Help › Troubleshooting and support

The recognised text is wrong

Applies to: Windows, macOS, Linux

If the recognised text is wrong, the dictionary, a fixed dictation language or a better set-up microphone helps, depending on the error.

Names and technical terms are wrong

Add words that Stenowise mishears to the dictionary.

1. Open the Dictionary page.
2. Type the word into the “Word or spoken form” field.
3. Click “Add”.

Stenowise passes your own words to the recognition as a hint and pulls similar-sounding mishearings to this spelling. If you deliberately say something other than what should appear in the text, also enter the spelling in “written as, optional”. Stenowise then replaces the spoken form. There is more in Add names and technical terms to the dictionary.

The text appears in the wrong language

By default, Stenowise detects the language for each dictation. If the text appears in another language, for example translated into English, choose a fixed language.

1. Open Settings › Dictation › Dictation language.
2. In the “Dictation languages” dialog, select exactly one language.
3. Click “Apply”.

If you select several languages, Stenowise keeps detecting the language automatically. The Dictation language item in the Stenowise icon menu switches quickly between Automatic, German and English.

Words are missing or the text is inaccurate

If your voice arrives too quietly or filtered, quiet words drop out more easily. Open Settings › Dictation › Check microphone › Open and read out the test sentence. The result tells you what to do, for example raise the level or switch off the audio enhancements on Windows. There is more in Check your microphone.

“Hardly any signal from the microphone”

Stenowise names the microphone and the share of signal and adds “Most of the text is therefore guesswork.” Check the microphone as described in Stenowise can’t hear me.

“Possible recognition error”

Stenowise holds the text back when the result does not match the recording:

• Recognition returned far more text than fits the recording.
• The recording contained almost no speech, yet recognition returned text.
• The recognised text repeats itself noticeably.

Stenowise checks this for texts of 80 characters or more. If the text is correct anyway, click “Insert anyway” in the notice. Otherwise, dictate again.

The text is unedited

If punctuation is missing or filler words are in the text, Stenowise probably pasted the raw version. In the history, such a dictation carries the “Raw version” label. When this happens and what you can do is explained in Why is the raw version there?.

If the problem persists, report it under Support › Report a problem and tick “Include the log”.

Last updated 28 September 2026