There are things in our minds that are better put in words than be forgotten later on. However, many people cannot seem to type fast enough to take notes of everything their mind is putting out.
That is when Voice Typing on Google Docs comes in handy. With its speech-to-text feature, it will convert everything you speak into words without worrying if you missed out on something or not. The Voice Typing tool on Google Docs is also helpful when you have to take down personal or work notes.
However, some users reported that there are problems with their Google Docs voice to text typing feature. It seems that the tool sometimes does not show up or work at all. The app keeps stopping for select mobile users, and the option can’t be found on browsers other than Google Chrome. If you face the same situation, there are ways to help you troubleshoot and fix the problem so you can turn it on or enable it and start using the tool again.
How to Fix Voice Typing Not Working or Not Showing up Error on Google Docs due to App or Microphone Issue
Google Docs is accessible on any device. You can use it as an app on your Android phone, iPhone, or tablet mobile devices; or log in using the online version on your Windows 10 PC laptop or MacBook or Mac desktop computer. To resolve and fix the voice typing error on Google’s online word processor, follow each of the methods below and check if it works for your device.
Solution #1 – Switch to a Different Platform
If you are currently using the Google Docs app for mobile, you may want to switch to the online web version. Voice Typing is a web-based feature and currently not available on app for mobile devices. Make sure to only use the Google Chrome browser to access the voice typing feature. It is not compatible and will not show up on other browsers like Safari, Brave, Opera, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox.
Solution #2 – Give Google Docs Permission to Access Microphone
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Windows 10 PC
- Launch the Settings menu of your Windows 10 PC.
- Select Privacy.
- Go to App Permissions.
- Choose Microphone.
- Look for the Allow apps to access your microphone option.
- Click Change.
- Look for the Allow apps to access your microphone option. Make sure it is set to Enable.
- Look for the Allow desktop apps to access your microphone option and enable it.
Mac Computers
- For Mac users, open System Preferences.
- Go to Security & Privacy.
- Navigate to the Privacy tab.
- Select Microphone.
- Make sure to check the box next to the Google Chrome browser.
Google Chrome Browser
- To check permission on Google Chrome, click the three-dotted icon on your Chrome browser.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select Privacy and security.
- Go to Site Settings.
- Look for Permissions.Â
- Select Microphone.
- Now, go to the Allow section and check if Google Docs is in it.
- If you see Google Docs under the Blocked section instead, click to open it.
- Go to Microphone, and tap the drop-down menu.
- Select Allow.
Solution #3 – Clear Google Chrome’s Cache, Cookies, and Browsing Data
- On your Google Chrome browser, click the three-dotted icon.
- Go to More Tools.
- Select Clear browsing data.
- Now, set the Time range to All Time.
- Check the boxes next to Browsing data, Cookies, and Cache.
- Click the Clear data button.
Solution #4 – Check the Microphone Input Volume on your Computer
It can be an issue with your microphone settings. Check the volume and test if your mic is indeed working or not.
Windows 10
- Launch the Settings menu of your Windows 10 PC.
- Go to System.
- Select Sound.
- Navigate to Input.
- Under Choose your input device, select your microphone.
- Go to Device properties.
- Slide to adjust the volume of your microphone.
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macOS
- For Mac users, launch System Preferences.
- Look for the Sound icon and double-click it.
- Go to the Input tab.
- Select your microphone.
- Adjust the volume using the slider.Â
Solution #5 – Update your Google Chrome Browser
- On your Chrome browser, click the three-dotted icon.
- Select Update Google Chrome.
- Restart your Chrome browser after installing the updates.
If none of the solutions above work, you may contact Google support to assist you further. On your browser, go to https://support.google.com/drive/#topic=14940 and report the issue.
What solutions above worked for you in fixing the error with the Voice Typing feature on the Google Docs app or website? You can tell us by dropping a comment down below.
