Dictation not working

[Jeff Weissman]

iMac Sierra 10.12.1, Chrome current version, any software (Text Edit, Pages, gmail, etc.): I have Dictation ON in Prefs (both under Accessibility and Keyboard). When I double-strike the Command key I get the little Dictation window & the microphone responds to my voice, but no typing appears.
How can I troubleshoot? What can I do to get Dictation working?

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello,

-Does the Dictation microphone icon move to show input level?
-Does you mic work as an input device with other applications?
-Do you have a lot of ambient noise?

C

 

[Jeff Weissman]

Hello,

-Does the Dictation microphone icon move to show input level?
-Does you mic work as an input device with other applications?
-Do you have a lot of ambient noise?

C

Yes, it moves.
No ambient noise.
How would I test to see if it works as an input device with other applications? Which apps are you thinking of?

 

[Cory Cooper]

OK, thanks for the additional information.

A few apps to try:
QuickTime Player recording
GarageBand recording

C

 

[Jeff Weissman]

Great, I'll try later this afternoon. We're at the movies right now. I really appreciate your help. Merry Christmas!

 

[Cory Cooper]

No worries...Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!

C

 

[Jeff Weissman]

Successfully recorded an audio file in Quicktime Player.
Then went into gMail & lo & behold, now dictation works. I don't get it! Could making the recording in Quicktime have somehow cleared a problem with the internal microphone?
Anyway, seems I'm good to go now & can dictate as I had wanted to.
Thanks for your help, Cory!!!

 

[Cory Cooper]

Excellent! Glad it is working.

I guess making that recording could have cleared it up somehow...oh, the mysteries of the Mac. That is just an easy way to check on the status of the mic.

Enjoy,

C

 

[Ormond]

Dunno if this will help, but when I researched this in the past (the iListen era about ten years ago) it was always said that a quality mic headset really assists the accuracy of dictation.