How to Fix Siri Not Working on iPhone 17/16? 12 Reliable Fixes

"I am not a tech person at all!! I've followed all the options for fixing Siri after 18.4.1, and nothing is working! If any of you tech folks have a solution, I would love to hear it! Please…"

- from Apple Community

Siri is a voice assistant feature on Apple devices that helps users complete various tasks through voice commands. However, many users encounter situations where Siri is not functioning properly. This article will explore the reasons for Siri not working and provide a series of solutions to help you quickly restore Siri's functionality.

Part 1. Why Is Siri Suddenly Not Working?

There could be various reasons why Siri is not working properly, such as issues with settings, network problems, or system malfunctions. Here are some common causes:

• Siri Not Activated: If Siri is not enabled, you won't be able to use the feature.
• Network Connection Issues: Siri requires a stable network connection to access the servers and process requests. If the device's network connection is unstable or there is no network, Siri will not function properly.
• System or Software Malfunctions: Issues with the iOS system or problems that occur after an update may also cause Siri to stop working.
• Microphone Issues: If the device's microphone is malfunctioning, Siri will not be able to receive your commands, making it unable to respond.

Part 2. How to Fix Siri Not Working?

If you've been experiencing issues with Siri not responding, there are several potential solutions you can try to fix the problem. We'll walk through each fix step-by-step, starting with the most basic and common solutions, and gradually working our way through more in-depth troubleshooting techniques.

Fix 1. Check Siri Settings

Before troubleshooting any deeper issues, the first thing you should check is whether Siri is enabled on your device. It's easy to overlook, but if Siri is turned off, it won't respond to voice commands or work properly. Here's how to ensure Siri is enabled:

Step 1. Open "Settings" and search for "Siri & Search".

Step 2. Make sure the options "Listen for Hey Siri" and "Press Side Button for Siri" are both turned on.

Fix 2. Turn Siri Off and On Again

If Siri is still not working, try turning it off and then back on, or vice versa. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open "Settings", then tap "Siri & Search".

Step 2. If "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" is enabled, toggle it off and then back on. If it's already disabled, turn it on instead.

Fix 3. Check Network Connection

Siri requires a stable network connection to process voice requests. If the network is unstable or disconnected, Siri will not respond. To ensure your network connection is working properly, you can try the following steps:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Wi-Fi" and check if your Wi-Fi connection is stable. If the network connection is unstable, try switching to a different Wi-Fi network. If you're using mobile data, check if the data connection is working correctly.

Step 2. If the network is still unstable, you can try Resetting Network Settings. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset" > "Reset Network Settings".

After resetting network settings, your Wi-Fi and VPN settings will be restored to their default state, and network connection issues will usually be resolved.

Fix 4. Turn Off VPN

Using a VPN can sometimes interfere with Siri's ability to connect to Apple's servers. If you have a VPN enabled, try disabling it and check if Siri starts working again:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "VPN".

Step 2. Turn off your VPN. After disabling the VPN, test Siri to see if it works correctly.

Fix 5. Check the Microphone

If the microphone is malfunctioning, Siri won't be able to hear your commands. Make sure your device's microphone is not blocked or experiencing hardware issues.

Ensure the microphone is not obstructed by anything, such as a phone case or dirt. Try using other apps (like Voice Memos) to test if the microphone is working properly. If the microphone is unable to record sound, there may be a hardware issue that needs to be repaired.

Fix 6. Turn Off Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode is designed to save battery life by limiting certain features and background processes, including Siri. If Siri is not working, it might be because Low Power Mode is enabled. To disable it:

Step 1. Open "Settings" and tap "Battery".

Step 2. Make sure "Low Power Mode" is turned off.

Fix 7. Check Apple System Status

Sometimes, Siri might not work properly because of issues on Apple's end. Apple occasionally experiences system outages that can affect Siri and other iCloud services. To determine if there is an ongoing issue with Apple's servers, you can visit the Apple System Status website.

Here's how to check Apple System Status to fix Siri not working after an update:

Step 1. Open your browser and go to the Apple System Status page.

Step 2. Look for Siri in the list of services. If there is a yellow or red dot next to Siri, it means there is an ongoing issue with Siri's servers.

Step 3. If Apple's servers are down, all you can do is wait until the issue is resolved on their end. In the meantime, you can check back on the system status page for updates.

If everything appears to be fine on Apple's end, you can proceed with other troubleshooting steps to fix Siri not working.

Fix 8. Restart iPhone

A simple restart of your iPhone can sometimes fix issues with Siri. If other troubleshooting steps haven't worked, try rebooting your device. Here is how to fix Siri not working on iPhone 16/17:

For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later:

• Press and hold both the "Volume" button and the "Side" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Slide the slider to turn off the device, then wait about 30 seconds for it to power down.
• To turn it back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation):

• Press and hold the "Side" button until the power-off slider shows up.
• Slide the slider to turn off the device, then wait around 30 seconds for it to shut down.
• To turn it back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier:

• Press and hold the "Top" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Slide the slider to turn off the device, then wait about 30 seconds for it to power off.
• To turn it back on, press and hold the "Top" button until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 9. Check for Software Updates

Siri may not work due to outdated system software. Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS by following these steps to check for software updates:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update". (iPhone software update failed?)

Step 2. If an update is available, download and install the latest iOS version.

Fix 10. Reset All Settings

If Siri still isn't working after trying all the above fixes, you may need to reset all settings. This will restore your iPhone to its default settings without deleting any data. To reset all settings:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" > "Reset".

Step 2. Tap "Reset All Settings".

Fix 11. Using iOS System Recovery

If Siri is still not working on iPhone 17/17 Pro, it's time to try a professional solution. iOS System Recovery is a reliable iPhone system repair tool that can fix various iOS system problems, including issues with Siri. With this software, you can fix Siri not working after an update without losing data.

The highlights of iOS System Recovery:

* Fix Siri not working after update without data loss.

* Fix various iOS issues, including iPhones stuck on the Apple logo, trapped in headphone mode, experiencing water damage, facing screen problems (black, red, blue, or white screens of death), freezing, or disabled after multiple failed unlock attempts.

* Choose between Standard Mode (no data loss) or Advanced Mode for deeper repairs.

* Easily upgrade or downgrade to a compatible iOS version.

* High success rate with no data loss.

* Fully compatible with iPhone 17 series and iOS 26.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here is how to fix Siri not working on iOS 26 using iOS System Recovery:

Fix 12. Contact Apple Support

If none of the above fixes work, you may have encountered a hardware issue or a more serious system error. In this case, contacting Apple support or visiting an Apple Store for a diagnostic check is your best option.

Sum Up

There are many reasons why Siri may stop working, but most of these issues can be fixed with a few simple steps. Whether it's a network issue, a microphone problem, or a setting misconfiguration, following the troubleshooting steps above should get Siri working again.

If all else fails, using a professional tool like iOS System Recovery or contacting Apple support is a great next step. By addressing these common issues, you can ensure that Siri remains a reliable assistant on your device.

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