How to test your speakers
- Turn your volume down first, then press Left. You should only hear sound on the left side.
- Press Right. Sound should only come from the right side.
- Press Both to confirm both sides play together and sound balanced.
- Try the Frequency sweep to hear the range from deep bass to very high treble.
What to look for
If left and right are reversed, your headphones may be on backwards or your audio cables may be swapped. If one side is silent, check the cable, the balance slider in your system sound settings, and try a different device to rule out the source.
During the sweep, most speakers fade out at the very low and very high ends. Laptop speakers often cannot play deep bass at all. Most adults stop hearing the sweep somewhere between 14 kHz and 17 kHz, which is normal.
Troubleshooting
No sound at all
Make sure the correct output device is selected, the system volume is up, and the browser tab is not muted. On some phones, the silent switch also mutes web audio.
Sound comes from both sides on Left or Right
Mono audio may be turned on in your accessibility settings. On Windows and Mac, search settings for "mono audio" and turn it off.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which earbud is left?
Most earbuds and headphones are marked L and R. Press Left on this page and the side you hear is your left channel.
Why is one side quieter?
Check the left and right balance slider in your sound settings. If it is centered, the speaker, earbud or cable may be failing.
Is the frequency sweep safe for my speakers?
Yes at normal volume. Start low. Very high volume on very low frequencies can stress small speakers.
Does this test surround sound?
No, this tests stereo left and right channels.