Microphone Checker

Microphone Checker

Test if your microphone is connected and working properly

Instructions:
1. Click "Check Microphone" to start
2. Allow microphone access when prompted
3. Speak into your microphone
4. If you see activity, your microphone is working!
Want to check if your microphone is too quiet? Windows has a built-in feature called "Listen to this device" that lets you monitor your microphone audio in real time. Follow the steps below for your version of Windows.
  1. 1
    Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar (bottom-right corner) and select "Sound settings".
  2. 2
    Scroll down to the Input section and click on your microphone to open its properties.
  3. 3
    Alternatively, you can get here directly: press Win + R, type mmsys.cpl, and press Enter. Then go to the Recording tab and double-click your microphone.
  4. 4
    In the microphone properties window, click the "Listen" tab.
  5. 5
    Tick the checkbox that says "Listen to this device".
  6. 6
    Under "Playback through this device", choose which speakers or headphones you want the microphone audio to play through.
  7. 7
    Click Apply. You should now hear your microphone through your chosen output device.
Watch out: If you're using speakers (not headphones), enabling this may cause feedback/echo. Headphones are recommended.
To turn it off: Follow the same steps and uncheck "Listen to this device", then click Apply.
  1. 1
    Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type mmsys.cpl, and press Enter. This opens the Sound control panel directly.
  2. 2
    Click the Recording tab at the top of the Sound window.
  3. 3
    Double-click your microphone in the list to open its properties.
  4. 4
    Click the "Listen" tab.
  5. 5
    Check the box that says "Listen to this device".
  6. 6
    In the "Playback through this device" dropdown, select your preferred speakers or headphones.
  7. 7
    Click Apply. Your microphone audio will now play through your selected output.
Watch out: If you're using speakers (not headphones), enabling this may cause feedback/echo. Headphones are recommended.
To turn it off: Follow the same steps and uncheck "Listen to this device", then click Apply.
  1. 1
    Click the Start button, then open the Control Panel.
  2. 2
    Go to Hardware and Sound, then click Sound. (Or press Win + R, type mmsys.cpl, and press Enter as a shortcut.)
  3. 3
    Click the Recording tab.
  4. 4
    Double-click your microphone in the list to open its properties.
  5. 5
    Click the "Listen" tab in the properties window.
  6. 6
    Check "Listen to this device" and choose your playback device from the dropdown below.
  7. 7
    Click Apply
Watch out: If you're using speakers (not headphones), enabling this may cause feedback/echo. Headphones are recommended.
To turn it off: Follow the same steps and uncheck "Listen to this device", then click Apply.
Mic not working in Astro Scribe specifically? Windows may have microphone access turned off. Follow the steps below for your version of Windows to make sure your microphone is enabled and allowed to be used by apps.
  1. 1
    Click the Start button (Windows icon) in the bottom-left corner of your screen, then click Settings (the gear icon).
  2. 2
    In Settings, click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and select Sound.
  3. 3
    Under the Input section, check that your microphone is listed. Click on it and make sure "Don't allow" is not selected — it should say Use device.
  4. 4
    Now navigate to Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone.
  5. 5
    Make sure "Microphone access" is toggled On, and that "Let apps access your microphone" is also toggled On.
  6. 6
    Scroll down to find your browser (e.g. Chrome, Edge, Firefox) in the list and ensure its toggle is also switched On.
Tip: After changing these settings, refresh this page and click Check Microphone again.
  1. 1
    Click the Start button, then open Settings (the gear icon above the power button).
  2. 2
    Go to Privacy → Microphone.
  3. 3
    Click "Change" and make sure "Microphone access for this device" is turned On.
  4. 4
    Below that, ensure "Allow apps to access your microphone" is toggled On.
  5. 5
    Scroll down to "Allow desktop apps to access your microphone" and toggle that On as well — this covers browsers like Chrome and Firefox.
  6. 6
    While you're here, also check Settings → System → Sound to confirm your microphone appears as the selected Input device and is not muted.
Tip: After changing these settings, refresh this page and click Check Microphone again.
  1. 1
    Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your taskbar) and select "Recording devices".
  2. 2
    In the Sound window, click the Recording tab. You should see your microphone listed here.
  3. 3
    If your microphone is not listed, right-click in an empty area of the list and tick "Show Disabled Devices" and "Show Disconnected Devices".
  4. 4
    Right-click your microphone and select "Enable" if it's not already enabled, then click "Set as Default Device".
  5. 5
    Double-click your microphone to open its properties. Go to the Levels tab and make sure the volume is turned up and it is not muted (the speaker icon next to the slider should not have an X on it).
  6. 6
    Click OK to save, then return to this page, refresh, and click Check Microphone.
Note: Windows 7 does not have app-level microphone privacy settings. If your microphone is enabled in Sound settings but still not working in your browser, try a different browser or check for browser-specific microphone permissions in its settings menu.