If voice typing isn’t working in Windows, here are some troubleshooting steps to try on your PC.
Before you start
Here are some things to check first if voice typing isn't working:
-
Make sure the microphone you want to use is selected in Settings. To check, select Start > Settings > System > Sound > Input > Choose a device for speaking or recording.
-
If you're using an external microphone, make sure it's properly connected to your PC.
Error messages
When using voice typing, you might see different errors.
|
Error message |
What can you do |
|---|---|
|
Voice typing needs access to your microphone. You'll need to turn this on in settings to use speech to text. |
Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone, and make sure Microphone access is turned on. |
|
Voice typing isn't available in the current language. |
Check the list of supported languages and install the one you want. See list |
Text doesn’t appear after speaking
If you don’t see anything in your textbox after speaking, here are some things to check:
-
Adjust the input level of your microphone. For more help, see How to set up and test microphones in Windows.
-
If using a built-in mic, consider trying again with a headset or external mic.
Words aren’t entered correctly
If the words that you’re speaking aren’t being entered correctly, here are some things to check:
-
Move to a quieter location.
-
Make sure the right language is selected for voice typing. To do this, press Windows logo key + Spacebar and choose one of your available languages. For more info on installing other languages, see Use voice typing to talk instead of type on your PC.
-
If using a built-in mic, consider trying again with a headset or external mic.
