"Didn't Hear That, Tap the Microphone to Try Again"

What the message means

"Didn't hear that. Tap the microphone to try again" is shown by voice input features such as voice search, dictation, and translation tools. The wording varies by app. It appears when the listening window ended without speech the app could recognise.

That leaves two possibilities: no sound is reaching the app, or sound is arriving but the app cannot pick out speech. The test on this page tells you which.

Check your microphone first

Press Start microphone test above, allow the prompt, and speak normally. Audio stays on your device and is never uploaded.

Result	What it means	Go to
The test shows an error	Permission, detection, or another app holding the mic	No signal
The meter stays flat	Mute, wrong device, or level set too low	No signal
The meter barely moves	The signal is too quiet to recognise as speech	Signal present
The meter moves well	The microphone is fine; the app or connection is the likely cause	Specific apps

If the level meter does not move

Check permission. The app or browser needs microphone access. Our guide to a microphone blocked in the browser covers each browser.
Check for a mute. Look for a keyboard mute key, a headset switch, or a raised boom.
Pick the right input. If the test shows a device list, try each one. Otherwise, change it in your sound settings.
Close other voice apps. A call or recorder may be holding the microphone.
Still nothing? Follow the six-step microphone fix, or the guide for a microphone that is not detected.

If the level meter moves

Start speaking sooner. Many voice features stop listening after a short silence, so speak right after tapping.
Move closer. Speak from a normal distance at normal volume, and do not cover the microphone.
Raise the input level. Windows and macOS both have one in sound settings.
Reduce background noise. Fans, TV, and traffic can mask speech.
Turn off aggressive noise suppression. Some headsets and utilities can filter out quiet speech.
Listen back. Record yourself with the voice recorder to hear what the app receives.
Check Bluetooth. Headset microphones can be weak and narrowband. Try the built-in microphone to compare. See why Bluetooth microphones sound bad.

Fixes for phones and specific apps

Android: check the app's microphone permission and the Microphone access toggle in Quick Settings. See microphone not working on a phone.
iPhone and iPad: check the app under Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone, and Speech Recognition where it appears.
Browser: reload the page after changing permissions. Try a second browser to rule out an extension.
Language: make sure the app's voice language matches the language you are speaking.
Connection: many voice features need internet access. Try a different network if the microphone tests fine.

Frequently asked questions

What does "didn't hear that, tap the microphone to try again" mean?

The voice feature listened but did not get speech it could recognise. Either no sound reached it, or the sound was too quiet, noisy, or unclear.

Is my microphone broken if I see this message?

Usually not. Run the microphone test on this page. If the level meter moves when you speak, the microphone works and the cause is the app, its settings, or your connection.

Why does it stop listening so quickly?

Voice features end the listening window after a short period of silence. Begin speaking as soon as you tap the microphone.

Why does the microphone work in calls but not voice search?

Each app has its own permission and device choice, and voice recognition is less tolerant of noise and low levels than a person is. Check the permission and language for that app.

Can a poor internet connection cause this message?

It can. Many voice features send speech to an online service for recognition, so an unstable connection can stop them working even when the microphone is fine.

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"Didn't hear that, tap the microphone to try again": how to fix it