PelQi cannot hear me: fix the microphone

Updated 18 October 2026

PelQi listens through your device's microphone for dictation (the microphone button) and live voice (the waveform button). The first time, your browser or phone asks to allow it. If that was refused, PelQi says "Microphone access is off for PelQi. Allow it in your browser or phone settings, then try again."

What each message means

• "Microphone access is off for PelQi. Allow it in your browser or phone settings, then try again." The permission was refused or switched off. Follow the steps for your device below.
• "No microphone was found." The device has no working microphone, or another setting has disabled it. On a computer, plug in or choose a microphone.
• "This browser can't use the microphone here. Try Safari or Chrome, or the PelQi app." The browser does not support it on this page.
• "The microphone could not start." Another app may be using it (a video call, for example). Close that app and try again.
• "I didn't hear anything. Tap the microphone and try again." Dictation recorded only silence. Check the microphone is not muted and you are close to it.
• "I didn't catch that. Say it again?" In live voice, PelQi heard sound but was not sure of the words, so it asks rather than guess. Speak a little closer, away from background noise.
• "That's a lot of listening for one hour. Try again a little later." There is an hourly limit on how much speech PelQi transcribes.

Safari on iPhone or iPad

• Open Settings, then Apps, then Safari (on older iOS, Settings, then Safari), then Microphone, and choose Ask or Allow.
• Back in Safari, open PelQi, tap aA in the address bar, choose Website Settings, and set Microphone to Allow.
• If you added PelQi to your Home Screen, close it fully (swipe it away) and open it again.

The PelQi app on iPhone

• Open Settings, scroll down to PelQi, and switch Microphone on.
• Close the PelQi app fully and open it again.

Chrome on Android

• In PelQi, tap the icon to the left of the address, choose Permissions, and allow Microphone.
• If Chrome itself has no microphone access: open the phone's Settings, Apps, Chrome, Permissions, Microphone, and allow it.

Chrome, Edge or Firefox on a computer

• Click the icon to the left of the address (a tune or lock icon), find Microphone and choose Allow. Reload the page.
• On Windows, open Settings, Privacy and security, Microphone, and make sure microphone access, and access for desktop apps, are on.
• On a Mac, open System Settings, Privacy and Security, Microphone, and switch your browser on.
• Check the right microphone is chosen in the browser's site settings if you have more than one.

Safari on a Mac

• With PelQi open, choose Safari, then Settings for This Website (or Settings, Websites, Microphone), and set the microphone to Allow.
• Check System Settings, Privacy and Security, Microphone too.

What you should see

Tap the microphone and the box says "Recording 0:01. Tap the microphone to stop." Then "Transcribing…", and your words appear in the message box, not sent until you press Send. In live voice PelQi shows Listening and answers out loud.

If it still does not work

Try the other control (dictation if live voice fails, or the other way round), then another browser. If neither works, email info@fortisdatagroup.com with your device, browser or app, and the exact message.