Troubleshooting Guide

Solve common issues with MicTest and get your microphone working perfectly.

Quick Diagnosis

Try these solutions:

  1. Check browser permissions

    Look for the camera/microphone icon in your browser's address bar and click "Allow"

    Browser permission dialog← Click "Allow" when you see this
  2. Verify physical connections

    Make sure your microphone is properly plugged in and not damaged

  3. Check system settings
    Windows:

    Settings → Privacy → Microphone

    Mac:

    System Preferences → Security → Privacy → Microphone

  4. Try a different browser

    Chrome and Firefox have the best compatibility with audio APIs

  5. Restart your browser or device

    Sometimes a simple restart can resolve permission issues

Common Issues & Solutions

Microphone Permission Issues

Symptom: "Microphone access denied" message

This occurs when your browser is blocking MicTest from accessing your microphone.

Chrome/Edge Solution:

  1. Click the padlock or info icon in the address bar
  2. Select "Site settings" or "Permissions"
  3. Find "Microphone" and change to "Allow"
  4. Refresh the page

Firefox Solution:

  1. Click the shield icon in the address bar
  2. Click "Connection secure" or site information
  3. Click "More Information" → "Permissions"
  4. Find "Use the Microphone" and select "Allow"
  5. Refresh the page

Safari Solution:

  1. Click Safari → Preferences → Websites
  2. Select "Microphone" from the left sidebar
  3. Find MicTest in the list and select "Allow"
  4. Refresh the page

Audio Level Problems

Symptom: Audio level too low or too high

Your microphone is working but the audio level is not in the optimal range.

For Low Audio Levels:

  1. Increase microphone gain in your system settings
  2. Move closer to the microphone (4-6 inches is ideal)
  3. Speak more loudly and clearly
  4. In MicTest settings, increase the sensitivity slider
  5. Check if your microphone has a physical gain control knob

For High Audio Levels/Distortion:

  1. Decrease microphone gain in your system settings
  2. Move further away from the microphone
  3. Speak more softly
  4. In MicTest settings, decrease the sensitivity slider
  5. Check if your microphone has a -10dB pad option

Optimal Audio Level:

For best results, aim for the "Good" range (20-50) on the audio level meter. This provides enough signal without distortion.

Recording Issues

Symptom: Cannot record or recordings have issues

Problems with the recording functionality in MicTest.

Common Recording Issues:

Recording Won't Start

  1. Make sure the mic test is running first
  2. Check that you have sufficient storage space
  3. Try a different recording format (WebM is most compatible)
  4. Refresh the page and try again

Poor Recording Quality

  1. Increase the recording quality (128kbps or higher)
  2. Try WAV format for highest quality
  3. Ensure your microphone is properly positioned
  4. Check for background noise or interference

Waveform Not Showing

  1. Switch to "list" view and back to "waveform"
  2. Try a shorter recording (under 30 seconds)
  3. Refresh the page and try again
  4. Try a different browser

Download Issues

  1. Check if your browser is blocking downloads
  2. Try a different recording format
  3. Make sure you have sufficient storage space
  4. Try a shorter recording
Browser Compatibility

MicTest uses advanced web audio APIs that may have different levels of support across browsers. Here's a compatibility guide to help you get the best experience:

BrowserBasic TestingRecordingAdvanced FeaturesRecommendation
Chrome
Excellent
Full Support
Full Support
Recommended
Firefox
Excellent
Full Support
Good Support
Recommended
Edge
Excellent
Full Support
Full Support
Recommended
Safari
Good
Limited
Limited
Basic Testing Only
Mobile Chrome
Good
Supported
Limited
Works Well
Mobile Safari
Good
Limited
Very Limited
Basic Testing Only

Browser Recommendations:

  • For the best experience, use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge on desktop
  • On mobile devices, Chrome for Android provides the most complete experience
  • If using Safari, make sure to enable microphone permissions in both the browser prompt and system settings
  • Keep your browser updated to the latest version for best compatibility
Advanced Troubleshooting

Audio Dropouts or Stuttering

If you're experiencing audio dropouts, stuttering, or glitches during testing:

  1. Close other browser tabs and applications to free up system resources
  2. Lower the sample rate in settings (try 44.1kHz instead of 96kHz)
  3. Disable browser extensions, especially those that might interact with audio
  4. Check if your computer is running resource-intensive background processes
  5. Try connecting your microphone directly to your computer (not through a hub)
  6. Update your audio drivers

Frequency Response Issues

If the frequency response visualization seems inaccurate or unusual:

  1. Test with a consistent sound source (like a tone generator)
  2. Check if your microphone has a built-in EQ or filter that might be affecting results
  3. Try different positions and distances from the microphone
  4. Be aware that room acoustics can significantly affect frequency response
  5. Compare results across different browsers to identify any browser-specific issues

Network or Connectivity Issues

If you're experiencing loading issues or the app seems slow:

  1. Check your internet connection
  2. Try refreshing the page
  3. Clear your browser cache and cookies
  4. Try using a different network if available
  5. Disable VPN or proxy services that might be interfering

Reset MicTest

If you're experiencing persistent issues, you can try completely resetting MicTest:

  1. Clear your browser cache and cookies for mictest.net
  2. Close and reopen your browser
  3. Try using an incognito/private browsing window
  4. Reset browser permissions for mictest.net
  5. If using Chrome, try disabling hardware acceleration in browser settings
Still Need Help?

If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing issues, we're here to help.

Contact Support: Please provide the following information when contacting support:

  • Browser name and version
  • Operating system
  • Microphone make and model
  • Detailed description of the issue
  • Any error messages you're seeing
  • Steps you've already taken to troubleshoot

We typically respond within 24 hours.