Error downloading voice control files - Mac OS Ventura

#Goal:

Aim: Add voice control language English (UK) to Mac with primary language English (UK)

Error: Unexpected error occurred cannot download English (UK)

This problem has been a persistent problem, as listed in "Error downloading voice control files" by Apple Community

Error downloading voice control files - M… - Apple Community

#Experiment:

Troubleshooting to fix the error.

1. Make sure internet connection is working, make sure signed into Apple ID, make sure I am using admin/power user account, and now again try downloading other languages.

2. In System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control did the following,

Tied to download German, but got same Error: Unexpected error occurred cannot download German

Tied to download English (US), but got same Error: Unexpected error occurred cannot download English (US)

Tied to download French, and it worked

Tied to download German, but got same Error: Unexpected error occurred cannot download German

Tied to download English (US), but got same Error: Unexpected error occurred cannot download English (US)

3. Since French worked first changed the computer primary language to French and rebooted. Thereafter again tried to fetch the English (UK) language but now not as primary language but as add-on language of Voice Control.

System Settings > General > Language & Region > + French as primary > Reboot

System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control > French > Let download complete and Voice control start

System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control > Turn Off > Reboot

System Settings > General > Language & Region > + English as primary

System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control > English > Let download complete and Voice control start.

#Result:

Eureka! Computer now has English (UK) as primary and Voice Control language.

#Inference:

Basic idea is that the change to a new language, here French resets the language settings, so any cache network server error of fetching English (UK) would also be reset.

#Bonus:

Pro Tip: System Settings > Sound > Input Volume. Here increase input volume, if Voice Control cannot hear you well, also make sure microphone is not covered when you speak to Voice Control. Minimum background noise is better, but in my experience Siri learns to ignore the background if you happen to stay in same background while you speak.

I agree that it must be an Ventura problem. I've tried the following suggestions many times: a) trying to download another language, b) starting in safe mode and trying the same, and c) switching to an alternate user and trying the same. Got the same error message every time.

I spoke with the 2nd Level, and we escalated it to engineering after gathering some data, but I have not heard back.

I have a Mac mini that's configured almost exactly like the MacBook Pro where I'm having this problem and the language files downloaded just fine on the Mac mini.

Very frustrating to not have this important feature not working.

I am having the problem on my Mac Mini M2 that I just purchased. I have no problem with my M1 Macbook Pro in this regard. Agreed, very frustrating since this is an essential feature since Dragon for Mac was canceled.

I just wanted to let everyone know that this is happening on my 2020 27-inch Intel iMac as well. This behavior only started with 13.0. It only affects my primary user. Just a question: Does it make a difference if the user is on an external drive?

It is really hard to believe that a reasonable fix to this problem has not been found for this essential function of a brand-new Mac Mini. Really causing me to take a new look at PCs. At least I know I can dictate on those computers.

Case Number: ****

Steve, 

The only course of action we have currently is to verify that the macOS is fully updated to the most recent release and then if the issue still exist do the same thing we tried to do a while ago by changing the home folder name and then logging into the user account and letting the Mac create a new home folder moving one needed file at a time from the old user home folder to the new one. This is the only course of action we have at this time. 

Thanks

John

My Reply

At least 14 other people have this problem. I have posted your recommended troubleshooting steps to the forums. Maybe someone there will have to time to help you troubleshoot.

When I did what you suggested my 2TB system drive filled up, stopped responding and I had to totally restore from backup. 

My system was not fully operational for 2 days.

Hopefully you can understand why I am reluctant to do that again. I moved several folders over at a time and was not able to determine what folders were the cause the problem. 

To do your troubleshooting for you would take me over 8 hours to find a bug that Apple Introduced as part of an update to V13. 

If you want me to take my system into the Genius Bar and have them do it I will drop it off. 

I during the restore, while on V13 I was able to install the language files. After updating I was not. 

What in the update introduced the bug..

Can they look at what was in the update that might have caused this bug. 

Unbelievable that the capture program does not capture when a module is unable to install. That should be fixed irregardless of this bug. 

Can you forward this to an escalation team as for me a major part of your OS that I use daily is not available. 

Sigh,

Steve

On May 25, 2023 at 22:22, Steve

I am not the only one having problem with this bug that was introduced in a Ventura update. 

Can they have a capture program that traps why the language files fail to Install.

I am 35 hours into trying to fix this problem. One Man Week lost to this bug.

Steve

[Personal Information Edited by Moderator]

I've tried the advice in this thread:

1. Disabled the firewall
2. Removed the Trial folder inside the Library folder
3. Enabled Voice Control as another user

The last effort has allowed me to download one language, but I still get the same error with other languages.

I've also tried installing the following package manually, as advised in a blog post, but that hasn't helped:

https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/39/42/041-98170-A_OGQK1R3RQN/rfmvowf9s70sx4f3d8aveyfu2286k02948/SpeechRecognitionCoreLanguagePremium_en_US.pkg

Apple, please resolve this issue. According to this thread, it affects 50 people who updated to Ventura.

I recently upgraded to Ventura yesterday, and I'm facing the same issue. I'm using M1 Pro and heavily rely on voice control, but it's not working now. Sonoma is expected to be released soon, and it seems like that's the only solution left for me to restore this essential function. It's really frustrating, and I don't think it's just a simple download problem. If they are genuinely committed, I don't understand why it's so difficult for them to fix it.

I have a MacBook Air 2023 24 GB memory, 2 TB storage.

I have been attempting to get the language file downloaded since the day I got the machine.

The same error keeps popping up:

An unexpected error occurred while downloading the Voice Control language "English (United States)". Try again later.

I am running Ventura 13.6.

Has anyone found a fix for this problem? I am experiencing the same problem and the above fixes do not work.

Evidently they download the voice files to a special area on the Mac, I do not believe browsers are involved.

Engineering has punted. They wanted me to restore folders manually until I got the program. Did not have time to do 57 Folders

The files that they want you to move from your existing User directory are in the library folder. You know, the one they tell you not to mess with.

I upgraded to Ventura 13.6 (22G120) — now I have this problem. 😭