---
title: "Microphone blocked or silent"
summary: "Dictate gets no signal from the microphone. How to allow access on Windows and macOS, pick the right microphone and undo a mute."
url: "https://help.medisynchealth.ai/en/dictate/microphone-blocked"
product: "MediSync Dictate"
platforms: ["windows","macos"]
access: "public"
updated: "2026-11-11"
version: "Dictate 0.4.0-beta.6"
---

# 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.

```text
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**.

**Windows**

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.

**macOS**

1. Open **Settings › General** and click **Change** next to **Microphone**. It shows **macOS blocks microphone access for MediSync Dictate.**
2. Click **Open System Settings**.
3. Under Privacy & Security > Microphone, turn on MediSync Dictate.
4. Go back to Dictate and dictate a test into the **Try it** field on the **Home** page.

If your IT manages the Mac and does not allow the switch, 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](https://help.medisynchealth.ai/en/dictate/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:

| Note | What 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

```text
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](https://help.medisynchealth.ai/en/dictate/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

| Notice | Cause and fix |
| --- | --- |
| **Microphone disconnected:** with the device name | The 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 name | You 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](https://help.medisynchealth.ai/en/dictate/send-a-problem-report) right after the message appeared. It shows us whether sound arrived and how loud it was.