> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.scoutvoice.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Microphone Issues

> Diagnose and fix microphone problems.

If Scout isn't picking up your voice, work through these common microphone issues.

### No audio detected

**Scout starts listening but doesn't transcribe anything.**

1. **Check permissions** — Make sure Scout has microphone access. See [Permissions](/troubleshooting/permissions).
2. **Check your mic in Settings** — Open **Settings → Audio** and use the mic check feature. If the audio level indicator doesn't respond to your voice, Scout isn't receiving audio.
3. **Check your system sound settings** — Make sure the correct microphone is selected as your system default, or select it manually in Scout's audio settings.
4. **Try a different microphone** — Plug in a different mic to rule out hardware issues.
5. **Restart Scout** — Close and relaunch the app.

***

### Wrong microphone selected

**Scout is picking up audio from the wrong device.**

By default, Scout uses your system's default input device (with a Bluetooth auto-switch — see below). If you have multiple microphones:

1. Open **Settings → Audio**
2. Select the correct microphone from the dropdown
3. Use mic check to verify it's working

Once you select a specific microphone, Scout uses that device as long as it remains connected. If the selected device is disconnected, Scout falls back to the system default.

***

### Bluetooth microphone issues

**Dictation accuracy is poor with Bluetooth headphones.**

Bluetooth microphones (AirPods, over-ear headsets) often use a low-quality audio profile for input, which reduces transcription accuracy.

**Scout's auto-switch behavior:** If your system default is a Bluetooth device, you haven't manually selected a microphone, and Scout can find a built-in microphone, it automatically switches to the built-in mic. This is intentional — the built-in mic usually gives better results.

**If you want to use your Bluetooth mic anyway:**

1. Open **Settings → Audio**
2. Manually select your Bluetooth microphone from the dropdown

**If you're getting poor results with any microphone:**

* Try a USB or 3.5mm microphone for best accuracy
* Reduce background noise
* Speak at a normal volume, about 6–12 inches from the mic

***

### Microphone stops working after system update

Operating system updates can sometimes reset microphone permissions.

1. Check that Scout still has microphone access in your system's Privacy settings
2. If the permission appears enabled but isn't working, toggle it off and on again
3. Restart Scout

See [Permissions](/troubleshooting/permissions) for step-by-step instructions.