For any webinar or conference call, having your call tech in top-top shape ensures solid and clear communication. And to ensure crystal clear audio for your webinar, you need to know how to test microphones on Windows 10 and 11.
Studies show poor audio quality can become a credibility killer for a company. When people hear a garbled mess instead of crystal-clear audio, they also tend to think lowly of a speaker’s credibility. Even if there’s a video involved, lousy audio still puts a damper on things.
Plus, if audio quality takes a nosedive, listening becomes a struggle, causing your audience to tune out and possibly even leave the call.
That is why having a solid audio game should be a priority in your conference calls and webinars – and that begins with knowing how to test microphone. Windows 10 and 11 operating systems offer simple ways to do it.
In this article, you will learn:
- why it’s important to have a good microphone setup
- a step-by-step guide on how to test microphones on Windows 10 and 11
- a quick troubleshooting guide for the most common Windows microphone issues
The Importance of a Good Microphone Setup
Your microphone is an essential part of your audio toolkit. Whether it’s your basic computer mic, a fancy external one, or even a mic-packed device, it can shape how your audio sounds — from that annoying echo to the dreaded tin-can vibe.
However, there are plenty of ways that your input device can go awry. You might start hearing echoes when the host talks, which happens when your computer’s speakers are making noise and your microphone is picking it up.
There might also be some annoying background ambient noise, messing up your event’s sound quality and driving your attendees up the wall. Sometimes, you can’t even hear the person speaking. At other times, the sound may become too spotty due to a sluggish internet connection.
Hence, testing and troubleshooting your microphone before your conference or webinar is essential. Here’s how to test audio devices on Windows 10 and 11.
Microphone Testing in Windows 10
Before you start mic-checking, ensure your microphone is compatible with your PC. If it’s a Bluetooth microphone, pair it with your PC first. If you’re using a USB mic, check the ports — they should be in good shape, and the cables must be plugged in.
Once your mic’s connected to your PC, right-click the speaker icon and select the Sound settings. In the Sound menu, you should spot your mic listed under “Input.” If it’s not already the chosen one, make it your default mic.
Then, do the following steps for testing your microphone on Windows 10:
- Open Settings. Do this by pressing the Windows key + I.
- In the Settings app, navigate to the “System” section and click “Sound.”
- In the “Sound” menu, focus on the “Input” settings. Look for the blue bar that comes to life when you talk into your mic or any recording gadget hooked up.
- If the blue bar doesn’t move when you speak on your mic, click “Troubleshoot” to let your computer diagnose and fix the problem.
Microphone Testing in Windows 11
If you’re using Windows 11, know it has a built-in tool for the microphone test. Simply do the following steps to test your microphone:
- Click on the Start menu, then click “Settings.”
- In Settings, go to “System,” and from there, go straight to “Sound.”
- Find your microphone in the “Input” section and click on it.
- Look at your mic’s properties by clicking the “Properties” menu. There’s a slider for input volume; drag the input volume slider upwards or downwards to get your volume just right. Also, make sure the audio format settings are to your liking.
- Hit the “Start test” button.
- Chat into your microphone for a few seconds, then press “Stop test.”
If your mic’s on point, you’ll see a result percentage next to “Start test.” The resulting value should be around 75%. If you’re coming in low, just increase the input volume settings.
Troubleshooting Your Microphone Issues
A bunch of stuff can make your Windows 11 microphone act up. But before you dive into troubleshooting, start with the basics, especially if you’re using a wired mic.
Here are the things you can do to make your microphone work:
- Double-check that the mic is snugly plugged into your PC. There is no need to go down the rabbit hole of other fixes when all you need is a good old connection check before hitting the recording tab.
- Check if your mic is muted in the microphone settings.
- If it’s still not working, install Windows updates. Make sure you’re running the latest version of your operating system.
- Install the latest microphone driver using the microphone setup wizard. You might need to use an updated one.
- Make sure you’re using the right mic as the active input device. Enable it under Windows settings and set it as the default device.
- Run the Windows 11 troubleshooter.
- Restart Windows Services or services.msc.
Follow the steps above to get clear and reliable audio in your online meetings and webinars. Using the correct microphone and performing a mic test can be instrumental in delivering a professional and engaging webinar experience to your audience.
