Get Dictation working again on your Mac
Quick answer
Open System Settings, click Keyboard and turn Dictation on. Then check that Microphone source is the mic you're using and that your language is in the Languages list.
Why it happens
Dictation is off on a new Mac until you switch it on. When it is on but nothing happens, it's usually listening to the wrong microphone, such as a headset you unplugged. It can also be set to a language other than the one you're speaking.
How to fix it
Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings, then click Keyboard in the sidebar. Scroll down to Dictation and turn the switch on. If a message pops up, read it and confirm.
Keyboard›Dictation
Next to Languages, click Edit and tick the language and region you speak, for example English (India) or English (United Kingdom). Your Mac may need a few minutes online to fetch files for a new language.
Keyboard›Dictation›Languages
Open the Microphone source menu just below and pick the microphone you're really using. Automatic is fine for the built-in mic, but choose your headset or AirPods by name if you use them.
Look at Shortcut in the same section to see how Dictation starts on your Mac. Click into a text box in Notes, use that shortcut (or the microphone key on the top row, if your keyboard has one) and speak a short sentence.
Keyboard›Dictation›Shortcut
Still not fixed?
Check that your Mac hears you at all. In Sound, click Input, pick your microphone and talk. If the Input level bars don't move, the problem is the mic, not Dictation. A Mac mini, Mac Studio or Mac Pro has no built-in mic, so it needs a headset or USB mic.
Sound›Input
If Dictation works in Notes but not in one app, that app may not support it. Quit the app with Command-Q and open it again, then check for an update to it.
Turn Dictation off, restart your Mac from the Apple menu, then turn it back on. This clears a stuck Dictation session.
Install any waiting macOS update in General, under Software Update, then try again.
General›Software Update
If the Input level never moves with the built-in mic and no headset is plugged in, the microphone may be faulty. That's a hardware problem, so contact Apple Support or a repair shop.
Questions people ask
How do I turn on Dictation on a Mac?
Open System Settings, click Keyboard and turn on the Dictation switch. Then click into any text box and use the shortcut shown next to Shortcut.
Why does Dictation make a sound but type nothing?
It's usually listening to the wrong microphone. Set Microphone source in Keyboard settings to the mic you're using, then try again.
Can I change the Dictation language on my Mac?
Yes. In Keyboard settings, under Dictation, click Edit next to Languages and tick the language and region you speak.
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