Siri is Apple’s virtual assistant that helps you with various tasks, from setting alarms to making calls. However, there are times when Siri may not work properly. Thankfully, you can easily troubleshoot your iPhone with a few simple fixes. From toggling on Airplane Mode to rebooting your mobile devices, here's what to do when Siri and dictation are not working.
How to troubleshoot Siri when it's not working
While it’s frustrating when your Siri voice assistant is not working, typically, there’s an easy solution. You can enable Siri, double-check your internet connection, re-train Siri to recognize your voice or reboot your phone. Here are the top fixes for when Siri isn’t responding.
Check your internet connection
Siri requires an internet connection to function to respond to voice commands. You can toggle Airplane mode on and back off to reset your internet connection under Settings > Airplane Mode.
Make sure Siri is enabled
Siri needs to be enabled to work. To check if Siri is enabled, open Settings > Siri & Search. Turn on the "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" option. We also recommend turning on "Allow Siri When Locked." Additionally, you can enable Press Side Button for Siri to launch your voice assistant when hitting your iPhone's side button.
Train Siri to recognize your voice
When Siri and dictation are not working, you can configure Apple’s smart assistant to recognize your voice. Head to Settings > Siri & Search, then toggle off and back on Listen for “Hey Siri.” Once the Set Up “Hey Siri” screen pops up, hit Continue and follow the on-screen commands. When completed, Siri should work again.
Troubleshoot your earbuds
Siri supports earbuds equipped with microphones like AirPods which are some of the best iPhone accessories. Your headphones may be at fault when "Hey Siri" is not working on your AirPods. Try disconnecting your external audio device, then saying, "Hey, Siri." Just head to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the "i" next to your headphones device list, then hit Disconnect.
If your virtual assistant responds with your headphones disconnected, you'll know your earbuds were the culprit. Reconnecting your earphones may result in restored Siri functionality. For more AirPods awesomeness, learn how to connect your AirPods to Android or macOS.
Restart your iPhone
There's a reason that the old IT joke, "Did you try turning it off and back on?" persists: It often works. Sometimes, a simple restart can fix problems when Siri is not working. For instance, it's possible that it's not Siri but your iPhone's microphone that's not working. And a basic reboot often remedies hardware or software issues.
To restart your iPhone, long-press (press and hold) your mobile device's volume down and side buttons at the same time until the power slider appears. Then, move the power off slider across the screen to turn off your iPhone. After a few seconds, press and hold the Side button to turn your iPhone back on.
Update iOS
Apple regularly releases software updates that fix bugs and improve performance. You may need to update your iPhone software when Siri is not working on iOS 18.1, which is the latest iOS version. To update your iPhone software, open Settings > General > Software Update. If there's an available update, tap Download and Install.
Reset Siri's settings on your iPhone
Resetting Siri is easy and can help clear any cached bugs that might be stuck in that specific bit of software. To reset Siri:
- In your Settings menu, tap Siri.
- Depending on your iPhone model, your menu may say "Siri," "Siri & Search," or "Apple Intelligence & Siri."
- Tap Talk to Siri or Talk & type to Siri, depending on your iPhone.
- Tap the Off option.
- Toggle Press Side Button for Siri to Off.
- Tap and toggle all of the above back to On.
If everything fails and Siri is still not working, you may need to reset your iPhone. This erases all of the data on your iPhone, so be sure to back up your data before you reset it. Navigate to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings to reset your iPhone.
Unmute Siri
When your Siri volume is not working, but the voice assistant responds, it's because Siri is muted. To unmute Siri, move the mute switch on the left-hand side of your iPhone above the volume buttons up towards the screen. Alternatively, check your volume settings by pressing and holding the side button on your iPhone until Siri starts, then releasing it and hitting the volume up button. You can also disable Do Not Disturb mode under your volume settings since Siri doesn’t work while your handset is in Do Not Disturb mode.
Disconnect from Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay, like Android Auto, lets you safely connect your phone to your car stereo while driving. Thankfully, Apple's voice assistant works even over CarPlay. However, you can disconnect and reconnect your USB cable if you're running CarPlay and Siri isn't working. Try a different USB cable if that doesn't fix your Siri woes. You can also disconnect, then reconnect CarPlay by heading to Settings > General > CarPlay > Forget This Car. Then, just set up Apple CarPlay again.
Troubleshoot Siri on Apple Watch
You can use Apple’s voice assistant on iPhones, Apple TV streaming boxes, and even the Apple Watch. If Siri is not working on an Apple Watch, make sure that Siri is enabled. On your Apple Watch, head to Settings > Siri and turn on Hey Siri and Raise to Speak.
With Apple Watch problems like when Siri and voice-to-text are not working, double check your Apple Watch internet connection. You can also reboot your Apple Watch by long-pressing the side button until the power button appears, then tapping the power button and dragging the power slider off. Once it's off, press and hold the side button to turn your Apple Watch back on.
You can remove your Apple Watch case to diagnose Siri when your microphone is not working. If Siri works with your case off, you'll know your Apple Watch microphone was blocked.
Best iPhones for using Siri
Whether you’re upgrading from an old iOS device that doesn't support Siri, have a broken handset that doesn't function, or are switching from Android which lacks Siri, a new iPhone may be in order. Our favorite iPhones include the iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14, and iPhone SE (2022). We also like the iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Plus, and the last-gen but still solid iPhone 13 series. Luckily, a new handset doesn’t have to break the bank thanks to the best iPhone deals available now.
iPhone 17e 256GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 17e 512GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 17 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP
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iPhone Air 256GB
- 6.5 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
How to fix Siri: FAQs
How can I fix "Hey Siri" when it's not working?
The best solutions for troubleshooting Siri issues include rebooting your phone, toggling Airplane Mode on, then back off, and setting up Siri to recognize your voice. If you still need help, you can contact Apple support to fix your iPhone issues.
How do I enable Siri?
You can enable Siri by heading to Settings > Siri & Search, then enabling Listen for "Hey Siri" and Allow Siri When Locked.
Can Siri recognize another voice on my iPhone?
Yes, Siri can recognize multiple voices, so everyone living in a house—whether family members or roommates—can use Siri.
Can I just say Siri instead of Hey Siri?
No, you can't just say "Siri" to use Apple's voice assistant; you need to say "Hey Siri."
Do all iPhones have Siri?
No, not all iPhones have Siri, but most iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS devices support Siri. The iPhone 4S and later have Siri, while earlier Apple iOS handsets don't. You can even use Siri on older iPhones like the iPhone X. Since Siri also runs on iPadOS and tvOS, you can use Apple's voice assistant on devices like the iPad Pro and Apple TV.
Moe Long
Senior Writer
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