Fix: Siri Does Not Respond to Commands on iPhone

Though you can manage without it, Siri plays a key role in your Apple experience. It’s a fast way to control HomeKit, Apple Music, and more. If Siri stops responding to your commands, you can try a few things to get it working again.

What to Do if Siri Does Not Respond to Commands on iPhone

1. Check Siri Settings

Before troubleshooting, ensure that Siri is enabled on your iPhone.

2. Check Siri’s Language

Siri will recognize your voice better if you set the correct language. For example, if you’re in the US, choose English (US) as Siri’s language. If you select English (India) or English (UK), Siri may struggle with your accent and fail to respond accurately.

Here’s how to set the correct Siri language to ensure ‘Hey Siri’ works properly:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apple Intelligence & Siri > Language and choose the appropriate language from the list.
   

3. Set Siri Responses to Prefer Spoken

If you’ve set up Siri, it will respond to you verbally by default. However, you may have accidentally changed Siri settings, especially if you frequently adjust your iPhone’s settings. You might switch to ‘Prefer Silent Responses’ when using Siri at work, in a café, or other public places. The problem is that it’s easy to forget to switch it back, leading you to wonder why Siri isn’t responding from across the room.

1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apple Intelligence & Siri > Siri Responses.
   
3. Tap Prefer Spoken Responses.
   

4. Disconnect Your Bluetooth Headphones or Speakers

Your iPhone may automatically connect to Bluetooth audio devices when one turns on. If a device has a microphone—such as headphones, some speakers, or your car—Siri may listen through it instead.

Sometimes, Siri may be working just fine, but it can’t hear you because you’re too far from the active microphone. Or, it might be responding to your headphones, but you can’t hear it. To fix this, simply turn off your iPhone’s Bluetooth to disconnect the devices.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Bluetooth.
   
3. Turn the Bluetooth toggle off.
   

5. Check Your Internet Connection

Siri requires an internet connection to respond to voice commands. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to check if it resolves the issue. Check your Wi-Fi speed on speedtest.net. If your connection is slow, restart your router and check if the speed improves. To reset your connection if that doesn’t work, toggle Airplane Mode on and off.

NOTE

If you’re having connection issues, check out our article on dealing with Wi-Fi problems in iOS 18/18.3 for helpful solutions.

6. Enable Always Listen for “Hey Siri”

If you place your iPhone face down on a desk, table, or bed, saying “Hey Siri” won’t activate Apple’s voice assistant. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use Siri when your screen is facing down or covered. You just need to enable Always Listen for “Hey Siri” in Settings.

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility.
   
2. Tap Siri and enable the Always Listen for “Siri” toggle.
   

7. Remove Your Case if It Blocks the Microphones

Check the microphone slots at the bottom, near the camera, and inside the top earpiece. If the case is covering any of them, remove it to ensure your device picks up your voice.