Why can't I make a test call in Microsoft Teams on the web?
Microsoft has not shipped the Make a test call feature to Teams on the web or to the Teams mobile apps — it is only in the desktop client for Windows and Mac. If you are on the web, the most practical pre-call check is the camera and mic test above, which uses the same WebRTC getUserMedia API that Teams on the web uses to access your devices.
Why can't Teams hear me even though my mic works elsewhere?
Four common causes. (1) Mic muted at the OS level (Windows: Settings > System > Sound > Input; macOS: System Settings > Sound > Input) — no signal ever reaches Teams. (2) Teams has the wrong default input device picked at Settings > Devices > Audio settings. (3) Another app (Zoom, Loom, OBS, a browser tab) has an exclusive lock on the microphone — close it and reopen Teams. (4) An IT admin policy blocks microphone access for Teams on a managed device.
Why is my camera not working in Microsoft Teams?
Five usual suspects. (1) Another app already has the camera open — only one app can hold the camera at a time on Windows and macOS, so quit Zoom, Loom, the browser tester, OBS, or any background recorder. (2) The wrong camera is selected in Teams Settings > Devices > Camera. (3) A virtual camera (OBS Virtual Camera, Snap Camera) was started after Teams launched — restart Teams to detect it. (4) The laptop privacy shutter is closed (common on ThinkPads, Framework laptops, some Dells). (5) OS-level camera privacy is blocking Teams (Windows: Settings > Privacy > Camera; macOS: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera).
Teams desktop captures my mic — can I still run a browser test?
Quit Teams desktop fully before running the test (check the system tray on Windows and the menu bar on macOS — the close button alone leaves Teams running). Teams sometimes holds the mic exclusively, so a browser tester running alongside Teams desktop can show a flat level meter even with a healthy mic. Stop the tester before launching Teams, too — same problem in reverse.
Will this work for Teams on Mac, Windows, and Linux?
Yes. The browser test runs on Chrome, Edge, Safari 14.1+, and Firefox on all three platforms. Because Teams reads the same OS-level audio and video devices the browser sees, a working test means a working Teams call. On Mac, also make sure Microsoft Teams is enabled in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and Microphone — devices can appear in the test but stay black in Teams if Teams itself is not on the OS allowlist.
Can I test mic and camera for a Teams meeting on my phone?
The Teams Make a test call feature is not available on iOS or Android. You can still verify hardware by running the browser tester above on mobile Safari (iOS 14.1+) or Chrome on Android. For the best result, join the Teams meeting a minute early and use the pre-join screen to flip the camera and verify the mic indicator before tapping Join.
Why is my Teams audio echoing or distorting?
Three causes. (1) Bluetooth headset in HFP/HSP call mode — the mic and speaker share a narrow bandwidth and pick up each other's signal. Switch to a wired headset for important calls. (2) Speaker output is loud enough for the mic to pick up — turn the speakers down or use headphones. (3) Teams' built-in echo cancellation has not converged yet — wait 10–15 seconds at the start of the call before talking over each other.
Does Clipy's mic and camera test record me?
No. The browser tester renders camera frames directly into the page and analyzes mic audio locally to draw the level meter. Nothing is sent to any server — open the browser network tab and watch zero requests go out while the preview is running. The Teams built-in test call does briefly record a short message, but Microsoft says it deletes the recording immediately after the call.