How to test your speakers and headphones
This sound test uses tones generated in your browser, so there is nothing to download and no audio files are involved. It works for stereo speakers, laptop speakers, a soundbar and any pair of headphones.
- Lower the volume. Start quiet and raise it slowly. High tones can be loud, especially on headphones.
- Press Left, then Right. You should hear a short chime only on the matching side, and the large L or R lights up. Press Both to hear it centred, as in a normal stereo test.
- Run the frequency sweep. Press "Play sweep" and listen as the tone climbs from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Press Stop when you can no longer hear it and note the frequency on screen.
- Fix what sounds wrong. If a side is missing, swapped or the sound feels flat, use the checks below.
Speaker and headphone troubleshooting
Most left and right problems come from settings or cables, not from broken drivers. Work through these in order.
Left and right swapped
If the left test plays on your right ear, first check the headphones: the L and R marks are usually on the earcups or the band. A reversed mark on the cup is common. Then check the cable and the plug, since a damaged jack can swap or drop a channel. On a PC with speakers, make sure the left speaker is really on your left and the cables match. Finally look in your sound settings for a channel or balance option that may be reversed.
Sound on one side only
First try another device, such as your phone, to see whether the headphones or the computer is at fault. Clean the plug and reseat it fully, because lint in a phone socket often blocks one channel. Check the balance slider (see below) and any mono or app-specific audio setting. If the sound is missing on every device, the cable or one driver is probably damaged.
Bluetooth headphones: codec and call mode
Bluetooth sound quality depends on the codec, such as SBC, AAC or LDAC, and on latency: a short delay is normal, but it can make a chime feel late. When an app uses the headset microphone, many headsets switch to a low-quality "hands-free" mode that is often mono and sounds thin. If a Bluetooth test is only on one side or sounds muffled, close calling apps, pick the stereo or "headphones" output in your sound settings, and reconnect.
Mono audio accessibility setting
Both sides sound the same if mono audio is on. Turn it off on Windows 11 under Settings > Accessibility > Audio (on Windows 10: Settings > Ease of Access > Audio), on macOS under System Settings > Accessibility > Audio, on iPhone and iPad under Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual, and on Android under Settings > Accessibility > Audio adjustment. Mono audio is useful for people who hear better on one side, but it will fail any left and right test.
Balance settings on Windows and Mac
On Windows 11 open Settings > System > Sound, choose your device and check that the left and right levels match. On Windows 10 use the Sound control panel, then Properties > Levels > Balance. On a Mac open System Settings > Sound > Output, select your device and centre the Balance slider. Also close equalizer or spatial sound apps that can change the channels.
Test your microphone too
Hearing is only half of a call. Try the online mic test to check your input level and background noise.
Frequently asked questions
Is the speaker test free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account and generates every sound in your browser, so nothing is recorded or uploaded.
Why does the sweep sound quiet at the very low and very high ends?
Human hearing is least sensitive at very low and very high pitches, and many speakers and headphones cannot reproduce them well. A quiet start and end is normal, so the exact point where you lose the tone is what matters.
What is a normal result for the frequency sweep?
Most healthy adults hear up to about 15 to 17 kHz, and the limit falls with age. Most speakers play the lowest tones poorly, so not hearing 20 Hz does not mean there is a fault.
Can I use this as a stereo test for a TV or soundbar?
Yes. Play the sound from the device connected to the TV or soundbar and use Left, Right and Both to confirm that each side works and is wired correctly.
Why do I hear nothing at all?
Check that the volume and system output device are correct, that the tab is not muted, and try the output menu on this page if your browser offers it. On iPhone or iPad, turn off silent mode (the ring/silent switch or Action button). On Bluetooth devices, make sure they are connected as headphones.