Troubleshooting · Verified 2026-09-05

Dictation not working?
Start with the right checks

Choose your platform or app for vendor-sourced checks of settings, microphone input and recording access. Each guide explains the documented limits and when a separate dictation app can help.

macOS

Mac dictation not working?

Start with Apple's first check: make sure Dictation is enabled at Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation. Settings, the selected language, an unexpected shortcut or a microphone that cannot hear you can prevent dictation. Apple does not rank these causes by frequency; work through its checks before assuming an update caused the problem.

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Windows

Windows voice typing not working?

First confirm that you are connected to the internet and your cursor is in a text box, then press Windows logo key + H. Voice typing uses online speech recognition and needs a working microphone. Connection, permission and input-device problems are checks to prioritize; Microsoft's guidance does not identify one statistically most common cause.

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Apps on Mac and Windows

Word dictation not working?

If Dictate is missing, first verify your active Microsoft 365 subscription and sign-in. If it is grayed out, check whether the document is in Read-Only mode. Those are Microsoft's documented starting points for these symptoms. A microphone permission problem, muted input or unreliable internet calls for a different check; there is no single documented leading cause.

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Google Docs voice typing not working?

First use the latest Chrome, Edge or Safari and open Tools > Voice typing. Confirm that the microphone works and the browser can access it. Google's checks cover unavailable input, quiet speech and background noise, without ranking a most common cause. If only commands fail, check language requirements separately from ordinary voice typing.

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ChatGPT dictation not working?

First check that you are using the microphone icon for dictation and allow microphone access when prompted. Dictation records a prompt and returns editable text; Voice is a live conversation. ChatGPT's dictation FAQ does not rank failure causes or provide a dedicated repair checklist. The checks below combine its documented workflow with explicitly identified Voice and operating-system microphone guidance.

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Microphones on Mac and Windows

Microphone not working for dictation?

First select the microphone you intend to use in your operating system's Sound input settings and check its input level. An unexpected input device, low volume or disabled recording permission can prevent speech from reaching a dictation app. The vendor guidance does not rank causes by frequency. Follow the checks for your platform below before switching transcription tools.

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