Beginning an audio conversation only to discover that your headphones or microphone aren't working properly can be annoying, causing frustration for you and the person you're talking to. Check that your microphone and headphones are working properly before you begin using Windows' audio controls. Some Internet voice and video chat programs, such as Skype, also have an option to test your audio devices before a call. If there's no sound over your headphones or your microphone isn't picking up your voice, following some basic troubleshooting steps can help you quickly identify and fix the problem.
Test Using WindowsStep 1
Connect the microphone and headphones to the microphone and headphone sockets on your computer. These will be typically labeled with icons representing a microphone for the microphone socket and headphones for the headphones socket. If you're using headphones in place of speakers, connect your headphones to the line out socket. On a laptop or a set of speakers with a headphone socket, the headphone socket will be marked with an icon in the shape of a set of headphones. Some sockets and some headphone and microphone jacks are also color coded, usually green for headphones and the line out jack and pink for the microphone.
Launch your media player software. You can do this from the list of programs in the Start menu or from a desktop or taskbar icon associated with that particular program. Select the audio track you want to play from the media player's library. You can also double-click the audio track in Windows Explorer to launch your default media player and play the track automatically. You should hear the audio track through your headphones.
Turn on your microphone if the mic has an On button. Open the Start menu and then navigate to "Control Panel | Hardware and Sound | Sound." Select the "Recording" tab, select your microphone from the list of devices and then click "Properties."
Click the "Listen" tab and then check the "Listen to this device" check box. Click "OK" and then position your microphone so you can speak into it comfortably. Speak into your microphone. You should hear your own voice coming through the headphones. Open the Listen menu again, uncheck the "Listen to this device" box and then click "OK."
Test in Voice ChatStep 1
Launch a voice chat service that allows test calls, such as Skype. Log in with your username and password, if applicable.
Open the menu for sound levels. This will be slightly different depending on what service you're using, but is typically called something like Audio Settings and may be found under Tools. Make sure the headphones and microphone are enabled. Save your settings.
Activate the Test Call or similar feature. Typically you do this by selecting a dummy contact labeled Test Call or something similar from your contacts list, and then initiate a call. When you speak into the microphone, you should be able to hear your voice played back over the headphones.
- Alternative audio device such as an MP3 player (optional)
- Media player software such as Windows Media Player
- Audio file
- Voice chat program with a test call feature (optional)
- If you're using USB headphones and can't hear any sound, try removing the headphones and quitting whatever audio application you're using. Wait a few seconds and then reconnect the headphones and re-launch the application. Your problem may have been resulting from a temporary glitch with the program.
- Don't plug your headphones into the line out socket if you're using speakers. Use a headphone socket at the front of your computer or a socket marked specifically for use with headphones.
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