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Microphone blocked or silent

Dictate gets no signal from the microphone. How to allow access on Windows and macOS, pick the right microphone and undo a mute.

Applies to
Windows, macOS
Version
Dictate 0.4.0-beta.6

Message on screen

No microphone. Check permission.

The Action Bar shows this message when Dictate cannot open the microphone. Above it there is often a notice with a button, for example No access to the microphone. with Allow access. The most common cause: the system blocks access.

Allow access

Under Settings›General, the Microphone row then shows No access to the microphone.

  1. Open Settings›General and click Change next to Microphone. It shows Windows blocks microphone access for desktop apps.
  2. Click Open Windows settings. Windows opens the microphone page under Privacy & security.
  3. Turn on microphone access there.
  4. On the same page, also turn on access for desktop apps. Dictate is a desktop app.
  5. Go back to Dictate and dictate a test into the Try it field on the Home page.

If the switches in Windows are greyed out, your IT has locked them. Ask your IT.

Pick the right microphone

If access is allowed but Dictate still hears nothing, it may use another device.

  1. Open Settings›General and click Change next to Microphone.
  2. Pick your microphone from the list. Windows default or macOS default uses the device that is the system's default. If a device is missing, click Refresh.
  3. Click Test level and speak. If it shows Heard clearly, your voice arrives. Stop test ends the test.

You can also change the microphone without the settings:

  • Right-click the Action Bar, then Microphone: Automatic or a device from the list. Microphone settings … opens the settings.
  • In the menu of the Dictate icon in the notification area (the menu bar on a Mac) under Microphone.
  • In the help menu under Choose microphone.

While you pick, Dictate shows these notes:

NoteWhat to do
The chosen microphone is not connected.Connect it, or click Use default.
No microphone found. Please connect a microphone.Connect a microphone. Sound settings opens the system's sound settings.
Bluetooth delays the sound and makes it duller. A USB or wired microphone recognises better.Not an error. For better recognition, use a USB or wired microphone.

No sound from the microphone

Message on screen

No sound from the microphone

This message shows while you dictate, when the microphone has sent only silence for 4 seconds. The microphone is then usually muted, or the device sends nothing at all.

  • Check the mute button on the headset or the microphone.
  • Check that the right microphone is selected.

If a dictation ends without sound, the Action Bar then shows Nothing heard. Check the microphone. with Choose microphone.

In a note, Dictate says after 3 minutes of silence No sound from the microphone for 3 minutes. Check mute. See Notes.

Mute microphone in Dictate

The right-click menu of the Action Bar and the menu of the Dictate icon have Mute microphone. While it is on, Dictate does not open the microphone at all. A dictation then shows Microphone is muted. with Unmute. Click it, or turn off Mute microphone in the menu.

Other notices above the Action Bar

NoticeCause and fix
Microphone disconnected: with the device nameThe microphone was disconnected during the dictation. Dictate inserts what was said until then. Pick another one with Choose microphone.
New microphone found: with the device nameYou connected a microphone. Use it takes it.
Another app is using the microphone.Another program holds the microphone. Close it and click Try again.
The microphone does not respond.Click Try again. If that does not help, plug the microphone in again.
The microphone could not start.Pick another device with Choose microphone.

If nothing helps

Save or send a problem report right after the message appeared. It shows us whether sound arrived and how loud it was.

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