Speaker test: are left and right working correctly?
Play a chime on the left, the right or both sides to check your speakers or headphones. Then run a frequency sweep to hear what your speakers can play, and check that they are wired the right way.
1. Left and right
2. Frequency sweep
This is not a hearing test. Small speakers often go silent below about 100 Hz, and many adults can't hear above 15 to 17 kHz.
3. Wiring check (polarity)
⚠️ Start at a low volume, especially with headphones, and turn it up slowly.
Check left and right
Set the volume low, then press “Left”, “Both” and “Right”. You should hear the chime only from the side named on the button. If the sound comes from the wrong side, your headphones are on backwards or the speaker cables are swapped. “Left, right, repeat” plays the two sides in turn until you press “Stop”, which leaves your hands free to move cables.
If you hear the sound on both sides every time, check that mono audio is turned off in your system's accessibility settings, and that your speakers aren't set to a mono or party mode.
Frequency sweep from deep to high
The sweep glides from 20 Hz, the lowest bass most people can hear, up to 20 kHz over 14 seconds, and shows the current frequency. Listen for rattles, buzzing or points where the sound disappears and comes back. Rattles usually come from loose parts or objects touching the speaker.
Small speakers, like those in laptops and phones, often stay silent until about 100 to 200 Hz. That's normal. At the top, many adults stop hearing the tone somewhere between 15 and 17 kHz. That is also normal, and this sweep is not a hearing test.
Wiring check (polarity)
Each speaker has a plus and minus wire. If one is connected the wrong way round, the two speakers push air in opposite directions, and bass and voices sound thin. Sit between your speakers and play “In phase”, then “Out of phase”.
“In phase” should sound full and centred. “Out of phase” should sound wide, hollow and hard to place. If it's the other way round, swap the two wires on one speaker only. This check doesn't work with a single speaker or with most laptops.
Questions & answers
I hear nothing. What should I check?
Check the volume slider here, your system volume and mute, and which output device is selected. On phones, the silent switch can block web sounds. Then press a button again.
Why is the volume set to 30 %?
To protect your ears and speakers. Test sounds can be louder than music at the same setting, so start low and turn up slowly.
Can I test a surround system?
This test checks the two front channels (left and right). Surround and subwoofer channels need a test file made for multichannel audio.
Why do my Bluetooth headphones sound bad here?
If a website or app is also using the headset microphone, many Bluetooth headsets switch to a low-quality call mode. Close the call or mic test and try again.
Does the sweep damage speakers?
Not at a sensible volume. Avoid very high volume at the lowest and highest frequencies, where small speakers and tweeters are most delicate.