Complete Guide to Manual and Online Speaker Testing

Crystal clear sound is a basic necessity for all PCs. Any distortion in sound or lack thereof will have you googling for all sorts of solutions. In this guide, we delve into a testing process that evaluates the functionality and connectivity of the speakers. The process will help to identify and address any issues by conducting thorough speaker tests, fine-tuning the audio settings, and ultimately enjoying a better auditory experience on your computer.

A comprehensive speaker test involves different ways of checking how your speakers are working on your PC. It can give you a good indication of which speakers you should replace and a quick glimpse into what could be causing the problem. This article will cover both internal and external speakers.

Table Of Contents

Speaker Test for Windows

This simple test on your Windows PC will detect any issues regarding sound.

Step 1: Right-click the volume icon in the taskbar and select Sound.

Step 2: Under the Playback tab, you will a list of attachments that produce sound.

Step 3: Click on Configure.

Step 4: Proceed to click the Test button.

If the speakers are running smoothly, you will hear some tones from both speakers. If you don’t hear any sounds, it means there’s a problem. Some troubleshooting steps can help to resolve this.

Internal Speakers Test

Internal speakers come as a standard component within a computer or laptop. These speakers are designed to provide basic audio output for everyday use, such as playing system sounds, alert tones, and providing audio feedback for various applications.

Testing the internal speakers on a computer involves checking both the hardware and software components. Here's a step-by-step guide to performing an internal speaker test for your PC.

1. Check the Basics

Ensure that your PC is powered on and not muted. Look for any physical volume controls on your PC or keyboard and ensure they are turned up. Verify that your PC's sound is not set to mute or silent mode in the audio settings.

2. Check Audio Output Device

Step 1: Right-click the volume icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound settings.

Step 2: Under Output, make sure the correct audio output device (speakers) is selected. If not, choose the correct device from the dropdown menu.

3. Check Audio Drivers

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can cause speaker issues. Update or reinstall your audio drivers.

Step 1: To update drivers, right-click on the Start button.

Step 2: Go to Device Manager.

Step 3: Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section.

Step 4: Right-click your audio device, and select Update driver.

To reinstall drivers, right-click the audio device. Select ‘Uninstall device,’ and then restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.

4. Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter for audio and other issues that may need fixing.

Step 1: Go to Settings.

Step 2: Click on Update & Security.

Step 3: Choose Troubleshoot on the left panel.

Step 4: Proceed to Additional troubleshooters.

Step 5: Select Playing Audio under Get up and running.

Step 6: Run the troubleshooter and follow the prompts.

5. Test with Headphones or External Speakers

To rule out issues with the internal speakers, plug in headphones or connect external speakers to your PC and see if you can hear sound through them. If you can, the internal speakers may require servicing or replacement.

6. System Restore

As a last resort, if the issue started after a recent software change or update, you can perform a system restore to revert your PC to a previous state when the speakers were working correctly.

If none of these steps resolve the issue and you're still experiencing problems with your PC's internal speakers, it's possible that there is a hardware problem. You may need to consult a professional technician for further diagnosis and repair.

External Speakers Test

These are connected externally to enhance audio output. If your external speakers are not working, there are several signs and troubleshooting steps you can take to identify and potentially resolve the issue.

Here are some common signs that your external speakers may not be working

No sound output
Distorted sound - If the sound coming from your speakers is distorted, crackling, or muffled.
Intermittent sound - Sound cutting in and out or working inconsistently.
Low volume - If the volume is significantly lower than usual, it might indicate a problem with the speaker's amplifier or power source.
No power indicator - If your speakers have a LED power indicator and it's not lit up when the speakers are connected.
No response to volume adjustments - If adjusting the volume on your speakers does not affect the sound output.
No sound from one speaker
Device recognition issues - If your computer or audio source doesn't recognize the external speakers when they're connected.
Audio jack problems - If the audio jack on your device or the speaker's input jack is damaged or loose, it can result in no sound output.

Speaker Test Online Tool

There are several online tools available to test your speakers. Some of these tools include:

1. Online Mic Test's Sound Test: This tool allows you to check if your speakers are working properly by playing a tone through your left and right speakers.
2. Audio Check's Left/Right Stereo Sound Test: This simple stereo test checks if your speakers are correctly associated with their respective channels.
3. YouTube's Test Your Speakers! video: This video provides an audio signal test with a frequency sweep from 20Hz to 22Khz, which can help evaluate your studio setup.
4. Vidnoz's Free Online Sound Test: This tool allows you to check if your speaker/headphones/earphones can play sounds by clicking the play buttons.
5. Smart Game Booster's Fast Sound Test: This online audio test allows you to easily check if your headphones or speaker left/right works properly without any downloads.
6. SpeakApp's Audio Test: This test allows you to check your microphone and speakers by showing a volume meter and playing a sound when you speak.
7. Device Checker's Sound Test: This tool allows you to check the functionality and quality of your stereo speakers easily.
8. DeviceTests' Sound Test: This test helps you quickly test your sound without installing any software by playing sounds through your speakers or headphones.

These tools can help you determine if your speakers are functioning correctly and identify any potential issues with your audio setup.

To Troubleshoot These Issues

Check connections and ensure all cables are securely connected to the speakers and your PC.
Inspect the power supply to make sure your speakers have power (if they require it) and that the power source is functioning correctly.
Test with another device. Try connecting the speakers to a different device to see if the issue persists.
Volume and mute settings verify that the volume settings on both your audio source and the speakers are not muted or turned down too low.
Check for software issues such as outdated drivers to ensure that your device's audio settings are configured correctly and that no software-related issues are causing the problem.
Test with different cables. Sometimes, faulty cables can be the culprit. Try using different cables to connect your speakers.

Note that some steps in identifying and resolving issues in both types of speakers are the same.

Conclusion

For the best result, go through each of the steps as they are listed. It is common to find something as basic as a speaker which is turned off as the source of your problems. As for hardware issues, whether speakers are in-built or external, it’s better to seek the expertise of professional technicians who can diagnose and repair issues while preserving the integrity and performance of your audio equipment.