What Can I Do When Siri Is Not Working? Troubleshooting Siri (2024)

Siri is supposed to be your helpful personal assistant, ready to set reminders, look up information, place calls, and handle other tasks just by using your voice. But what if Siri goes suddenly silent and unresponsive?

Why Did Siri Stop Working?

Before attempting fixes, it helps to know what causes Siri to stop working in the first place. The most common culprits are:

Connectivity Problems– Siri relies on internet access to function. Any Wi-Fi, cellular or network issues interfere.
Incorrect Siri Settings– If Siri gets toggled off, set to ignore your voice, or is missing permissions, it won’t respond properly.
Outdated Software– Like any app, Siri itself needs regular software updates on all devices for maximum reliability.
Server Overloads– During major iOS releases or service outages, overloaded Apple servers sometimes scramble Siri connectivity.
Hardware Damage– Very rarely, actual physical microphone/speaker damage prevents Siri from hearing commands or speaking responses.

Now that you know why Siri fails, let’s revive it with some easy troubleshooting!

10 Quick Fixes for a Non-Responsive Siri

Start with quicker manual rebooting and settings checks before trying advanced troubleshooting steps:

Check Internet Connection: Since Siri requires steady internet access, toggle Airplane Mode off/on to reconnect Wi-Fi and cellular data.
Disable then Re-Enable Siri: Turn Siri off and back on via Settings to clear any glitches and reconnect properly.
Make Sure Siri Is Unmuted: Open Control Center and check the microphone icon to confirm Siri isn’t muted and permissions are enabled.
Check for Headphone Blockages: Remove any connected headphones/Bluetooth headsets to ensure nothing is physically blocking the microphone.
Retrain “Hey Siri” Recognition: Re-record your “Hey Siri” voice sample so Siri relearns recognition.
Update iOS/iPadOS/watchOS/macOS: Install the latest OS updates containing Siri bug fixes and performance tweaks.
Reset Network Settings: Reset all network settings back to factory defaults, including Wi-Fi passwords, to eliminate any connectivity conflicts.
Reset All Settings: For really stubborn issues, completely wipe all device settings, including Siri permissions.
Reboot Your Device: If the above steps don’t restore Siri, completely power down then restart your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, etc.
Contact Apple Support: For recurring unresponsive Siri even after resets and reboots, contact Apple to diagnose potential hardware faults needing repair/replacement.

With the proper troubleshooting, Siri should bounce back in no time! But you can also reduce future issues…

Preventing Siri Problems From Occurring

While the occasional glitch hits everyone, smart maintenance and settings habits minimize problems:

Keep devices updated to latest iOS/iPadOS/watchOS/macOS versions
Use strong Wi-Fi and cellular connections whenever possible
Disable Siri access on shared devices to prevent permission conflicts
Turn off Siri when handing devices to children to prevent retraining issues
Back up voice profile/preferences regularly in case retraining is ever needed

And remember, Siri lives in the cloud, so internet connectivity is mandatory for responsiveness!

Conclusion

Unresponsive Siri issues arise eventually, but a few simple troubleshooting steps usually get the voice assistant obeying commands again. Rebooting, retraining, re-permissioning and updating Siri return full functionality when weird glitches pop up.

With these fixes, you’ll keep Siri happily helping out across all your Apple devices. Never get left hanging by an uncooperative Siri again!

Check Siri’s Servers

If your internet connection is fine and works with other apps, it’s possible that the problem is on Apple’s side of the fence.

Go to Apple System Status Site and take a look if there are any reported issues with Siri and Spotlight Suggestions.

Any service with a problem shows the yellow yield-like icon. Tap the issue to see details and any updates.

Is Siri Not Showing Up on Lock Screen?

It’s usually a setting that’s not turned on, often caused by a recent iOS update.

First, checkSettings > Face ID (or Touch ID) & Passcodeand scroll down to ‘Allow Access When Locked’ and make sure ‘Siri’ is enabled.

Another way to turn this feature on is to go toSettings > Siri & Search > and toggle ON Allow Siri When Locked.

If it doesn’t work immediately, restart your device and try again.

For iOS 10 and below, go toSettings > Siri > and toggle on Access When Locked.

Is Hey, Siri Not Working?

Make sure your iPhone supports Hey, Siri

If you have an iPhone 6s or later, or an iPad Pro (except iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st generation doesn’t support it), use “Hey Siri” whenever
But for folks with an iPhone 6 or earlier, or another iPad or iPod touch model, plug into power first. The give Hey, Siri a try

Verify that Hey Siri is Enabled

And on iOS 11 and above, go toSettings > Siri & Search
Check that you enabledListen for Hey Siri
On iOS 10 and below select Settings > Siri or General > Siriand toggle Siri on as well as Allow Hey Siri

Next,Make sure that your device is face-up

Placing your device facedown disables “Hey Siri”
Smart covers disable Hey Siri when closed

Hey, Siri not working on your AirPods?

On AirPods (2nd generation) and AirPods Pro Make sure that you toggle on “Hey Siri” on the iDevice that your AirPods connect to
For folks using AirPods 1st generation, double-tap your AirPods stem to engage Siri

Clear and Clean Your Microphones and Speakers

Make sure your mics and speakers are clean and not covered.

Dirt, lint, dust, and more can get into your microphones or speakers, so it’s a good idea to inspect these.

If you see something, use an interdental brush, super soft toothbrush, hearing aid cleaning kits, or a specialized port cleaning tool and clear away that debris.

When using compressed air, make sure you hold it at least 12 inches away from the port as any closer could make the problem worse by pushing it further inside your device!

Sometimes, cases cover microphones/speakers, especially if you’re not using the correct case for your model iPhone or iPad.

If you suspect the problem is with your iPhone’s or iPad’s speakers, check out this article for help.

Reset Your Network Settings

Sometimes, all it takes is a refresh of your network to get Siri up and running.

Before you reset your networks, make sure you have the passcodes to re-enter

Go toSettings > General > Reset
ChooseReset Network Settings
Enter your device passcode, if requested
At the prompt, choose Reset Network Settings
Once your device restarts, reconnect to your networks again and enter the passcodes

Force Restart Your iDevice

On an iPhone 8 or later and iPad without a Home Button: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and immediately release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Power/Side/Top button until you see the Apple Logo and the device restarts
On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus or 7th generation iPod touch: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo
On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad with a Home Button, or iPod touch: Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo

Turn off Type to Siri

Go to Settings > Accessibility> Siri > toggle off Type to Siri

It’s possible that Type to Siri is causing problems with interacting with Siri, so let’s see if toggling it off helps.

Disable Low Power Mode

Additionally, if you have Low Power Mode turned on, Apple disablesHey Sirifor power-saving purposes.

If possible, turn off low power mode

Use Control Center or go to Settings > Battery and switch off Low Power Mode
An interesting reader tip that works is turning off your iDevice’s Battery Percentage. Go toSettings > Batteryand toggle offBattery Percentage
If not possible, charge up, and Siri turns on automatically when your iDevice reaches a sufficient charge

How To Get Siri To Work Again

Try Airplane Mode

Turning Airplane Mode on, waiting 20-30 seconds, and then toggling it back off often helps Siri reset
To get to Airplane Mode, open Control Center or open Settings > Airplane Mode
Toggle it on, wait about 30 seconds, then turn it back off
Now check if Siri starts responding and showing you results!

Look At And Possibly Change Siri’s Language

Make sure that Siri is set to the correct language (Settings > General > Siri > Language)
For iOS 11 and above, find this in Settings > Siri & Search (or Siri) > Language

A reader shared this tip! Change Siri’s language temporarily, then change it back

How To Modify Siri’s language

Go toSettings > Siri & Search
Tap Language, under the Ask Siri heading
Change to another language or a regional version of your current language (like English (Canada) instead of English (United Kingdom)
1. When you change Siri’s language, it turns off “Hey Siri” until you re-train Siri to your voice
Once Siri updates to the new language, restart your device
Return back to Siri’s settings and change again to your usual language
Since Hey Siri is off, toggle it on and go through the steps to train Siri to your voice

Check For Any Restrictions on Siri

If you can’t turn on Siri on your iDevice, make sure that you haven’t disabled Siri in Restrictions.

On iOS 12 or later, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps
Make sure that Siri & Dictation is toggled on
For iOS 11 or earlier, goto Settings > General > Restrictions and check if Siri is off

Allow Siri To Access Your Location

Some of the Siri features require you to use Location Services
Go toSettings > Privacy > Location Services > Siri & Dictation >select While Using the App

Switch On/Off Dictation

Settings > General >Keyboards > Toggle Enable Dictationoff and on
Thissetting is the last setting on the screen, so you need to scroll down to the bottom of the screen to access this

Disable Siri

Tap Settings > Siri & Search (for older iOS, Settings > Siri or Settings > General > Siri)
Toggle Siri off, if possible
For iOS 11 and above, toggle off the following:
1. Listen for “Hey Siri”
2. Press Side Button for Siri
3. Allow Siri When Locked
Turn your iPhone off and on and re-enable Siri again

For more information on disabling Siri in iOS 11 and above, see this article

Turn Off Your VPN

If you use a VPN, some end up blocking Siri and your device’s access to Apple Servers.

In particular, people report seeing the error message ‘Connection not available’ when trying to access Siri on their cellular connection.

If you are having this issue, look at your VPN settings.

If you have a VPN that you no longer use or need, delete the VPN profile in your iPhone settings by tapping on Settings > General > VPN.

Once you remove the VPN Profile, give it a try.

New versions of iOS often do not seem to work with some of the older VPN installs on your iPhone.

Reset All Your Settings

If nothing’s helping thus far, let’s try and reset your device’s personalized settings and return them to Apple’s defaults.

When you choose to reset all settings, you’re erasing all of your iDevice’s saved settings (things like wallpapers, accessibility settings, brightness & display settings) and returning them to factory defaults.

To Reset All iPhone Settings

Go toSettings > General > Reset>Reset All Settings
Enter your passcode and tap Reset All Settings to confirm
Your iPhone resets its settings and restarts

Cool Tip! Ever wonder what Siri stands for? It’s actuallySpeech Interpretation &Recognition Interface

Can’t Hear Siri?

A reader noticed that Siri’s volume is independent of your device’s set volume.

While Siri is answering a question push the volume button to increase volume! Instant sound!!!

Siri doesn’t work after iOS Updates?

Before anything, try a forced restart–see instructions above.

Siri Working on Cellular Data Only?

Several users have found that their Siri on their mobile device works only when connected to their WiFi but does not operate when they are on a cellular connection away from their home or office.

Thisproblem is usually caused by their VPN.

Delete or disable your VPN and see if it makes a difference.

Is Siri Cutting You Off Mid-Sentence?

One recent iOS problem is that it seems that Siri literally cuts you off before you finish the command!

Things have gotten so bad that when you start asking or typing in a search for “why does Siri…” the auto-complete suggestion is “…cut me off!”

Here’s how we got Siri to stop interrupting and listen to everything we say!

First, update your iOS.

If it’s still a problem, try the following suggestions.

The “Easy” Siri Fix

Make sure that you’re holding your side or home button for the entire time that you’re asking Siri a question.

Don’t wait to hear the familiar chime
Instead, press and hold the Side or Home Button and begin talking right away
Keep holding the button until you finish speaking

As expected, once you release the button, Siri starts replying to you or perform the necessary action.

Turn Siri Off

Another simple fix for Siri acting weird is to turn the functionality on and then off.

Open Settings
Scroll down and select Siri & Search
Toggle off the following:
1. Listen for “Hey Siri”
2. Press Side Button for Siri
3. Allow Siri When Locked
Once done, a pop-up appears confirming that you want to turn off Siri completely
Tap Turn Off Siri
Reboot your iPhone
When the phone turns back on, head back into Settings and turn Siri back on
Go through the on-screen instructions to train Siri to your voice again

READ MORE: Can’t Turn Off Siri in iOS 11+? It’s easier than you think

Contact Apple

If all else fails then make an appointment at theApple Genius Barfor service.

Provide Feedback On Siri’s Performance

It’s always a good option to also leave feedback with Apple directly.

When navigating Apple’s Product Feedback page, you’ll find there is no option for Siri.

Instead, select your iPhone or whatever device has the Siri problem and then fill out the appropriate form.

Sudz Kar

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

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