Speaker Test
Play a tone through each channel to confirm both your left and right speakers or headphone drivers are working.
Channel test
Turn your volume to a comfortable level before starting.
Left channel
Right channel
How to use the speaker test
Set your volume to a comfortable level, then press "Play left" and confirm sound comes from your left speaker or earbud only. Do the same for "Play right." If both play correctly and independently, your stereo output is working properly. "Play both" plays the tone through both channels together.
Why test your speakers
Stereo imbalance — where one channel is quiet, distorted, or silent — is easy to miss during normal listening, since your brain compensates for it. This is especially useful after buying new headphones or earbuds, or troubleshooting a "something sounds off" feeling you can't quite place.
Troubleshooting speaker or headphone issues
- No sound from either channel: check your system volume isn't muted and the correct output device is selected in your OS sound settings.
- Only one channel plays: this usually points to a faulty cable, connector, or a loose headphone jack rather than a software issue.
- Sound plays through the wrong device: check your system's default audio output device.
- Crackling or distortion: try lowering the volume slider on this page — very high system volume can distort quieter tones.
Frequently asked questions
What frequency does the test tone play at?
A clean 440Hz sine wave — a standard reference tone that's easy to hear clearly on any speaker or headphone.
Can I use this to test headphones as well as speakers?
Yes — it works for any audio output device connected to your computer or phone, including wired and Bluetooth headphones.
Why can't I hear a clear left/right difference?
If you're using mono speakers or a single built-in laptop speaker, left/right panning won't be audible since there's only one physical output.