This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Is there any way that we can prevent dictate to turn off (or at least extend the time that it stays on) in Word 365? I'd really like for it not to stop listening while I'm thinking about what to say.
Thanks!
Microsoft 365 features that help users manage their subscriptions, account settings, and billing information.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Yes, I think this is needed now - can you do this, I wouldn't know how to initiate this?
I have found the same problem too. At times dictation will also stop mid-sentence, and this is infuriating. I've given up using the dictate application within Word, but have now activated speech recognition in Windows and use that functionality in Word. Simply activate by pressing the Windows icon + H and the feature turns on. It's not perfect but it's definitely better that the dictate function within Word.
Hope this helps.
Hopefully Microsoft will sort this out because it's potentially a great feature!
Strange all these replies. I had that problem with Dictate in Word when I first installed 365 early in 2020. But I have been using it now for about 6 months and with very few problems. Frequently it does not show what I am saying but if I wait or click on the icon, it types what I had said. It turns off by itself after maybe 10-15 seconds.
This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Comments have been turned off. Learn more
no sorry, it is on my PC! Cannot access that function on a Mac. But there is the Mac microphone, I dont find it as good, though others say it is better.
one thing you might try if not done already: go to Word online. There the mic is floating, a bit more accessible to where your mouse will be. And maybe for you, will last a bit longer, without shutting off when you touch the keyboard. Maybe that system will work better for you. For me, using the regular Word, the mic shuts off after 23 seconds. So looks like it is quite variable between users. I guess I should consider myself lucky. I use a Mac