Forum Discussion
Word Dictation not working
Recently, Dictation in my Word software stopped working. I click the Dictate button and the program looks like it's dictating, but nothing appears onscreen. I've tried restarting Word, restarting my computer, and doing an online repair of Microsoft 365, but no luck. I updated MS 365 yesterday, but the issue began before that. Thanks in advance for your help.
2 Replies
I've been having the same problem with my new microphone (a Rode shotgun using a Focusright audio interface) on my PC and cannot resolve it this way.
I've been onto Microsoft support five times and nothing has worked. I've got a current subscription, had Office repaired and repaired, uninstalled, reinstalled, the permissions checked over and over, removed potentially conflicting input devices and so on. I have also tried the steps above.
The last time I used support, my PC restarted and lost internet connecting no obvious way to fix it - and of course I couldn't chat with them. I got it working again (but having to reconfig some stuff) after using my personal laptop to communicate - but I don't want to risk using them again because they keep stuffing this up for me! They were also supposed to have a supervisor call me - but that didn't happen.
(Sorry to go on about that - but just saying I don't trust MS Support this time around). The funny thing is the same issue was fixed on my work laptop (yes, I have two) in 5 mins with our IT people fiddling with Device Manager - so God knows why MS can't fix it. They (my work IT area) also did the 16.0 thing above - I remember them doing that.
Anyway, I can use Win+H without a problem - so will have to use that going forward. That's obviously not actually a big deal (after all that fuss!) but the fact the Dictate button won't work on my PC and MS doesn't seem able to fix it, mystifies me.1. Quick check
Make sure the microphone is working
Check internet connection
Make sure you are using the latest version of Word → Accounts → Update Office
2. Permission settings
Press Win+I to open Settings
Go to "Privacy and Security" → "Microphone"
Turn on:
"Allow apps to access the microphone"
"Allow desktop apps to access the microphone"
3. Basic fixes
Re-activate dictation:
Press Win+H in Word → Close then re-enable microphone icon Clear cache: Close Word Press Win+R enter %appdata%\Microsoft\Office → Delete "16.0\Speech". → Close and re-open the microphone icon
Clear the cache:
Close Word
Press Win+R and type %appdata%\Microsoft\Office → Delete the "16.0\Speech" folder
Restart Word
4. System Repair
Repair Office:
Control Panel → Programs and Features → Select Microsoft 365 → Changes → Quick Repair Repair
Update Language Pack:
Settings → Time & Language → Language → Add English (US) → Download Speech Pack
5. Ultimate Solution
Reset Word Settings:
Close Word
Rename Folder: %appdata%\Microsoft\Word
Re-open Word
