How to use the microphone test
- Choose the microphone in the Input device list. If it only shows "Default microphone", start the test once and the list will fill in with your device names.
- Click Start microphone and allow access when the browser asks.
- Speak at your normal distance and volume. The bar should move with your voice and fall back when you stop.
- Click Record clip, say a sentence or two, then click Stop. Play the clip back through headphones if you can, so speaker sound does not feed back into the microphone.
- Click Stop again when you are done to release the microphone.
Reading the result
| What you see or hear | What it usually means | Where to look next |
|---|---|---|
| The level bar never moves | The browser is not receiving sound from this input | Microphone not working |
| The bar moves but the playback is silent | Recording worked; the problem is your speakers, headphones or volume | No sound |
| The bar barely moves and the clip is faint | Input gain is low or the microphone is too far away | Microphone too quiet |
| "Clipping seen" appears, or loud words crackle | The input is too hot and the signal is being cut off | Microphone distorted |
| Steady hiss, hum or buzz | Gain set very high, electrical interference or a poor cable or USB connection | Microphone distorted |
Aim for speech that moves the bar well into the middle of its range, with only the loudest words reaching near the end. The peak readout under the meter keeps the highest level seen since you started, so you can check a loud laugh or a raised voice without staring at the bar.
Why the clip can sound different from your recording software
Browsers normally apply echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain control to microphone audio for web pages, because most sites that use a microphone are calls. That processing can make a quiet microphone sound louder than it really is, or make background noise vanish between words. Recording software such as OBS or Audacity usually captures the signal without these filters, so a clip that sounds fine here can still be quiet or noisy in a recording app. Use this test to confirm the microphone works and the levels are sensible, then make final adjustments in the app you will actually use.
Permissions on each browser and system
- Chrome and Edge: click the icon to the left of the address, open site settings or permissions, and set Microphone to Allow.
- Firefox: click the microphone or permissions icon in the address bar and remove the block, then reload.
- Safari on Mac: Safari → Settings → Websites → Microphone, then choose Allow for this site.
- Windows 11: Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone. Turn on microphone access and "Let desktop apps access your microphone".
- macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone, then switch on your browser and restart it.
Frequently asked questions
Is my recording uploaded?
No. The level meter and the clip are produced inside your browser tab. The clip disappears when you reload or close the page. See the privacy page for details.
Why does my headset microphone not appear in the list?
Device names only appear after you grant permission once. If the headset still does not appear, check that the system sees it. On Windows, look under Settings → System → Sound → Input. Wireless headsets sometimes expose a separate "hands-free" microphone device.
Can this test measure microphone quality?
Not precisely. It confirms that sound arrives and shows the relative level. Frequency response, self-noise and sensitivity need calibrated equipment. Your ears on the playback clip are the best quick judge.
More troubleshooting guides
Reviewed October 2026 · How we test · Report a problem