How to Fix 'Siri Not Responding' on iPhone and iPad

TL;DR: If Siri isn’t responding, check your internet connection, ensure Siri is enabled in Settings, restart your device, retrain "Hey Siri," and verify microphone access. Most issues are resolved with these steps.

I’ve been there—frustrated when Siri suddenly stops responding on my iPhone or iPad. Whether it’s ignoring "Hey Siri" or not activating with the side button, a non-responsive Siri can disrupt your workflow. Based on my experience and Apple’s official guidelines, I’ll walk you through practical fixes to get Siri working again.

Check Basic Siri Settings

First, ensure Siri is actually turned on. Sometimes, a software update or accidental setting change can disable it. Here’s how to verify:

Go to Settings > Siri & Search (or Apple Intelligence & Siri on newer iOS versions).
Make sure options like Listen for "Hey Siri" and Press Side Button for Siri are enabled.
If you don’t see these options, restart your iPhone and check again^1.

Also, confirm that Allow Siri When Locked is turned on if you want Siri to work from the lock screen.

Verify Internet Connection

Siri requires an active internet connection to process requests^6. If you’re on cellular data or Wi-Fi but Siri isn’t responding, try:

Toggling Airplane Mode on and off.
Switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data.
Testing other online services to rule out network issues.

A weak or unstable connection often causes Siri to fail silently.

Restart Your iPhone or iPad

A simple restart can resolve many temporary glitches. As one user noted, "Reboot your iPad. The solution to 99% of all software problems."^5 Here’s how:

Press and hold the side button (and volume button if applicable) until the power slider appears.
Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.

After restarting, test Siri again.

Retrain "Hey Siri" for Voice Recognition

If Siri isn’t responding to your voice, retraining the "Hey Siri" feature can help. This ensures Siri recognizes your voice accurately:

Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
Turn off Listen for "Hey Siri," then turn it back on.
Follow the on-screen prompts to say each command clearly.
Tap Done when finished^2.

This process recalibrates Siri’s voice detection, especially useful after iOS updates.

Check Microphone and Hardware Issues

Siri relies on your device’s microphone. If it’s blocked or malfunctioning, Siri won’t hear you. To diagnose:

Ensure the microphone isn’t covered by a case or dirt.
Test with a voice recording app to see if the mic works.
If using headphones, check if Siri responds when they’re connected (which uses the headphone mic).

If hardware issues are suspected, contact Apple Support.

Update iOS and Check for Software Conflicts

Outdated iOS versions can cause compatibility issues with Siri. Always keep your device updated:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install any pending updates.

Also, certain VPNs or profiles might interfere with Siri^1. Try disabling VPNs temporarily to see if Siri starts working.

Adjust Siri Responses and Volume Settings

Sometimes Siri is working but not audible. To fix this:

Go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Responses.
Select Prefer Spoken Responses to ensure Siri speaks even in silent mode^7.
Adjust volume using the side buttons while Siri is speaking.

This ensures you hear Siri’s replies clearly.

Reset All Settings

If none of the above work, resetting all settings can resolve deeper configuration issues without erasing data:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

You’ll need to reconfigure Wi-Fi and preferences, but it often fixes persistent Siri problems.

Case Study: Fixing Siri After iOS 18 Update

After updating to iOS 18, many users reported Siri not responding to voice or type^9. One user resolved it by:

Turning off Siri completely in Settings.
Exiting Settings and reopening.
Re-enabling Siri and retraining voice recognition.

This approach often clears update-related glitches.

Step-by-Step Guide to Re-enable Siri

For a structured approach, follow these steps:

Check Connectivity: Ensure Wi-Fi or cellular data is active.
Verify Settings: Go to Settings > Siri & Search and toggle all Siri options off/on.
Restart Device: Power off and on your iPhone/iPad.
Retrain Voice: Set up "Hey Siri" again under Siri settings.
Test Microphone: Use another app to confirm mic functionality.
Update iOS: Install latest software updates.
Reset Settings: If needed, reset all settings.

Pros and Cons of Different Fixes

Fix	Pros	Cons
Restart Device	Quick, no data loss	Temporary if issue recurs
Retrain "Hey Siri"	Improves voice accuracy	Time-consuming
Reset Settings	Resolves deep-seated issues	Requires reconfiguring preferences
Update iOS	Fixes bugs and compatibility	May introduce new issues

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Internet Connection: Siri needs internet; always check connectivity first.
Skipping Voice Retraining: After updates, retraining ensures Siri recognizes your voice.
Overlooking Hardware: Dirty or blocked microphones prevent Siri from hearing you.

FAQ

Q1: Why does Siri stop working suddenly?
A: Often due to software updates, settings changes, or internet issues. A restart usually helps.

Q2: Can a VPN affect Siri?
A: Yes, some VPN profiles might block Siri’s functionality^1. Disable VPN temporarily to check.

Q3: How do I make Siri respond when locked?
A: Enable Allow Siri When Locked in Settings > Siri & Search.

Q4: Does Siri work offline?
A: No, Siri requires an internet connection for most tasks^6.

Q5: What if Siri doesn’t hear me even after retraining?
A: Check for microphone obstructions or hardware damage.

Q6: Can iOS updates break Siri?
A: Occasionally, updates cause temporary glitches, but they’re usually fixed with a patch.

Checklist for Troubleshooting Siri

Internet connection active
Siri enabled in Settings
"Hey Siri" and side button settings on
Device restarted
"Hey Siri" retrained
Microphone tested
iOS updated
VPN disabled (if used)
Settings reset (if needed)

Glossary

Hey Siri: Voice activation feature for hands-free Siri access.
Siri & Search: Settings menu for configuring Siri options.
Prefer Spoken Responses: Setting to make Siri speak replies audibly.

Conclusion

Siri not responding is usually a quick fix. Start with basic checks like internet and settings, then move to restarting and retraining. If problems persist, consider software updates or resetting settings. For ongoing issues, reach out to Apple Support. Try these steps today and get Siri back to assisting you seamlessly!

References

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Siri Not Responding

If Siri isn’t responding on my iPhone, I follow these steps methodically to isolate and resolve the issue:

Check Internet Connection: Since Siri relies on internet access^6, I ensure Wi-Fi or cellular data is active and stable.
Verify Siri Settings: I navigate to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Talk & Type to Siri (or Siri & Search on older iOS versions) and confirm both "Siri" and "Hey Siri" are enabled^1.
Restart Device: A simple reboot often resolves temporary glitches^5.
Retrain "Hey Siri": I toggle "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" off and on, then complete the voice setup process to improve recognition^2.
Test Microphone: I check for obstructions or damage by recording a voice memo or making a call.
Update iOS: I install any pending updates, as bugs from older versions might affect Siri[^8].
Disable VPN: If I use a VPN, I temporarily turn it off, as some configurations block Siri^1.
Reset Siri Settings: As a last resort, I go to Settings > Siri & Search and reset Siri’s preferences, then reconfigure.

Pros and Cons of Common Fixes

Restarting Device:
- Pros: Quick, non-destructive, and effective for minor software hiccups^5.
- Cons: Doesn’t address underlying settings or hardware issues.
Retraining "Hey Siri":
- Pros: Improves voice recognition accuracy and can resolve responsiveness issues^2.
- Cons: Time-consuming and may not help if the problem is network-related.
Disabling VPN:
- Pros: Immediately checks if VPN interference is the cause^1.
- Cons: Leaves device temporarily less secure if VPN is used for privacy.
Resetting Settings:
- Pros: Resolves deeper configuration conflicts.
- Cons: Erases all Siri customizations and requires setup from scratch.

Comparison: Siri on iOS 18 vs. Older Versions

With iOS 18, Siri integrates more deeply with Apple Intelligence, offering enhanced contextual understanding and on-device processing for some tasks. However, this also means:

New Settings Path: In iOS 18, Siri options are under Apple Intelligence & Siri, unlike Siri & Search in earlier versions[^1][^8].
Improved Offline Capabilities: While Siri still primarily requires internet^6, iOS 18 allows limited on-device commands, reducing dependency on connectivity in some scenarios.
Update Sensitivity: Users on iOS 18 might experience temporary glitches after updates, but patches are rolled out faster[^8] compared to older iOS versions where fixes could take longer.

Additional Tips from My Experience

Check Accessibility Settings: If Siri doesn’t respond when the device is covered, I enable Always Listen for "Hey Siri" under Settings > Accessibility > Siri^2.
Adjust Siri’s Volume: Sometimes, Siri responds but isn’t audible. I ensure Prefer Spoken Responses is on and adjust volume via side buttons or in Settings > Siri Responses^7.
Monitor Battery Low Mode: When my battery is low, Siri might be disabled to conserve power, so I charge the device or disable Low Power Mode temporarily.

If all else fails, I contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for hardware diagnostics, as microphone or logic board issues could be the culprit.

Step-by-Step: Retraining "Hey Siri"

When Siri stops recognizing my voice, I follow these steps to retrain it:

Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Talk & Type to Siri (or Siri & Search on older iOS versions)[^1][^8].
Toggle off "Listen for 'Hey Siri'", wait a moment, then toggle it back on.
Follow the on-screen setup prompts, speaking each phrase clearly to help Siri learn my voice again^2.
Tap Done once completed—this usually resolves recognition issues unless there's a deeper hardware or network problem.

Pros and Cons of Retraining

Pros: It’s free, doesn’t require technical skill, and often fixes voice recognition glitches quickly^2.
Cons: It can take a few minutes, and if the microphone is faulty or internet is unstable, it won’t help^6.

When I Suspect VPN Interference

If Siri is unresponsive and I’m using a VPN, I:

Swipe into Control Center and tap the VPN icon to disable it temporarily.
Test Siri immediately—if it works, the VPN was likely blocking connections to Apple’s servers^1.
Re-enable the VPN only after confirming Siri is functional, or switch to a different VPN provider if issues persist.

Pros and Cons of Disabling VPN

Pros: It’s a quick test that rules out network configuration issues without changing settings^1.
Cons: It temporarily reduces privacy, and some VPNs may need reconfiguration after toggling^1.

Resetting Siri Settings: My Last Resort

If retraining and VPN checks don’t work, I reset Siri settings:

Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
Select "Reset All Settings"—this doesn’t erase data but restores Siri to default[^4][^8].
Reconfigure Siri preferences afterward, like voice feedback and language.

Pros and Cons of Resetting Settings

Pros: Clears corrupted configurations that simpler fixes can’t address^4.
Cons: I lose all custom Siri commands, shortcuts, and voice history, which takes time to rebuild[^4][^8].

From my experience, starting with the quickest fixes (like retraining) and escalating only if needed saves the most time and frustration.

How to Fix ‘Siri Not Responding’ on iPhone and iPad (Complete Guide)