Transcription issues
Fix inaccurate, slow, or missing transcriptions — from connection problems to provider configuration.
Check your internet connection
Epilude sends your audio to a cloud transcription provider. Without an active internet connection, transcription won't work. Verify you're connected and try again.
Verify your AI provider
An invalid or expired API key is a common cause of transcription failure.
- Open Settings → AI Providers
- Check that your transcription provider (Deepgram or OpenAI) has a valid API key
- Look for error indicators next to the provider name
Common errors:
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid key | API key is incorrect or revoked | Re-enter or regenerate your key |
| Rate limited | Too many requests in a short period | Wait a minute and try again |
| No response | Provider is down or unreachable | Check provider status page, or try a different provider |
Audio quality matters
Poor audio leads to poor transcription. For better accuracy:
- Reduce background noise — Move away from fans, AC, or noisy environments
- Speak clearly — Use your normal speaking voice at a steady pace
- Keep the mic close — Closer microphones capture clearer audio. See Audio & microphone setup
Check your language setting
If the wrong language is selected, the transcription provider will try to match your speech to the wrong language model, resulting in garbled output.
- Open Settings → Dictation → Language
- Verify the correct language is selected
- Choose the specific regional variant for best accuracy (e.g., "English (US)" vs. "English (UK)")
Fewer languages, better accuracy
Select only the languages you actually use. The fewer languages configured, the more accurate transcription will be.
Wrong words or names
Unusual names, technical terms, and jargon may be misrecognized. This is a limitation of the transcription provider, not Epilude.
To improve accuracy:
- Speak uncommon words more slowly and clearly
- Consider spelling out highly unusual terms
Slow transcription
If transcription is noticeably delayed:
- Check your connection speed — Slow internet adds latency to cloud transcription
- Try a different provider — Deepgram generally offers the fastest real-time transcription. Switch in Settings → AI Providers
- Shorter dictations — Very long dictations take longer to process
Filler words appearing
If "um", "uh", and other filler words show up in your text, enable Smart Formatting in Settings → Dictation. It automatically removes common filler words.
Still having issues?
If you've tried the steps above and transcription is still unreliable, contact support. Include your macOS version, Epilude version, which AI provider you're using, and a description of the issue.