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:
On an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
- Go to Settings > Siri & Search > Voice Feedback.
- Make sure it is set to ‘Always On’.
On a Mac
- Go to System Preferences > Siri.
- Make sure that Voice Feedback is turned on.
When I dictate to Siri in chat or in a chat box like this or in other places, Siri reads back everything I dictated one letter at a time and will not stop until it is all done. Even if I closeThe app, Siri will continue to read back letter by letter. Maddening.
Another problem when dictating is shown in the next paragraph. Siri will start babbling as it did below. I dictated the first 3 words and siri typed and spoke the rest.
And other times how how how how how how how how how how how how how stop how stop how still foul still foul Steffel Stihl Stihl L steel capital capital.