Speech recognition is not working

Question

Speech recognition is not working, not sure why. the software says listening but is not typing anything.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

To help narrow down the issue:

1. Is the mic showing activity in Settings > System > Sound > Input when you speak?
2. Does the issue happen only with dictation, or also in other apps (like Voice Recorder or a meeting app)?

In the meantime, if you haven’t already:

• If you’re using a laptop: try speaking close to the screen or keyboard area and check if the built-in microphone is set as the default input. Sometimes Windows switches to another mic without notice.
• If you’re using an external microphone or headset: please check if it has a physical mute button or switch on the cable or device itself, this is very easy to miss.

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If the issue persists, please provide more details by answering my questions.

Click "Add comment" below to let me know.

Regards,

John J.D.

Answer 2

If speech recognition is not working and the software indicates that it is listening but not typing anything, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Check Audio Quality: Ensure that the audio input is clear. Poor audio quality can lead to recognition failures. You might want to check the microphone settings and ensure that the volume is adequate. If the volume meter shows yellow or red, it indicates that the sound quality is not good, and you may need to adjust your microphone or speak louder.
2. Background Noise: Try to minimize background noise, as it can interfere with speech recognition accuracy. Working in a quiet environment can improve performance.
3. Microphone Settings: Make sure that the microphone is properly configured and that speech recognition is enabled. For example, on HoloLens 2, you need to ensure that Speech recognition is turned on in the settings.
4. Cursor Position: If you are dictating text, ensure that the cursor is in the correct field and that the microphone icon indicates that the system is actively listening.
5. Refresh and Restart: Sometimes, refreshing the web page or restarting the application can resolve temporary issues with speech recognition.
6. Browser Compatibility: If you are using a web-based application, ensure that your browser is compatible and that cookies and JavaScript are enabled. Clearing the browser cache may also help.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider checking for updates or consulting the documentation for further troubleshooting guidance.

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References:

• Recognition failures
• Voice commands aren't working
• Troubleshooting