1. Check permission
If the test says Microphone access was blocked, click the site-information icon (lock, sliders or camera icon) in the address bar and set Microphone to Allow, then reload.
- Windows 11: Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone — turn on microphone access, app access and desktop app access. Windows 10: Settings → Privacy → Microphone — turn on Allow apps and Allow desktop apps to access your microphone.
- Mac: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone — switch on your browser, then quit and reopen it. Safari isn't listed there: use Safari → Settings → Websites → Microphone.
2. Pick the right microphone
Computers often have several inputs: the laptop mic, a webcam mic, a headset, a monitor. Use the device menu in the test to try each one. Then set the right one as the default:
- Windows: Settings → System → Sound → Input.
- Mac: System Settings → Sound → Input.
3. Unmute and raise the input volume
- Check the mute switch on your headset cable or earcup, and the mic mute key on your keyboard (often F4 or Fn + a mic icon).
- If the test says muted at the system level, unmute it in the OS: Windows — Settings → System → Sound → your input device → turn off Mute and raise Input volume; Mac — System Settings → Sound → Input → raise Input volume.
- Volume 0 on Windows 11: open Settings → System → Sound, click your input device and raise Input volume. If the test meter still shows nothing, continue to step 5.
4. Bluetooth headsets and AirPods
Pick the headset's Hands-Free or Headset entry as the input, reconnect it and charge it. For AirPods settings, muffled Bluetooth sound and wired or gaming headsets, see the headset mic test.
5. Driver and hardware checks
- Windows: Device Manager → Audio inputs and outputs — right-click your mic → Update driver, or Uninstall device and restart.
- Wired mic: on desktops the mic jack is usually pink. Headsets: see headset mic test.
- USB mic: try another port and avoid unpowered hubs.
Too quiet, noisy or distorted?
If the meter moves but you sound bad, click Record 5 seconds in the test. The recording check tells you if your voice is too quiet, clipping or buried in background noise, with a specific fix for each. Our mic test page explains every result.
Works here but not in your app?
Then the microphone is fine — select it inside the app. See the guides for Discord, Zoom and Teams.