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QUEST · LV.02

Speaker & headphone test

Check that sound comes out — from the left, from the right, and across the whole range.

Runs in your browser · Nothing uploadedFree · No install

Speaker & headphone test

40%

Start quiet. Using headphones? Make sure L is on your left ear. Each button says “Left”, “Right” or “Both” twice.

  • L

    Left

    Voice · “Left” (left side only)

  • R

    Right

    Voice · “Right” (right side only)

  • L+R

    Both sides

    Voice · “Both” (both sides together)

Frequency sweep

A smooth tone from deep bass (20 Hz) to very high treble (20 kHz). Most adults stop hearing it around 15–17 kHz — that’s normal.

20 Hz

Result

Not tested

Waiting for you to start the test.

How to use

  1. 1Turn your volume down a little, then press “Play” on each row.
  2. 2Answer “Yes” or “No” for each sound you hear.
  3. 3Optional: play the sweep to check bass and treble.

Troubleshooting guide

The FreeComTools mascot listening to the left and right speakers

What this speaker test checks

The left, right and both-sides tones confirm that each channel of your speakers or headphones produces sound and that left and right aren’t swapped. The sweep glides from 20 Hz to 20 kHz so you can hear how deep the bass goes and where rattles or buzzing start.

Tones fade in gently and are capped at a safe level, but start with your volume low — especially with headphones.

No sound at all? Check these in order

  1. Volume and mute: check the volume keys on your keyboard, the system volume, and any volume knob on the speakers or headset cable.
  2. Output device: sound may be going to a monitor (HDMI/DisplayPort), a Bluetooth device or a dock. Choose the right output in your system settings.
  3. Cables: on desktops, speakers go into the green jack. Push the plug in fully — a half-inserted plug often plays only one side.
  4. Bluetooth: disconnect and reconnect, or remove the device and pair again.
  5. Browser tab: make sure this tab isn’t muted (right-click the tab).
  6. Restart audio: unplug and replug USB headsets, or restart the computer to reset the audio driver.

Windows 10 / 11

  • Click the speaker icon in the taskbar → the arrow next to the volume slider → choose the right output.
  • Settings → System → Sound → Output, then “Volume mixer” to make sure your browser isn’t turned down.
  • Settings → System → Sound → your device → check “Mono audio” is off and the left/right balance is centred.

macOS

  • System Settings → Sound → Output: pick the device and check the balance slider is in the middle.
  • Hold Option and click the volume icon in the menu bar to switch output quickly.

Only one side plays

Try the plug in another port, check the balance setting, and swap the earbuds or cables if you can. If the same side stays silent with a different cable, the speaker or earbud itself is likely faulty. A silent side with one cable only means the cable or jack is the problem.

About the frequency sweep

Most small laptop speakers produce little below 100–150 Hz, so the start of the sweep may be silent — that is normal. Most adults stop hearing tones somewhere between 15 and 17 kHz; this is age-related hearing, not a speaker fault. Listen for rattling, buzzing or sudden drops in the middle of the range.

Frequently asked questions

Is the speaker test safe for my ears and speakers?

Tones fade in and are capped at a modest level. Still, start with low system volume and turn it up gradually.

Left and right are swapped. What now?

For headphones, check you’re wearing them the right way (L on the left ear). For speakers, swap the cables or the speakers’ positions. Some apps also have a “swap channels” option.

Why can’t I hear the highest frequencies?

Human hearing naturally loses high frequencies with age. Not hearing above 15–17 kHz is common and doesn’t mean the speaker is broken.

Does it work with Bluetooth earbuds?

Yes. Whatever your system uses as its output device will play the test sounds.

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