Greenlight › Mic Too Quiet
Mic Too Quiet? Make It Louder
Check your level with the meter, record a clip to hear yourself, then use the fixes below to get a clear, strong signal.
🎤 Microphone Test
Speak normally and watch the meter move.
Your audio is processed locally and is never recorded or sent anywhere.
🎙️ Record & Playback
Record ~10 seconds and hear exactly how you sound.
Recording is capped at 10 seconds and stays in your browser's memory only — it's never uploaded, and it's cleared when you leave or refresh the page unless you download it.
What a good level looks like
Speaking normally, the meter above should reach roughly the middle and move into the yellow on louder words. If it barely moves, start with the quickest fix: get closer. Moving from arm’s length to a hand-width away makes a bigger difference than any setting.
1. Raise the input volume
- Windows 11: Settings → System → Sound, click your mic under Input, and raise Input volume.
- Mac: System Settings → Sound → Input, select your mic, and drag Input volume right.
2. Add microphone boost (Windows)
In Settings → System → Sound → More sound settings, open the Recording tab, double-click your mic, and go to Levels. Add Microphone Boost in small steps — too much adds hiss.
3. Check the mic itself
- USB mics often have a gain knob on the body. Turn it up before touching software.
- Side-address mics (many podcast-style USB mics) pick up from the side, not the top. Speak into the front face, and set the pickup pattern to cardioid if yours has a pattern switch.
- Headset mics should sit near the corner of your mouth, not by your chin.
4. Check the app’s own settings
Zoom, Discord, and Teams have their own mic volume or automatic adjustment options. If you sound fine in the recording above but quiet in an app, look there. Turning off automatic gain control lets you set the level yourself.
Quiet microphone FAQ
Why is my microphone so quiet?
Usually the mic is too far away, the input volume is low in your system settings, or a USB mic's gain knob is turned down. Check the level meter on this page while you adjust each of these.
How do I make my mic louder on Windows 11?
Raise Input volume under Settings, System, Sound for your microphone. For more, open More sound settings, go to the Recording tab, open the mic's properties, and add Microphone Boost under Levels.
How do I make my mic louder on a Mac?
Open System Settings, go to Sound and Input, select your mic, and drag Input volume to the right. Moving closer to the mic also helps a lot.
Does this test record or upload my voice?
No. The meter and recording run entirely in your browser, and nothing is uploaded.