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HearMyMic
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Xbox mic test

Check that your Xbox headset mic works, on the console and off it. Start with the quick test below, then follow the console steps.

Microphone test

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Your audio never leaves your device.

Your mic is working

Listening…

–∞ dB

WaitingSay something at your normal speaking volume.

Something went wrong

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Record and play back

Hear exactly how you sound to others.

Your recording will show up here.

Hear yourself live

Plays your mic through your speakers or headphones.

Use headphones to avoid feedback. Speakers can cause a loud squeal.

Your microphone

Microphone
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Sample rate
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Channels
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Echo cancellation
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Noise suppression
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Auto gain control
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Estimated latency
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Level
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Results are approximate. They show what your browser reports, and can differ from what another app or the people on your call hear.

Two places to test an Xbox headset

An Xbox headset can fail in two different places: the headset itself, or the console’s settings. The test above covers the first. Plug the same headset into a computer or phone, run the test, and if the meter moves, the microphone is fine and the problem is on the console.

On the console there’s no dedicated mic test button, but there are two reliable checks: start a party chat by yourself and watch whether the console hears you, and use mic monitoring to hear your own voice in the headset. Both are below. Menu names shift a little between system updates, so if a label looks different, use the search or the closest match in the same menu.

How to test your mic on Xbox

  1. Test the headset on a computer first

    A wired headset with a 3.5 mm plug works in most laptops’ headset jack, and USB headsets work in any USB port. Press “Test my mic” above. If the meter moves, the headset’s microphone works. Some wireless Xbox headsets only pair with the console, so skip this step for those.

  2. Connect it and check every mute switch

    On the console, push the headset plug fully into the controller, or connect the wireless adapter. Look for a mute switch or button on the headset and on any in-line control. A mic muted in hardware is the most common reason nobody hears you.

  3. Start a party by yourself

    Press the Xbox button, open Party & chats, and start a party. Speak normally. The indicator next to your gamertag should react when the console picks you up. If it stays still, the console isn’t receiving audio from the mic.

  4. Use mic monitoring to hear yourself

    Open Settings, then General, then Volume & audio output, and find Mic monitoring. Raise it until you can hear your own voice in the headset. Lower it again if you notice an echo.

  5. Check privacy and chat settings

    Open Settings, then Account, then Privacy & online safety, and make sure voice communication isn’t blocked. If you’re on a child account, a parent may need to allow it.

Questions and answers

How do I test my mic on Xbox One?

Start a party chat by yourself and speak. Watch the indicator next to your gamertag, which reacts when the console hears you. You can also turn up Mic monitoring under Settings, General, Volume & audio output to hear your own voice through the headset.

Is testing a mic the same on Xbox Series X and Series S?

Yes, the steps are the same on Xbox One, Series X and Series S. The Xbox button guide, Party & chats and the audio settings are all there on every model, though a few labels have moved between system updates.

Why can’t anyone hear me in Xbox party chat?

Check the headset’s own mute switch first, then make sure the plug is fully seated or the wireless adapter is connected. After that, look at your privacy settings for voice communication and check that the party’s audio output is going to the headset. If it still fails, test the headset on a computer to find out whether the headset or the console is at fault.

Can I use this website to test my Xbox’s microphone?

Not the console itself. The test above runs on a computer or phone. It can check a headset that plugs into either one, which tells you whether the headset is working, but the console’s own settings need the steps on this page.

How do I hear myself in my headset on Xbox?

Turn up Mic monitoring under Settings, General, Volume & audio output. It sends a little of your microphone back into your ears so you don’t shout over closed headphones. If you hear an echo, turn it down.

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