How to check your PC before a video call

Your video call starts soon, but you are not sure the camera, microphone or speakers will work. A quick check now can catch a muted mic, a blocked permission or an unstable connection before other people are waiting.

Start with Test Everything to check your PC step by step and get a report. Then test any problem component on its own and confirm that the video call app is using the same devices.

Check your PC before the call

1. Open Test Everything and work through the tests. Follow any prompts for camera or microphone access, and note anything that does not respond as expected.
2. Check the camera and mic separately if needed. Use Camera Test to check the live preview, and Microphone Test to speak and watch the input meter.
3. Check the sound output with Speaker Test. Make sure you can hear sound through the headphones or speakers you plan to use for the call.
4. Check the connection with Connection Stability. Let it run for a few minutes, especially if calls often freeze or drop out on this network.
5. Open your video call app and confirm its selected camera, microphone and speaker. A browser test can show that a device works, but the app may be set to use a different one.

For a more realistic check, sit where you will take the call, use the headset or speakers you plan to use, and speak at your normal volume. Keep the room quiet while you test so you can hear problems clearly.

What the results mean

The camera preview appears normally

The browser can access a camera and show its image. This does not guarantee the call app has permission or is using that camera. Check the app's video settings and confirm that the preview appears there too.

The microphone meter moves when you speak

The browser is receiving audio. In Microphone Test, the status may change to Sound detected. Record five seconds and play it back if you need to check whether your voice is clear, too quiet or distorted. Then check the input selected in the call app.

The speakers play sound clearly

Your selected audio output can play sound. If the test is silent, check the operating system's output selection and volume, then test again with the headset or speakers you will actually use.

Connection Stability shows interruptions

Lost requests or repeated changes in response time can point to an inconsistent connection. A speed result alone does not guarantee a smooth call: calls also need a steady connection with low delay and few interruptions. If possible, compare Wi-Fi with a wired connection or move closer to the router.

A test works, but the call app still has a problem

The device may be working while the app has the wrong device selected, lacks permission, or has its own mute setting turned on. Check the app's audio and video settings before assuming the hardware is faulty.

How to fix common problems

1. Check mute and volume controls. Look for a mute switch on the headset cable, microphone or keyboard, and check the call app's mute control. Raise the system volume and make sure the app is not playing sound to a disconnected headset.
2. Allow camera and microphone access in the browser. Select the site controls beside the address bar and allow camera and microphone access for TooLab. Reload the test page and grant permission when asked. If access is blocked for the call app's website, allow it there too.
3. Allow access in your computer settings. On Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Camera and Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone. Turn on access for the device and for desktop apps. On macOS, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera and System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone, then allow your browser and call app.
4. Select the right camera and microphone. Windows 11 has camera options under Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Cameras, and input devices under Settings › System › Sound. On macOS, check System Settings › Sound › Input for the microphone, and System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera for camera access. Choose the intended devices inside the call app as well.
5. Choose the right speaker output. On Windows 11, go to Settings › System › Sound and select the output device. On macOS, open System Settings › Sound › Output. If the call app has its own output selector, check that too.
6. Close apps that may be using the devices. Quit other meeting, recording or camera apps, then reopen the call app. Some devices or apps may not share the camera or microphone cleanly.
7. Improve the connection. Pause large downloads and cloud uploads, move closer to the Wi-Fi router, or connect by Ethernet if available. Restart the router only if other devices also have connection trouble.
8. Restart the browser or PC. If permissions and device choices look right but the test still fails, restart the browser first. Restart the computer if the device remains unavailable.

What a browser check cannot confirm

A browser test cannot guarantee that a particular meeting app is configured correctly, or that your connection will stay stable for the entire call. The app may use different devices or apply its own noise reduction, echo cancellation or volume controls. Make a short test call with the same app when you can, and check your camera preview and microphone playback there.

Camera and microphone tests ask for permission before accessing those devices. The microphone test's short recording stays on your device. Connection tests exchange test data with a server to measure how the network responds.