Google Android: How to fix Speech to Text “Couldn’t Connect” error
[UPDATE: 2019-06-25]: Google seems to have retired its legacy speech-to-text (S2T) services for older Android versions including Gingerbread (2.4) and below. If you have Gingerbread and S2T is no longer functioning for you, this is likely the cause. This service retirement likely impacts some newer Android versions, which also rely on this older service. Because Google has retired the service, it will no longer function ever. If you need this feature, you’ll need to upgrade to a device that can run a newer version of Android which supports the “Ok, Google” assistant. It seems that Google is moving forward by replacing this older S2T functionality with its newer “Ok, Google” voice assistant. If you have a Samsung, you may be able to use Bixby. This is Samsung’s own voice assistant. On with the article…
While this isn’t an overly common problem that I’ve found with Android, it is a problem that I have run into that has entirely baffled me.. until now. Note, I am running Android 6.0.1 on my Samsung S5. Even on my S5, the keyboard microphone button links to and uses the “Ok, Google” engine, not the legacy service. Note that this article was written in 2012. Some of the below, particularly as it pertains to downloading keyboard packages likely won’t help older devices. However, the portion discussing why this feature doesn’t work (i.e., Internet) is still valid. If you have an older device, you may find this functionality no longer works even if you DO have Internet available. This is because Google seems to have retired its legacy Android S2T service as of spring 2019.
To use the speech to text functionality (specifically voice search or voice keyboard input), you are required to download a package onto Android initially. After downloading, I thought that I would be able to use this functionality all of the time. Let’s explore why this isn’t true.
Text to Speech Input Troubles
On the Android Keyboard (that is, the non-Swype keyboard input), there is a small microphone symbol. Why this isn’t on the Swype keyboard is anyone’s guess? If you click the little microphone, the microphone feature activates and allows you to speak your text. The phone is then supposed to convert your speech into text. This is particularly handy while driving. Unfortunately, most of the time I always seemed to see the error ‘Couldn’t Connect’ when attempting using this functionality. After all, I had downloaded the necessary packages. At first I thought it had something to do with the microphone. So, I plugged in different headsets and different bluetooth devices, but it still only randomly works. Sometimes it works perfectly and other times not. I also tried restarting my phone thinking there was some kind of service that was not working properly. No luck with any of this. For a while, I had given up on even using it. However, I finally decided to get to the bottom of this issue.
This would seem to be a very handy feature while in the car. And, it is, when it works. In my car, however, most of the time it doesn’t work. I couldn’t figure this one out at all. I kept thinking how lame it is that the one feature you absolutely need while driving is Speech to Text. Yet, it is the single feature that is the most unreliable. However, today I have finally realized why this functionality only intermittently works. It requires the Internet to function.
The Internet?
Why would this service need the internet? Apparently, whatever data was downloaded only enables the feature, but it doesn’t actually do the speech to text conversion in the phone. Apparently, the audio input is sent off to one of Google’s servers on the Internet (can you say, “Privacy Issue”) to be processed and the text sent back to the phone after conversion. The phone doesn’t actually do the conversion.
My Rant
While I understand the audio processing needed to decode an audio file may not be capable within the phone (although, Siri seems to do a great job offline in the iPhone), the phone should at least have some offline capabilities. However, the error message here is just absolutely stupid. It doesn’t explain anything. If the Internet is not available and this service requires it, the phone should pop up a message that either explains that no Internet is available or it should simply remove that functionality from the keyboard (grey it out) until the Internet is available. Why try to allow use of this functionality when the Internet is not available? This is both a confusing and stupid design. Google, you need to fix this design fast.
So, you’re probably asking why it periodically worked in my car? First, my phone is not Internet enabled. Second, I refuse to pay $80 a month for a 3G data plan that’s half the speed of my cable service and offers half or less the amount of data at twice the price. Instead, I pay for an ‘unlimited’ MiFi device that I don’t always turn on in my car. Sometimes it’s on, sometimes it isn’t. That explains why this functionality sometimes works and sometimes not.
I use the MiFi specifically because it works with all of my devices and is not locked to only one device. It allows for more data throughput, due to the plan rate. It is also a non-contract prepaid service, so I don’t have to worry about being stuck in a hugely long contract. If something better comes along, I just stop payment and walk away with no penalties. Specifically, I use Virgin Mobile’s MiFi that is actually using the Sprint 3G Network. I digress.
How To Fix
If you’ve been searching all over the Internet trying to figure out why this functionality only sparsely works and how to fix it, this feature requires the Internet. If your phone is not 24/7 Internet capable and you use WiFi for connectivity in select places, like myself, you will run into this problem when trying to use ‘Speech to Text’ from the Android keyboard while there is no Internet connectivity. To fix this issue, you either need to subscribe to a phone dataplan so you have ‘Always On’ Internet service or carry a MiFi device around with you and turn it on when you want to use Speech to Text. A hassle yes, but complain to Google as they are the ones that designed it to require the use of a Google server to decode the audio.
So, there you have it. Problem solved, mostly. At least, it’s solved for Android 2.2. If your have a later version of Android, your mileage may vary.
[UPDATE: 2012-05-04]
My bad. It appears that Siri does, in fact, require the Internet for Speech to Text conversion just like Android. This also goes for Alexa, Bixby, Cortana and even “Ok, Google”. So, I guess this article applies to the iPhone and all other voice assistant devices as well.
Random Thoughts - Randocity! 
Speech-to-text won’t work
LikeLike
Hi Demetrius,
Yes, I think we all agree that speech-to-text won’t work when you receive the error described in the article. If you mean something else by your comment, please let me know.
Thanks.
LikeLike
My speech to text worked for two years without WiFi now it stopped.Works only on WiFi. Help
LikeLike
Hi Tom,
The only speech-to-text that works without WiFi on Android is limited to specific device commands and only if you have that command language pack installed in combination with a specific keyboard. It’s possible that on a recent update to your device, your keyboard changed or the language pack was removed. Keep in mind that the language pack doesn’t add free-form speech-to-text capabilities, but only limited commands. To get full free-form speech decoding, that requires an internet connection through WiFi or LTE/4G/3G data as the wave files are sent off to Google’s servers for decoding. The same is true of iOS with Siri. Though, Siri also has a limited set of built-in commands that don’t require the Internet.
Note that with Android, the offline speech commands only work with very specific keyboards. If your keyboard has recently changed, your ability to use those built-in commands may now require the Internet. Try changing your keyboard to other alternatives and see if your offline speech functionality returns.
LikeLike
I understood that my phone needs to connect to the Internet for speak to text but the why did my other Android work just fine without connecting
LikeLike
Hi Sara,
It’s likely your other Android device had a data plan using 3G, 4G or LTE. As long as a phone or tablet has a data plan, it’s always connected to the Internet even if not on WiFi. I already know that this feature requires the Internet to function because the servers at Google decode the voice wave file. So, it’s certain that your Android was connected to the Internet in some way when speech to text worked there.
LikeLike
I know for a fact I did not have a data plan, also I did not change my plan when I got my new phone. My other phone was a nexus and it worked all the time with having any Internet connection at all I actually had my data blocked.
LikeLike
Hi Sara,
There is no phone that I am aware that supports full speech to text translation within the phone itself. Text to speech, yes. Speech to text, no. Speech to text requires Google’s servers on the Internet to translate audio wave files into text and feed it back into the phone. This is the way Google designed this service. AFAIK, there has never been a device built running Android that supports Android’s Speech to Text within the phone itself. I have not personally owned a Nexus, but I can guarantee you that when using Android’s built-in Speech to Text for free form sentences, that it won’t work without Internet. This is an Android feature, not a phone feature. However, because this is a Google phone device developed in part by Huawei, it’s possible that Google may have contracted with cable providers to latch onto local WiFi networks in the area wherever you ended up to support that feature transparently most of the time. It would be simple enough to locate local WiFi networks and log into them transparently without your knowledge which would give your phone limited access to some of Google’s features.
Also, on the Nexus there is a language pack that you can download that will allow some spoken command actions without being online. This isn’t speech to text. This is speaking stored key words to trigger the phone to perform an action. This is not the same as voice dictation, such as crafting free form sentences from speech for texting.
Here is an article that discusses the exact problem even on the Nexus 7: http://forums.androidcentral.com/google-nexus-7-tablet-2012/195430-voice-search-offline.html
According to that Nexus 7 thread, the choice of keyboard may affect how well the offline speech commands work. Some keyboards always require Internet for speech. The default keyboard on the Nexus 7 (probably the Nexus 6 also) appears to not need it for commands. However, free form voice dictation may not work. You should experiment with changing the keyboard on your device to see how far your mileage may go when the device is offline.
LikeLike
hi am Anthony ,please am facing a problem with my Nokia E2
the speaker is malfunctioning
LikeLike
Hi Anthony,
If you dropped it in water or water got into the speaker, you should put the phone in uncooked rice for 24 hours. Just make sure you don’t put it in wet / cooked rice. This should pull out any residual moisture. Hopefully, the speaker will start working. If it’s broken for some other reason, then only a repair service can check as to why.
LikeLike
Talk to text not working ‘!’
LikeLike
Is this a question?
LikeLike
i realized if u have magic jack app on you phone it blocks the feature for voice search and video function so u have to disable it for it to work
LikeLike
Since I haven’t tried the Magic Jack app on Android, I’ll have to take your word for this. Thanks for the info.
LikeLike
you most welcome
LikeLike
When i hit the little microphone to speak text it says “audio problem” so someone please tell me what to do to fix this…. tell me a way to fix this please …. thanks
LikeLike
If you don’t subscribe to internet access on your phone, you cannot use the text to speech. When you receive ‘audio problem’ after clicking the microphone, check to see if you are online. If not, you will need to locate internet access and then try again.
LikeLike
For me it turned out Zoiper application was the problem. If Zoiper is running all the voice services dont work.
LikeLike
Good catch. I don’t have Zoiper on my phone. I’m curious how you figured that out?
LikeLike
But I have full WiFi, full 4g. Why does it say no connection?!
LikeLike
Make sure you can web browse. If that works, it could be your router blocking it.
LikeLike
Those Bastards!!!!
LikeLike
help you know didn’t help
LikeLike
Most times, the help doesn’t help. You have to rely on other data sources to get the things you need.
LikeLike
http://www.usemydroid.com/android-voice-commands-fix-tip-7/
This helped, but I also found that by disabling WiFi I was able to make it work.
I went and cleaned the cache and then found it worked on WiFi.
LikeLike
Hi Bill,
Yes, your solution will work. But, let me clarify your comment for any future readers. You can disable WiFi and make this work if you have a data plan and a 3G or 4G enabled data service. For phone owners who are using a phone without a data plan or without a 3G/4G enabled phone, disabling WiFi won’t work. So, I just wanted to clarify that disabling WiFi only works if you have a phone data plan.
I mention this because not all Android owners are subscribing to a data plan on their phone as data plans are costly. I do not currently subscribe to a data plan because I carry around a MiFi device to use instead as it’s more flexible and works with multiple devices (and costs the same or less than a phone data plan).
Thanks.
LikeLike
I found that its in the routers fire wall – If you turn fire wall security off – Voice to text works fine, I’m not sure what ports would need to be opened for it to work
LikeLike
On my old Nokia 5800 Music Express I could use Vlingo for talk to text without any internet connection. I had paid 6.99 for it. However, it seems that Vlingo on android only works if there is an internet connection. The Vlingo app was free on android, however, I too don’t want to pay for a data plan. You would think that Talk to Text or even just talk to call would be on all phones without data connections because it is much safer.
LikeLike
My WiFi is on.
I’m using LG Optimos / Android 2.2 right now! Yes I’ve accessed the internet to Google your site.
Speach to text – couldn’t connect
PS this comment is sent via cellphone. Thanks for your time
LikeLike
Hi Mike,
If 3G and WiFi are both on, they can sometimes compete for Internet serving. What I would suggest is temporarily disable the 3G data network on your phone and test using WiFi only. If you can connect on WiFi only, then your 3G is getting in the way and the phone is getting confused. I would also suggest just the opposite. Turn off WiFi and attempt Speech-To-Text with 3G only. If you can connect this way, then it should work with WiFi on. You can disable the 3G under Settings->Wireless & Network Settings->Mobile Networks->Data Enabled. Uncheck ‘Data Enabled’ to turn 3G off, check to turn 3G on.
I’m definitely thinking there is an issue either with your 3G connectivity or the WiFi connectivity. One of the two of these will likely fail once you isolate them as suggested above. Until you find out which one is the one that’s failing, you won’t be able to easily debug this. I suspect your WiFi might be the issue. If so, you should log into your WiFi router and make sure you don’t have any rules in place that could be blocking any types of traffic.
Let me know what you find.
Thanks.
LikeLike
I just got my Razr Maxx a few weeks ago, so thanks for this enlightening article!
After your explanation, I have found that if my WiFi connection is poor, then the Couldn’t Connect error displays, but if I disable the WiFi, then it works fine.
Thanks again,
LikeLike
i love this article.. its very true. F google, F metro pcs and F the world for ABUSING wifi internet with thier absolute control , invading privacy by spying via facebook, ipods bluetooth, software , androids and everythn else
LikeLike
Sophia….just calm down. it is technology, not a conspiracy.lol
LikeLike
I was aware of the need for an internet connection…and I have an unlimited data plan, both 3G and 4G, and also wireless…..I am home now and the wireless signal is exceptional…yet, I still get that same “couldn’t connect” error message. The only thing I can see is that my 3G is not lit up when its supposed to be sending or receiving, and my area doesn’t have 4G.
LikeLike
Yes, it sounds like your 3G connectivity isn’t working properly at your house. What I might suggest is if you have WiFi at home, set up your phone to use this. If you’ve already done this, it’s possible that the WiFi connectivity is failing and the phone isn’t falling back to 3G. So, you might want to disable the 3G and make sure your WiFi works properly. I’d also recommend that you use WiFi whenever possible over 3G as it is usually quite a bit faster. 4G can be faster depending on the network.
3G sometimes turns off to save on power. As a result, it has to turn back on whenever it’s needed. For some applications, the 3G won’t light up when it is needed. In the case of Speech to Text, it’s very possible that this software won’t activate 3G when needed. Hence, another reason to use WiFi over 3G.
Thanks.
LikeLike
Ont the Droid Razr, the 3G usually turns off when connected to WiFi, which I am while at home. What I discovered though is that some of my systems work well connecting to my Linksys signal and some do not. When they do not, all works well through my Motorola wireless signal. The modem is the Motor, the router is the Link.
So I disconnected the phone from Link, connected to Motor and now voice works….its my understanding that some hardware finds it difficult to navigate the protocols….and I figure that is what was going on….
Thanks for your quick response tho!
LikeLike
Thank you, thank you thank you! I’d never guess that “Couldn’t connect” actually refers to the Internet connection! I’m shocked how incredibly stupid this message is. I’d never suspect that from Google, known for the user-friendliness of their applications.
LikeLike
Spectacular !!!!!
I had an old Linksys 2.4 ghz router in my office unused ( as I prefer a hardwired connection) plugged it into an unused pipe to the net – Voila – problem solved. Thanks so much.
LikeLike
I’m glad that you found that the information was helpful. Thanks.
LikeLike