[FIX] “Speech Recognition” Shows “Change Recognizer Language” Error in Windows Vista and 7

Recently one of our reader “James” asked us about following problem in an email:

Whenever he tries to start “Speech Recognition” in Windows 7, he gets following error message:

Speech Recognition could not start because the language configuration is not supported.

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The recognizer language must match the language of the user interface. Please change the recognizer language in the Speech Recognition control panel under Advanced Options.

Its a known problem in Windows Vista and 7. Most of the times it happens when ctfmon.exe is not set to automatically start with Windows.

There are a few things which can be done to fix this error message. We’ll cover them one by one:

FIX 1: Add ctfmon.exe to Startup

1. Type regedit in RUN or Start menu Searchbox and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

3. In right-side pane, create a new String value with the name ctfmon and set its value to ctfmon.exe

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Add_ctfmon_to_Windows_Startup.png

4. Close Registry Editor and restart your system. After reboot, you should not get the error message and Speech Recognition should start without any problem.

FIX 2: Using Speech Recognition Settings

1. Open Control Panel and click on Speech Recognition icon. Now click on “Advanced speech options” link given in left sidebar.

2. It’ll open a new window. Make sure the Language is set to the correct locale and “Review documents” option is not checked.

Disable_Review_Documents_Option.png

3. Apply the changes and restart your system.

FIX 3: Using Regional Settings

1. Type intl.cpl in RUN or Start menu Searchbox and press Enter. It’ll open Regional Settings window.

2. Now go to “Location” tab and change the location to something different and restart your system.

Change_Location_in_Regional_Settings.png

3. Upon reboot set the location to correct one and restart your system again.

4. Now Speech Recognition should work.

FIX 4: Create New Recognition Profile

If everything fails, try to create a new recognition profile by using step 1 mentioned in FIX 2.

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7, Windows Vista

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

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  1. Hello,

    I have followed the instructions to the letter, and even created another Profile but to no avail. Could this be because I live in Spain although I would rather speak English? Any advice (with that in mind)?

    Thank you.

    Claude

  2. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your help.
    I was so desperate, I just tried them all and then restarted my computer.
    Works like a charm now!

    Thanks again!

  3. Had to say thanks for the fix on my speech deal. I had to modify the registry per this fix to get it to work and UnCheck that doc thing along with it. How you guys come-up with these fixes is frecking cool!!! LONG live the internet……

    Thank-You

    David

  4. I did as per the given steps above. and now my computer’s speech recognition is working pefectly. THANK YOU SOO MUCH…. for helping me to fix my problem… as mr.david said…. LONG LIVE INTERNET

  5. Thank you so much! This is probably one of the Best and Helpfull Topics online! I dont know why Windows 7 have all these weird problems! God bless you Vishal!

  6. Finally a good guide, I thought I would never get this to work. Followed your steps and just got it working. Thank you very much for this!

  7. I had the same problem…very frustrating. The tutorial worked fine but not launching the application. I tried everything EVER written on the subject but then I found your article and fix. Amazing! Fixes 2, 3 & 4 didn’t work, but finally I decided to “touch” my registry, something I’ve always been told not to, but following your directions, VIOLA it works! Thanks so much for publishing this. I have a transcription service and I was trying to get understanding of the Windows VR technology and how we can use it. Again, thanks~!

  8. None of this worked for me whatsoever, epic fail!
    Of note: Using Artificial Intelligence nuero networking software so i NEED this working asap.
    Using a USB Linux of Debian Wheezy and a Virtual Machine of the backup .iso as well as a program called system restore explorer, (which COPY ONLY from or you’ll ruin your restore point and always dismount when done,) if sys rest expl fails to i use the V.M. via Linux to manipulate the files. Curse words lacking sufficiently for M.S. and there “Re-install” advice. We NEED a toatal re-install of this specific software NOT the system!

  9. I have tried all the above fixes to no avail!!!
    Is there anything else I could try?
    This is very frustrating

  10. I am a computer novice but I followed the ctfmon fix in the Fix 1 above and it solved the problem immediately. This guy knows from whence he talks. The other fixes can be compared to running outside and clucking like a chicken. Thank you for your post. Now if I can just master the voice commands in my newly functioning speech recognition software!!!!!! Dave

  11. I did as per the given steps above. and now my computer’s speech recognition is working pefectly. THANK YOU SOO MUCH…. for helping me to fix my problem… as mr.david said…. LONG LIVE INTERNET

  12. I tried all the fixes one by one and it still gives the error message spech rec could not start because langauge config in not supported bla bla bla….

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