Troubleshooting · Verified 2026-09-05

Windows voice typing not working?
Check the Win+H requirements

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.

Before you start

  • Windows 11 for these settings paths.
  • Internet access, a working microphone and the cursor in a text box.
  • A supported voice typing language; add languages through Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region.

Checks to try in order

  1. Check the connection and text cursor. Connect to the internet and place the cursor in a text box. Press Windows logo key + H or use the Microphone button on the touch keyboard.
  2. Allow microphone access. Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. Turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone. For non-Store apps, also turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone.
  3. Choose the input device. Open Start > Settings > System > Sound > Input > Choose a device for speaking or recording and select your microphone.
  4. Test the microphone level. In Sound settings select the device's arrow > Microphone test > Start test, speak, Stop test, Play. Adjust the input volume slider as needed.
  5. Check the voice typing microphone. Select the gear icon in the voice typing flyout and check the default microphone. This menu also contains the voice typing launcher and automatic punctuation settings.
  6. Run the input troubleshooter. Open Settings > System > Sound > Advanced > Troubleshoot common sound problems > Input devices and follow the troubleshooter.

Why this happens

No online connection

Win+H voice typing needs internet; it is a different feature from Voice access.

Recording access is disabled

Windows has microphone access, app access and desktop app access controls.

Wrong or quiet input

The selected input and its volume determine whether Windows can hear your speech.

Still not working?

If the input test still fails, Microsoft's next documented option is to reinstall the audio driver: right-click Start > Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > right-click device > Uninstall device > Attempt to remove the driver for this device > restart. Follow Microsoft's linked guide for that procedure. If the microphone works but you need dictation without Win+H's online recognition dependency, WhisperJot's local engines are an alternative after model download. They do not repair Windows audio drivers or microphone permissions.

WhisperJot is an alternative

WhisperJot is a separate dictation app with one hotkey in any app. Jot Local and Jot Local Pro use local engines by default and work offline after a one-time model download. Choose Jot Local for fast, short utterances or Jot Local Pro for long-form accuracy. This provides an alternative way to enter text; it does not repair built-in dictation. A working microphone and the permissions needed to record are still necessary.

See pricing Try the browser demo

Frequently asked questions

Why is Win+H voice typing not working offline?

Microsoft requires internet for voice typing. Voice access is a separate feature that can work offline after its initial language download on Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. Do not treat Voice access instructions as an offline switch for Win+H.

Why did voice typing stop working after an update?

The vendor guidance does not prove an update caused the failure. Recheck internet, microphone access, the selected input and its test level. If Windows cannot hear the microphone, follow the sound troubleshooter before the driver's reinstall procedure.

Where do I change the voice typing microphone?

Select the gear icon in the voice typing flyout to set the default microphone. Also check the input device in Windows Sound settings and use Microphone test to confirm that the selected device records your voice.

Sources

Official documentation checked 2026-09-05:

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