How to Test Your Mic on Windows 10

Open the input settings

Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar and choose Open Sound settings, or open Settings, System, Sound.

Under Input, open Choose your input device and pick your mic. An XLR mic is listed under its interface's name.

Watch Test your microphone

Talk at your normal chat volume and watch the Test your microphone bar under the input device. It should move with your voice and fall back when you stop.

If it doesn't move, check the mute switch on the mic or headset and the cable, then select Device properties and make sure the device isn't disabled and its volume isn't at zero.

To hear what you sound like, record a clip with our mic test .

Set the level

In Device properties, set the volume so a normal sentence fills most of the bar without hitting the end. If the mic has its own gain knob, set that first and leave Windows near the middle.

Mic not in the list?

Try another USB port directly on the computer. Then open Settings, Privacy, Microphone and turn on Allow apps to access your microphone and Allow desktop apps to access your microphone.

If it is still missing, the Troubleshoot button under Input runs Windows' own check.

• Mic still not detected in Windows

Works here but not in your app?

Pick the same mic in the app itself, Discord's Voice & Video settings or the game's audio menu, and use that app's own test. Windows' default device doesn't decide what an app uses once the app has its own choice saved.

• Discord mic check