after changing devices.
- Google Meet: Settings (gear) > Audio > Microphone, and allow the microphone for meet.google.com in the browser.
- Microsoft Teams: Settings and more (…) > Settings > Devices, pick the microphone under Audio devices, then Make a test call.
- Zoom: Settings > Audio, choose the microphone, use Test Mic. If you sound too quiet, untick Automatically adjust microphone volume and raise the slider.
- Discord: User Settings > Voice & Video, set the Input Device, then use Let's Check. Check Input Sensitivity if your voice cuts in and out.
- WhatsApp Web voice messages use the browser permission: allow the microphone for web.whatsapp.com as shown above.
Questions
How can I hear myself on my mic?
Press Start, then Record 5 s and talk. When the recording ends, play it under Your recording. It stays in your browser and is never uploaded.
Why is my microphone not picking up sound?
Usually the wrong device is selected, the headset is muted, or the system blocked access. Check the Device list, the mute switch and the microphone privacy setting of your system.
Is this mic test private?
Yes. The sound is analysed on your device and nothing is sent anywhere. After the first visit the page even works with the internet turned off.
Does the mic test work on a phone?
Yes, on Android and iPhone browsers. Allow the microphone when asked; on iPhone the setting is under Settings > Apps > Safari > Microphone.