Is your microphone ready?
Speak once. We’ll check your mic, volume, clipping, and background noise—then show the exact fix for your device.
- 1Connect
- 2Speak
- 3Listen
Ready when you are
We’ll ask for microphone access, listen for two quiet seconds, then record a seven-second sample.
Private by design
Analysis and playback happen locally. The sample disappears when you leave.
Trust your ears too
The playback catches echo, muffling, and pops that a meter cannot judge.
Mic test questions, answered
Short answers to the problems that stop most microphones from working.
How does this mic test work?
Click the test button and allow microphone access when your browser asks. The page reads the audio stream locally, draws a live level meter, and lets you record a short clip and play it back. Everything happens in your browser using the same microphone API that video call apps use, so no audio is uploaded during the mic test.
Why is my mic not working even though it is plugged in?
The most common cause is that your computer is listening to a different input than the one you plugged in. Check the input device in your system sound settings and in the browser prompt, and make sure any physical mute switch or in-line mute button is off. On headsets, also confirm the plug is fully seated, because a half-inserted plug often gives you audio out but no mic in.
Why can't my browser access the microphone?
Browsers need explicit permission per site. In Chrome or Edge, click the icon to the left of the address bar and set Microphone to Allow. In Safari, use the Safari menu, then Settings for This Website. On a Mac there is a second layer: the browser itself needs microphone access under System Settings, Privacy and Security, Microphone, and you must restart the browser after granting it.
Does the mic test record or save my voice?
No. The level meter and test playback run entirely on your device, and the test clip is discarded when you leave the page. Audio is only uploaded if you deliberately save a recording into an EchoWave project afterwards.
Why does my mic sound quiet or muffled?
Quiet usually means low input gain or too much distance, so raise the input level in your system settings and get within about 15 to 30 cm of the mic. Muffled often means the wrong mic is active, for example a laptop's built-in array behind a closed lid instead of your headset. Bluetooth headsets also drop to a low-quality hands-free codec while their mic is in use, which sounds much duller than their music playback.
How do I test my microphone on Windows 11?
Open Settings, then System, then Sound, choose your microphone under Input, and watch the volume bar move as you speak. Windows 11 also has a Start test button that records a sample you can play back. If nothing moves, go to Settings, Privacy and security, Microphone, and make sure microphone access is switched on for your apps.
How do I test my microphone on a Mac?
Open System Settings, then Sound, then Input, select your microphone, and watch the input level bar while you speak. If a specific browser cannot hear you, grant it access under System Settings, Privacy and Security, Microphone, then quit and reopen the browser. The browser test on this page is a quick way to confirm the fix worked.
What is a good input level for voice recording?
Aim for speech that peaks around the upper middle of the meter with headroom to spare, and never a signal that sits pinned at the maximum, which means clipping and permanent distortion. Recording slightly quiet is safer than recording too hot, because you can raise levels in the editor but you cannot un-clip audio. Keep a consistent distance from the mic so your level does not wander mid-take.
Can I record and edit with my mic after the test?
Yes. The voice recorder captures straight into EchoWave's editor, where you can trim, remove filler words and silences automatically, and add captions from 176 presets. Free accounts export HD 720p MP4 with a small removable EchoWave badge, and audio-only MP3, WAV, or M4A exports are available on paid plans.
