Typeless | AI Voice Dictation That's Actually Intelligent

If Typeless shows "Microphone unavailable", it means the app cannot access your microphone right now.

This is usually caused by one of these issues:

Microphone access is blocked in your operating system
Security or device management settings are blocking access
Another app is using the microphone
The selected microphone is unavailable or not working properly

Before you start

First, make sure you are using the latest version of Typeless. Some hardware compatibility issues can be resolved simply by updating the app.

If you are fully updated and still see the error, please follow the troubleshooting steps for your operating system below:

Troubleshooting on Windows

Check Windows microphone permissions

Make sure Windows allows apps to use your microphone.

Windows 11

Open Settings
Go to Privacy & security → Microphone
Turn on:

Microphone access
Let apps access your microphone
Let desktop apps access your microphone (Scroll down to the bottom to find this)

Windows 10

Open Settings
Go to Privacy → Microphone
Turn on:

Allow access to the microphone on this device
Allow apps to access your microphone
Allow desktop apps to access your microphone

After updating the setting, reopen Typeless and try again.

Check your antivirus, security software, or IT management tools

Some security tools can block microphone access even when Windows settings appear correct.

This is especially common on:

Work or school computers
Devices managed by IT
PCs with privacy utilities or manufacturer tools installed
Systems using endpoint security or antivirus software

Examples include antivirus software, enterprise device management tools, privacy controls, and manufacturer utilities.

What to do

Open any security or privacy software installed on your computer and look for settings related to:

Microphone access
Device permissions
App permissions
Privacy protection
Endpoint protection

Check whether Typeless is being blocked. If possible, allow Typeless to access the microphone, then fully quit and reopen the app.

If this is a work-managed device

Your organization may enforce microphone restrictions through IT policies that you can’t change yourself. If that applies, contact your IT administrator and ask them to confirm whether Typeless is being blocked from accessing the microphone.

Close other apps using the microphone

If another app is already using the microphone, Typeless may not be able to access it. Try closing:

Meeting apps
Recording apps
Browser tabs using voice input
Audio tools running in the background

Then reopen Typeless and test again.

Turn off exclusive mode in Windows

Windows can allow one app to take exclusive control of the microphone, locking out other apps like Typeless.

To disable exclusive mode

Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar
Select Sound settings
Scroll down to the Advanced section and click More sound settings
Go to the Recording tab
Double-click your microphone
Select the Advanced tab
Clear these options:
- Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
- Give exclusive mode applications priority
Click Apply, then OK
Reopen Typeless and test again

Check the microphone selected in Typeless and Windows

Sometimes the microphone is available, but the wrong device is selected.

In Typeless

Open Typeless → Settings → Audio → Microphone and select the microphone you want to use.
Speak into it. If the microphone is working, you will see a blue indicator bar moving next to it.

In Windows

Open Settings → System → Sound and confirm the correct microphone is selected under Input.
If you have multiple microphones connected, Windows may be using the wrong one.

Check whether the microphone is disabled in Windows

Your microphone may be connected but disabled at the system level.

To check

Open Settings → System → Sound
Open More sound settings
Go to the Recording tab

If your microphone appears but is disabled:

Right-click it
Select Enable

If you do not see your microphone:

Right-click anywhere in the device list
Turn on Show Disabled Devices
If the microphone appears, right-click it and select Enable

Then reopen Typeless and test again.

Check hardware connections and restart your computer

If the issue continues, check the hardware itself.

What to do

If you are using a USB microphone, plug it directly into the computer instead of a hub
Unplug and reconnect the microphone
Try a different port if available
If possible, test another microphone

Then restart your computer. This can reset audio drivers and clear background processes that may be blocking the microphone.

Troubleshooting on macOS

Check macOS microphone permissions

Make sure macOS allows Typeless to use your microphone.

macOS 13 (Ventura) and later

Open System Settings
Go to Privacy & Security → Microphone
Find Typeless in the list and turn the toggle on

macOS 12 (Monterey) and earlier

Open System Preferences
Go to Security & Privacy → Privacy tab
Select Microphone from the left sidebar
Check the box next to Typeless

After updating the setting, completely quit Typeless (Cmd + Q), reopen the app, and try again.

Check the microphone selected in Typeless and macOS