My beloved Note 8 has suddenly developed a tic that may yet prove to be the thing that drives me to get a new cell phone.
The voice-to-text no longer works. No matter what App, including embedded Apps such as Messenger and so on, I get the same notify when I tap the mic to use it:
An error has occurred, please try again later.
So far I’ve:
- Powered down/ up.
- Checked for updates on the software for the phone, as well as for the Samsung Voice To Text software.
No love.
Aware that I can do a hard reboot and wipe the phone. That may NOT solve the issue and will just break me. I’ve done it before.
What have I missed in terms of troubleshooting or possible fixes?
Many thanks in advance.
–Cartooniverse–
Two things, one easy, one a bit more work to rule out some very minor but common issues.
-
Text to speech is almost always done using off-phone assets. Just to check, does it work over wifi, even if it doesn’t work on cellular? And of course, make sure you have data available.
-
Sometimes (!) you can fix the issue if it’s network related by resetting your network connections ONLY
RESET NETWORK SETTINGS: Resetting your network settings deletes previously associated Wi-Fi networks, security passcodes, Bluetooth devices and cellular network data settings. From the home screen, swipe down from the Notification bar then select the Settings icon > scroll to and select General management > Reset > Reset network settings > Reset settings > Reset.
This will normally reset any saved WIFI and connection settings (I’m repeating this for emphasis), so write those networks and passwords down, but not any other phone data. IF (!!!) you have a BYOD (bring your own device) and not a network device, you may want to put this off until after the next step, because in some circumstances you may have to re-input your carrier information, which is a PITA.
- A common causation of any number of screw-ups on a cellphone is insufficient internal storage, ie your memory is full. Go to settings > device care > storage (at least, this pathway was current a while back, it may be out of date, but you should be able to just type “storage” into the settings search menu). If you have 5% or less memory available, delete some old stuff (duplicate photos, unused apps, etc) and you may see improvement.
Of course, I’m assuming you’ve already done a full restart on the phone as a first step → press and hold the power button until you have a choice to restart the phone, rather than just let it sleep most of the time. But I’ll mention it just in case. And you should also do the same after doing each of the troubleshooting steps above.
You haven’t mentioned if there is any physical or water damage to the phone, which can cause pretty much any error you can imagine, but the two types of issues above can fix a myriad of various phone glitches.
Best of luck.
Hi,
Thank you for these thoughts !
- Checked it on cellular AND home WiFi ( wicked fast, not an issue ).
- Cell phone memory. I’m using 57 GB out of 64 GB. I’ve had the phone slow to a crawl before. Now, I use a larger MicroSD card for storage. Will clean out images and videos and clean things up. Either move to the Micro SD or pull and dump onto the desktop. Likely the culprit.
- Wiping the Network settings seems pretty far-off from the issue. AND it will just break me. Like most of us, I have dozens of networks and passwords stored onboard- some of which I don’t have marked down anywhere else.
Will clear things and and turn the phone off, and back on and see.
Appreciate the guidance !! 
Sounds like you’ve got your next steps figured out. I won’t push the network reset then if it seems all is working well on connections otherwise, but it is/was part of my old troubleshooting flow for such things way back when I did that for a living. It can fix a number of screwy things when a system isn’t connecting quite right, but if it loses things you can’t recover, then yeah, skip it.
But at least it’s better than a full reset!
A fringe possibility that shouldn’t be a hard fix - make sure it isn’t trying to/isn’t connected to a bluetooth device that has it’s own mic such as a lot of modern BT headphones and speakers.
samsung galaxy note 8 messages microphone error “An error has occurred. Please try again later.”
Working on identical issue for a friend. Same timeline. Thinking software update issue at this point.
She uses mic for response to messages. Using Messages app.
Have checked many different directions throughout Settings, no change.
Have cleared Data and Caches including Phone Cache.
BT On and Off.
WiFi off, Data on.
NOTE:
This issue is exclusive to Samsung Speech to Text functioning and/or Samsung Keyboard use.
Microphone use from Google widget, Google Assistant and Chrome Search Bar work fine. BUT, tapping microphone input on Keyboard when in Chrome Search Bar produces same error at Keyboard.
This device is on the Verizon network, and I was unsure of a Verizon dialer app that I didn’t recall seeing when the device originally setup for her originally about two months ago (most Verizon apps are hidden or disabled). HOWEVER, have started device in Safe Mode also with no change.
The only thing I have not done yet is Reset All Settings because it is a PITA making sure everything is ready for her to use again. She is good at using her device as long as it doesn’t ask her questions. 
Do you use Bixby?
It is Hidden, not setup, not used on her device. Therefore, I have not checked any related settings associated.
Please repost if you find a solution. I will likewise. Need a solution in next 48 or I am with you. Dump the Samsung and move on.
Easy Fix & Happier Me
Download G Board keyboard and set as Default.
Samsung
I tried a bunch of other things.
Installed Samsung Voice Recorder - went to Speech to Text - got error “Network is currently unavailable. Please try again later.”
Samsung Hardware - Good
Samsung Software - bite me…
Samsung Battery - replaced with aftermarket
Good Luck
Thanks for into to this board. 
EXACTAMUNDO !!!
After +/- an hour on the phone with a VERY able and polite Verizon Tech, we got it down to
A: Try Google’s GBoard
B: Hard factory re-set.
Pleased that at no time did he even suggest buying a new phone.
The GBoard is just fine.
Agreed all around. I love my Samsung hardware. Perhaps not so much with the software.
I’ve never had the battery pulled. I bought the Note 8 used about…Hmm…5 years ago?
The only time I went into a store to inquire as to replacing the battery, I was told a real shocker: Samsung’s hard policy is the connect my device to THEIR servers prior to removing the battery. Now, I’m not some nefarious person but I don’t like the idea of my entire cell phone’s data kit being skimmed. They’re not the NSA. They’re the darned manufacturer. When I told the store tech I wasn’t liking that part, he invited me to leave. He said, " I will lose my right to work on Samsung phones if I do not comply with this. "
Hmmmm. Haven’t tried since.
And and and- Welcome To The Straight Dope !!! You’re going to love it here. 
I am a former repair tech. Ifixit.com, a lot of patience and a local recreational dispensary; are very helpful if you are ever feeling spunky for hardware repairs.
I can tell you from experience, the most important first step before any hardware repair to an “in use” device; is insuring it is fully backed up. The question is whether you are more comfortable with Samsung’s protocols or Joe’s Repair protocols. If you don’t trust either, backup yourself, get repair done; then restore after completion. 
Happy Trails 