Dictation stops working after about 30 seconds on Catalina

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Level 1

44 points

Dictation stops working after about 30 seconds on Catalina

No matter what I do, dictation is no longer working on Catalina.

I've tested the problem by setting up a new user account with everything but the essentials turned off, and the problem persists there too: I have Voice Control off (as advised), App restrictions off, am connected online, etc, but Dictation (which used to work fine in Big Sur) now cuts off after about 30 seconds.

I've tried with TextEdit and the Notes app with the same result.

I'm on an iMac 5k 27" 2020 (oddly not listed in your drop-down menu of other devices). I've also tried on a retina 54 27" 2015, also running Catalina, and the exact same thing happens there.

Any suggestions? I've rebooted, changed user, tried with and without external mic and am run out of ideas now. It works on my M1 MacBook running Monterey. So is this a Catalina issue?

iMac 27″

Posted on Feb 14, 2023 3:39 AM

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Answer 1

jdo_apple

Community Specialist

Feb 16, 2023 4:58 PM in response to baldoyler

Thanks for replying, baldoyle, and that additional info, it really helps! Let's have you check if you have Webroot SecureAnywhere installed on these computers, as this could explain this situation:

SecureAnywhere Mac Keylogger protection issue disable secure keyboard entry

If you don't have that on your computers, please contact Apple directly for further investigation: Get Support

Have a great day and thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

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Answer 2

Vilas_S

Community Specialist

Feb 15, 2023 11:36 AM in response to baldoyler

Hello baldoyler,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. You've done a great job in troubleshooting this unique issue with your Mac. Allow us to recommend some more steps you can try. From here, you might want to test this issue in safe mode. This is a great way to further isolate possible software related issues. Just in case, this resource can guide: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

Apple silicon

1.) Shut down your Mac.

2.) Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.

3.) Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”

4.) Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.

Intel processor

1.) Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.

2.) Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac.

3.) You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window.

Depending on your results, follow the steps under “If the issue continues in safe mode” or “If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode”.

Feel free to keep us posted on your results. Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Cheers.

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Answer 3

baldoyler Author

Level 1

44 points

Feb 16, 2023 4:33 PM in response to Vilas_S

Thanks for your reply and suggestion. I've done as you suggest, restarted in Safe Mode (on two different iMacs, one 2015 and one 2020, both running Catalina,) but of course Dictation is not available in Safe Mode so that didn't really tell me anything. However I've set up a new user account on both Macs and in both cases the problem persists. I've then gone back and removed all the startup items in my account, rebooted, and the problem persists.

Your reply above begins to offer options for 'if the issue continues in safe mode' and the contrary, but you haven't provided a link.

I'm scratching my head at this stage. What can it be?

What happens if I reinstall the system entirely? Does that overwrite and 'break' all my various app settings and preferences? What other options are there? Thanks for your advice in advance

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Answer 4

baldoyler Author

Level 1

44 points

Feb 17, 2023 3:46 AM in response to jdo_apple

Thanks for this. I don't have that app on either Mac. In fact, I've just completely erased and reinstalled a pristine OS on one computer, and in a brand-new user account the problem persists.. So clearly the source of the problem lies in Catalina. I'll get on to support. Thanks again.

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Dictation stops working after about 30 seconds on Catalina

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