Dictation doesn't work

Just wondering, do you have 1Password installed?

OP: I had a very similar problem and solved it. I could get the dictation popup to appear by pressing fn twice, getting the three processing dots afterwards with a negatory shake and no text output. After trying everything else, this was easily solved by selecting "Internal Microphone" from a tiny, nearly hidden dropdown menu in the Dictation Preferences menu. This is below the dictation microphone symbol. When the correct input is selected, you should see the purple fill in the icon respond to sound input.

Following is extra detailed info that may be further helpful diagnostic for everyone who is having similar problems. I had to figure this out on my own, people who have it working don't know the various ways that it can break and way to diagnose what is wrong. The icon gave me a hint that this is a simple input connection problem -- nothing to do with users, login items, or internet connection (which still could be a problem for a small number of people).

To all who are having similar problems with dictation not working, you should be able to diagnose this problem easily:

- Large picture symptom is that you can call up dictation but not get any text output, despite internet being connected and dictation being turned on.

- After releasing fn, pressing enter, clicking done, or otherwise signalling that you've completed dictation, you see the three progress dots that indicate server processing. They flash and after a moment the entire dictation popup shakes. No text is produced.

- Dictation mini-popup (after pressing fn twice) shows the dictation microphone icon, but the purple fill of the icon does not visually respond to sound input. This is a sign that dictation is not listening to you.

Solution: You need to get that icon to respond to audio before this will work. This is not a static icon but one that should fluctuate depending on sound levels going to the correct input source.

Input source is set in Dictation Prefs, not in sound input prefs. You could be forgiven if you missed it, it's very subtly placed under the icon.

"Automatic" seems to automatically choose the wrong one for me -- Mileage may vary, obviously there are a lot out there that it works fine for. Those who plan to use multiple mics at different times may be pained if they can't use an automatic setting.

- Similarly to the dictation popup icon, the Dictation preferences microphone icon is a live icon that should show volume level feedback when the correct input source is selected. You can select the source in a hidden dropdown under the icon.

If you start the mic by pressing FN FN, you'll see an animated mic with a "done" button; when you press FN FN again, you'll see three violet dots and the word and a "cancel" button

If for some reason your software isn't working properly, reboot; this will solve most issues. If the mic doesn't seem to work, go to System Preferences/Dictation and Speech/Dictation, and tap on the Internal Microphone pic on the left side of the screen; tap on the shaded Internal Microphone, and you'll see three options for changing your input. Try all three, in case the input has changed, or if your computer has different requirements.

I found it to be a settings issue. This is what fixed the problem for me.....

> Sytem Pref

>Dictation /Speech

Under the microphone, select "internal Microphone"

Solved my issue which sounded exactly like yours. Good luck.😎

No,man

Dear Will, Poikkeus and Mac\'ed,

Of course i played with all these settings and selecting internal microphone. I even connected my external apple mic's.

It is not the issue with sound not getting through- it is an issue of not getting text back from apple servers.

As i said earlier sound level is moving, acceptance sound is played and after that Dictation logo just shakes and goes away.

Any other ideas?

One thing some one suggested yesterday that I tried was to rest the ram. I am not sure this is the solution but after I tried it, eventually I got dictation to work, and works very well.

EvilLittleLlama suggested:

Restart your computer. At restart press and hold the following,

Command+Option+P+R

This resets your Ram.

Next, make sure you go through Parental controls and make sure Dictation is enabled on your accounts, by default it is selected to be disabled. Sounds like you have the correct microphone input selected already. Do all of this and reboot. I messed with settings just about all day before I got dictation to work. Hope this works for you. VERY FRUSTRATING, I know.

One thing that is different with your issue, I noticed a different post that you mentioned you were sending sound to an Ipad. I would be willing to bet your issue is a settings issue related to sound input/output and the app that controls this feature. GOOD LUCK.😎

have you tried any of the suggested steps ive posted?like troubleshooting the network?

Hi Kisuke,

I tried, doesn't work . Is this the right way?

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/screencapturemac/ht/macscreenshot.htm

Dear Mac'/ed,

Thanks for your reply.

I tried to restart RAM the way you mentioned- still the same. Doesn't work.

Also i don't have parental controls enabled since i am using admin account.

Guys,

I just want to thank you all for your support and help. It is really nice to see such supprotive community.

Guys,

Pls see below.

Can kernel extension (see below - sound flower) cause this issue? if yes to to kill this bustard?

Or splashtop streamer daemon? ( this app uses sound flower to redirect audio to ipad).

Hardware:

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: MacBook Air

Model Identifier: MacBookAir5,2

Processor Name: Intel Core i5

Processor Speed: 1.8 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 3 MB

Memory: 4 GB

Boot ROM Version: MBA51.00EF.B00

SMC Version (system): 2.5f7

Software:

System Software Overview:

System Version: OS X 10.8 (12A269)

Kernel Version: Darwin 12.0.0

Time since boot: 17 minutes

Kernel Extensions:

com.kaspersky.kext.klif Version: 2.2.0d16

com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower Version: 1.5.2 LOOK HERE!!!

com.kaspersky.kext.kimul.38 Version: 38

System Launch Daemons:

[not loaded] bootps.plist

[not loaded] com.danga.memcached.plist

[loaded] com.vix.cron.plist

[not loaded] exec.plist

[not loaded] finger.plist

[not loaded] ftp.plist

[not loaded] login.plist

[not loaded] ntalk.plist

[not loaded] org.apache.httpd.plist

[not loaded] org.cups.cups-lpd.plist

[loaded] org.cups.cupsd.plist

[not loaded] org.freeradius.radiusd.plist

[not loaded] org.isc.named.plist

[not loaded] org.net-snmp.snmpd.plist

[running] org.ntp.ntpd.plist

[not loaded] org.openldap.slapd.plist

[loaded] org.postfix.master.plist

[not loaded] org.postgresql.postgres_alt.plist

[not loaded] shell.plist

[not loaded] ssh.plist

[not loaded] telnet.plist

[not loaded] tftp.plist

System Launch Agents:

[loaded] org.openbsd.ssh-agent.plist

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist

[running] com.kaspersky.kav.plist

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist

[loaded] com.sharpcast.xfsmond.plist

[loaded] com.splashtop.streamer.SRServiceDaemon.plist

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist

Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.kaspersky.kav.gui.plist

[loaded] com.splashtop.streamer.SRServiceAgent.plist

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist

User Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM

[loaded] com.divx.agent.postinstall.plist

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist

[loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist

Hi Ilyas,

Did you find any solution for your mac?

hi jenekch,

Well, i gave it up for the moment....... guess we have a great Mac community who are all the more ready to help....i'm a rookie as far as mac is concerned.... once i get it right will post it...

till then Cheers!!

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712

then try google DNS or ISP DNS