sayhushWhen Sayhush starts but does not capture your speech, check the selected microphone and its permission first. A connected headset is not proof that its microphone is the active input.
Find the stage that failed
A shortcut that does nothing, a microphone that captures no usable speech, a connection error, and recognized text that will not paste are different problems. Write down what the dock and status message show. If a transcript exists, move to insertion troubleshooting. If the service reports a connection problem, changing microphones is unlikely to resolve that particular message.
Select an input explicitly
Stop the current recording before changing devices. In Sayhush Settings, use the Microphone picker under Recording. System default follows the input chosen by macOS; a named device selects that input for Sayhush. If a newly connected device is missing, use Refresh permissions & devices. Check again after connecting or disconnecting a display, audio interface or headset rather than assuming the previous input still exists.
Check capture permission separately
In Sayhush Settings, Microphone should show Allowed. If it does not, use Allow microphone and respond to the macOS permission dialog. You can review the app in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone. Return to the app and refresh status. Accessibility controls insertion, so enabling it does not replace microphone access. Avoid removing unrelated apps’ permissions while troubleshooting.
Run a short controlled sample
In a quiet spot, dictate the same short original sentence using the built-in microphone and then your preferred device. Keep your distance and speaking volume reasonably consistent. Review the finished text after each attempt. Change one factor at a time: input, placement or room. A better result in one sample is useful evidence for your setup, not a general benchmark of microphone brands.
Check the simple physical causes
Inspect a headset’s hardware mute switch, cable connection and selected input. With a separate microphone, face the side intended for speech and avoid touching it while recording. If other people are talking nearby, move to a quieter place for the comparison. Do not buy replacement equipment before trying the existing built-in input and checking the app’s actual device selection.
Report enough to reproduce
If the issue persists, include the microphone name, whether System default or a named input was selected, macOS and Sayhush versions, and the exact error. Mention whether the built-in microphone worked in the same setting. You do not need to send private audio or your account credentials. This information helps distinguish device discovery, permission, capture and network failures.
Your quick checklist
- Stop recording before changing the device.
- Check Microphone access in Sayhush Settings.
- Refresh devices and select the intended input.
- Compare one short sample with the built-in microphone.