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Troubleshooting guide

Mic Not Working? Fix It Step by Step

Run the test first: it shows within seconds whether the browser, the system settings or the device is the problem. Then follow the steps for your setup.

Press Start, then choose Allow when your browser asks to use the microphone.

Private by design. Audio is processed locally in your browser and never uploaded. There is no server for audio, nothing is recorded unless you press Record, and recordings are never stored: they live in this tab’s memory until you delete them or leave the page. Privacy

Quick checks (1 minute)

  • Muted? If you use a headset, make sure the mute switch on the cord or earcup is off, and that you are not muted in the website or call app.
  • Connected? Make sure the microphone or headset is plugged in properly. For a Bluetooth headset, make sure it is paired and connected.
  • Right device? Choose your microphone in the “Microphone” list in the test above and watch the device name.
  • Another app? Close call, recording or streaming apps that could be holding the microphone, then press Start again.

Sources: Google Chrome Help and Microsoft Support (see below).

1. Allow the microphone in your browser

The test shows these steps automatically when the browser blocks the mic. Open yours here:

Chrome (computer)
  1. Open Chrome menu More (three dots) > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings.
  2. Under “Permissions” choose Microphone.
  3. If testthemic.app is listed under “Not allowed to use your camera or microphone”, select it and change Microphone to Allow. (Or select the delete icon next to it so Chrome asks again.)
  4. Reload this page and press Start.

Source: Google Chrome Help, read October 10, 2026.

Edge
  1. Open Settings and more (three dots) > Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Microphone.
  2. Make sure Ask before accessing (recommended) is turned on. If it is off, Edge blocks microphone access.
  3. Check that this site is not on the Block list. You can also go to Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All sites, select the site and set Microphone to Allow.
  4. Reload this page and press Start.

Sources: Microsoft Support (Edge site permissions; Teams on the web), read October 10, 2026.

Firefox
  1. With this page open, press Ctrl+I (Windows/Linux) or Command+I (Mac) to open Page Info, then select Permissions.
  2. Next to Use the Microphone, untick Use Default and choose Allow.
  3. Reload this page and press Start.

Source: Mozilla Support, Page Info window, read October 10, 2026.

Safari (Mac)
  1. In Safari choose Safari > Settings, then click Websites.
  2. Select Microphone in the list on the left.
  3. Next to testthemic.app choose Ask or Allow (not Deny).
  4. Reload this page and press Start.

Source: Apple Support, read October 10, 2026.

iPhone and iPad (Safari)
  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari, tap Microphone and choose Ask or Allow.
  2. For this site only: open it in Safari, tap the page menu in the address bar, tap Website Settings and change the Microphone setting.
  3. Reload this page and press Start.

Source: Apple Support, read October 10, 2026. Menu names can differ on older iOS versions.

Android (Chrome)
  1. In Chrome tap More > Settings > Site settings > Microphone.
  2. Choose Sites can ask for your microphone or camera. If this site is listed under Blocked, tap it and choose Allow.
  3. If the microphone is off for the whole phone or for Chrome in Android’s own settings, turn it on there (the menu names depend on your phone).
  4. Reload this page and press Start.

Source: Google Chrome Help (Android), read October 10, 2026.

2. Check your computer’s settings

Windows 11

  1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and make sure Microphone access is on.
  2. Make sure Let apps access your microphone is on. Then make sure Let desktop apps access your microphone is on: browsers are desktop apps and cannot be switched on one by one.
  3. Go to Settings > System > Sound. Under Input, in “Choose a device for speaking or recording”, select your microphone.
  4. To test it in Windows, select the arrow to the right of the device, then Start test under “Microphone test”, speak, Stop test and play the recorded sample.
  5. Still nothing? Under Settings > System > Sound, scroll to Advanced and run the Input devices troubleshooter. If Windows does not detect the microphone at all, Microsoft describes reinstalling the audio drivers in Device Manager (Sound, video and game controllers).

Sources: Microsoft Support “Fix microphone problems” and “Turn on app permissions for your microphone in Windows”, read October 10, 2026. Windows 10 uses Settings > Privacy > Microphone with “Allow apps to access your microphone” and “Allow desktop apps to access your microphone”.

Mac

  1. Quit the browser. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Privacy & Security and Microphone.
  2. Turn on the setting for your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox…). Safari is controlled per website: see the Safari steps above.
  3. Open the browser again and press Start.
  4. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Sound, click Input and select the device you want to use. Drag the Input volume slider if the level is too low or too high.

Sources: Apple Support “If you can’t record audio from an external source on Mac” and “Change the sound input settings on Mac”, read October 10, 2026. These steps are for macOS Ventura and later.

Chromebook

Google’s Chrome Help links to separate Chromebook steps for checking the system microphone (see the Chrome source below). A dedicated Chromebook guide is planned.

3. Still not working?

  1. Leave the call or tab, rejoin, and restart the browser.
  2. Restart the computer.
  3. Try the microphone in a different browser or on another computer to see if the device itself is faulty.
  4. Contact the microphone’s manufacturer for troubleshooting or compatibility issues.

Source: Google Chrome Help, steps 4 and 5 of “Fix problems with your microphone”.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my browser say the microphone is blocked?

Either you chose Block (or closed the prompt) earlier, or a setting for the site, the browser or the whole device denies it. Open the site settings of your browser (steps in the test box above) and set Microphone to Allow for this site.

The meter does not move but there is no error. Why?

Often the wrong input is selected, the microphone or headset is muted (some headsets have a mute switch on the cord), or the system input volume is turned all the way down. Select the right device in the list and check the system sound settings below.

“Could not start the microphone”: what does that mean?

The browser could open no audio input. Another app, such as a call or recording app, may be using the mic, or the device is disabled in the system. Close the other app and press Start again.

Do I have to restart my computer?

Not at first. Google’s own help lists, as the last steps, to leave and rejoin the call, restart the browser, and then restart the computer. Try them in that order.

More microphone help

Sources

  1. Google Chrome Help: Use your camera and microphone in Chrome (desktop). https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2693767
  2. Google Chrome Help: Use your camera and microphone in Chrome (Android). https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2693767?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en
  3. Microsoft Support: Windows camera, microphone, and privacy (Microsoft Edge site permissions). https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/windows-camera-microphone-and-privacy
  4. Microsoft Support: Troubleshoot device features in Microsoft Teams on the web (Edge: Cookies and site permissions, “Ask before accessing”). https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/troubleshooting/troubleshoot-device-features-in-microsoft-teams-on-the-web
  5. Mozilla Support: Firefox Page Info window (Permissions: Use the Microphone). https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-page-info-window
  6. Apple Support: Change Websites settings in Safari on Mac. https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/customize-settings-per-website-ibrwe2159f50/mac
  7. Apple Support: Browse the web privately in Safari on iPhone (section “Control privacy and security settings for Safari”). https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphb01fc3c85/ios
  8. Microsoft Support: Fix microphone problems (Windows 11 and Windows 10). https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-microphone-problems-5f230348-106d-bfa4-1db5-336f35576011
  9. Microsoft Support: Turn on app permissions for your microphone in Windows. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/turn-on-app-permissions-for-your-microphone-in-windows
  10. Apple Support: If you can’t record audio from an external source on Mac (Privacy & Security > Microphone). https://support.apple.com/en-us/102071
  11. Apple Support: Change the sound input settings on Mac. https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-the-sound-input-settings-mchlp2567/mac

Read and checked: October 10, 2026. Vendors change their menus, so if a name differs on your device, use the vendor page above. Found a mistake? Email info@testthemic.app.