Hear Your Mic in Windows: Listen to This Device

Open the Recording tab

In Windows 11, open Settings, System, Sound, then More sound settings. In Windows 10, open Settings, System, Sound, then Sound Control Panel. Either way the old Sound window opens: choose the Recording tab.

Turn on Listen to this device

Select your mic, press Properties and open the Listen tab. Tick Listen to this device, choose your headphones under Playback through this device, and press Apply. You now hear yourself.

Headphones only. On speakers, your voice comes out, goes back into the mic and loops into a squeal.

Why your voice sounds late

The sound goes into the computer, through Windows and back out, and each step adds a few milliseconds. Many people find that echo distracting while talking. A mic's own headphone jack or a headset's sidetone sends your voice straight to your ears with no computer in the way.

Measure your own setup's round trip with the delay test .

• Hear yourself without delay

Turn it off when you're done

Untick Listen to this device and press Apply. Leaving it on can double your voice if your mic also monitors you, and some chat apps then pick your own voice up twice.