How to test your speakers or headphones
- Lower your volume, then press Left. You should hear a pulsing tone only from the left speaker or earcup.
- Press Right and check the sound moves to the right side.
- If left and right are swapped, your headphones may be on backwards, or the cable or audio settings are reversed.
- Use the frequency slider or sweep to check for rattles, buzzing or dead ranges.
No sound? Try this
- Check the speaker icon in the taskbar isn't muted and the right output device is selected.
- On laptops, check the volume or mute keys (often Fn + F1 to F3).
- Make sure this browser tab isn't muted. Right-click the tab to check.
- Update the audio driver (Realtek, Intel SST, etc.) from your laptop maker's support site.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my left and right speakers are working?
Press Left and Right above. The sound should come only from the matching side. If both sides play, check that mono audio is turned off in your accessibility settings.
Why can't I hear the high frequencies?
Hearing range shrinks with age, and most adults can't hear above 15–17 kHz. Small speakers also struggle with very high and very low frequencies.
Is the bass test safe for my speakers?
At moderate volume, yes. Avoid playing loud low tones on small laptop speakers for a long time, as it can make them rattle.
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