MS Word Transcribe feature no longer opens the file picker to upload an audio file

Question

MS Word Transcribe feature no longer opens the file picker to upload an audio file

B Thom 10

Subject: Microsoft Word Desktop — Transcribe Upload Audio Button Unresponsive

I have Microsoft 365 installed on Windows. Until recently, Dictate → Transcribe → Upload audio worked normally.

Now the Transcribe panel opens and Start recording works, but clicking Upload audio does absolutely nothing. No file picker opens and no error appears.

I have completed the following troubleshooting:

Updated Microsoft 365.

Performed Quick Repair successfully.

Tested Word in Safe Mode.

Signed out and back into Microsoft 365.

Verified that WebView2 Runtime is installed.

Confirmed that the Windows file picker works elsewhere in Word.

Word Online initially displayed an incorrect private/incognito browsing warning. Allowing third-party cookies in Microsoft Edge fixed Word Online transcription, but desktop Word remains unresponsive.

Please verify whether my Microsoft 365 license currently supports uploading audio for transcription in desktop Word. If it does, please investigate whether a recent Office update or an embedded web-component issue is preventing the upload dialog from opening.

This feature worked previously and stopped without any intentional configuration change on my part.

SL Hart 5 Reputation points

2026-11-09T10:33:00.74+00:00

I have also recently started having the exact same issue as of today. Up until this point, I have been using the Transcribe function regularly. As the button is still there, it seems more likely to me that this is a bug rather than a removal of a feature. I am going to report the bug to Microsoft and it might be worth you doing the same too.
Kyle Ho-Nguyen 5 Reputation points

2026-11-09T14:25:22.57+00:00

Hi, I as well as a few of my coworkers are also having this issue. The build is: Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2610 Build 16.0.20527.20150) 32-bit. As a temporary workaround we have been using Microsoft Word Online and was able to upload audio when transcribing. But when we use the Desktop App clicking "Upload Audio" does not open the file explorer like it normally does.
Bruce Palmer 5 Reputation points

2026-11-09T18:42:49.01+00:00

Same problem - wasted 2 hours trying to figure it out. When I use the web version, no issue. When I use the desktop version, the upload option appears but nothing happens when you click on it like I did yesterday. Who makes changes like this without informing the end-user
AlexCochrane-1662 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T09:21:33.45+00:00

I submitted this to Microsoft yesterday and they dismissed it as "No issue found". Glad to see it's not just us having the issue.
SWal 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T14:56:26.0633333+00:00

To anyone having this issue as of 11/10/26 - Widen the transcribe box to right before your document. I got mine to open that way.
Wilf Steimle 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T21:42:30.5766667+00:00

Microsoft is claiming a 300 minute per month limit! https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/transcribe-your-recordings#tabpanel_1_word-for-the-web and https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/transcribe-your-recordings

Answer recommended by moderator

Joëll Kluppels 15

Hello all,

We had the same problem with build 2610 and this workaround worked for us and got the upload button working again:

What you can try is to widen the Transcribe pane before selecting Upload audio.

Barry Laird-Smith 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T13:32:45.27+00:00

Thank you so much Joell !! I owe you a beer
cl 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T18:44:40.9266667+00:00

You are a STAR!! This is the solution!!!

6 additional answers

Your answer

SL Hart 5 Reputation points

2026-11-09T10:33:00.74+00:00

I have also recently started having the exact same issue as of today. Up until this point, I have been using the Transcribe function regularly. As the button is still there, it seems more likely to me that this is a bug rather than a removal of a feature. I am going to report the bug to Microsoft and it might be worth you doing the same too.
Kyle Ho-Nguyen 5 Reputation points

2026-11-09T14:25:22.57+00:00

Hi, I as well as a few of my coworkers are also having this issue. The build is: Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2610 Build 16.0.20527.20150) 32-bit. As a temporary workaround we have been using Microsoft Word Online and was able to upload audio when transcribing. But when we use the Desktop App clicking "Upload Audio" does not open the file explorer like it normally does.
Bruce Palmer 5 Reputation points

2026-11-09T18:42:49.01+00:00

Same problem - wasted 2 hours trying to figure it out. When I use the web version, no issue. When I use the desktop version, the upload option appears but nothing happens when you click on it like I did yesterday. Who makes changes like this without informing the end-user
AlexCochrane-1662 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T09:21:33.45+00:00

I submitted this to Microsoft yesterday and they dismissed it as "No issue found". Glad to see it's not just us having the issue.
SWal 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T14:56:26.0633333+00:00

To anyone having this issue as of 11/10/26 - Widen the transcribe box to right before your document. I got mine to open that way.
Wilf Steimle 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T21:42:30.5766667+00:00

Microsoft is claiming a 300 minute per month limit! https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/transcribe-your-recordings#tabpanel_1_word-for-the-web and https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/transcribe-your-recordings
Barry Laird-Smith 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T13:32:45.27+00:00

Thank you so much Joell !! I owe you a beer
cl 0 Reputation points

2026-11-10T18:44:40.9266667+00:00

You are a STAR!! This is the solution!!!

Answer 1

Sumit 44,981 Volunteer Moderator

I can also confirm the issue.

Please take a moment to report the problem.

Please go to Help > Feedback button > Report a problem > Write this feedback:

Problem Title: Upload Audio button is unresponsive in Microsoft Word Transcribe feature

Problem Description:

I am experiencing an issue with the Transcribe feature in Microsoft Word.

When I navigate to Home > Dictate > Transcribe and click the Upload audio button, nothing happens. The button appears to be unresponsive, and no file selection window opens.

As a result, I am unable to upload audio files for transcription.

Expected Behaviour: Clicking the Upload audio button should open the file selection dialog, allowing me to browse and select an audio file for transcription.

Actual Behaviour: Clicking the Upload audio button does not trigger any action. No file picker opens, and no error message is displayed.

cl 0 Reputation points

2026-11-09T20:22:40.77+00:00

Thanks so much! Just to be clear for others, the Help>Feedback is from within the Word application.

Answer 2

Daniël 5

Hello, i temporarily fixed it by using the online Word service. So not the desktop-app but the online-service. Hope this works for you. They must be working on a fix.

Martin D 0 Reputation points

2026-11-09T15:43:49.51+00:00

thanks

Answer 3

B Thom 10

The transcribe feature still appears in my desktop installed Word app. But when I click the Transcribe button, the file picker does not open. My build number is: 16.0.20527.20150. Please verify whether I still have this feature or not. If I do, then I need help getting it to work again. If not, why was I not informed that it would be taken away BEFORE I renewed by license for Microsoft 365 last month? Not cool.

0 comments

Answer 4

My version of Microsoft 365 does not include the words home or personal. Under product information it just says Microsoft 365. My build number is: 16.0.20527.20150 and it is 64 bit. I tested on my wife's computer which is the same build and it is not working there either. It was working a week ago. I just recently renewed by subscription for Microsoft 365. The transcription feature is one of the main features I use. I received no notice that any features were being taken away before I paid to renew my subscription. Please explain to me what is going on do I have a technical problem, or has Microsoft just arbitrarily decided to take a key feature away!