When you press the button, your browser will ask "Allow this site to use your microphone?" Choose "Allow" to start the check.
Microphone access is not allowed.
Click the 🔒 (or microphone icon) in the address bar, change this site's microphone permission to "Allow", then reload the page. See the checklist below for details.
No microphone was found.
Please check that a microphone is connected to your PC or phone. For external microphones, check the connector (USB or headphone jack) and try plugging it in again.
Your browser doesn't support the microphone check.
Please try the latest version of Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox.
Couldn't start the microphone.
If another app (such as a calling app) is currently using the microphone, close it and reload the page to try again.
Microphone access is allowed, but the device itself couldn't be started.
This error is usually caused by the microphone hardware, its driver, or an exclusive lock at the Windows level — not by an app permission setting. Try these in order:
Check whether another app (a calling app, recording software, another browser tab, etc.) is using this microphone, and close it before reloading. On Windows, only one app can hold a microphone at a time, and others can't use it until that app releases it.
Physically unplug and reconnect the microphone (USB, 3.5mm, or re-pair if Bluetooth).
Open the Services app (services.msc), right-click "Windows Audio", and choose Restart — this is often faster than restarting the whole PC. If that doesn't help, restart your computer.
Open "Device Manager" and check whether this microphone has a ⚠ warning icon. If so, try updating the driver, or uninstalling it and letting Windows reinstall it after a restart.
Check whether security software (antivirus) is restricting microphone access. Many security suites include a "webcam/microphone protection" feature that can unintentionally block browser access.
Check for pending Windows updates and install them. Audio-related bugs are sometimes fixed by an update.
Try a different browser (Chrome/Edge/Firefox). If it only happens in one browser, that browser is likely the cause; if it happens in every browser, a driver or hardware issue is more likely.
If it still doesn't work, suspect a fault in the microphone itself, a USB hub or cable, or the Windows audio driver. Trying the same microphone on a different computer can help confirm whether it's actually broken.
✅ Sound is getting throughYour microphone is sending sound to this device normally🔉 Only a very faint sound is getting throughYour microphone volume may be set too low. While speaking, check item ③ in the checklist below⚠️ Nothing is getting throughTry speaking into your microphone. If nothing changes, see the checklist below
Now 0%Max 0%
When you speak into your microphone, the line will ripple and the bar on the right will rise. The numbers show mic volume as a rough percentage; “Max” is the highest since you started this check. The judgment above also stays at the best result reached; press "Reset" to start over.
🔴 Your audio may be clipping (distorted).
Try lowering your microphone input volume or the OS-level "microphone boost."
Check this to hear your mic in real time. Add "1-second delay" to hear your own voice returned after 1 second. 🎧 Using headphones or earphones prevents feedback (howling/squealing).
Feedback (audio looping back through your speakers) was detected, so playback has been paused.
Using headphones prevents this.
It will resume automatically shortly…
Recording… 0s
Press ▶ to listen to your recording. It exists only on this screen and is deleted when you press delete or close the page.
Your browser doesn't support recording, so the record button is unavailable (you can still check with the waveform and echo).
The check has ended and the microphone has been turned off. To check again, press the button above.
Windows 11's own "Settings → System → Sound → Input" also has a built-in mic test, but it only shows a percentage, which can make it hard to intuitively tell whether your voice is really getting through. On this page, your voice appears directly as a waveform, so you can see at a glance whether it's registering.
Press "Start Mic Check" and choose "Allow" in your browser's prompt.
Speak into your microphone in your normal voice.
If "✅ The microphone is registering" appears and the waveform moves, that audio input device is working normally.
If you have multiple microphones connected, use the "Manage input devices" menu above to switch and try each one.
Fixes when Windows 11 doesn't detect a microphone or no sound comes through
① Browser microphone permission — Click the 🔒 (or microphone icon) in the address bar and check whether this site's microphone is set to "Allow". If it's "Blocked", switch it to Allow and reload the page.
② Is the correct default device selected? — Open "Settings → System → Sound → Input" and check that the microphone you want is selected. Windows 11 can recognize multiple audio input devices at once (built-in mic, USB mic, Bluetooth earbuds, etc.), so if the wrong one is set as default, sound won't come through. Switching devices in the "Manage input devices" menu above is a quick way to test.
③ Is the microphone disabled? — In "Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone", check that "Microphone access" is turned on. If it's off, no app can use the microphone at all.
④ Input volume and microphone boost — In the advanced settings under "Settings → System → Sound → Input", check that the input volume isn't at 0 or extremely low. If your voice is still faint, raising "Microphone Boost" can help (raise it gradually, since too much boost adds noise).
⑤ Drivers and the Windows Audio service — If the audio input device doesn't even appear in the list, updating drivers or restarting your PC can help — a restart resets audio-related services and can trigger re-detection.
⑥ Using a 3.5mm plug-in-power condenser microphone? — These microphones run on a small amount of power supplied through the connector. Using an extension cable, or a longer cable overall, can make the sound very quiet or add noise (possible causes include a mismatched extension cable (mixing up 3-conductor and 4-conductor plugs is a very common mistake), signal loss over distance, insufficient power reaching the microphone, or noise from an extra connection point — how much power a PC supplies varies by model, so the same cable can affect one microphone but not another). Try connecting directly without the extension, or try a different cable.
⑦ "Audio enhancements" or Voice Focus / Windows Studio Effects can also be the cause — Windows 11 has an AI-based "Audio enhancements" noise-removal feature, and on supported PCs (Copilot+ PCs, etc.) "Windows Studio Effects" includes a voice focus mode. With these on, your voice can cut out, sound muffled, or get processed unnaturally. Go to "Settings → System → Sound", select your microphone, and turn off "Audio enhancements" to compare. The camera app's "Windows Studio Effects" settings also have a voice focus option.
⑧ On a work or school PC, an administrator may be blocking the microphone — PCs managed by an organization (via Group Policy or MDM) can have microphone use disabled entirely by IT policy. If so, the "Microphone access" item under "Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone" may be grayed out or missing altogether. If this might apply to you, try the same microphone on a personal PC, or check with your IT department.
If it still says "⚠️ Nothing is registering yet" after checking all of the above, the microphone or its cable is likely faulty. Trying the same microphone on a different PC or phone can help confirm whether it's actually broken.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is this different from Windows's built-in "Test your microphone"?
A. Windows's built-in input test mainly shows a number (%), while this page displays your voice as an actual waveform, making it intuitive to see whether it's registering at all. Use whichever suits your needs.
Q. Is my voice sent or saved anywhere?
A. No. The check happens entirely inside your browser and is never sent over the internet.
Q. What if I have multiple audio input devices?
A. Starting the mic check shows a "Manage input devices" menu where you can switch between connected microphones. Check this alongside Windows 11's own default device setting.
Q. It still says "⚠️ Nothing is registering yet".
A. Try the fixes above, from the top. A settings issue is very often the cause.