How to Fix “Hey Siri” When It’s Not Working on iPhone

Siri is one of Apple’s most convenient features — it lets you send messages, set reminders, and search the web without touching your phone. But sometimes, “Hey Siri” just stops responding. If your iPhone ignores your voice or doesn’t reply, here’s a complete guide to help you get Siri working again.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Siri depends on the internet to process most voice commands.
If your Wi-Fi or mobile data is off or unstable, Siri won’t respond.

• Make sure Wi-Fi or mobile data is turned on.
• Try opening a webpage to confirm you’re connected.
• If your signal is weak, move closer to your router or an area with better coverage.

Once you’re back online, say “Hey Siri” again to test it.

2. Make Sure Siri Is Enabled

If you’ve recently set up a new iPhone, Siri might be turned off by default.

To enable it:

1. Open Settings → Siri & Search
2. Turn on Listen for “Hey Siri” (or Listen for “Siri” on newer iOS versions)
3. Turn on Allow Siri When Locked
4. Optionally, enable Press Side Button for Siri

Now say “Hey Siri” to check if it’s responding.

3. Check If Siri Is Silent

Sometimes Siri is listening but not talking back.
To make sure you can hear her:

1. Go to Settings → Siri & Search → Siri Responses
2. Choose Prefer Spoken Responses

This setting ensures Siri always speaks out loud, even if your phone is in Silent Mode.

4. Disable Focus or Do Not Disturb

Focus modes (like Do Not Disturb) can block Siri’s voice replies.
Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, and check if Focus is enabled. If it is, turn it off.
Alternatively, you can keep Prefer Spoken Responses on so Siri talks even when Focus is active.

5. Disconnect Earphones or Bluetooth Devices

If your iPhone is connected to AirPods, a car, or a Bluetooth speaker, Siri might be using those microphones or speakers instead of your phone’s.

• Open Settings → Bluetooth
• Find your connected device, tap the i icon, and choose Disconnect
• Try saying “Hey Siri” again

If it works, the issue was likely with your Bluetooth device.

6. Keep Bluetooth On for Multiple Apple Devices

If you use Siri on multiple devices (like an iPhone, iPad, or Mac), and the wrong one keeps responding, keep Bluetooth ON on all of them.
This allows your Apple devices to communicate and decide which one should respond to “Hey Siri.”

7. Allow Siri to Listen Even When Face Down

By default, Siri won’t respond when your iPhone is face down or covered.
To change this:

• Go to Settings → Accessibility → Siri
• Turn on Always Listen for “Hey Siri”

Now you can trigger Siri even if your phone is on a table face-down or in your pocket.

8. Retrain Siri to Recognize Your Voice

If Siri isn’t recognizing your voice, you can retrain it easily:

1. Go to Settings → Siri & Search
2. Turn off Listen for “Hey Siri”, then turn it back on
3. Follow the on-screen steps to repeat a few phrases

This helps Siri adapt to your voice again.

9. Check the Microphone

If Siri can’t hear you at all, your microphone might be blocked or dirty.

• Inspect the bottom and front microphone grills.
• Clean gently using a soft, dry cloth.
• Avoid pins, needles, or compressed air — they can damage the mic.
• If you use a case or screen protector, make sure it’s not covering the mic holes.

Try a voice note or a video recording to confirm the mic works.

10. Update iOS

Siri may misbehave if your iPhone software is outdated.
Check for updates:

• Go to Settings → General → Software Update
• Download and install any available updates

Updates often include fixes for Siri and other bugs.

11. Restart Your iPhone

A quick restart can clear temporary glitches.
Press and hold the Side button + Volume Up/Down, then slide to power off.
Wait a few seconds and press the Side button again to restart.

After the reboot, test Siri again.

12. Reset All Settings

If none of the above steps work, try resetting all settings.
This won’t delete your data or apps — just your preferences.

• Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings

Once done, re-enable Siri and test again.

Bonus: CarPlay Fix

If Siri isn’t working through Apple CarPlay, remove and reconnect your car:

• Settings → General → CarPlay → [Your Car] → Forget This Car, then set it up again.
  If you’re using a cable, switch to a different USB cord.

When to Contact Apple

If Siri still doesn’t respond and you notice your microphone isn’t working in calls or recordings, it’s likely a hardware issue.
Visit an Apple Store or an authorized service center for repair or replacement.

Conclusion

Siri makes your iPhone experience hands-free and efficient.
Most issues come down to simple settings or connectivity problems — and now you know how to fix them all. Once you’ve checked your internet, re-enabled Siri, and made sure your mic is clear, your virtual assistant should be back to listening and responding just like before.