How to Test Your Webcam and Microphone Before a Call

Five minutes before an interview is the wrong time to discover your camera shows a black screen. Here's how to check both camera and microphone quickly, and what to do when something isn't working.

Test your webcam

1. Open the webcam test and click Start. Your browser asks for camera permission; allow it.
2. You'll see the live picture along with the actual resolution and frame rate. Cameras often deliver less than their box promises, especially in low light, where many drop to 15 fps.
3. If you have several cameras (built-in and USB), switch between them in the device list.
4. Try higher resolutions to see what your camera really supports, and take a snapshot to check sharpness and color.

The video stays on your device. Nothing is recorded or uploaded.

Test your microphone

1. Open the microphone test, click Start and allow microphone access.
2. Speak at your normal volume. The level meter should move clearly.
3. Record a short clip and play it back. This is the best way to hear echo, room noise or a muffled sound.
4. Toggle noise suppression and echo cancellation to hear what your browser's processing does.

What a good level looks like

• Peaks around −12 to −6 dBFS while speaking: good.
• Barely moving below −30 dBFS: the mic is too quiet, too far away, or the wrong input is selected.
• Hitting 0 dBFS / clipping: too loud. Lower the input gain in your system settings.

When the camera isn't found

Work through these in order:

1. Another app is using it. Close Zoom, Teams, Discord, OBS or the Camera app, then reload the page.
2. Browser permission. Click the camera icon or lock icon in the address bar and allow camera access for the site.
3. System privacy settings.
   • Windows 11: Settings → Privacy & security → Camera, and enable access for apps and desktop apps.
   • macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, and enable your browser.
4. Physical switch. Some laptops have a privacy shutter or a function key (often F8 or F10) that disables the camera.
5. USB. Try another port, preferably directly on the computer instead of a hub.

When the microphone is silent

1. Check that the right input is selected in the test, since headsets often add a second microphone.
2. Check browser permission as above.
3. Windows: Settings → System → Sound → Input, choose the device and check its volume.
4. macOS: System Settings → Sound → Input, choose the device and watch the input level.
5. A muted headset: many have a mute button on the cable or earcup.

Don't forget the speakers

If people can't hear you well, it's the mic. If you can't hear them, test output with the speaker test: it plays left and right channels separately so you can also spot swapped or dead headphone sides.

A 60-second checklist before important calls

• Camera shows the right device, framed at eye level, with light in front of you, not behind.
• Mic level peaks well above −30 dB without touching 0 dB.
• Recorded clip sounds clear, without echo.
• Other video apps are closed.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my camera look worse in video calls than in the test? Calling apps reduce resolution and bitrate to save bandwidth, often to 720p or lower. The test shows what the camera delivers; the call shows what the app sends.