Google Voice Search not working on Windows can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, there are several potential causes for this issue, ranging from network connection problems to outdated drivers or misconfigured settings. In this blog post, we will guide you through a step-by-step process to help you resolve these issues and get your Google Voice Search up and running smoothly again.
Check Google Voice and Language Settings
The first step in troubleshooting Google Voice Search on your PC is to check the Google Voice and language settings. Here's how you can do it:
- Open the Google Assistant app or website on your PC.
- Verify that the voice search option is enabled. You can usually find this setting in the app or website's preferences or settings menu.
- Ensure that the language settings are correctly configured. Make sure that the language you want to use for voice search is selected as the default language.
Reset Chrome Settings
If the Google Voice Search issue persists, the next step is to reset the Chrome browser settings. Follow these steps:
- Open the Chrome browser on your PC.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window.
- Scroll down and click on "Settings."
- In the settings page, scroll down to the bottom and click on "Advanced."
- Under the "Reset and clean up" section, select "Restore settings to their original defaults."
- Confirm your selection and wait for the process to complete.
Update Google Chrome
Outdated versions of Google Chrome can sometimes cause issues with Google Voice Search. To ensure that you have the latest version installed, follow these steps:
- Open the Chrome browser on your PC.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window.
- From the dropdown menu, click on "Help."
- In the Help menu, click on "About Chrome" or a similar option (the exact option may vary depending on your Chrome version).
- Chrome will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it.
Download and Install the Voice Search Extension
If the above steps did not resolve the issue, you can try installing a voice search extension for Chrome. Here's how:
- Visit the Chrome Web Store from your Chrome browser.
- Search for a reliable voice search extension, such as "Google Voice Search" or any other extension that suits your needs.
- Once you find a suitable extension, click on "Add to Chrome" and follow the installation instructions.
- After the installation is complete, restart your browser and check if the Google Voice Search is working.
Reinstall Chrome
If none of the previous steps worked, you can try reinstalling Google Chrome completely. Here's how:
- Uninstall Google Chrome from your computer. To do this, go to the Control Panel, select "Programs and Features" (or "Add or Remove Programs"), find Google Chrome in the list of installed programs, and click on "Uninstall."
- After uninstalling Chrome, download the latest version of Google Chrome from its official website.
- Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the newly downloaded version of Chrome.
- After the installation is complete, launch Chrome and check if the Google Voice Search is now functioning properly.
Update or Roll Back Audio Drivers
Sometimes, issues with audio drivers can interfere with Google Voice Search. To address this, you can update or roll back your audio drivers. Here's how:
- Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select "Device Manager" from the menu that appears.
- In the Device Manager window, expand the "Sound, video, and game controllers" category.
- If you are using an external microphone, right-click on your microphone device and select "Update driver." Follow the prompts to update the driver.
- If you are using a built-in microphone, right-click on your audio device driver and select either "Update driver" or "Roll back driver," depending on the availability of options.
- Follow the prompts to complete the driver update or rollback process.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most issues causing Google Voice Search not to work on your Windows PC. Remember to check your network connection, update drivers, and ensure proper settings configuration. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful in restoring the functionality of Google Voice Search and improving your overall experience.