Fix voice and microphone problems

What you will accomplish

You will fix—or work around—microphone problems so your team can keep using the AI Assistant without frustration.

If voice does not work on a computer, Type instead is a full replacement. You do not need a working microphone to get value from the assistant.

When to use this guide

Use this guide when:

The browser shows Speech recognition error: not-allowed or a similar message.
Staff tap the microphone button and nothing happens.
Voice mishears customer names and creates wrong lookups.
You are on a shared front-desk computer where the microphone is turned off for privacy.

AI Assistant start screen showing the microphone button and Type instead link below it — You can always click **Type instead** under the microphone. Typing is often more accurate for customer names, email addresses, and VINs.

Before you start

Confirm you are signed in as staff at AI Assistant.
Know whether this computer is allowed to use a microphone (some facilities disable it on purpose).
Have the keyboard ready—Type instead works on every computer.

Fastest fix: use Type instead

Open AI Assistant
Click AI Assistant in the dashboard sidebar or open AI Assistant.
Click Type instead
On the start screen, click Type instead under the large microphone button.
During an active chat, you can also click the small keyboard icon near the bottom.
Type your question
Enter your question and press Enter or tap the send arrow.
Expected result: The assistant answers the same way it would for voice. Nothing is missing—you only changed how you sent the message.

Allow the microphone in your browser

If your facility wants voice on this computer, try these steps in order.

Look for the camera or microphone icon in the address bar
After you click the microphone in the assistant, your browser may show a small icon near the web address at the top.
Click it and choose Allow microphone access for this site.
Refresh the page
Press F5 or click the browser refresh button.
Click the microphone again and speak a short test question.
Check system settings (if you manage this computer)
On Windows or Mac, open system Privacy or Security settings and confirm the browser is allowed to use the microphone.
Why this matters: Some computers block all apps from the microphone until an admin turns it on.

Expected result: The assistant listens, shows your spoken words as text, and answers. If not, continue with Type instead—that is normal on many shared workstations.

Fix “Speech recognition error: not-allowed”

This message means the browser blocked the microphone. It is not a problem with your Car Storage Software account.

What to do right now

Click Type instead.
Continue your work with the keyboard.
Ask your manager or IT person later if this computer should allow the microphone.

When voice hears the wrong words

Voice can mishear similar-sounding names.

Stop and switch to typing
Click Type instead or edit the text before you send.
Spell the exact name
Example: Look up Alex Morgan — type the full name from Contacts.
Verify the answer
Compare the assistant's result to the customer record before you tell the caller anything important.

Stop a wrong question while the assistant is thinking

Look for Thinking...
After you send a message, the assistant may show Thinking... for a few seconds.
Click the stop button
A small stop square icon may appear near the microphone area. Click it to cancel that answer.
Send a clearer message
Use Type instead and rephrase with the correct spelling.

AI Assistant showing Thinking status with a stop button near the message area — Thinking... is normal. Use the stop button if you sent the wrong question, then type a clearer follow-up.

Troubleshooting checklist

Problem	Likely cause	What to try
Microphone button does nothing	Browser blocked access	Type instead, then allow mic in the address bar
Error: not-allowed	Site or computer blocked mic	Type instead (no mic needed)
Wrong customer in the answer	Voice misheard a name	Type the full name; verify in Contacts
No microphone on this PC	Hardware or policy	Use keyboard only; no fix required
Assistant worked yesterday, not today	Browser update or policy change	Refresh page; sign out and in; use Type instead

What to do next

Use the AI Assistant — everyday questions with voice or keyboard.
Use the assistant during a customer call — recommended typing workflow while on the phone.
Who can use the AI Assistant — if the whole feature seems missing from the sidebar.