Any iPhone user can probably attest to the wonder that is Siri. We may have gotten used to her presence, but we can always be grateful to her when she helps us out.
Siri is incredibly efficient and can help us with our tasks. She saves us time when we need to get things done.
But what would happen if all of a sudden, Siri stops working?
There is a likelihood of this happening. If it does, you want to figure out how to remedy this issue so that you can get her back on task once again.
We’ve created this simple guide on how to troubleshoot your iOS device when Siri stops working.
What to Do When Siri Stops Working
If you notice that Siri isn’t up to her usual self or stops working altogether, you don’t have to worry.
Here’s what you can do to get her back on track:
1. Causes
First, you need to diagnose the causes of why Siri is not working. This may be a simple fix that can get her back in no time.
It can be as simple as you not speaking clearly. If you mumble, have a sore throat, or do not enunciate clearly – Siri may not recognize your commands. If for some reason, you are putting on an accent, she may not realize that you are talking to her.
Other causes can be a poor Wi-Fi connection. If there are any other issues with your iPhone, such as slow performance – this can affect Siri’s performance. If your iOS device is on low battery mode, Siri will be disabled.
2. General Fixing
If Siri still isn’t working, here are some general troubleshooting tips you can take.
The first is to always restart your iOS device. Simply turn it off and wait a minute or two before turning it on. Sometimes, this alone is enough to get Siri running once again.
The next is to check the strength of your Wi-Fi connection. If it is poor, you may have to adjust it separately. If you can connect to a more stable Wi-Fi connection, go ahead and do so.
Another option is to deactivate Siri, wait a minute or two, and then reactivate her. She may start working immediately – she probably needed some rest!
You also need to make sure your Location Services are turned on in your settings. You also need to make sure that Airplane Mode is off in case you had it on previously.
3. Advanced Issues
Now let’s look at some of the advanced issues to troubleshoot to get Siri working!
The first step is to look at the Dictation option on your iOS device. Go to your settings and turn Dictation on if it isn’t already. If it is, turn it off and wait for two minutes before turning it back on.
You also want to check the microphones of your iOS device. If they have gathered dust, you may need to thoroughly clean them before you can expect to use Siri again. If you have a screen protector or cover that obscures the microphones, you may need to remove these in order to have the microphones properly function.
Siri operates on a server. You may have to check in to the Siri Servers to see if Siri is having issues. If so, then you’ll, unfortunately, have to wait for Apple to fix the issues before you can use Siri again.
You can also reset your iOS device’s factory settings. Before you do, make sure that you have a backup of all of your data and files. When you restore your factory settings, everything will be deleted and your iOS device will have to be set up from the start once again. You will get a chance to re-install and set up Siri in the process.
If none of these steps work, then you have two other options:
You can first take your iOS device to a Genius Bar at your closest Apple Store. One of the Geniuses can help you get Siri back on track. You can also use the Apple Support app to connect with a Genius who can help you remotely troubleshoot your device.
If this option does not work, then you may want to consider getting your iOS device repaired. If you are an iPhone user, then you should definitely consider taking it for repair.
4. Siri is “kind of” Working
Has Siri ever responded to your communique with a text as opposed to speaking to you? We describe this as Siri “kind of” working.
Here’s what you need to look into if this is happening:
First, check if your device is muted. This happens if the switch on the side of your device has been toggled to the “muted” position. All you have to do is toggle it once again and Siri will audibly respond to you.
You also need to make sure that the Voice Feedback feature in Siri’s settings is turned on. Otherwise, she will continue responding via text.
Siri also operates with a different volume control option. You want to check that Siri’s volume is turned up and is not on mute.
5. “Hey Siri”
If Siri is not responding to you when you say “Hey Siri,” there are different ways to solve this issue.
Having Siri installed doesn’t necessarily mean that the “Hey Siri” function will work. Go to your Siri settings to set it up. When recording yourself saying “Hey Siri” make sure you speak clearly. You need to, more or less, say “Hey Siri” in this same manner for her to recognize you.
Sometimes “Hey Siri” will not work if your iOS device is locked. It may not also work if your iOS device is lying flat on its front.
Finally, if your iOS device is on Low Power Mode, then the “Hey Siri” function will not work at all.
Siri’s Here to Help
Now that you know what to do when Siri stops working, you can prevent any further issues with her.
To learn more about how to troubleshoot your devices, check out our other content.
