Apple is known for making extremely stable and well-built devices and comprehensive user experiences in its software. However, just like everything else tech, it’s not immune to random bugs and glitches from time to time.
In this article, we’re talking about how you fix ‘Hey Siri’ not working on your iPhone.
Restart your device
The first thing you should do when diagnosing just about anything is to restart your device. Restarting can fix a bunch of seemingly random issues with just about any device and hence should be the first item on your troubleshooting list.
Also read: How to cancel an outgoing Message from iPhone?
Try Airplane mode
Another thing you can do instead of rebooting your device is to enable Airplane mode from the Control Center, wait for 20-30 seconds and disable the setting. Once your phone reconnects to the internet, try again to check if ‘Hey Siri’ is working now.Â
Check your internet connection
Siri needs an active internet connection for most of its capabilities. If you’re on WiFi, make sure you’re getting a good signal and that there’s internet connectivity. If you’re using mobile data, make sure you have good network coverage and that mobile data is actually enabled.Â
Also read: How to fix iPhone camera not working?
Check Siri’s service status
Although rare, there’s a chance that Siri might actually be down. Head over to the Apple Service Status site to check whether or not Siri is online. If it isn’t, wait until Apple fix the issue from their end and try again.
Disable your VPN
If you’re running a VPN on your phone, chances are it’s interfering with Siri being able to connect to its servers. Siri is becoming increasingly regional to make sure it’s as accurate as possible for the users, and using a VPN can confuse the digital assistant causing malfunctions like this.Â
Clean your Microphone
A blocked microphone can cause your voice not to reach your phone, which in turn can cause the ‘Hey Siri’ activation not to work. Try checking for any clogs or jams in the mic grill on your phone and if you find any, clean them with a can of compressed air. Make sure to hold the can slightly away from the phone; otherwise, you’ll worsen the problem by actually pushing the residue further inside your phone.Â
Also read: How to delete Instagram account on iPhone?
Check if your device is face down or covered
By default, if your device is face down or the screen is covered, it won’t respond to ‘Hey Siri’. You can change this in the settings.
- Head over to iOS settings and tap on Accessibility.
- Tap on Siri.
- Enable Always listen for ‘Hey Siri’.
This ensures that your device is listening for Siri commands regardless of the position or orientation.
Check if ‘Hey Siri’ is enabled
Checking if the ‘Hey Siri’ service is actually enabled on your phone is also a good idea.
- Head over to iOS settings and tap Siri & Search.
- Make sure that ‘Hey Siri’ and Allow Siri When Locked settings are enabled.
Reset your Network settings
Resetting the network settings on your iOS device can help get rid of bad/corrupt internet settings that might be restricting your network access.
- Head over to the settings and tap on General.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset.
- Tap on Reset Network Settings.
Now try using ‘Hey Siri’ again.
Also read: How to fix iPhone touch screen not working?
Turn off Type to Siri
There’s a good chance that the ‘Type to Siri’ accessibility feature is hampering your interaction with the assistant. Try to disable it and check if that resolves your issue.
- Head over to iOS settings and tap on Accessibility.
- Tap on Siri.
- Disable Type to Siri.
Disable Low power mode
The Low power mode on your iPhone may help you save battery when you need it the most, but it also disables certain features on your phone, including ‘Hey Siri’ capabilities.Â
You can either use the Control Center or head over to the Battery settings in your iOS system settings menu and disable low power mode from there.
.
Try changing Siri’s language
Temporarily changing Siri’s language can help you get around this issue as well. Here’s how.
- Head over to iOS settings and tap Siri & Search.
- Under Ask Siri, tap Language.
- Switch to another language (preferably one you can speak or a regional variant of your current language).
Once Siri updates the new language, restart your device and repeat the process to get back to your original language. This should help fix the issue.Â
Also read: How to add someone to a group text on iPhone?
Check for any restrictions
Siri may be caught up in the Screen Time restrictions you might’ve set.
- Head over to iOS settings and tap on Screen Time.
- Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Head over to Allowed Apps.
- Make sure Siri & Diction are enabled.
Allow Siri to access your location
Siri uses location access to provide users with the most accurate results possible. Not having location access can cause malfunctions.
- Head over to iOS settings and tap on Privacy.
- Tap on Location Settings.
- Tap on Siri & Dictation.
- Under Allow location access select While Using the App.
Disable and re-enable Dictation
Re-enabling dictation can also help with the ‘Hey Siri’ feature not working.
- Head over to iOS settings and tap on General.
- Tap on Keyboard.
- Toggle the Enable Dictation toggle off and then back on again.
Now restart your phone and try using ‘Hey Siri’ again.
Also read: How to remove yourself from a group text on iPhone?
Check for updates
If there’s an issue with Siri, chances are Apple has patched it and released an update to fix the problem. Check for updates and make sure you’ve got the latest update available.
- Head over to iOS settings and tap on General.
- Tap on Software Update to check for any pending updates and install them.
Set up ‘Hey Siri’ again
It could also be possible that Siri can’t recognise your voice. Training the voice model again can help resolve the issue.Â
- Head over to iOS settings and tap on Siri & Search.
- Turn of Listen for “Hey Siri” and turn it on again.
- Tap Continue on the Set Up “Hey Siri” screen.
- Say the commands as they appear on the screen.
- Tap Done.
Restart your phone and try again
Reset your phone
Finally, if none of the settings above has worked for you, you can try resetting your iOS device altogether to check if that resolves your issue.Â
- Head over to iOS settings and tap on General.
- On the next page, scroll down to the bottom and tap on Reset.
- On the next page, tap on the second option from the top Erase All Content and Settings.
Also read: How to fix ‘iPhone green screen’ error?
