How to test your microphone before a meeting
- Start the test. Press “Start mic test” and click Allow when your browser asks for microphone access.
- Speak or clap. If the green bar moves and the waveform reacts, your microphone is picking up sound.
- Listen to yourself. Press “Record 5 s” and play it back to hear what others will hear in the meeting: volume, background noise, echo or crackling.
- Choose the best microphone. If you have several (laptop, headset, USB mic, AirPods), try each one from the list and use the best one in Zoom, Teams or Meet.
How to read the results
The level meter shows loudness in decibels (dB). 0 dB is the maximum the microphone can capture before it distorts.
- Normal speech between -30 dB and -10 dB is ideal for calls and recordings.
- Peaks that hit 0 dB (red) mean you’re too close or the input volume is too high. Your voice may sound distorted.
- Speech that stays below -40 dB means the microphone is too quiet. Raise the input volume in your system settings or move closer.
- A bar that moves while you’re silent means background noise: fans, air conditioning, keyboard clicks or electrical hum.
Echo cancellation, noise suppression and auto gain are the same filters that Zoom, Teams and Google Meet use to make voices clearer.
How to test your mic in Zoom, Teams, Google Meet and other apps
If your microphone works here but not in a meeting, the app is using a different device. This is where to check it in each app:
| App | Where to choose and test the microphone |
|---|---|
| Zoom | Settings › Audio › “Test Mic”, or join the test meeting at zoom.us/test |
| Microsoft Teams | Settings and more (…) › Settings › Devices › “Make a test call” |
| Google Meet | Before joining: “Check your audio and video”. In a call: More options (⋮) › Settings › Audio |
| Webex | Settings › Audio › Microphone |
| Slack huddles | Preferences › Audio & video |
| Discord | User Settings › Voice & Video › Mic Test |
Want to check everything at once? The video call test checks your microphone, camera and speakers in one go.
Microphone not working? Fix it step by step
1. Allow microphone access in your browser
If you clicked Block by mistake, click the lock or settings icon on the left of the address bar, set Microphone to Allow and reload the page. In Safari, open Safari › Settings › Websites › Microphone.
2. Check Windows 11 and Windows 10 settings
- Open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone. Turn on Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone and Let desktop apps access your microphone.
- Open Settings › System › Sound › Input. Choose the right device and check that the input volume isn’t at 0.
- If the meter shows total silence, look for a mute key on your laptop (often F4 or F8) or a mute button on your headset.
3. Check macOS settings
- Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and turn on your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox…). Restart the browser afterwards.
- Open System Settings › Sound › Input. Select your microphone and raise the input volume.
4. Check the hardware
- Unplug and reconnect USB microphones, or try a different USB port. Avoid unpowered hubs.
- Headsets with a single 3.5 mm plug (four rings) need a combo jack. On desktop PCs with separate pink and green jacks, use a splitter adapter.
- Bluetooth headsets switch to a lower-quality “hands-free” mode when the microphone is active. Some must be selected as the input device manually.
5. Close other apps
Zoom, Teams, Discord, OBS or a game can lock the microphone. Close them and try again. On Windows you can also turn off “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” in the advanced sound properties.
Your recording never leaves your device. This page uses your browser’s built-in audio features, so nothing is sent to a server or saved.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my microphone before a Teams meeting?
Run this mic test to check that the microphone works. Then, in Microsoft Teams, go to Settings › Devices, select the same microphone and click Make a test call.
How do I test my mic for Zoom without joining a meeting?
Use this page, or open Zoom’s Settings › Audio and click Test Mic. Zoom also has a test meeting at zoom.us/test.
Is this microphone test private?
Yes. The audio is analyzed by your own browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored or shared. The 5-second recording stays in your browser’s memory and disappears when you close the page.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. It works in Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome on Android. Allow microphone access when asked.
Why is my microphone so quiet in meetings?
Raise the input volume in your system sound settings, speak closer to the microphone, or turn on auto gain. Some headsets also have a volume wheel for the microphone.
How do I test my AirPods or Bluetooth headset microphone?
Connect the headset, press “Start mic test” and choose it in the microphone list. If it’s not listed, select it as the input device in your system sound settings first, then reload the page.
The test says “total silence”. What does that mean?
The microphone is connected but sends no signal at all. It’s usually muted by a hardware switch, a mute key, a headset button or a privacy setting in Windows or macOS.