Mac Dictation unusable due to unwanted numbers/text

Question

Mac Dictation unusable due to unwanted numbers/text

I keep receiving a 403 error whenever I try to post or ask a question, which is already frustrating. But my main issue is with Dictation/Voice Input on my Mac.

I want to be able to speak naturally into the computer, exactly as I’m doing now, without random numbers and unwanted text constantly appearing on the screen. This makes dictation almost unusable.

I have already followed Apple’s previous recommendations, including:

setting overlay=none
setting “fade after” to zero

Unfortunately, the problem still persists. At this point, I need a real solution instead of repeating the same troubleshooting steps. Please advise on how to permanently disable these intrusive on-screen numbers/text while using voice dictation.

Mac mini

Posted on May 25, 2026 2:53 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

kaz-k

Level 9

52,730 points

May 31, 2026 5:23 AM in response to shankarfromhuntsville

Hi,

To fix unwanted numbers and random text in Mac Dictation, first ensure your system's Language and Input Source settings are correct. For persistent errors, toggling the dictation service off and on via System Settings or using third-party AI dictation tools often resolves speech-to-text glitches.

Quick Fixes & Troubleshooting

Toggle Dictation Off/On: Open System Settings > Keyboard, scroll down to Dictation, and toggle it off. Wait a few seconds, toggle it back on, and click Enable to clear corrupted speech caches.
Check Input Sources: Make sure your default keyboard layout isn't inadvertently inserting symbols. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input (or Input Sources), and ensure only your preferred language is selected.
Restart Core Speech Service: If dictation goes rogue or stops responding, you can reset the background speech process without rebooting your Mac. Open the Terminal app and run the command: killall corespeechd.
Check for App Conflicts: If unwanted text only happens in specific programs (like Microsoft Word), switch to the built-in Notes app to isolate whether it is a system or app-specific bug.
Disable Voice Control: If you have Voice Control enabled simultaneously, it can cause duplicate typing or random commands to be entered. Navigate to System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and ensure it is toggled off.

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