Guide · Sound Test
How to test your speakers and headphones
Updated · 6 min read
No sound, one dead ear or a crackle at high volume: all of these are quicker to diagnose with a test tone than with a song you know well. This guide explains how to test speakers and headphones in the browser, what to listen for, and how to fix the most common audio problems.
Try the sound test nowFree, runs in your browser, nothing uploaded.Run a speaker and headphone test
Open the online sound test and play the left and right channel tones in turn.
- Set your system volume to a moderate level first, never to maximum.
- Play the left channel. You should hear it only from the left speaker or earcup.
- Play the right channel and check it comes from the right only.
- Play both channels together and confirm the sound appears centred between them.
What a channel test tells you
If the left tone comes from the right side, the channels are reversed, which usually points to wiring or a wrong setting. If one side is silent, the fault is a connector, a cable, a balance setting or a failed driver. If both sides work but one is clearly quieter, check the balance slider in your system sound settings and look for debris in the earbud mesh.
Fix no sound at all
Work from the outside in, because the cause is often the simplest one.
- Check the volume and that nothing is muted, including the browser tab.
- Make sure the correct output device is selected in the system sound settings and in the browser. Bluetooth headphones and HDMI monitors often take over as the default.
- Reseat the plug or reconnect the Bluetooth device, and test with a different cable.
- Try another app or browser to find out whether the problem is system-wide or limited to one program.
- Restart the device. Audio drivers occasionally stop responding until they are reloaded.
Fix crackling, hiss and distortion
Crackle that appears only at higher volume often means the source or speaker is overloaded: turn the volume down and raise it on the amplifier instead. Crackle when you move the cable points to a worn plug. A constant hiss that changes with volume usually comes from a poor connection or a noisy power source, so try a different port or a different power adapter.
Protect your hearing
Test at a low volume and raise it slowly. Headphones put the sound directly next to the ear, so a sudden loud tone can be painful and harmful. If you are testing a pair for the first time, take them off your head while you set the level.
Test your microphone as well
A headset has two jobs. Once the sound test passes, run the mic test to check the microphone on the same device, because they can fail independently.
FAQ
Common questions
How do I test my headphones for left and right?
Use the sound test and play the left channel, then the right. Each tone should come only from the matching earcup.
Why is only one side of my headphones working?
The usual causes are a worn cable or plug, a loose Bluetooth connection, a balance setting pushed to one side, or a damaged driver.
Why do my speakers crackle?
Crackling can come from overloaded volume, a loose or damaged cable, a dirty jack or a driver problem. Lower the volume and try a different cable or port.
Does the sound test work with Bluetooth speakers?
Yes. The test plays through whichever output your device is using, so connect the speaker first and select it as the output.