Voice access on your computer is like having a personal assistant. You just have to speak a specific command, and then Windows will obey the command. But when this feature stops working, Windows stop following your instructions.
So, let’s see how to troubleshoot and fix issues with Voice access on Windows 11.
Why Isn’t Voice Access Working for You?
Usually,turning on Voice accesstakes only a few seconds. You have to switch on a toggle fromSettings > Accessibility > Speech. But, in some situations, you may receive no response at all.
Here are some major reasons why Voice access might not be opening on your system:
These are just a few reasons why Voice access might not be running correctly. Now, let’s move on to the solutions to get your Voice access back up and running.
1. Try These Quick Fixes First
Voice access might not be working due to some minor Windows issues. In such a case, you should double-check:
If these basic fixes don’t restore Voice access, don’t worry—we have more targeted solutions coming up that should identify and resolve the problem.
2. Ensure Your Microphone is Working Correctly
A non-functioning microphone is a common reason why Voice access fails. Before moving on to other fixes,test your microphone setup.
If your microphone setup is causing you trouble, here are the steps for troubleshooting it:
Once you’ve followed the instructions, return to Voice access settings and try toggling it on or off. If it’s still unresponsive, don’t worry, our remaining solutions will help fix the issue.
Also, if you have more than one microphone connected, switch between them to see which works.
The Voice access feature can understand and respond to various languages. However, it can only do so if the correct language pack is installed on your system. If Voice access isn’t responding to your commands, it might be because the matching language pack isn’t installed.
Here’s how you can install the necessary language pack for Voice access on Windows:
If you cannot install the required language, you can do it fromTime & Language > Language & Regionsettings.
Some languages have multiple dialects. For example, English has US, UK, Australian, and other dialects. Install the dialect that matches your speech pattern for a smoother Voice access experience.
4. Restart Some Windows Services
Some services directly affect Voice access or any speech or microphone-based feature. Here’s how to restart them:
After performing these steps, check if Voice access has returned to normal.
There are so many presets of commands that you can use to improve your all-voice-control experience. Check theMicrosoft Support articleto know more about some of the useful commands.
5. Disable Windows Speech Recognition
Voice access is an upgraded version of the traditional Windows Speech Recognition feature. The issue is, sometimes, the older feature may interfere with Voice access.
Here’s how to disable Windows Speech Recognition on Windows:
Note that Voice Access is superior to the traditional Windows Speech Recognition feature. So, there’s no reason to use the older feature. Additionally, Microsoft may phase out the older feature soon.
You’re All Set to Command Windows With Your Voice Again
Now that you can use Voice Access without issues, we recommend going through the Voice Access commands to utilize this feature entirely.
Besides Voice Access, many other accessibility features in Windows 11 can improve your whole system experience. For example, features like Magnifier, Narrator, and live captions make computing easier for everyone. Browse them inSettings > Accessibilityto enhance your Windows experience.
