Check these first
Start With These Three Checks
Apple's troubleshooting list starts with three settings: the Dictation switch in Keyboard settings, the language and region you dictate in, and the Dictation keyboard shortcut. If all three are right, the fixes further down cover the microphone, input volume, background noise, and the internet connection.
1. Dictation is turned on. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Keyboard in the sidebar, go to Dictation, and turn it on. On macOS 12 and earlier, the switch is in System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation.
2. The language and region match what you are speaking. Under Dictation, click Edit next to Languages and select the language and region you are speaking. Dictation is not available in every language or region, and features vary.
3. You are using the correct Dictation shortcut. Press the Microphone key if your keyboard has one, use the shortcut shown next to Shortcut under Dictation, or choose Edit > Start Dictation. Separately, while Voice Control is on, standard Dictation is not available, so the shortcut will not start it.
Settings
Mac Dictation Settings by macOS Version
Every check on this page starts in the same two places. Where they are depends on your version of macOS.
Is Voice Control on? While Voice Control is on, you dictate with Voice Control and standard Dictation is not available. Turn it off in System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control if you meant to use Dictation, or see the Mac voice commands list to dictate with Voice Control instead.
Where Dictation and Voice Control live
| macOS version | Dictation | Voice Control |
|---|---|---|
| macOS 13 to macOS 27 | System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation | System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control |
| macOS 10.15 to macOS 12 | System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation | System Preferences > Accessibility > Voice Control |
How Dictation starts, stops, and picks a language
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How do I start it? | Press the Microphone key if available, use the Dictation keyboard shortcut, or choose Edit > Start Dictation. |
| How do I stop it? | Press Escape, the Microphone key, or the Dictation keyboard shortcut. |
| Is there a time limit? | No. You can dictate text of any length without a timeout. |
| Why did it stop on its own? | Dictation stops automatically when no speech is detected for 30 seconds. |
| How do I change the language? | Under Dictation, click Edit next to Languages. With more than one language, click the language next to the cursor, or press the Globe key if available, to switch. |
| Where is the shortcut set? | Under Dictation, in the Shortcut pop-up menu. You can choose Customize to set your own. |
Source: Apple Support, Dictate messages and documents on Mac
When the fix is a different tool
When System Dictation Is Enough, and When It Is Not
Once the checks pass, Dictation does its job: it types what you say. Whether that is the job you need is a separate question.
Dictation is enough for direct entry
If you want the words you speak entered at the cursor, Dictation is built into macOS and there is nothing else to install. For setup from scratch, see how to set up speech to text on Mac.
It types what you said, not a finished draft
Dictation enters the words as spoken. Removing false starts, restoring structure, or writing in another language is a separate step that Dictation does not take.
Aureon is for a draft you review
Aureon can remove speech-production residue and restore readable structure while keeping stated facts and intent, in a draft you review before use. If you only need words in a text field, system Dictation is the simpler choice. Compare them in Aureon vs macOS Dictation.
More fixes from Apple
Mac Dictation Still Not Working? More Fixes
Check the microphone source
Under Dictation, check Microphone source. Automatic picks the device your Mac judges you are most likely to use, so choose your microphone explicitly if you use a headset or an external mic.
Connect and select an external microphone
If your Mac has no built-in microphone, connect an external one and select it in Sound or Keyboard settings.
Raise the input volume
Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Sound in the sidebar, then click Input. Select your microphone and increase its input volume.
Keep the microphone clear and the room quiet
Make sure clothing or your hand is not covering the microphone, sit as you normally would at your Mac, and speak clearly at a normal volume. In a noisy room or one with a lot of echo, a headset microphone may help.
Check whether you need an internet connection
With Dictation turned on, the text below Dictation in Keyboard settings shows whether your dictation is processed on your Mac. If you need an internet connection, check it in System Settings > Network.
If it stops on its own, check silence and the microphone source
Dictation has no time limit, but it stops after 30 seconds without speech. If it stops while you are still talking, set Microphone source to the microphone you are speaking into rather than Automatic, and check the input volume.
Test in a plain text field
Dictation works anywhere you can type. If it works in TextEdit but not in one app, the problem is that app's text field rather than your Dictation settings.
After the fix
Mac Dictation vs Aureon
Fixing Dictation gets the words onto the page. Choose a second tool only if you need more than that.
| Use case | macOS Dictation | Aureon |
|---|---|---|
| Best starting input | A sentence already composed | A thought that may still be rough |
| Primary result | Text entered at the cursor | A shaped draft for review |
| Punctuation and structure | Spoken commands and automatic punctuation in supported languages | Can restore structure from rough speech |
| Final check | Review recognition errors | Review both facts and editorial changes |
Dictation settings, languages, and processing options vary by macOS version, language, and region. Check the Dictation section of Keyboard settings on your Mac for current behavior.
For a fuller comparison, see Aureon vs macOS Dictation.
Sources checked: Apple Support: If Dictation on Mac doesn't work as expected, Apple Support: Dictate messages and documents on Mac, Apple Support: Use Voice Control commands to interact with your Mac.
Still stuck
Frequently Asked Questions About Mac Dictation Not Working
Each answer follows Apple's published Dictation documentation for macOS.
01Why did voice to text suddenly stop working on my Mac?
Check the first three items on Apple's troubleshooting list: Dictation is still on in Keyboard settings, the language and region match what you are speaking, and the shortcut you are pressing matches the one shown there. Then check Microphone source under Dictation. If Voice Control was turned on, standard Dictation is not available until you turn Voice Control off.
02Does Mac Dictation work without an internet connection?
It depends on your language and Mac. With Dictation turned on, the text below Dictation in Keyboard settings shows whether your dictation is processed on your Mac. If it is not, Dictation needs an internet connection.
03Why does Mac Dictation stop by itself?
Dictation has no length limit, but it stops automatically after 30 seconds with no speech. If it stops while you are talking, check Microphone source under Dictation and the input volume in Sound settings.
04Why is Mac Dictation typing in the wrong language?
Dictation uses the languages selected under Keyboard > Dictation > Languages. If you set up more than one, click the language next to the cursor, or press the Globe key if your keyboard has one, to switch while dictating.
05Why does the Dictation shortcut do nothing?
Check the shortcut shown under Dictation in Keyboard settings; you can change it there or press the Microphone key if your keyboard has one. If Voice Control is on, standard Dictation is not available, so the shortcut will not start it.
06Is there a Mac voice to text tool that writes a cleaned-up draft?
System Dictation types the words you say. Aureon is built for turning rough speech into a draft you review where you are working. If you only need words at the cursor, Dictation is the simpler choice.