diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/stt.py
index 8d45b4e9d..ed74c50d4 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/stt.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class TurnDetectionMode(str, Enum):
     """Endpoint and turn detection handling mode.
 
     How the STT engine handles the endpointing of speech. If using Pipecat's built-in endpointing,
-    then use `TurnDetectionMode.FIXED` (default).
+    then use `TurnDetectionMode.EXTERNAL` (default).
 
     To use the STT engine's built-in endpointing, then use `TurnDetectionMode.ADAPTIVE` for simple
     voice activity detection or `TurnDetectionMode.SMART_TURN` for more advanced ML-based
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ class SpeechmaticsSTTService(STTService):
 
             turn_detection_mode: Endpoint handling, one of `TurnDetectionMode.FIXED`,
                 `TurnDetectionMode.EXTERNAL`, `TurnDetectionMode.ADAPTIVE` and
-                `TurnDetectionMode.SMART_TURN`. Defaults to `TurnDetectionMode.FIXED`.
+                `TurnDetectionMode.SMART_TURN`. Defaults to `TurnDetectionMode.EXTERNAL`.
 
             speaker_active_format: Formatter for active speaker ID. This formatter is used to format
                 the text output for individual speakers and ensures that the context is clear for
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ class SpeechmaticsSTTService(STTService):
         language: Language | str = Language.EN
 
         # Endpointing mode
-        turn_detection_mode: TurnDetectionMode = TurnDetectionMode.FIXED
+        turn_detection_mode: TurnDetectionMode = TurnDetectionMode.EXTERNAL
 
         # Output formatting
         speaker_active_format: str | None = None