1Check the microphone it's actually using
The single most common cause of dictation looking “broken” is macOS listening to the wrong input, or an input level that's too low to register.
- Open System Settings › Sound › Input.
- Pick the microphone you actually speak into.
- Talk, and watch the Input level meter. If it barely moves, raise the input volume.
2Make sure Dictation is turned on
- Open System Settings › Keyboard › Dictation and confirm the toggle is on.
- If it's greyed out, check System Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy for an Allow Siri & Dictation option turned off. This isn't documented by Apple, but it's a real cause on managed or family Macs.
3Match the language, and download it for on-device use
A language mismatch makes dictation type nonsense or nothing. In System Settings › Keyboard › Dictation, click Edit next to Languages and add the language and region you actually speak.
On Apple Silicon, this also downloads the language for on-device dictation. That's worth doing even if language isn't your problem: on-device dictation is more consistent and, unlike the server-based fallback, doesn't need an internet connection or cut sessions short.
4Give the specific app microphone access
Works in Notes but not in your browser or a specific app? That's a per-app microphone permission, not a dictation bug. Check System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone, make sure the app is switched on, then quit and reopen it.
5Rule out a shortcut conflict
By default, pressing the microphone key or Control twice starts Dictation. Voice Control, if it's also enabled, can intercept the same key. On 2021-and-later MacBooks, the top-row key is shared between Globe/fn and F5 (Dictation), and a remapped function-key setting can stop it reaching Dictation.
6Make sure you're online
Before a language finishes downloading, and on Intel Macs, Dictation runs on Apple's servers and needs an internet connection to work. Offline, or mid-download, it can look completely broken while it's actually just waiting on a connection.
7If it works but the accuracy is poor
Once dictation is turned on and hearing you, accuracy comes down mostly to the microphone. Wireless earbuds are a bigger trade-off than most people realize: see the full breakdown of mic choice and accuracy.
8Still not working? Find your exact symptom
No session limit, cleaned up as you talk
Fixed the setup but still fighting a verbatim transcript, filler words, or session cutoffs? That's the ceiling of built-in Dictation. Whisperly has no session limit and cleans up grammar and filler as you speak, in any Mac app. It's cloud-based and needs an internet connection: if you specifically need offline dictation, Apple's on-device mode above is the right tool.
Download Whisperly free for Mac