How to Test Your Microphone and Camera in 6 Simple Steps

You've rehearsed, you've practiced, and you're ready to host your webinar... but wait! There's one more thing you need to do before you go live: test your microphone and camera.

Technical issues can be a webinar host’s worst nightmare. If your microphone or camera isn't working properly you may come off as unprofessional, your audience might miss key insights, and they might not stick for long.

To avoid any technical mishaps, we've put together a few quick and easy steps for a smooth and successful webinar.

7 simple methods to test your webcam and microphone

You may want to repurpose your webinar content and use it as a podcast or as training for remote employees. Using a good microphone and camera is key to delivering an evergreen webinar with high production value.

You could even use an on-demand webinar as gated content for paid members, making the audio and video quality doubly important.

Here are a few methods you can use to test both your microphone and webcam in just a few minutes and avoid one of the number one boring webinar mistakes:

1. Use a test room
2. Run an online webcam test
3. Test it with a friend or colleague
4. Record a video
5. Check the platform’s compatibility
6. Run a connectivity speed test
7. Ensure your webcam’s quality

1. Use a test room

Most video conferencing platforms, like Livestorm, have a built-in test room that lets you quickly and easily test your microphone and webcam. To do this:

• Log in to your account and enter the room
• Choose your audio and video devices
• Verify that you can see and hear yourself clearly

Alternatively, you can create your own test room by opening a new tab in your browser and going to your webinar platform's website. Then, start a new meeting or join an existing one.

2. Run an online webcam test

You can use third-party websites to quickly test your webinar webcam. All you need to do is open the website in your browser and follow the instructions. The website will then show you a live preview of your webcam feed, so you can see if there are any issues with the image quality. Ensure that the browser has access to test the webcam.

3. Test it with a friend or colleague

If you want to be extra sure that your microphone and webcam are working properly, ask a friend or colleague to help you test it out. Schedule a quick call, invite them to join your test room, and then start the call. Consider switching to different browsers or devices to test different audio and video settings.

4. Record a video

If you don't have anyone to help you test your microphone and camera, you can always record a short video clip. To do this, open your webinar platform's website in your browser and start a new meeting. Once you're in the meeting, click the "Record" button and start recording your video.

Once you've recorded your video, watch it back to see if there are any issues with the audio or video quality. This will give you an idea of what your attendees will see and hear when they join your live webinar.

5. Check the platform's compatibility

The devices you use to join a webinar can affect the audio and video quality. In-app platforms may not work as well as web-based platforms due to different processing power. But browser-based platforms like Livestorm are easily accessible, don’t require any downloads, and are compatible with any device.

Each platform has different system requirements, so make sure to check that your computer meets the minimum requirements before joining a meeting.

You can usually find this information on the platform's website or in their FAQ section. If you're still unsure, contact the platform's customer support team and they'll be able to help you out.

6. Run a connectivity speed test

A slow or unreliable internet connection can cause issues with your audio and video quality, so it's best to run a speed test to see if your connection is up to scratch.

Try a third-party speed test like Speedtest.net. Simply open the website in your browser and click the "Start Test" button. The test will then run and show you your current download and upload speeds. If your speeds are too slow, you may need to upgrade your internet package or switch to a different provider.

7. Ensure your webcam's video quality

Most webcams come with HD video quality, but it's always best to check to make sure. If you're using an external webcam, you can usually find the video quality specifications on the product's packaging.

If you're using the built-in webcam on your laptop or computer, you can check the video quality in your webcam's settings. Alternatively, the platform you're using to host your webinar may have its own video quality settings.

You can also use a background tool to blur your background or even replace it with a virtual one. Some video conferencing platforms like Livestorm come with this feature built in.

6 ways to test your microphone and webcam

You've invested in the best microphone and webcam for webinars, but how do you know if they're actually compatible with your computer? And what about the audio and video quality?

There may be some slight variations in how you test microphones for video conferencing.

1. How to test my microphone and webcam for Windows 7 and 10?

If your computer runs on Windows 7 or 10, you can use the built-in camera and microphone apps to test your devices.

How to test your microphone

1. Ensure that your microphone is connected to your computer.
2. Open the Start menu and select settings.
3. In the settings menu, select System and then choose Sound.
4. In the Sound settings, go to Input and check your connected microphones and select the microphone that you want to test.
5. As you speak check that the bar moves. If it doesn’t, try unplugging your microphone and plugging it back in.

How to test your webcam

1. Connect your webcam to your computer.
2. Open the Start menu and search 'Camera'.
3. Turn on your webcam and check the image. You can also record a clip to check the audio and video quality.

2. How to test my microphone and webcam for MacOS?

If you're using a Mac, you can change the settings from system preferences to test both your microphone and use PhotoBooth to test your webcam.

How to test your microphone

1. Select the apple icon on the top-left corner and click on System Preferences.
2. Next, click Hardware and then Sound.
3. From the Sound menu select the Input tab and choose your preferred microphone.
4. Speak into the microphone to see if the Input level bars move.

How to test your webcam

1. Connect your webcam to your computer.
2. Click on the Finder icon from the Dock bar and select Applications.
3. Double-click on the Photo Booth app to open it.
4. Your webcam should automatically turn on and you should see the live feed.

3. How to test my mic and webcam for Zoom?

Zoom offers a few options for testing your microphone and webcam right from its desktop and mobile app before and after you join a meeting.

How to test your microphone

After joining a meeting

1. After you join a meeting, click on Test speaker and Microphone.
2. The pop-up window will then play a ringtone to test your speakers.
3. To test your microphone, choose the microphone you prefer and say something.
4. Once you're done recording, you can listen to the 'replay.'

Before joining a meeting

1. After you sign in to Zoom, click on your profile picture and select settings.
2. Click on the audio tab and follow the instructions listed to test your microphone and speaker.

How to test your webcam

1. After you sign in to Zoom, click on your profile picture and select settings.
2. Click on the video tab and choose the camera you wish to use.
3. Follow the instructions listed to test your webcam.

Google Hangouts has a dedicated testing tool that you can use to test both your microphone and webcam before joining a meeting.

4: How to test my microphone and laptop camera for Google Meet?

Google Meet has a dedicated testing tool that you can use to test both your microphone and webcam before joining a meeting.

How to test your microphone

1. If you’re launching Google Meet for the first time, enable the browser to access your microphone from the prompt.
2. From the settings menu, select Audio.
3. Then choose the device you want to use from the drop-down menu.

How to test your webcam

1. From the settings menu, select Camera.
2. Then choose the device you want to use from the drop-down menu.
3. If your camera is working, you'll see your video feed in the window.

5. How to test my microphone and camera for Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams offers in-app testing for your microphone and webcam. Simply navigate to the Settings and more option next to your profile picture and follow these steps:

How to test your microphone

1. Choose Settings and then click on Devices.
2. Under Audio devices, select the microphone you would like to use from the drop-down menu and then click on Test Speaker and Microphone.
3. A message will appear asking you to speak into your microphone. After speaking, you should see the green bar move. If it doesn't, try a different microphone.

How to test your webcam

1. Choose Settings and then click on Devices.
2. Under Camera, select the camera you would like to use from the drop-down menu.
3. If your camera is working, you'll see your video feed in the window.

6. How to test my laptop microphone and camera for Chrome?

Chrome requires permission to access your microphone and camera which can be found in the Settings menu after you click on the More Options icon (the three dots in the upper right-hand corner). Click on Privacy and Security and choose Site Settings.

How to test your microphone

1. From the Site Settings menu click on Microphone.
2. Select the microphone you want to use.

How to test your Webcam

1. From the Site Settings menu click on Camera.
2. Select the device you want to use.

Testing 1..2..3... and you're good to go!

Before you join that next meeting, take a few minutes to test your microphone and webcam to ensure that everything is working properly. This will help to ensure that your meeting goes off without a hitch and that you're able to be seen and heard by everyone in attendance.

And don’t forget, the video conferencing platform you're using will also have an impact on the quality of your audio and video. Using video engagement software like Livestorm keeps your audience engaged with easy registration, hassle-free access, automated workflows, and interactive in-video features.

Frequently asked questions about how to test your microphone and camera

How do I test my laptop camera and microphone?

You can test your laptop camera and microphone from the settings menu of your video conferencing platform. You can also record a test video or audio clip to check that the microphone is working properly.

How to test the camera and microphone on MacBook pro?

You can either choose QuickTime player to record a test video or use the in-built Photo Booth application to test your MacBook Pro's webcam. For testing the microphone, you can check the input settings by clicking on the apple icon on the top-left corner > System Preferences > Sound.

How do I test my webcam and microphone Windows 10?

You can test your webcam and microphone on Windows 10 by clicking on Start > Settings > System > Sound.

How do I test my computer camera for Zoom?

You can test your computer camera for Zoom by signing in and then clicking on your profile picture > settings > video tab.