Troubleshooting HoldSpeak

HoldSpeak is designed to provide seamless dictation on macOS, but occasionally, issues may arise. Below are common problems and their solutions to help you get back on track.

Common Issues and Solutions

1. HoldSpeak is not responding to keyboard shortcuts (nothing happens)

• Cause: HoldSpeak may not be running, or it might be hidden by a menu bar manager.
• Solution:
  1. Ensure HoldSpeak is running. Check if it appears in the menu bar.
  2. If you use a menu bar manager like Bartender, make sure HoldSpeak is not hidden.
  3. If confirmed HoldSpeak is running, test with another hotkey.

2. HoldSpeak is responding to keyboard shortcuts but shows an alert dialog

• Cause: HoldSpeak may require activation or specific permissions.
• Solution: Follow the instructions in the alert dialog. Possible messages include:
  • HoldSpeak not activated: Activate HoldSpeak via the app menu.
  • No accessibility permission:
    1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility.
    2. Ensure HoldSpeak is listed and enabled.
  • No microphone permission:
    1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
    2. Ensure HoldSpeak is listed and enabled.

3. HoldSpeak does not transcribe anything after processing, or the transcription is not relevant to the speech

• Cause: Microphone permissions or interference from other applications.
• Solution:
  1. Ensure HoldSpeak has microphone permissions.
  2. Make sure no other applications are occupying or affecting the microphone.
  3. Test your microphone with another application to verify functionality.

4. Dictation accuracy is low

• Cause: The selected model may not be ideal for your use case.
• Solution:
  1. Try switching to larger models in HoldSpeak’s Settings.

5. HoldSpeak does not appear in the menu bar

• Cause: Menu bar managers like Bartender may hide HoldSpeak.
• Solution: Check your menu bar manager like Bartender and ensure HoldSpeak is not hidden.

Contact Support

If the above steps don’t resolve your issue, please reach out through hello@holdspeak.com for further assistance:

Please include a detailed description of the problem, any error messages you’ve encountered, and attach a screen recording or screenshot to help us assist you more effectively.