Troubleshooting

Fix common Kimiko problems: missing audio, license activation, model downloads, slow processing, dictation that won’t insert text, and cloud connections.

Windows warns when I open the installer

Kimiko’s Windows installer is code-signed, but Microsoft Defender SmartScreen can still show “Windows protected your PC” while the file or signing certificate builds reputation. See Windows SmartScreen warning for an example and steps to check the publisher and signature before continuing.

My license key won’t activate

Check the key for typos. Copy it from your Kimiko account or the “Your Kimiko license key” email rather than typing it.
Make sure you’re online and Local-only mode is off in Settings → Privacy.
If Kimiko says the key is already active on 3 computers, free a spot first: deactivate Kimiko on a computer you no longer use, or remove that computer from your Kimiko account.

See Your license, computers and subscription for both ways to free a spot.

Kimiko says “This computer was removed from your license”

Your key is fine, but this computer’s activation was removed, for example from your Kimiko account. In Settings → License, select Re-activate to use a free spot again. If all 3 spots are in use, free one first.

My voice is missing

In the transcript, check whether You shows Muted. Click its microphone icon to unmute in Kimiko.
Check microphone access in your operating system.
Open Settings → Transcription → Input device and choose the correct microphone.
Make a short test recording after reconnecting a headset or changing devices.

If you hear other people but cannot see your own words, focus on the microphone path. Audio and permissions explains the platform differences.

Other people are missing from the transcript

Confirm the call is playing through your computer. On Mac, check system audio access and use the system audio test in onboarding.

If your own voice appears, the microphone is working; the other side of the call uses a separate audio path.

Kimiko did not detect my meeting

Make sure Kimiko is running and review Settings → Detection. You can start a recording yourself while you investigate detection. A detection prompt is a convenience, not a requirement for recording.

A model download will not finish

Check your internet connection and available disk space.
Check whether Local-only mode is blocking downloads.
Retry the download from the relevant model settings.

Canceling a model download keeps its progress so you can resume. Do not select a local model for an important call until its download is complete.

Transcription works, but there is no summary

Speech recognition and summaries use separate models. Check Settings → AI: make sure a model is downloaded or its provider is connected, then review AI tasks.

For summaries during a recording, also enable Live summaries in Transcription settings. See recommended setup.

Processing is slow

Try a short recording with fewer memory-heavy apps open. Compare a smaller local AI model before trying a larger one. The amount a model downloads is not the amount of memory it uses while running.

If only chat or summaries are slow, focus on the AI model. If spoken words arrive slowly, focus on the speech model and audio setup.

High memory use on a laptop

On laptops with shared memory (UMA), graphics and apps use the same RAM. Kimiko can also keep some features running locally when you choose cloud processing. See memory use on laptops for an explanation, automatic improvements, and settings you can adjust.

Dictation does not insert text

Confirm dictation is enabled and check the shortcut shown in Settings → Dictation.
Place the cursor in a normal text field and keep that app focused.
On Mac, check Accessibility access. On Windows, test in a regular app rather than an elevated window.
Finish any active meeting recording, then try again.
Check Insert with in Dictation settings and try the alternative insertion method if the destination app needs it.

Use Last dictation to copy the raw transcript of the most recent attempt if text was recognized but did not reach the field.

A cloud provider will not connect

Check the connection fields, credential, network access, and whether Local-only mode is enabled. Use the provider’s Test control where available.

If it connects but a task fails, confirm that your account can access the selected model and that the intended provider is assigned under AI tasks. Check the provider’s billing or usage limits in its own account interface.

An answer seems wrong

Open the cited source and check the original wording. Try a narrower meeting or project scope, correct unclear notes, and ask a more specific question.

AI-generated summaries and answers need review, particularly for names, numbers, dates, and commitments.