Dictation not working in iPad OS 18.4 despite being enabled

Me as well! IPad Pro m4 13 in, iOS 18.4.1 and dictation/Siri stops working after a while. Only turning iPad off and on again gets it working and then it unexpectedly stops again. Connected with Apple support and they said they had become aware of the issue and I just needed to wait until they could fix it.

Apple released iPadOS 18.4.1; it does NOT fix the problem.

Same here with my M4 iPad Pro 11". After (another) reboot, dictation and SIRI will eventually no longer work though the orange dot appears indicating the mic is active. Apple, fix this please/

OK I have done some work on this to try to work out what's going on:

1. This happens on iPads and iPhones.
2. Turning Apple Intelligence of in Siri settings does NOT fix it.
3. Dictation will work for a bit and then stop until the device is rebooted.
4. It has nothing to do with AirPods (but see below)
5. It is not a complete disabling of the Microphone, it is ONLY dictation. For instance, when it happens in WhatsApp I can still leave a voice note, but I can't dictate.
6. Dictation looks like it is happening but when you stop dictation you get no text (sometimes you get just the word "No"!)
7. When broken. If I join the bluetooth in my car, or connect to my AirPods, dictation works. As soon as I come off it, it stops.
8. IT IS REALLY ANNOYING

Having the same problem

iPad Pro M4 13”

Very annoying!

It won’t last. I reset my entire iPad and set it up as new and not from a back up. The problem returned after a day or so.

Just got off the phone with a senior tech guy from Apple who I’ve been working with for several days and who is awesome. He said that various techs have tried all manner of things because many people have called in with the problem, and different solutions like the one you tried work for a short period of time, but the Apple engineers are aware of the fact it is a software issue that needs repair on their end with an update to fix it. Problem is, they have no idea when that’s gonna happen.

But the issue has become common knowledge because it is rampant

According to an earlier post in this thread, seems Apple are are aware of the issue and are working on it. You may want to send your feedback to reach those working behind-the-scenes. The more info, they receive on which devices and OS versions are affected, the more likely we will see an update that addresses the issue: Product Feedback - Apple

iPad Pro m4 microphone keeps disconnecting after the 18.4 update. I restarted my iPad but after awhile mic still stop working.

Re: "iPad Pro m4 microphone keeps disconnecting after the 18.4 update.

I restarted my iPad but after awhile mic still stop working."

Ummm ..

is this connected to the dictation-situation we are discussing in this thread?

If so: can only suggest you send feedback to Apple using link provided above.

If not: Suggesting you use the "Ask the community" link to create a new thread on the mic disconnection-situation, so you receive replies from the community.

RE: "Apple, fix this please/"

We are all Apple users, like yourself, in this community, and Apple is unlikely to see your post here. The more feedback Apple receives on an issue, the more likely we'll see an update addressing that issue: (All feedback is carefully read, and logged.)

Website for hardware and software feedback:: Product Feedback - Apple

i have the latest iPad Pro having the same problem. I didn’t start having the issue until I updated to 18.4

Hosed for me across the whole range of mic-enabled apps. ChatGPT, Siri, Teams, Google Meet, FaceTime, and Discord. The Orange bubble pops up but no sound comes through. Shutdown / Restart does not fix it nor does a factory rest. Siri and the rest work when my AirPods are connected once disconnected the built-in microphone does not work.

I use the mic quite a bit to talk to my computer - how in 2025 are you breaking basic device functionality with a dot upgrade? Come on.

iPad Pro 13 inch, no earbuds of any kind attached. Power off/on seems to be the only solution, but it is an incredibly intrusive solution. for what it’s worth, when dictation stops working, after the power on reset, I am asked to enable Wi-Fi calling, which had been enabled before the dictation failure; this has happened two out of two times.

This needs to be fixed immediately

Thank you for sharing your experience with the community, greekguy2!

May be worth looking in to use Voice Control for Dictation while waiting for a fix?

Use Voice Control on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-ykg3jZ9_k

Apple support have many articles online that may be helpful:

Eg: Change settings for AirPods Pro 1 and 2 - Apple Support

says:

"Your AirPods Pro automatically stop playing audio when you take them off, and resume playback when you put them back on. You can change this setting.

1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
2. Do one of the following:

• • iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings , tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen, then turn Automatic Ear Detection on or off.
• Mac: Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, click the name of your AirPods in the sidebar, then turn “Automatic ear detection” on or off."