Problems using spoken commands

If the computer doesn't respond to a spoken command

    • Make sure you are using a PlainTalk microphone or equivalent (an AV monitor, USB microphone, built-in computer microphone, or some third-party microphones), and that it's properly attached to your computer.
    If you have one of the original iMac computers, connect an external PlainTalk microphone to your computer for improved results.
    Note: Apple's PlainTalk microphone is shaped like a half moon. The older round Apple microphones cannot be used for speech recognition.
    When you speak, look for sound waves to the left of the character's ear in the feedback window.
    If there are no sound waves, the microphone isn't picking up any sound. Make sure the microphone is plugged in and set correctly to hear your commands.
    • Make sure you're using the listening method that's selected in the Listening section of the Speech control panel.
    Open the Speech control panel for me.
    • Try pressing the listening key and speaking the command again.
    • Look in the Speakable Items folder in the Apple menu to make sure that the command you're using is there.
    Open the Speakable Items folder for me.
    • There may be too much background noise. Move closer to the microphone (between one and three feet), or wait until the room is quieter and try again.

If the computer doesn't recognize your commands or frequently misinterprets them

    • More than one person may be giving spoken commands at the same time.
    The computer cannot respond to more than one person at a time. Make sure only one person is speaking when giving commands.
    • Make sure you're using the command when the right application is active. For example, if you're trying to use an application-specific command, such as Internet Explorer's "go forward" command, while you're in the Finder, the command will not work.
    • Rename the speakable item you're having trouble with. The way a user pronounces words can affect recognition accuracy.
    • Drag the Speech Preferences file to the Trash and restart the computer. This file is located in the Preferences folder in the System Folder.
    Open the Preferences folder for me.

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