How To Test Microsoft Teams Audio & Video

You can test your microphone, speaker, and camera before joining a Microsoft Teams meeting by using the Test Call function. This guide will go over how to make a test call, an alternative video recording method, and adjustments you can make to your audio and video settings in Microsoft Teams.

Make a Test Call | Record a Solo Video Call

Audio Settings | Video Settings

Make a Test Call

The Make a Test Call function in Microsoft Teams will allow you to test your microphone and speakers/headphones.

In Microsoft Teams, click on the ellipse menu (...) in the top most task bar.

Select Settings.

Once in Settings, click on Devices in the left column.

Click Make a Test Call to initiate the test call.

Microsoft Teams will call an automated Microsoft number, who will give you voice instructions to record and hear back your audio.

• At the chime, speak to do an audio check of your microphone. "Testing 1 2 3 4 testing" is sufficient.
• Stop speaking for several seconds and the system will stop recording, and then play back the recording for you.
• If you are satisfied with the audio, you can close the window when the call ends.
• If there was a problem, click on the Show Device Settings button and see the Audio Settings section below.

Check Mic During a Call

While you can't do a full audio test while in the middle of a Teams call, you can verify your mic is working with Teams.

In the top right of your call's window, click on the down arrow to the right of Mic.

At the bottom is an audio level meter for your microphone's input.

Speak into the mic and watch the meter for activity:

• If the meter moves, then Teams is receiving your mic's audio input.
• If the meter doesn't move, then there is a problem between your mic and Teams.

Record a Solo Video Call

You can also record a video call with just yourself. This is useful to test and review both video and audio from your device during a Microsoft Teams call.

In Microsoft Outlook, create a calendar event for right now (or when you want to do the test call). Toggle that the calendar event is a Microsoft Teams meeting.

Join your test call meeting, which will start a normal Microsoft Teams video call. You will be the only person on the call.

In the video call's window, click on the ellipse menu (...) on the top task bar.

Select Record and Transcribe, and then Start Recording.

You will get a pop-up that your call is now being recorded.

Do any testing you wish to record, including speaking into your mic. When done, end the call.

In Microsoft Teams, a new chat will appear for the meeting. After a minute, the recorded video will be available there for you to play back.

Audio Settings

To adjust audio settings in Microsoft Teams:

• In Microsoft Teams, click on the ellipse menu (...) in the top most task bar.
• Select Settings.
• Click on Devices in the left column.
• Audio Settings is at the top of the new window.

Verify your Speaker and Microphone are using the correct devices.

Automatically adjust mic sensitivity should be on.

Noise suppression should be on and set to background noise only.

• If your mic has built-in noise suppression, then you may get a better experience having Team's noise suppression turned off.

Video Settings

To adjust video settings in Microsoft Teams:

• In Microsoft Teams, click on the ellipse menu (...) in the top most task bar.
• Select Settings.
• Click on Devices in the left column.
• Scroll down until you come to Video Settings, near the bottom.

You'll see a live preview of your camera.

Verify your Camera is using the correct device.

Enable Green Screen if you are using a virtual background, otherwise leave it off.

Mirror My Video will show your video preview like a mirror. Only you see the mirrored image.

Adjust brightness can help put better lighting on your face, you can try it on and off using the video preview window.