iOS 16 Siri Not Working or Talking Back, How to Fix? (Works for iOS 16.5 and 16.6)

iOS 16 is the most recent version of the operating system from Apple. The iOS 16 operating system upgrade is available to those who own an iPhone XR or later. This has almost universally been updated on devices. They can use several new features once they update to iOS 16. However, after updating to iOS 16, some customers are experiencing certain problems.

Some users are reporting that Siri is not working or not talking back. So, to fix it, they are searching for solutions. If you are also facing this problem and searching for fixes, don’t worry. This guide is for you. In this guide, we have shared different methods by which you can solve the Siri not working problem. So, make sure you read the complete guide to fix it.

Why you are facing Siri Not Working or Not Talking Back on iOS 16?

There are many reasons why you are facing the Siri not working or not talking issue. Some of these reasons are given below.

• Your Internet is not working properly
• You have not enabled Hey Siri after the update
• The microphone of your iPhone is not working
• Is there any server problem
• Is there any software issue

How to Fix Siri Not Working or Not Talking Back on iOS 16?

Now that you know the reasons for this problem, so let’s check out how you can fix it. Below down are the methods that you can follow to fix the Siri not working problem.

1. Enable Hey Siri on your iPhone

The first method that you can try to fix the issue is by enabling Hey Siri on your iPhone. Sometimes after updating to iOS 16, Hey Siri gets disabled. So after updating check whether it is enabled or not. You can allow Hey Siri with the help of the following steps:

• Go to the Settings of your iPhone.
• Go to the General option
• Select the Siri Option
• Now, turn on the Allow Hey Siri.

After doing this, check whether Siri is working on your iPhone. If still not working, then try the next step.

2. Check Siri Voice Feedback settings

The next step to try to fix the Siri not working or not talking issue is by checking the Siri Voice Feedback Settings. For this, you need to follow the steps given below.

• Open the Settings of your iPhone
• Now, click on Siri and Search
• Select the Voice Feedback option.
• Click on Always On.

After doing this, even if you disable the ring switch, Siri will continue to deliver voice feedback.

3. Check the Siri Volume

The next step to try to fix the Siri not talking issue is adjusting the Siri Volume. The volume of Siri can be changed independently of the volume on your iPhone. It may be that Siri is responding but the volume is down. So, you are not able to listen. We suggest you access Siri and increase the volume if she is not speaking or responding as expected.

4. Check your iPhone’s Microphone

The next method you can try to fix the issue is by checking your iPhone’s Microphone. One of the reasons you are facing Siri not working or not talking issues is your iPhone microphone not working. If the microphones on your iPhone aren’t working properly, Siri might not hear what you say or reply to you. Make sure the microphones are unobstructed and clean. Remove the screen protectors or cases that might cover the microphones, clean the mics with an extremely soft toothbrush, and then try Siri again. If Siri is still not working, then try the next step.

5. Check Siri’s Language

The next step we suggest to you to solve the Siri not working issue is by checking Siri’s language. Ensure you have selected the correct language for Siri so she can listen and respond to you. To check the Siri Language, you need to follow the steps given below.

• Open the Settings of your iPhone.
• Go to the General option.
• Choose the Siri option.
• Now, go to language.
• Select the language you will speak, not the one in which you want Siri to talk to you.

After doing this, check whether Siri is now working and responding to you. If Siri is still not responding, then try the next step.

6. Check Siri’s Server

The following method to solve the Siri not working issue is by checking the Apple server. If the Apple server is down, then Siri will not work properly. So, we suggest you go to the Apple Support System Status and check whether there is a problem with Siri. If there is a problem, you will have to wait until Apple fixes the issue.

7. Check the Internet Connection

The next method you can try to fix the issue is by checking your Internet connection. If you don’t have a proper Internet connection, Siri will not work properly. So, we suggest you check whether your Internet is working properly. You can check your Internet speed through any Internet speed tester website.

You can also try the Airplane mode trick. To do this trick, you need to follow the steps given below.

• Open the Settings of your iPhone.
• Click on Airplane Mode.
• Now, Turn on the Airplane mode.
• After that, restart the device.
• Go to settings once again. And disable Airplane Mode.
• Wait till your device reconnects to the network.
• Now, check whether Siri is working or not.

If still Siri is not working, then try fixing your Router. You will need to follow the steps given below to do this.

• Disconnect all the devices including your iPhone, that are connected to the router.
• Turn off your router.
• Wait for some time and then turn on the router.
• Reconnect all your devices including your iPhone, with the router.

Now, check whether Siri is working or not. If Siri is still not working, then try the next step.

8. Restart your iPhone

The next method to fix the issue is by restarting the device. There might be some issues with your iPhone. So, we will suggest you restart your iPhone to fix those issues. For 10-15 seconds, hold down the Power button on your iPhone. The red power-off slider will be visible; drag it to turn the phone off. After some time, turn on your iPhone. After turning it on, check whether siri is now working or not. If Siri is still not working, then try the next method.

9. Turn the Low Power Mode off

The next method that you can try to fix the issue is turning off the Low Power Mode. To reduce the amount of power the iPhone consumes, various apps, including Hey Siri, Background app refresh, Email fetch, Automatic downloads, and other visual effects, won’t function while Low Power Mode is used. As a result, Hey Siri won’t answer when your iPhone is in Low Power Mode. So, we will suggest you turn off the Low Power Mode to solve the issue. For this, you need to follow the steps given below.

• Go to the Settings of your iPhone.
• Go to the Batter option.
• Now, turn off the Low Power Mode.

After doing this, check whether now Siri is working and responding or not. If Siri is still not responding, then try the next step to fix it.

10. Allow Siri to access the Location 

The next method to solve the Siri not working issue is by allowing Siri to access the location. For some queries, like directions or the weather, Siri needs to be aware of your location. Therefore, you must enable Location Services for Siri to function properly. To enable the location, you need to follow the steps given below:

• Open the Settings of your iPhone
• Go to Privacy
• Select Location Services
• Now, choose Siri and Dictation
• Choose While using the App option

After doing this, check whether now Siri is working properly or not.

11. Turn iPhone Dictation on and off

Another method by which you can solve the problem is to turn the iPhone Dictation on and off. On the iPhone and iPad, the dictation feature can be utilized to cut down on typing time. This function can occasionally cause Siri to stop speaking. It can be turned off and on again by using the following steps:

• Open the Settings of your iPhone
• Go to the General Option
• Click on the Keyboard option.
• Now search for the Enable Dictation
• If it is enabled, then click on it to disable it. You can again enable it by clicking it once again.
• Now, check whether Siri is working and responding or not. If Siri is still not working or not responding, then move to the next step.

12. Reinstall the iOS 16

The next method to resolve the Siri not working issue is to reinstall iOS 16. After trying the above solutions, if Siri is still not responding, you should clean install iOS 16.0.3 or whichever version your iPhone is using at the time this bug arises. Users claim that by using this method, Siri and dictation issues have been resolved.

We will suggest you before trying this method, perform an encrypted iPhone backup. To reinstall iOS 16, you will have to follow the steps given below.

• Open the Settings of your iPhone
• Select General.
• Go to the iPhone’s storage.
• Find the iOS 16 file now, and then click it.
• To erase the file, click Delete Update after that.

Now, to re-download the update, you will have to follow the steps given below.

• Open Settings of your iPhone.
• Select General.
• Click on Software Update.
• Download and set up the most recent iOS right now.

After doing this, check whether now Siri is working or not. If Siri is still not working and not responding, then try fixing it by the next step.

13. Reset Network Settings

The next and last step to fix the issue is by resetting the network settings. In most cases, doing this action will quickly resolve any network connection problems that may be causing Siri difficulty. One disadvantage is that the entire network will be reset. To put it another way, the WiFi settings and password will be deleted. You will have to re-enter the password to connect to the WiFi.  So, we will suggest you try this method only if you were unable to fix the issue with the above methods. To reset the network settings, follow the steps given below.

• Open the Setting of your iPhone
• Go to Reset Option
• Click on Reset Network Settings
• Now, enter the password
• Click on Reset Network Settings.
• After doing this, your issues will be solved. And, Siri will work properly.

Conclusion

This was all for the guide on how to fix if Siri is not working or not responding on iOS 16. We hope that by using the above methods, you were able to fix the issue and can now use Siri. If you have tried all the methods and Siri is not working and not responding, try contacting Apple Support because there might be some hardware issues with your iPhone. For more such guides on iPhones, do visit our website.