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Troubleshooting

Make a microphone the Windows default

VoiceKeyboard shows a message that Google listens to the Windows default microphone. This page shows how to change that default, or how to make the message go away.

When you need this

The Standard engine (Google, working through Chrome) normally hears the microphone you chose in VoiceKeyboard, as long as Chrome is version 135 or newer. If Chrome cannot use that microphone, Google switches to the Windows default microphone. Dictation goes on, and VoiceKeyboard shows a message: "Google listens to the Windows default microphone", or "Chrome could not open the chosen microphone". It happens with an older Chrome, or when Chrome cannot open the device.

If the default is the microphone you want, there is nothing to do. If not, use one of the two fixes: update Chrome, or make your microphone the Windows default. VoiceKeyboard itself never changes the Windows default.

Windows 11

  1. Open Start → Settings → System → Sound.
  2. Under Input, find "Choose a device for speaking or recording" and select your microphone in the list. Windows now uses it as the default input.
  3. Speak and watch the Input volume bar under the device. If it moves, Windows hears you.

Windows 10

  1. Open Start → Settings → System → Sound.
  2. Under Input, open the list "Choose your input device" and select your microphone.
  3. Speak and watch the "Test your microphone" bar. If it moves, Windows hears you.

The quick way: the classic Sound panel

This works the same on Windows 10 and 11 and shows every microphone, including the ones that are switched off.

  1. Press Win+R, type mmsys.cpl and press Enter.
  2. Open the Recording tab.
  3. Right-click your microphone and choose "Set as Default Device". A green tick appears on it.
  4. Press OK.

If your microphone is missing from the list, right-click an empty place in it and tick "Show Disabled Devices". Then right-click the microphone and choose Enable.

Update Chrome

Updating Chrome is the other fix, and then Google hears the microphone chosen in VoiceKeyboard. Open Chrome, type chrome://settings/help in the address bar and press Enter. Chrome checks for an update by itself and shows the version number; restart the browser when it asks. You need version 135 or newer.

Soniox and the local models

Soniox and the local models always use the microphone chosen in VoiceKeyboard. They do not look at the Windows default, so nothing changes for them.

Bluetooth headset

A Bluetooth headset records only in its hands-free mode, and Windows then plays the sound in lower quality too. This is how the Bluetooth profile works, not a fault of the headset or the app. If the sound matters more than the cable, use a wired or USB microphone. More about levels in microphone, sensitivity and BOOST.