Microphone not working?
Find the missing signal.

Check whether the browser receives sound

Connect your headset or microphone and open the test. Select “Start microphone test”, allow microphone access, then speak at your usual distance. Choose the intended device in the input menu. A moving meter means this browser is receiving a changing digital signal; it does not establish that another app has selected the same input.

If the permission request stays open, check the site permission control beside the address bar. Embedded browsers can offer limited device access. Try a normal browser tab, then check the operating system’s microphone privacy settings. Stop the test before trying a different browser.

On Windows 11, compare the operating-system test with browser access using the Windows input and microphone permission guide.

Check the selected input and mute controls

A laptop microphone, USB headset and webcam microphone may all be available. Select one, speak close to it and compare the response. Check physical mute switches and your operating system’s input selection. A connected device can still be muted or selected incorrectly.

If no device appears, reconnect it and check power or battery. Confirm that the operating system detects it. Close software that might hold exclusive access, then try the test again. An absent or silent input does not identify a specific hardware fault on its own.

Listen to a short recording

Use headphones, select “Record 10 seconds”, and listen back with the playback controls. A moving meter with silent playback can also indicate a muted output, low speaker volume or a different output device. Check those before changing the microphone.

When the recording sounds right here but a call is silent, choose the same microphone inside the meeting app. Check that app’s mute button, input volume and device permissions. Browser processing and an app’s noise suppression can produce different results.

Using Zoom? Follow the separate checks for a microphone that works in the browser but not in Zoom.

Fix a quiet or distorted signal

Move closer and speak normally. Adjust input gain in your device or operating system settings. Peaks close to 0 dBFS can clip; lower the gain if you hear distortion or see the test’s clipping warning. A quiet room or a distant speaker can produce a low signal from a working microphone.

The test reports digital levels in dBFS. It does not measure calibrated acoustic loudness in dB SPL, certify audio quality or promise that a particular level suits every recording app.

Finish the test and compare the result

Stop the test to release the microphone. Delete a recording when finished. Signal processes test audio in the browser and does not upload it. A file you choose to download stays on your device until you remove it.

This guide has no recording controls. If you need more help, describe your browser, device and error message; avoid sharing private recordings or account credentials.