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Test your Mac microphone before you dictate

A private, browser-only signal check. No recording and no upload — just a clear answer to whether your selected microphone is reaching the browser.

Live input level

Speak normally. A moving level confirms that this browser can hear the selected microphone.

Microphone off
quietnormal speechloud

Nothing starts until you press Test microphone.

This page measures volume only. It does not record, store, transcribe, or upload your audio.

What this test can tell you

If the level moves when you speak, the selected microphone is producing a signal and this browser has permission to receive it. If it stays flat, switch inputs, check the input level, and confirm browser access in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.

This is deliberately a signal test, not a voice recorder. It cannot prove that Apple Dictation itself is configured correctly, because macOS manages that feature separately from your browser.

If the mic works but Dictation does not

  1. 01

    Turn Dictation on

    Open System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation and confirm it is enabled.

  2. 02

    Check language and shortcut

    Make sure the selected language matches your speech and that you are pressing the shortcut shown in the Dictation settings.

  3. 03

    Check the active input

    Open System Settings → Sound → Input. Select the intended microphone and confirm that its level meter moves.

  4. 04

    Check the connection

    Depending on the Mac and language settings, Apple Dictation may require an internet connection.

  5. 05

    Test a plain text field

    Try TextEdit or Notes. If it works there, the original app or field is the likely source of the problem.

These checks follow Apple’s current troubleshooting order. Read the official Apple guide.

When you want a separate dictation path

Clavio manages its own microphone capture and shortcut, works in text fields across Mac apps, and turns speech into polished text. The Free plan includes 3,000 words each month with no card.

Download Clavio for Mac ↓

Mac microphone test FAQ

Does this Mac microphone test record me?
No. The page reads a live volume level in your browser. It does not create a recording, transcribe your speech, store audio, or upload audio to Clavio.
Why does the meter move but Mac Dictation still not work?
A moving meter confirms the microphone and browser input path. Apple Dictation can still be blocked by its own setting, language, keyboard shortcut, selected input, network requirement, or a stuck speech service.
Why is the microphone level very low?
Select the intended input device, move closer to it, remove any obstruction, and raise its input level in System Settings under Sound and Input.