Find the cause step by step
- Connect the headphones. Bluetooth: pair them first; wired: push the plug all the way in.
- Lower the volume, put the headphones on and tap Left, Both and Right on the buttons above.
- Did each sound come only from the right side, at about the same volume? The headphones are fine.
- Headset with a mic: open the mic test and speak near the headset. If the bar moves, the headset mic works.
- One side silent or quiet? Test on another device to tell the headphones and the device apart, and see our page for each problem.
Symptom, cause and fix
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Android phone | Phone browser, headphones connected | Same buttons above |
| iPhone | Safari, headphones connected | Same buttons above |
| Laptop or PC | Pick the headphones under Output in sound settings | Then tap the buttons |
| Bluetooth / wireless earbuds | Pair before opening the page | Test each side separately |
| No device to test with | Multimeter at the plug | See our multimeter page |
Where to find it on your device
- Output on Windows 11: Settings › System › Sound › Output: pick the headphones.
- Mac: System Settings › Sound › Output: pick the headphones.
Related questions
How do I test a headset with a mic on a PC?
Test the sound here and the mic in the mic test. On a PC with two jacks (green and pink), a single-plug headset needs a TRRS splitter adapter.
How do I test wireless earbuds when only one connects?
Put both in the case, close it, open it again and pair. Then tap Left and Right above; if one side stays silent, see our page on only one earbud connecting.
Do I need to install an app?
No. The test runs in the browser and the sound is generated on your device.
How do I test headphones on Xbox or PS5?
Plug the headset into the controller and listen to a game or the console’s sounds on each side. To check left and right exactly, open this page on a phone or PC with the same headset.
How do I test headphones in Teams?
In Teams, go to Settings and more (⋯) › Settings › Devices › Make a test call: it plays your recording back through the selected headphones.
More problems: headphone test
- Headphones only working on one side? How to fix it
- Headphones making static noise: causes and fixes
- Bluetooth headphones won’t connect to your phone: how to fix it
- Bluetooth headphones won’t connect to your PC or laptop: how to fix it
- Headphones not working on your laptop or PC: what to do
- Wired headphones not working on your phone: how to fix it
- Only one earbud connecting? How to get both playing again
- One side of your headphones is quieter than the other: how to fix it
- Headphones left and right reversed: how to fix it
- Headphone volume too low: how to make it louder
- Earbuds not charging in the case: how to fix it
- Headphones only work after restarting the computer: how to fix it
- How to test headphones with a multimeter
- Which side is left on headphones? L and R explained
Open the full headphone test →
Updated November 12, 2026.