Why is the Windows key + H not working?

If Windows key + H does nothing, the most common cause is that the cursor is not in a text box. Microsoft says voice typing can start only when the cursor is in a text box ¹. Click into the document, search box or message field first, then press the keys again. If it still does nothing, work through the causes below in the order given. Each one is a setting Microsoft describes, so you can check each one yourself.

Voice Access running in the background blocks the shortcut

The most specific cause is Voice Access. If Voice Access is running and you press Windows key + H, Microsoft says voice typing does not start. Windows shows a message telling you to use Voice Access for typing instead ². The two features are separate: voice typing is the Win+H tool, while Voice Access controls the whole PC.

To stop Voice Access, say "Turn off voice access" or "Close voice access." Microsoft lists both phrases, along with "Stop voice access," "Exit voice access" and "Quit voice access," as commands that close it ³. Once it is closed, try Win+H again in the same text box.

No internet connection or online speech recognition stops the start

Voice typing does not work offline. Microsoft says you need to be connected to the internet, have a working microphone, and have your cursor in a text box ⁴. Voice typing converts your speech using online speech recognition ⁵, so if the connection is down, there is nothing to send your speech to.

Online speech recognition is also a separate switch. In Windows 11, you find it under Settings > Privacy & security > Speech, and you can turn it on or off there ⁶. When it is off, Microsoft says only device-based features, such as Narrator, are available ⁷. Turn it on, then try the shortcut again.

The microphone and its access can stop the shortcut from working

If Windows key + H opens the tool but no words appear, check the microphone. Microsoft says voice typing needs microphone access, and you turn it on under Privacy & security > Microphone ^{8 9}. Our step-by-step guide to allowing microphone access covers both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

What to do, in order

1. Click inside a text box so the cursor is blinking in it.
2. Say "Close voice access" if Voice Access is running.
3. Turn on online speech recognition under Privacy & security > Speech, and check your internet connection.
4. Check that the right microphone is selected under Settings > System > Sound > Input ¹⁰, and that microphone access is on.
5. Restart the PC, sign in again, and test Win+H in Notepad.

If the test works in Notepad but not in another app, the problem is most likely that app's text box rather than the shortcut. Our full guide to fixing Windows dictation has the complete check list, and our overview of dictation on Windows links every guide in the series.

It depends on the version of Windows

On Windows 11, Win+H starts voice typing ¹¹. On Windows 10, the same keys open a different tool. Microsoft says you select a text field and press the Windows logo key + H to open the dictation toolbar ¹². Our question on dictation in Windows 10 explains the difference.

If your PC uses the touch keyboard, its Microphone button starts voice typing as well ¹¹. If you need dictation that works without the internet, read our guide to Voice access on Windows 11, which works without an internet connection ¹³, because voice typing itself needs a connection.

When the steps above all pass

The Microsoft pages we read do not describe other causes, so if every check above passes and the shortcut still does nothing, restart the PC and test again. If the problem continues, the exact error text is the most useful detail to give Microsoft Support or your IT administrator. For the other common failure, see why voice typing is stuck on initializing. For the shortcut itself, read the voice typing shortcut in Windows.

Terms used here are defined in our glossary entries for Win+H, Voice Access and online speech recognition.