flemingbh
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Siri works sporadically

I have a MacMini (mid 2011). I have attempted to use Siri on 4 occasions and only once did it hear and respond. It is not clear whether the software is not processing properly (it is providing me the sound confirmation that it is ready to accept a command or question) or whether it is hearing me (I am only using the internal built in mic). Given however it did respond once, it clearly is able to operate with the existing built in mic. Thoughts?

Mac mini, macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 6:03 AM

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flemingbh

Q: Siri works sporadically

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Luis Sequeira1,

    Luis Sequeira1 Luis Sequeira1 Sep 22, 2016 6:44 AM in response to flemingbh
    Level 6 (12,372 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 6:44 AM in response to flemingbh

    Maybe your environment is a bit noisy, or maybe your input sound volume is too low. Try pushing the input volume up and speak a few words to see how the input indicator reacts.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-09-22 at 14.43.08.png

  • by flemingbh,

    flemingbh flemingbh Sep 22, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

    Thanks for responding. I did eliminate any other noise and tried again without success. Here is my Sound preferences panel.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-09-22 at 11.23.40 AM.png

    I am getting no response to the input test so can only assume my problem is a sound input problem not a Siri problem.

  • by Luis Sequeira1,Helpful

    Luis Sequeira1 Luis Sequeira1 Sep 22, 2016 7:54 AM in response to flemingbh
    Level 6 (12,372 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 7:54 AM in response to flemingbh

    What is your mac model?

    You don't seem to have a built-in microphone. Do you have a Mac Mini? A Mac Pro? AFAIK these are the models without a built-in mic.

     

    The line-in won't work unless you have connected to it a mic with built-in amplifier - not the kind of thing you usually find on the shelves (common pc mics, such as those that come attached to many headphones, don't work because they do not provide a line-level signal that this port requires).

     

    So make no mistake, this is not a Siri problem. It is an audio input problem for the whole system, as you correctly assumed.

     

    What is the "Unknow USB audio device"? If it is a mic, select it in preferences and see if it works. Until you see some movement in that input level indicator, your mac is not "hearing" anything, so nor is Siri.

  • by flemingbh,

    flemingbh flemingbh Sep 22, 2016 8:02 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 8:02 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

    Thanks again. As mentioned, it is a mid 2011 MacMini. The USB input is a mic in my webcam. I've also tested it using FaceTime with no response. What is odd is that Siri did work for a period but I can't seem to replicate what the conditions were when it worked. What that does show though is there is input that, at least at that point in time, worked but doesn't work now. As you mentioned, this does certainly appear to be an input issue and I'll continue to pursue that. Thanks for your help. 

  • by Luis Sequeira1,

    Luis Sequeira1 Luis Sequeira1 Sep 22, 2016 8:05 AM in response to flemingbh
    Level 6 (12,372 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 8:05 AM in response to flemingbh

    Sorry I didn't notice you had said up front that it is a mini.

    Did you change the input from line in to the "unknown usb audio device", and still got not sound in?

  • by flemingbh,

    flemingbh flemingbh Sep 22, 2016 8:10 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 8:10 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

    I did and I also made sure the webcam was on and operating. No sound in.

  • by Luis Sequeira1,Helpful

    Luis Sequeira1 Luis Sequeira1 Sep 22, 2016 4:06 PM in response to flemingbh
    Level 6 (12,372 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 4:06 PM in response to flemingbh

    I imagine it was working with El Capitan.

    Check with the manufacturer of the webcam if there is any information about Sierra compatibility.

    Maybe there is an updated driver.

  • by flemingbh,

    flemingbh flemingbh Sep 22, 2016 4:07 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 4:07 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

    Great suggestion, thanks. I'll update this post with results.