> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hermesvoice.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Common Issues

> Solutions to frequently encountered problems with Hermes.

## Hermes isn't transcribing

**Symptoms**: You press your hotkey but nothing happens, or the Hermes bar appears but no text is recognized.

### Check microphone permission

1. Go to **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone**
2. Make sure Hermes is listed and enabled
3. If not listed, re-open Hermes and grant permission when prompted

### Check your microphone

1. Open **System Settings → Sound → Input**
2. Speak and watch the input level meter
3. Make sure your microphone is working and selected

### Check hotkey

1. Make sure you're pressing the correct hotkey
2. Try pressing and holding (not just tapping)
3. Check **Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts** to verify your hotkey

<Card title="Permissions guide" icon="lock" href="/troubleshooting/permissions">
  Detailed permission troubleshooting.
</Card>

***

## Text isn't appearing in apps

**Symptoms**: Hermes transcribes your speech, but the text doesn't appear where your cursor is.

### Check Accessibility permission

1. Go to **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility**
2. Make sure Hermes is listed and enabled
3. If it's there but not working, remove it and add it again

### Check cursor focus

1. Make sure your cursor is in a text field
2. Click in the text field before dictating
3. Some apps or fields may not support text insertion

### Try a different app

Test in a simple app like TextEdit or Notes. If it works there, the issue is with the specific app you were trying.

***

## Hotkey not working

**Symptoms**: Pressing your hotkey doesn't start dictation.

### Check Input Monitoring permission

1. Go to **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Input Monitoring**
2. Make sure Hermes is listed and enabled

### Check for conflicts

Another app may be using the same hotkey. Try a different key combination in **Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts**.

### Restart Hermes

Quit Hermes completely (⌘Q) and reopen it.

<Card title="Hotkey troubleshooting" icon="keyboard" href="/settings/keyboard-shortcuts">
  Keyboard shortcuts settings.
</Card>

***

## AI formatting isn't working

**Symptoms**: Text appears but isn't formatted—no punctuation, capitalization, or filler word removal.

### Check if AI formatting is enabled

1. Go to **Settings → AI Formatting**
2. Make sure **Enable AI Formatting** is on

### Check your plan

AI formatting may be limited or unavailable on the Free plan. Check your plan status in **Settings → Account**.

### Check internet connection

AI formatting requires an internet connection (unless using Local AI). Make sure you're online.

***

## Hermes is slow

**Symptoms**: Long delay between speaking and text appearing.

### Check internet connection

Cloud AI formatting requires internet. A slow connection causes delays.

### Try Local AI

Enable **Local AI** in **Settings → AI Formatting** for on-device processing. It's slower than cloud but works offline.

### Close other apps

Hermes uses your Mac's resources. Closing resource-intensive apps may help.

### Check CPU usage

Open **Activity Monitor** and look for high CPU usage. If Hermes is using too much, try restarting it.

***

## Filler words aren't being removed

**Symptoms**: "Um", "uh", "like" appear in your text.

### Enable filler word removal

1. Go to **Settings → Dictation**
2. Enable **Remove Filler Words**

Or rely on AI formatting, which also removes fillers when enabled.

***

## Wrong language detected

**Symptoms**: Hermes transcribes in the wrong language.

### Set your language

1. Go to **Settings → Dictation**
2. Select your correct language, or use **Auto** for automatic detection

***

## Sync isn't working

**Symptoms**: Changes don't appear on other devices.

### Check Cloud Sync

1. Go to **Settings → Privacy**
2. Make sure **Cloud Sync** is enabled
3. Make sure **Privacy Mode** is off

### Check your account

1. Make sure you're signed in
2. Check that you're using the same account on all devices

### Force sync

1. Go to **Settings → Account**
2. Look for a **Sync Now** option

***

## Still having issues?

If these solutions don't help:

1. **Restart Hermes** — Quit completely and reopen
2. **Restart your Mac** — Clears system-level issues
3. **Update Hermes** — Make sure you're on the latest version
4. **Contact support** — [Get in touch](https://hermesvoice.com/support)

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Permissions issues" icon="lock" href="/troubleshooting/permissions">
    Detailed permission troubleshooting.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Audio issues" icon="microphone" href="/troubleshooting/audio">
    Microphone and audio troubleshooting.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>