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Is My Microphone Working?

This test reads your microphone input via MediaDevices.getUserMedia() and the Web Audio API AnalyserNode. It displays real-time dB levels (-60 to 0 dB), a waveform visualization, and a recording/playback function. Normal speech registers -20 to -10 dB. Pro mode adds 64-band FFT spectrum, SNR measurement (2s silence + 3s speech), and round-trip latency testing across 5 rounds. All processing runs in your browser — zero network requests.

Measures your microphone's real-time input level in decibels (-60 to 0 dB) and displays the audio waveform using the Web Audio API.

Normal speech registers -20 to -10 dB; below -40 dB indicates the mic is too quiet or muted.

Permission Required

We need access to your microphone to test it. No audio data leaves your browser.

What Do Your Results Mean?

Result Range Meaning
Good -20 to -10 dB during speech Your microphone captures clear audio at a healthy level suitable for calls and recording.
Warning -40 to -20 dB during speech Input level is low. Check that the correct microphone is selected and boost your input gain in system settings.
Bad Below -40 dB or no response Microphone is muted, disconnected, or blocked by browser permissions. Check hardware connection and browser permission settings.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Browser shows 'Permission denied' when accessing the microphone

Click the lock icon in the address bar, set Microphone to 'Allow', then reload the page.

VU meter stays at -60 dB even when speaking

Check that the correct input device is selected in your OS sound settings. Another application may have exclusive access to the mic — close video call apps and retry.

Audio clips or distorts above -5 dB

Move further from the microphone or reduce input gain in your system sound settings. Clipping occurs when the signal exceeds 0 dB.

Microphone works in other apps but not in the browser

Some browsers require HTTPS for microphone access. Verify the page uses HTTPS and that no browser extension is blocking media permissions.

Related Tools

Speaker Test

Verify speaker output with left/right channel test tones

Headphone Test

Test headphone channels and stereo phase alignment

Webcam Test

Check if your webcam is working and preview video

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I test if my microphone is working?

Click 'Allow Access', then speak. The VU meter shows -60 to 0 dB. Normal speech registers -20 to -10 dB. Record a clip and play it back to verify quality.

Why is my microphone not detected in the browser?

Three causes: (1) mic not connected or not set as default input, (2) browser permission denied — check the address bar lock icon, (3) another app is using the mic exclusively.

Is any audio data uploaded to a server?

No. The Web Audio API processes everything locally. No backend server exists. Verify in browser DevTools Network tab — zero requests during testing.

What dB level means my microphone is working properly?

-20 to -10 dB during normal speech. Below -40 dB means the mic is too quiet or muted. Above -5 dB indicates clipping — move away from the mic or lower input gain.

What is the Spectrum view in Pro mode?

The Spectrum view shows a real-time FFT analysis of your microphone input — a bar chart of audio energy across 64 logarithmic frequency bands (20 Hz to 20 kHz). Powered by WASM for sub-millisecond processing.

How accurate is the SNR measurement?

The SNR test compares 2 seconds of silence (noise floor) with 3 seconds of speech (signal). 40+ dB indicates good mic quality. 60+ dB is excellent. Below 30 dB suggests environmental noise or a low-quality microphone.

What does the latency test measure?

It measures round-trip audio latency: time from playing a 1 kHz impulse through speakers to detecting it via the microphone. The test runs 5 rounds and reports the median. Typical values: 20-100 ms depending on hardware and drivers.