← Lipo Docs

Troubleshooting

Updated July 21, 2026

The fixes for the problems people actually hit, roughly in order of how often they come up. If your issue isn't here, the Support tab in the app has a Copy Support Email button — write to us and include what you tried.

Nothing happens when I press my hotkey

Check three things:

1. Microphone is allowed for Lipo in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.
2. Accessibility is turned on for Lipo in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
3. No other app uses the same key. Another launcher or utility may be swallowing it — try a different hotkey in Dictation → Activation to test.

If it still does nothing, quit Lipo and open it again.

Dictation won't paste into the app I'm using

Pasting needs the Accessibility permission — that's what lets Lipo type into other apps. Turn it on in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, then try again. Also make sure your cursor is actually in a text field when you start dictating; Lipo pastes at the cursor.

My words came out in the wrong language

Dictation and Translation work differently:

• For normal dictation, Lipo pastes what you spoke. If you picked a specific language in Dictation → Language (instead of Auto), that language is prioritized — check it matches what you're speaking.
• For translation, the Lipo pastes language is what gets pasted, not the language you spoke. If output is unexpectedly translated (or not translated), check which hotkey you pressed and the Enable translation setting — see Translation.

Transcription accuracy is worse than usual

• Check your microphone. AirPods are not recommended for dictation — their mic quality lowers accuracy. The built-in Mac microphone or a USB mic works better. If your selected mic disconnected, Lipo records from Automatic until it returns (the Dictation tab shows this).
• Set your language explicitly. Auto works, but picking your language in Dictation → Language helps, especially for non-English dictation.
• Teach Lipo your names. Words that keep coming out wrong belong in Your Dictionary.

The floating pill doesn't appear

The pill shows while recording and processing; if you want it visible all the time, turn on Show floating pill when idle in the Dictation tab. If it never appears even while recording, your hotkey press probably isn't reaching Lipo — go through the hotkey checks above.

Screenshots or Visual Brief won't capture

Both need the Screen Recording permission, which macOS asks for on first use. If you missed the prompt, enable Lipo in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording, then quit and reopen Lipo.

Translation stopped working

Two usual causes: the Lipo pastes language matches your spoken language (translation needs a different target — the Translation tab shows an error until you set one), or you've used your plan's translated words for this period. Check Settings → Subscription & usage; Pro Starter includes 20,000 translated words per period, and Pro Plus has no limit.

Keeping Lipo up to date

Lipo checks for updates automatically. You can also check now anytime with Check for Updates on the Support tab — updating is often the fix for a bug we've already patched.

I forgot my password

Use the reset link on the sign-in page and we'll email you a reset link. You can change your name, email, or password anytime via Manage Account on the Account tab.

Still stuck?

Open the Support tab, copy the support email, and tell us what happened — what you expected, what you got, and your macOS version. Screenshots help; you have a good tool for those.