8 Fixes for iOS 16/17 Dictation Not Working [Proven]

Do you ever feel like your iPhone is playing dumb when it comes to dictation? Is your iOS 16 dictation not working? If yes, then you are not alone! Apple launched this dictation feature in iOS 16 to make the typing experience more seamless. However, many users reported that it doesn’t work properly.

Imagine the frustration: you’re trying to send a quick text, but your iPhone won’t listen! But don’t worry! We have got the magic fix for you. In this article, we are going to walk you through eight solutions to get your dictation back on track. We will also explore their step-by-step guides. Let’s get started!

Why Is iOS 16 Dictation Not Working?

There can be various reasons for iOS 16 dictation not working. Whenever Apple launches a new iOS software, it has bugs that can cause issues like this one. So, before jumping to the solutions, let’s shed some light on the reasons for this issue. Some of the possible reasons for the iPhone dictation not working in iOS 16/17 are as follows:

• Network Issues: Your dictation commands need a clear path to Apple’s servers to be transformed into text. If your Wi-Fi is acting up or your cellular data is not working, your voice might get lost.
• Microphone Mishaps: Sometimes, the simplest things trip us up. Check if the microphone mute button is accidentally on or if dust or debris has clogged its tiny voice hole.
• Outdated Software: Sometimes, new software can come with bugs. Make sure that you’re running the latest version of iOS 16. Apple keeps releasing updates that fix bugs and improve performance.
• Third-party app interference: Did you switch keyboards recently? Some third-party keyboards might not play nice with iOS 16 dictation. Try switching back to the default keyboard. It might fix the problem.
• Siri Says No: Believe it or not, Siri and Dictation are closely related. If Siri is acting up or disabled, your dictation might be taking the day off, too. Check if Siri is turned on.

Now that we know what can be the causes of the iOS 16 dictation not working, let’s dive into their solutions.

But before jumping to the regular fixes, let us introduce you to something amazing! It might fix the issue in just a few clicks.

Ultimate Fix for iOS 16 Dictation Not Working

Sometimes, a problem in the system software of your Apple device can cause the dictation feature not to work properly. However, the good news is that you can fix the dictation by fixing the iOS system issues. Don’t know how to do it? Worry not! We have got you an amazing solution – AnyFix! It is a reliable and effective tool for all your iOS-related issues.

Now, there’s no need to rely on manual and daunting steps to fix the iOS 16 dictation not working issue. With AnyFix, you can get the job done in just a few clicks. Moreover, it can also help you solve issues like the iPhone black screen, won’t turn on, stuck on the lock screen, and many more. The best part? No matter if you are from a tech background or not, you can use AnyFix.

Before starting, download AnyFix on your PC/laptop. Then, follow the instructions given below to fix iOS 16 dictation not working issue:

Step 1: Once the installation is finished, connect your iOS device to your PC/Mac. Launch the AnyFix app and select the System Repair mode.

Step 2: Now, AnyFix will start to detect your iOS device. After completion, you will see the below interface. Click the Start Now button.

Step 3: Now, what you have to do is select a repair mode. Choose the Standard Repair option, which will fix issues without data loss.

Step 4: AnyFix will give you the firmware of your iOS device. Click the Download button to download your device’s firmware package.

Step 5: After the firmware package for your iOS device is downloaded successfully, you will see the below interface. Click the Start Standard Repair button.

Step 6: Now, AnyFix will start repairing your iPhone. It is suggested not to disconnect your iPhone until it restarts. Once the repair process is completed, you will see the below interface.

So here it is, your hassle-free way to fix iPhone dictation not working in iOS 16/17. However, if you want to try the manual solutions, you can continue reading.

Common Fixes for iOS 16 Dictation Not Working

There are various regular ways that might fix the iOS 16 dictation not working issue. These methods are easy to follow, and anybody can try them by following their instructions. Let’s explore them together!

Way 1. Make Sure Dictation Is Enabled

When it comes to fixing any technical issue, you should start with the basics. If iOS 16 dictation is not working, you should check if it is enabled or not. You can also turn it off and on again. It might fix the issue. You can follow the instructions given below:

Step 1: Open your iPhone “Settings.”

Step 2: Go to “General” > “Keyboard.”

Step 3: Scroll down and find “Enable Dictation.” Check if the toggle is on.

If this method doesn’t work for you, try the next one.

Way 2. Check iPhone’s Microphone

Dictation relies on your iPhone microphone. If there is dust or your microphone is damaged, it won’t be able to detect the speech. So, make your that your microphone is working properly.

You can check it by recording a voice memo. If you can clearly listen to what you recorded, it means that your microphone is working fine. There must be some other issue. In that case, you can move forward to the next solution.

Way 3. Switch Dictation Language

Sometimes, switching languages can also fix the iOS 16 dictation not working issue. Many users reported that when their keyboard language was English (US), there was trouble.

But when they changed the language from English (US) to English (UK), the problem got fixed. Similarly, if you are having a problem with any other language like Spanish (Mexico), you can switch to Spanish (Latin America).

You can follow the instructions given below to switch the dictation language:

Step 1: Open “Settings” on your iPhone.

Step 2: Go to “General” > “Keyboard” > “Keyboards.”

Step 3: Tap “Add New Keyboard” to add a new language.

Step 4: Now, search for the language that you want to add. Let’s add English (US).

Step 5: Go back to the keyboard menu and click “Dictation Languages.” Select English (US), and your new language will be updated.

If this method doesn’t fix the iPhone dictation not working iOS 16/17 issue, you can try the next method.

Way 4. Reset Network Settings

The dictation feature needs a stable internet connection to work smoothly. So, you need to make sure that your internet connection is good enough to support the dictation. However, if the iOS 16 dictation not working issue remains, you need to reset the network settings.

Here is how you can reset the network settings of your iPhone:

Step 1: Open “Settings” on your iPhone.

Step 2: Go to “General” > “Transfer or Reset iPhone,” scroll down, and click “Reset Network Settings.”

Step 3: Enter your passcode and hit “Reset Settings.”

Now, see if the issue has been resolved; if not, then there is one method that you can try.

Way 5. Disable Screen Time Restrictions

Sometimes, we care about our screen time and restrict some of the features. If you have tried all the above methods but are still facing the same issue, there are chances that you have restricted Siri and dictation. So, you need to remove the restriction from these features to get out of the trouble.

You can follow the instructions given below to turn off the screen time restrictions:

Step 1: Open “Settings” on your iPhone.

Step 2: Go to “Screen Time” > “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”

Step 3: Click “Allowd Apps” and enter the passcode.

Step 4: Now, make sure that the toggle of “Siri & Dictation” is turned off.

Check dictation and see if the iOS 16 dictation not working issue has been fixed. If it persists, you can try the next solution.

Way 6. Turn off Low Power Mode

If you have enabled the Low Power Mode on your iPhone, it may affect the dictation. So, turn off the Low Power Mode and try the dictation feature. Here’s how you can turn off the Low Power Mode:

Step 1: Open “Settings” on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap “Battery” and then turn off the “Low Power Mode” toggle.

Alternatively, if the Low Power Mode button is added to your control center, you can directly turn it off from there. However, if the iPhone dictation not working iOS 16 issue persists, there is one last resort. Explore it in the next method.

Way 7. Factory Reset iPhone

As a last resort, factory resetting the iPhone may help iOS 16 dictation not working issue. However, keep in mind that the reset process will delete all of your data. It will restore the device to its original state. So, it is recommended to backup your data before you go for this solution.

You can follow the instructions given below to factory reset your iPhone:

Step 1: Open “Settings” on your iPhone.

Step 2: Go to “General” > “Transfer or Reset iPhone,” scroll down, and click “Erase all Content & Settings.”

Step 3: Enter your passcode and hit “Reset Settings.”

The good thing is factory reset will also remove other bugs. Your iPhone will take a fresh start.

The Bottom Line

Okay, let’s break it down. In the world of technology, hiccups happen, and features not working properly are one of them. So, we have explored eight different solutions to fix the iOS 16 dictation not working issue. We are positive that after reading this guide, your speech-to-text feature is back on track. All you had to do was follow the given instructions.

However, if you don’t want to go for manual solutions, AnyFix has got you covered. It is an amazing tool that not only fixes iOS system issues but also offers solutions for many other iOS-related problems. So, download it now and be your own hero!