Troubleshooting

Device troubleshooting guides

Pick the symptom that matches what you see. Each guide starts with one of our free tests to locate the problem, then works from the quickest fixes to the less likely causes, on both Windows and Mac.

Microphone

Microphone not working in your browser? →

No level on the meter at all. Work through the connection, system input, privacy settings and site permission in order.

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Microphone too quiet? →

The meter barely moves or people struggle to hear you. Distance, hardware gain and system input level.

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Microphone distorted or crackly? →

Harsh loud words, constant hiss or buzzing. Tell clipping apart from interference and processing.

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Hearing yourself or an echo? →

Your own voice in your headset, or callers hearing themselves. Monitoring settings, speaker bleed and doubled devices.

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Webcam

Webcam not working? →

Black preview or a permission error. Shutters, camera keys, privacy settings and apps holding the camera.

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Webcam blurry or too dark? →

Lighting, lens cleaning, focus and the resolution actually in use.

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Webcam flickering or banding? →

Pulsing brightness or dark bars rolling through the picture. Anti-flicker settings, lighting and USB checks.

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Speakers and headphones

No sound from speakers or headphones? →

Wrong output device, muted tab or app, and cable checks on Windows and Mac.

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Left and right channels reversed? →

Wearing, cables, balance sliders, mono audio and surround effects.

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Bluetooth headphones connected but silent? →

Output selection, stereo versus hands-free modes and re-pairing.

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One side quieter than the other? →

Balance sliders, blocked earbud mesh, fit and a swap test that separates the earpiece from your ear.

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Only playing in one ear? →

One side completely silent. Plugs and adapters, cable breaks, balance at one end and earbuds that lost their pairing.

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Keyboard and mouse

Keyboard key not working? →

Find dead keys with the key list, and separate layout problems from hardware faults.

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Mouse button or wheel not working? →

Missing clicks, double-click chatter, scroll faults and side buttons.

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Mouse double-clicking by itself? →

One click opens files or closes tabs twice. Separate a worn switch from double-click speed and single-click settings.

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Keyboard typing double letters? →

One press, two characters. Count presses per key, then check repeat delay, debris and switch chatter.

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Keys not registering together? →

A third key is ignored in games or shortcuts. Test rollover, find blocked combinations and work around them.

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Controller

Controller stick drifting? →

The camera or character moves on its own. Measure the resting position, then calibrate, clean and adjust the deadzone.

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How to use these guides

Change one setting at a time and test again after each change, so you know what fixed the problem. Start with the device test linked at the top of each guide and keep it open in another tab while you work. If a guide does not match what you see, or a menu has moved in a newer version of Windows or macOS, please let us know.

Other checks

Reviewed October 2026 · How we write our guides · Suggest a correction