In this article, we will explore the reasons why Google Voice Search is not operational on your Windows PC and various solutions to resolve the issue. The error occurs when you click the microphone icon, but it displays an error message such as ‘Voice search has been turned off’, ‘Voice search unavailable’, or, in extreme cases, the browser turns black.
Google Voice Search is a vital tool for many users as it enables you to search for information online by speaking rather than typing queries in the search bar. It is frustrating when this feature is not functioning, and even more so when you are unable to resolve the error.
Why is my Google search by voice not working?
Google Voice Search not operating on Windows can be triggered by various issues, such as a weak network connection, outdated audio drivers, misconfigured microphone settings in Chrome, outdated Chrome browser, incorrect language browser settings, or problems with the Google Assistant app. There may also be a bug or temporary technical issue with Chrome. Now, we will discuss how to address these issues and restore seamless Google search functionality.
Resolve Google Voice Search not working on Windows PC
If Google Voice Search is not functioning on your Windows PC, appearing grayed out, displaying an error, or causing the browser to turn black when you click the microphone icon, we recommend fixing the issue using the following solutions:
- Perform initial steps
- Check Google Voice and Language settings
- Reset Chrome Settings
- Update Google Chrome
- Download and install the voice search extension
- Reinstall Chrome
- Update, Reinstall, or rollback your audio drivers
We will now examine these solutions in detail, one by one.
1] Perform initial steps
Some general steps can resolve voice search issues on Google. We recommend starting with the following workarounds before proceeding to more advanced fixes.
- Restart Chrome and Windows. By doing this, you can resolve temporary bugs and glitches that may have caused the voice search problem. Type chrome://restart in the address bar and load it to restart Google Chrome.
- Check your Internet connection. Test your internet speeds and check your routers or modem. If there is no internet connection or extremely slow speeds, you may experience browsing issues such as voice search not working.
- Try using another browser like Edge with Bing Voice Search to confirm if the issue is specific to the Google microphone. This will help determine whether the problem lies with Chrome or your Windows PC.
2] Check Google Voice and Language settings
If Chrome and other websites do not have permission to use your device’s microphone, Google Voice Search will not function. To check the microphone permission settings in Chrome, go to Settings and select Privacy and Security. On the left side, click Site Settings and scroll to locate Microphone. Ensure that the correct microphone is selected from the drop-down list. Also, check if the box next to Sites can ask to use your microphone is checked.
Next, check the Language settings. To do this, go to Settings again and select Languages. Here, choose the language you want to use. You can click Add languages to select your preferred language.
3] Reset Chrome Settings
Certain settings may be blocking voice commands in Chrome. To resolve this, you need to reset the settings to their default state. Follow these steps:
- Click the three dots next to your Google profile picture and click Settings.
- Scroll down and select Reset settings.
- Click the arrow next to Restore settings to their original defaults.
- A new wizard will appear showing the consequences of your action; select Reset settings to proceed.
4] Update Google Chrome
If you are using an outdated version of Google Chrome, you need to update it and check if Google Voice Search starts functioning. To update Chrome, click on the three dots next to your profile picture. Then, hover the cursor over the Help option and select About Google Chrome. Chrome will either begin updating immediately or you will need to click Check for updates.
5] Download and install the voice search extension
This solution serves as an alternative when there is a bug with Chrome servers. While waiting for Google to resolve the issue, you can install a voice search extension.
Visit the Chrome web store, and search for Voice Search in the search bar. You will find an extension named Voice Search; click Add to Chrome to download and install the extension. After the installation is complete, go to the extension area, click on the Voice Search extension, and allow it to access your microphone.
6] Reinstall Chrome
If none of the previous solutions work, it is possible that your Chrome application is experiencing issues that can only be resolved by reinstalling it. Firstly, you need to uninstall Chrome. To do this, open the Control Panel on your PC and under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Find Google Chrome, click on it, and select Uninstall.
After the uninstallation is complete, you can reinstall Chrome. Use another browser like Microsoft Edge to search for, download, and install Chrome. If you do not have another browser on your PC, explore alternative methods of installing a browser without using a browser.
Related: Troubleshooting Google Docs Voice Typing issues
7] Update, reinstall, or rollback your audio drivers
You can attempt these steps only if you have confirmed that the issue lies with your device. If the voice search feature is not functioning in other browsers as well, your Windows audio drivers may be causing the error.
Try updating, reinstalling, or rolling back your audio drivers to see if it resolves the issue of Google Voice Search not working on your Windows PC. If none of these steps work, you can contact Google support for further assistance.
We hope that one of these solutions proves effective for you.
Read: Troubleshooting Voice Activation in Windows
How can I enable voice search on Google on my PC?
If you have just downloaded Chrome and want to activate Google Voice Search, open a new tab and click on the microphone icon in the search box. A pop-up will appear asking for permission to use your device’s microphone; click on Allow to enable the voice search feature. After that, you can use voice commands to search on Google.
