Speaker Test
Play a test sound to check that your speakers, laptop or headphones work, then fix no-sound problems on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android.
Volume warning: test tones start quiet. Raise the volume slowly. Loud tones, especially bass and high frequencies, can damage speakers and hearing.
How to test
- 01Turn your volume to about a third.
- 02Press a test sound. You should hear it straight away.
- 03Play the left and right sounds to check each side.
- 04No sound? Follow the fixes for your device below.
What it checks
Whether sound reaches the output you expect, whether both sides play, and whether anything buzzes or crackles. The chime is a short, easy-to-recognise arpeggio; the noise covers the whole frequency range, so rattles and dead drivers are easier to hear.
The usual reasons for no sound
- The sound is going to a different device: headphones, a monitor's built-in speakers over HDMI, or a Bluetooth speaker in the next room.
- It's muted at one of three levels: the system volume, the app's own volume, or the browser tab.
- A Bluetooth device connected in the background is holding the audio.
- The audio driver needs reinstalling (on Windows) after an update.
Tips
- Start at about a third of the volume and raise it slowly.
- Play left and right separately to catch a dead side, then use the Left Right Audio Test for wiring and phase.
- A rattle at one volume, but not at others, is usually something loose nearby rather than the speaker.
What your result means
You hear every sound clearly
Your speakers and output work.
Check stereo placement with the Left Right Audio Test.
No sound at all
The sound is going to the wrong device, or it's muted.
Follow the fixes below.
Only one side plays
A balance setting, a cable, or one speaker has failed.
Use the Left Right Audio Test to narrow it down.
Crackling, buzzing or rattling
A loose connection, a damaged speaker, or something rattling nearby.
Lower the volume, reseat cables, and try another device.
How to fix it
Windows
- Click the speaker icon in the taskbar and check the volume isn't muted.
- Settings → System → Sound → Output: pick the right device.
- Open the Volume mixer and check your browser isn't muted.
- Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers: update or reinstall the audio driver.
Mac
- System Settings → Sound → Output: pick the right device.
- Check the volume and mute keys.
- Disconnect Bluetooth headphones that might be taking the sound.
iPhone and Android
- Turn off silent mode and raise the media volume, not the ringer.
- Turn Bluetooth off to make sure sound isn't going to headphones.
- Clean the speaker grille gently with a soft brush.
Browser
- Right-click the tab and check it isn't muted.
- Check the site's sound permission in the address bar.
Questions
Why is there no sound from my speakers?
Most often the sound is going to a different device (headphones, a monitor's speakers, a Bluetooth device), or it's muted somewhere: the system, the app, or the browser tab.
Can this test damage my speakers?
Not at normal volume. Test sounds start quiet; raise the volume gradually.
Does it work for Bluetooth speakers and headphones?
Yes. Connect them first, make them the output device, then play the test sounds.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The test runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you see, say or film is sent to us or stored anywhere.