Sound Output & Frequency
    Audio · Left & right

    Left right audio test

    Play a tone in the left channel, then the right. Each should come only from that side, so you can find swapped channels and a dead earbud or speaker.

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    Video call check

    Step 3 of 4 · Make sure people can see and hear you before the meeting.

    1. 1Microphone test
    2. 2Webcam test
    3. 3Sound test
    4. 4Network test
    Next: Network test

    Headphone & hearing check

    Step 2 of 4 · Channels, frequency response, your hearing range and the room's noise level.

    1. 1Left right audio test
    2. 2Sound test
    3. 3Hearing range test
    4. 4Decibel meter
    Next: Hearing range test

    About the left right audio test

    Updated

    Headphones worn the wrong way round, a swapped speaker cable or a broken channel are hard to notice in music but obvious in games and films. The left right audio test plays a tone through the left channel only, the right channel only, or both, and lets you pan smoothly between them. The tone is generated in your browser, so nothing is streamed, and you can change its pitch if one is easier to hear.

    How to use it

    1. Turn your volume down before you start.
    2. Play the tone on the left channel. You should hear it only in your left ear or speaker.
    3. Switch to the right channel and check it moves completely to the right.
    4. Use the balance control to pan slowly across and listen for a dropout.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why do I hear the left tone on the right?

    Your headphones are on the wrong way round, or your speaker cables are swapped. Check the L and R markings on the headphones, and on desktop speakers swap the plugs at the back.

    Why do I hear both tones in both ears?

    Mono audio is switched on. On Windows 11 turn off Mono audio in Settings > Accessibility > Audio. On a Mac turn off "Play stereo audio as mono" in System Settings > Accessibility > Audio.

    Why is one side quieter?

    Your system balance may be off-centre, or one driver may be failing. Check the balance in your sound settings, then swap the headphones round: if the quiet side follows the earcup, the headphones are faulty.