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Dictation on MacBook just doesn't work

Hi everyone,


Dictation hasn't worked on my MacBook for a while. I've tried everything.


  • Software is up to date.
  • The right microphone is selected.
    • The microphone works - checked using <sound> settings (but works fine in FT and Zoom).
    • The right volume is selected.
  • The right settings have been selected under <keyboard> re: dictation.
    • Including language etc.


BUT, whenever I activate <Dictation> the little indicator appears suggesting it's ready, but when I speak nothing happens. I know the Mac can hear me, but it's refusing to do anything. It's like my teenager.


Can anyone help? I really want this feature back.


Thanks

LG



MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on Feb 20, 2024 11:16 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 17, 2024 6:50 PM

I'm having the same issue as well on my 16 M2 MacBook Pro and my wife's 15 inch M2 MacBook Air neither one of them works with dictation. This has been an ongoing issue for a while now and Apple appears to be ignoring this knowing that this issue is all over the Internet as obviously we are not the only ones this is happening to. Right now I have my 16 inch M2 MacBook Pro in a certified Apple repair shop and they've been trying to diagnose it for over two weeks now with no success. I'm severely disabled and rely on dictation to communicate as I'm not able to type with two hands because I'm paralyzed from a massive stroke so I'm not able to type two hands. Dictation is how I Communicate on my laptop. With iMessages Google Chrome and Facebook etc.. Restart do not work or resolve the issue either I've tried everything. Apple Needs to be aware of this issue and stop ignoring it if they know about it. Hopefully they'll admit that they know this is an issue and put out a software update to resolve this unfortunate problem. Just so you know anyone else reading this that the new MacBook pros and MacBook Airs with the Apple silicon chip when you use dictation it's processed through the device itself so you actually do not need a network for dictation work with MacBook pros or MacBook Air with silicone chips laptops from Apple that require your communication to be sent out through their servers for dictation. I'm sorry my reply is not helpful I just wanted to let you know you're not alone with this problem.

36 replies

Dictation on MacBook just doesn't work

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