Headphone test
Press Left or Right to hear a tone in that ear only, then try both sides, bass and a sweep.
Headphone test workspace
How to use
4 short steps.
Put the headphones on
Check the L and R marks on each side and set the Volume slider to a comfortable level.
Press Left, then Right
Each tone should stay in that ear only. Press Both to hear it centred in your head.
Run Auto left-right
The tone alternates left, right, left, right for eight seconds so you can test with your eyes closed.
Try bass and the sweep
60 Hz bass should sound low and even on both sides. The sweep rises from 40 Hz to 12 kHz.
What the result means
Match what you see to one of these.
Each side plays where it should
If Left is in your left ear and Right in your right, the headphones and the cable or Bluetooth link are working. Both should sit in the middle of your head, not to one side.
The sides are swapped
If Left plays in your right ear, the headphones are on backwards or a splitter or adapter is wired in reverse. Turn them round and press Left again.
Both pulls to one side
If the centred tone leans left or right, check the balance slider in your sound settings, reseat the plug fully, and compare the fit and seal of each side.
Bass or part of the sweep is missing
If 60 Hz is faint or a band of the sweep disappears, check the seal of each earbud or pad first. Small drivers with a poor seal lose bass before anything else.
Troubleshooting
If the test fails, try these in order.
Reconnect the headphones
Push the plug fully into the jack, or forget and re-pair the Bluetooth headphones and make them the active output. Press Left again.
Choose them as the output device
Pick the headphones under Output in Windows Sound settings or macOS Sound, then replay Both.
Centre the balance and turn off mono
In accessibility or sound settings, centre the left-right balance and turn off mono audio and spatial sound. Replay Left and Right.
Check the fit
Reseat both earbuds or pads and try other tip sizes. Replay the 60 Hz bass and compare the two sides.
What this test can't tell you
Where a browser check stops.
- This is not a hearing test and gives no result about your ears; the sweep shows what the headphones and your browser play, not what you can hear.
- Hearing a tone does not measure the headphones' frequency response or quality.
- Bluetooth codecs, equalisers and spatial sound processing change what reaches the drivers.
FAQ
Common questions about this test.
How can I check if my headphones are working?
Put them on, press Left and then Right. You should hear a tone in that ear only, and Both should sound centred. If one side is silent or swapped, follow the troubleshooting steps.
How do I test the left and right sides of my headphones?
Press Left and confirm the tone is in your left ear, then press Right. Auto left-right alternates the two for eight seconds so you can check without watching the screen.
What is the 60/60 rule for headphones?
Listen at no more than 60 percent of maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. It is a common guideline for protecting your hearing, not a medical limit.
Why does the centre tone sound off to one side?
Balance settings, a plug not pushed fully in, an uneven seal or earwax on one earbud can shift it. Driver mismatch is rare on working headphones.
Is the frequency sweep a hearing test?
No. It plays a tone that rises from 40 Hz to 12 kHz through your headphones. Whether you hear the whole range depends on your ears as well as the headphones, so it cannot judge either one.