If your online tuner isn’t responding, the fix is usually simple: allow microphone access, make sure your browser is using the right mic, and pluck one string cleanly close to the microphone. This guide gives you a quick checklist (plus iPhone/Safari and Chrome fixes) so you can get back to playing.
Quick CTA:
- Open the tuner first: Open the free online tuner
- Tuning to something specific? Browse presets: Browse all tunings
Key takeaways (read this first)
- If the tuner shows no movement, it’s almost always mic permissions or the wrong input device.
- If it “hears” something but jumps between notes, it’s usually background noise, multiple strings ringing, or overdrive/distortion.
- On iPhone/iPad, you’ll usually get the best results in Safari with the mic allowed.
- You don’t need an app: TuneMode works in the browser, but browsers are strict about mic access.
Who this is for
This is for you if:
- you tapped “Start listening” but nothing happens
- the tuner keeps showing random notes
- it works on laptop but not on your phone (or vice versa)
- you’re in a rehearsal space and the tuner can’t lock onto a pitch
The 30-second fix (most common causes)
Try these in order. Most people are fixed by step 2 or 3.
- Open the tuner: TuneMode Online Tuner
- Tap Start listening and, when asked, tap Allow microphone access.
- Get close to the mic (6–12 inches / 15–30 cm).
- Pluck one string and mute the others with your picking hand.
- Turn down effects (distortion, chorus, delay) for the tuning moment.
If you see the needle move and a note name appear, TuneMode is hearing you. Now it’s just about technique and noise.
Why an online tuner “can’t hear” your guitar
An online tuner is basically doing this:
- Your browser captures audio from a microphone.
- The tuner analyzes the pitch and guesses the closest note (plus how many cents sharp/flat you are).
So when it fails, it’s usually one of these:
- No microphone permission (blocked or denied)
- Wrong input (your laptop is listening to a webcam mic across the room)
- Audio is too quiet (you’re far from the mic, or the input level is low)
- Audio is too messy (noise, multiple strings, heavy distortion)
Quick Q&A (for fast answers)
Q: The tuner doesn’t move at all — what’s the single most likely issue?
A: Microphone permission is blocked or the browser is listening to a different input than you think.
Q: The tuner moves but shows random notes — what’s most likely?
A: Two strings are ringing at once, the room is noisy, or your signal has too many overtones (distortion).
Fix 1: Check microphone permission (the “silent tuner” problem)
Chrome (desktop)
- Click the lock icon in the address bar.
- Find Microphone and set it to Allow.
- Refresh the page and tap Start listening again.
Also check Chrome settings:
- Chrome → Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Microphone
- Make sure the tuner site is allowed and a mic is selected.
Safari (iPhone / iPad)
If you denied permission once, Safari will keep it blocked until you change it.
- Open Settings on your device.
- Scroll to Safari.
- Find Microphone and set it to Allow (or “Ask”).
- Go back to Safari, refresh the tuner page, and tap Start listening.
Tip: iOS browsers all use the same underlying engine, but Safari tends to be the smoothest path for mic permissions.
Safari (macOS)
There are two places to check:
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone → allow Safari.
- In Safari: Settings → Websites → Microphone → allow the tuner site.
Windows (system-level mic privacy)
If the browser is allowed but nothing works, Windows might be blocking mic access:
- Windows Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone
- Turn on Microphone access and Let desktop apps access your microphone
- Restart the browser and try again
Fix 2: Select the correct input mic (the “wrong device” problem)
If you have:
- a USB audio interface
- AirPods / Bluetooth headset
- an external webcam
…your browser may be listening to the wrong thing.
Try this:
- Unplug other audio devices temporarily.
- Refresh the page.
- Tap Start listening again.
If you want to use an interface:
- Make sure the interface input is actually receiving signal.
- Use a clean tone (no heavy distortion).
- Consider a neck pickup for clearer fundamentals.
Fix 3: Tune in “single-string mode” (stop the note jumping)
Pitch detectors like clean, single notes. A guitar often produces:
- a strong fundamental note (the one you want)
- lots of harmonics (overtones)
- sympathetic ringing from other strings
To help the tuner lock on:
- Pluck once, then let the note ring (don’t keep strumming).
- Mute other strings with your fretting hand.
- Pick closer to the neck pickup (electric) for a rounder fundamental.
- Turn your volume down slightly if your signal is clipping.
Fix 4: Reduce noise (rehearsal spaces are the hardest case)
If you’re tuning near a drummer or loud amp, your mic is hearing everything.
Try these:
- Turn down the amp for 20 seconds while you tune.
- Face the guitar’s sound source toward the mic (sound hole for acoustic, speaker-level for electric is usually bad).
- Move closer than you think you need to (phone right next to the guitar).
- Use harmonics at the 12th fret if the open note is too boomy.
If you regularly tune in loud spaces, a clip-on tuner can be a good backup. (We cover this in: Online tuner vs clip-on tuner.)
If the note is “right” but it still sounds wrong
This is usually not a tuner problem. Common causes:
- You’re an octave off (rare, but possible if the signal is messy)
- Intonation is off (fretted notes sound sour even when open strings are perfect)
- Old strings (they won’t settle and can sound “warbly”)
If your open strings tune fine but chords higher up the neck sound off, do a quick intonation check:
A fast “mic permission + tuning” checklist (bookmark this)
- Open: TuneMode Online Tuner
- Allow microphone
- Choose the right input device (if prompted)
- Pluck one string cleanly, mute the rest
- Tune until the needle centers and cents are close to 0
- Re-check all strings once (tuning one string can slightly change others)
FAQs: online tuner troubleshooting
Does TuneMode work on iPhone?
Yes. Use Safari, allow microphone access, and keep the phone close to the guitar while you pluck one string at a time.
Why does the tuner hear my voice but not my guitar?
Your voice has a strong fundamental pitch, so it’s easier to detect. For guitar, move closer to the mic, mute other strings, and use a clean tone so the fundamental is clearer.
Do I need headphones?
Not usually. Headphones can help in loud rooms so the mic hears less speaker/room noise, but the biggest improvement is close mic placement and muting other strings.
Can I tune with distortion on?
Sometimes, but distortion adds harmonics that can confuse pitch detection. For fastest results, tune with a clean tone, then turn your effects back on.
The tuner shows the right notes, but my chords sound off — why?
That’s often intonation, old strings, or a setup issue. Tune open strings first, then check fretted notes at the 12th fret. If they’re off, you may need an intonation adjustment.
Next step: open the tuner and get back to playing
Open the tuner and try the 30-second checklist:
If you’re switching to an alternate tuning (Drop C, Open D, DADGAD, etc.), use a preset so you always know what each string is aiming for: