Find the cause step by step
- Click Test microphone above and allow access when the browser asks.
- Speak normally or clap. The bar should move with the sound.
- Doesn’t move? Check that the browser is using the right mic (lock icon in the address bar) and that the mic isn’t muted.
- For Windows: Settings › System › Sound › Input › choose the mic and speak; the volume bar shows the sound.
- For Teams: Settings › Devices › Make a test call. It records your voice and plays it back.
Symptom, cause and fix
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| PC or laptop (Windows 10/11) | Settings › System › Sound › Input | Or the test above in the browser |
| iPhone | Voice Memos app | Or the test above in Safari |
| Android phone | Voice recorder | Or the test above in the browser |
| Teams | Settings › Devices › Make a test call | Plays your voice back |
| Lavalier mic on a phone | 4-contact plug or an adapter | Record a clip and listen |
Where to find it on your device
- Windows 11: Settings › System › Sound › Input › choose the mic.
- Mac: System Settings › Sound › Input: watch the input level bar.
Related questions
How do I test a lavalier mic on a phone?
A wired lavalier needs a 4-contact plug (or a USB-C adapter). Plug it in, record a clip in the voice recorder and listen: if your voice sounds distant, the phone is still using its own mic.
Does the browser test record my voice?
No. The sound is analyzed in the browser to move the bar and is never recorded or sent.
The mic works here but not in Teams or Discord. Why?
Then the mic is fine; the program is using another device or lacks permission. See our page for each program.
How do I test my mic on Xbox?
Plug the headset into the controller, open the guide and start a party: the speaker icon next to your name lights up when the mic picks you up.
How do I test my mic and camera in Teams?
Before joining a meeting, the pre-join screen shows your camera and a mic level. Inside Teams, Settings › Devices › Make a test call checks both mic and speakers.
More problems: microphone test
- Mic not working on PC: how to fix it on Windows
- Headset mic not working on PC: how to fix it
- Laptop mic not working: how to fix it
- Mic not working on Discord: how to fix it
- Mic not working in Google Meet: how to fix it
- Mic not working in Teams: how to fix it
- WhatsApp mic not working: silent voice messages and calls
- Mic too quiet on PC: how to turn up the volume
- Mic static and background noise: how to get rid of it
- Mic echo: why other people hear their own voice
- Phone mic not working: how to test and fix it
- Mic cutting out on Discord: how to fix it
- Phone mic only works on speaker: why and how to fix it
- OBS mic too quiet: how to make it louder without hiss
Open the full microphone test →
Updated November 12, 2026.