How to tell which microphone your PC is using
See which microphone your PC sends sound from, compare connected mics in a browser test, and fix the wrong input in Windows or an app.
You may have a built-in laptop mic, a headset, and a USB microphone connected at the same time. If people hear the wrong one, or no sound at all, it can be hard to tell which microphone your PC is actually using.
There may be more than one answer: Windows has a default input, while a calling app or browser can use a different one. The Microphone Test lets you choose each available microphone and check which one picks up your voice.
Check which microphone is active
- Open the Microphone Test and press Start microphone.
- When your browser asks for access, allow the microphone. If you have more than one, open the microphone list and choose the one you want to check.
- Speak at a normal volume. Watch the signal meter and waveform. The status should change to Sound detected when the selected microphone picks up sound.
- Choose another microphone from the list and repeat the check. If you are unsure which physical device matches a name, speak close to one microphone at a time and compare the meter.
- Use Record 5 seconds and play the recording if you need to hear which mic is capturing your voice.
The test shows which input the browser is receiving from the selected device. It does not prove that another app is using that same input. Check the microphone setting inside the app where you are having trouble.
What the result means
The meter moves only for one microphone
That is the input picking up your voice in this test. If you want another microphone, select it in the test and check that it also produces a signal. Then choose the same device in the app you want to use.
The meter moves, but you hear the wrong microphone in the recording
The selected input is not the one you expected, or another microphone is closer to you and picking up your voice. Compare devices one at a time, speaking close to each one. A short recording can make this easier than judging the meter alone.
No microphone picks up your voice
The browser may be blocked from using the microphone, the selected input may be muted, or the PC may not detect the device. Check the fixes below, then test again.
The test works, but a call app uses another microphone
The microphone works in the browser, but the app may have its own input selection. Open the app's audio or device settings and choose the same microphone that worked in the test. Do not assume an app follows Windows' default input.
How to make the right microphone the default
- Check the app's input first. In the calling, recording, or game app, open its audio settings and select the microphone you want. If it offers a test meter, speak and make sure it responds.
- Choose the Windows input. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Sound. Under Input, select the microphone you want Windows to use, then speak and check its input level. Apps that follow the Windows default should use this device.
- Allow microphone access. On Windows 11, go to Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone. Turn on Microphone access and Let desktop apps access your microphone. Also check the permission icon beside the browser's address bar and allow microphone access for the test page.
- Check for a mute switch. Look for a mute button on the headset, microphone, cable, or keyboard. Some headsets mute when you raise the microphone boom. Unmute it and test again.
- Reconnect the device. Unplug a USB microphone and connect it to another port. For a Bluetooth headset, check that it is connected and selected as the input, not only as the output for sound.
- Close other audio apps. Quit calling and recording apps, then try the test again. Some apps can keep the microphone busy or make it difficult to switch inputs. Restart the browser if the selected device does not change.
- Restart the PC. If Windows still does not list a connected microphone, restart the computer and check Settings › System › Sound again.
On a Mac, open System Settings › Sound › Input to see and select the system input. To allow the browser to use it, go to System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and enable your browser. You may still need to choose the microphone separately in a calling app.
Why the browser and Windows can show different microphones
Windows has a default input, but software can use a different one. A browser can also have access to several inputs, and the microphone selected for a test page may not match the one selected in a separate app. Treat each selection as its own setting: choose the device in Windows, then confirm the input in the app that needs it.
Microphone names can be vague, especially when several devices come from the same headset or computer. Compare them by selecting each one and speaking close to it. The Microphone Test also shows details such as the device name, sample rate, channels, and latency, which can help distinguish inputs.
The test asks for microphone permission and runs in your browser. The short recording stays on your device, nothing you record is uploaded.
