Learn What to do if Siri isn’t Working

Is Siri misbehaving, or refusing to respond to your requests? Here are a few things to check for when Siri isn’t working.

Check your internet connection

If you aren’t connected to the Internet using wifi or your cellular network, Siri will let you know, by saying something like:

Sorry, I’m having trouble connecting to the network

Try again in a little while

If you see these alerts, make sure that your device is connected to the Internet and try again.

Make sure that Siri is turned on

If “Hey Siri” isn’t working, check to see if it is fully activated.

On an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
Make sure that “Hey Siri” is on.

AirPods

If you have 1st generation AirPods, you need to double-tap one of the pods to use Siri.

On 2nd generation AirPods make sure that you turn on “Hey Siri” on the iOS device that your AirPods are connected to.

On a Mac

Open System Preferences, click Siri.
Make sure that Enable Ask Siri is selected.

For further details, read through our guide on activating Siri.

“Hey Siri” also won’t respond when:

Your device is lying face down.
When the cover is closed on your iPhone or iPad case.
When Low Power Mode is enabled.
If you have an iPhone 6 or earlier, most iPads, or an iPod touch and aren’t connected to power.

Check that restrictions aren’t on for Siri

If you can’t turn on Siri on your iOS device or Mac, make sure that you haven’t disabled Siri in Restrictions.

On an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps.
Make sure that Siri & Dictation isn’t turned off.

On a Mac

Go to System Preferences > Parental Controls > Other.
Make sure that Turn off Siri & Dictation isn’t selected.

Check your microphones

If Siri doesn’t hear you correctly or doesn’t respond when you make a query, make sure the microphones on your device are working.

On an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Remove screen protectors, films, or cases that cover the microphones, then ask Siri a question. If Siri doesn’t respond, connect a headset with a microphone, like EarPods or AirPods, then ask Siri a question and see if Siri responds.

On a Mac

Go to System Preferences > Sound > Input.
Select a mic and check the input levels.

Airpods

For AirPods, use your connected iOS device. On your iOS device,

Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Tap the ‘i’ icon next to your AirPods.
Tap Microphone and make sure that Automatically Switch AirPods is selected.

If Siri doesn’t speak responses

Siri might not respond verbally if your device is muted or Voice Feedback is switched off. While you’re on the Siri screen, first try to increase the volume level on your device. If that doesn’t help then check your Voice Feedback settings: