No permission
Your browser was blocked from using the microphone.
Fix: open site permissions and set Microphone to Allow.Find Out Exactly What Is Wrong With Your Microphone
The result is not just “working” or “not working.” The test looks at the parts that make calls and recordings sound professional: voice level, room noise, clipping, hum, rumble, and clarity.
Click the Start Mic Test button and allow microphone access when your browser asks.
Say something. If the waveform moves, your microphone is picking up sound.
Play back the recording to hear how you sound. Based on your results, we will show you exactly what to fix or improve.
If you are testing your full audio setup, also run our headphone test and speaker test to check your entire listening chain. For recording, try the free online voice recorder.
A mic test is a quick online check that tells you whether your microphone is working correctly. You speak into your mic, and the tool instantly analyzes your audio and shows you what is happening, your sound levels, audio quality, and whether your microphone is being detected at all.
Most people never think about their microphone until something goes wrong. They join a Zoom call, and nobody can hear them. They start recording a podcast, and the audio sounds terrible. They hop into a Discord server, and their teammates keep asking them to repeat themselves. A mic test catches these problems before they happen.
It works for every type of microphone, built-in laptop mic, USB microphone, 3.5mm headset, gaming headset, Bluetooth mic, webcam mic, and AirPods. No matter what device you are using or what operating system you are on, the test runs directly in your browser with no downloads or installations required.
The whole process takes under a minute. And everything stays on your device; your audio is never sent to any server or stored anywhere.
Start with the symptom you see in the test. Most microphone failures are one of six simple checkpoints: permission, source, mute, connection, app lock, or system driver.
Your browser was blocked from using the microphone.
Fix: open site permissions and set Microphone to Allow.The browser may be listening to a laptop, webcam, or old headset mic.
Fix: select the correct device in the dropdown and test again.A hardware switch, system mute, or very low input gain can look like a dead mic.
Fix: check the headset mute switch and raise input volume.USB, 3.5mm, and headset cables can be connected enough to look plugged in but not enough to work.
Fix: reconnect firmly, try another USB port, or remove the hub.Zoom, Discord, Teams, OBS, or a recorder can hold the mic and block the browser.
Fix: close audio apps completely, then refresh this page.If every browser and app fails, the OS may not be seeing the microphone correctly.
Fix: update audio drivers, restart Bluetooth, or run a system update.This is one of the most common issues people run into after a microphone test. Your mic passes the online test perfectly, but the moment you join a Zoom call or Discord server, nobody can hear you. The mic is not the problem. The issue is almost always in the app settings or a conflict between apps on your device.
Here is why it happens and how to fix it:
Zoom and Discord remember the last microphone you used. If you recently connected a new headset or microphone, the app is likely still set to your old device. Go into the audio settings of the app and manually select the correct microphone from the input device dropdown.
Only one app can control your microphone at a time in most cases. If your browser, a voice recorder, or any other app is actively using the mic, Zoom or Discord may not be able to access it. Close everything else that uses audio and restart the app.
Windows and Mac both require apps to have explicit permission to use your microphone. Even if your browser has permission, Zoom or Discord may not.
Sometimes the app simply needs a fresh start to detect your microphone correctly. Fully close Zoom or Discord — not just minimize — and reopen it. This resets the audio device detection and usually picks up your microphone correctly.
Getting clear audio is not just about having a good microphone. Small adjustments to your setup and environment can make a big difference to how you sound on calls and recordings.
Keep your microphone 6 to 8 inches away from your mouth.
A simple fix is to place your mic on a stack of books at the right height so you are not constantly adjusting it during a call.
Close your windows, turn off fans, and move away from air conditioners before you start.
Hard surfaces reflect sound back into your microphone and cause echo.
Do not max out your microphone volume in system settings. Keep it between 70 and 85 percent.
If you are on a call with speakers on, your microphone picks up the other person's voice and feeds it back as echo.
Apps running in the background can interfere with your microphone performance.
Yes. The test runs entirely inside your browser using the Web Audio API. Your audio is never uploaded, recorded, or sent to any server.
Yes. Connect your AirPods, select them from the input dropdown, and run the test. You will see how the AirPods mic performs.
Yes. After the test runs, use playback to hear your recording and judge clarity, echo, noise, and volume for yourself.
Yes. Make sure the Bluetooth mic is connected, selected as the input device, and has enough battery before testing.
Yes. Select the headset mic, speak into the boom, and watch the waveform and results to confirm it is picking up cleanly.
On Xbox, check Settings, General, Volume and Audio Output, then Party Chat Output. Confirm the headset is firmly connected.
In OBS, open Settings, Audio, and select your microphone as an input device. The OBS meter should move when you speak; if it does not, check input selection and microphone permission.