Windows 10: Cortana Hangs While Listening

Cortana simply hangs when in this screen (when it is supposed to listen to me). This screen can be opened by clicking the Cortana icon on the taskbar or by saying 'Hey Cortana'. Cortana is not able to listen to anything I say. This screen simply closes after being non-responding for a few seconds.


I am not able to click on the user/setting icons (marked by blue arrows). The gray circles (marked by red) do not animate - the screen remains hanged/non-responsive in the exact same state shown in the picture.


My mic is properly set up and working (Cortana does respond to hey cortana). I have tried logging into multiple accounts for Cortana. I am connected to the internet. I am using Windows 10 (Pro Insider) build 9845.rs_prerelease.190720-1835. But I also had this same issue when I was not a part of the insider program and had the latest non-insider update (some 3-4 weeks back).


Please provide a solution.

:)

 

CORTANA IN LISTEN MODE

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for your interest in Windows 10!

What is the edition of Windows 10 (Home, Education, Pro etc.)?

I understand you have issues with Cortana in the Listen mode. If you have Windows 10 PRO installed in the system, then I would suggest you to try the following steps to change some group policy settings.

• • 
    Press Windows key + R, type
    Gpedit.msc and hit ENTER.
    
  • 
    Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search
    
  • 
    Check for: 'Allow Cortana' and 'Do not allow web search'
    – Make sure they are ‘Not Configured’ or set ‘Allow Cortana’ to Enabled and ‘Do not allow web search’ to Disabled
    
  • 
    Open an elevated command prompt and run:
    gpupdate /force
    
  • 
    Go to Settings > Verify and correct: Time, Region and Language
    
    And, then go to Settings > Apps and Features > Manage optional features > Download Speech Recognition and Text-to-speech
    

NOTE: The troubleshooting steps are only applicable to
Windows 10 PRO.

Let us know if the issue gets resolved using the troubleshooting steps.

 

CORTANA IN LISTEN MODE

Actually Cortana never goes into listen mode, after pressing the mike icon there is no need to say Hey Cortana, just asking the question gets the answer. The issue is then that Cortana
never goes into listen mode, all settings are correct.

Does anyone have any suggestions ?

 

Cortana keypressede listening

I don't know about the Windows key on its own, but according to this - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12445/windows-keyboard-shortcuts (
Windows 10 option ) pressing the [Windows key} and [C] together should open Cortana in listening mode:

Windows logo key + C

Open Cortana in listening mode

Notes

• This shortcut is turned off by default. To turn it on, open Cortana from the search box on the taskbar, then select Settings . Turn on the toggle under Let Cortana listen for my commands when I press the Windows logo key +
  C.
• Cortana is available only in certain countries/regions, and some Cortana features might not be available everywhere. If Cortana isn't available or is turned off, you can still use search.

Document claims to be updated in May 2017, so not sure what build it refers to though.