Q: Dictation not working on mavericks

Check that you have set the mic source in the System Pref:

Turning dictation off, restarting, then turning it back on solved the problem.  Sincerest thanks to the poster above who recommended it!

I have the same problem. I installed Mavericks recently. I don't use Dictation on a regular basis so I am not sure when the problem started. I hear a single beeb when opening Dictation with the keyboard shortcut and nothing happens. I tried the suggested tricks in this thread like turning off Dictation, rebooting and turn it on again, selecting the microphone and deleting Dictation cache folder. It seems to work for a short while then stops. I don't know what triggers the issue.

I wish to use Dictation more often now and would like to fix this issue for good. Are there more suggestions? Thanks

After trying all of these fixes to no avail, and spending hours on the phone with Apple Care - with them suggesting to wipe the HD and reinstall the OS - I have found a fix that worked for me: disabling my antivirus. If all other fixes fail, try this one; it will likely solve your problem since the enhanced dictation actually functions over the internet and is getting blocked by your antivirus software when the data comes back into the program from Apple over the internet.

Thanks for your suggestion. I don't use an antivirus. The problem is intermittent which makes it more difficult to diagnose. Rebooting brings Dictation back to normal. It has been working for the last couple days.

Spoke too soon. Problem keeps coming back. Login out and in again brings back Dictation.

Sublime3stylee wrote:

 

...the enhanced dictation actually functions over the internet and is getting blocked by your antivirus software when the data comes back into the program from Apple over the internet.

This is incorrect. Once you have downloaded the software or enhanced dictation you do not need to be connected to the Internet. I have turned off my Internet connection and I'm dictating this using the enhanced dictation and as you can see it is working perfectly well.

Same problem. Comes and goes. I have rebooted ten times--no go. Icon shows up, but it doesn't type the words. UK english worked, but that was buggy too. US does not work.

Very frustrating. Terrible product.

Is the volume turned up on your microphone?

System Preferences -> Sound -> Input

Do you see the input level changing when speaking?

Solved my problem as well, Ben.  Thanks!

Updating to 10.9.4 seems to have fixed the issue for me

This also worked for me.  Thanks.

Spoke too soon. I still have the same problem...

Thank you so much for posting this. I have been growing very frustrated trying to resolve this issue. This totally works for me!

YES THIS WORKED!!!!