iPhone 6 Siri won't work, neither dictation!!

Hi dumax8,

Thanks for the question. If you are having issues with Siri and dictation, then the issue seems to be with the built in microphone. Try the following troubleshooting steps:

If your voice is too faint or sounds unclear using iPhone, or iPod touch - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203792

Test the microphone

To find out if there is an issue with the microphone itself—and not the app you're using or your cellular connection—test the microphone with the built-in Voice Memos app. Speak into the microphone and then play back the recording. You should be able to hear your voice clearly.

Fix common issues

Follow these steps, testing after each with Voice Memos.

1. Unplug anything plugged into the headset jack.
2. If you're on a call and holding your phone next to your ear, speak into the microphone and make sure you don't block it with your fingers or shoulder.
3. If you're using a screen protector or case that covers the microphone, remove it. Clear any debris from the microphones.
4. Restart your device.
5. Update to the latest version of iOS.

If you've tried these steps and people still can't hear you well on calls, contact Apple Support.

Get help with Siri - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203548

Make sure that you're connected to the Internet

Siri works by sending your requests to Apple servers. Because of this, Siri sends information such as your voice input, contacts, and location (if you have Location Services turned on) to Apple to answer your requests.

For Siri to work, you need to be connected to the Internet using cellular data or Wi-Fi.

Sometimes, Siri might say, "Sorry, I'm having trouble connecting to the network" or ask that you "try again in a little while". If this happens, check your connection and try again later.

If you want to use Voice Control when you're not connected to the Internet, turn Siri off in Settings > General > Siri. To use Siri when you're connected to the Internet again, turn Siri back on.

Make sure that Siri is on

If Siri is off, you can turn it on in Settings > General > Siri. When you turn Siri on, make sure it's using a language available in your region.

If Siri isn't responding to your questions, try turning Siri off and then back on in Settings > General > Siri.

Make sure that Siri can hear you clearly

If Siri can't understand what you're saying, follow these steps:

• Make sure the microphones aren't blocked.
• If you're using a case, try removing it.
• Try turning your device off and then on again.

Dictation works in most places where you can enter text using the keyboard. Certain text-entry fields in third-party apps or web forms might not support Dictation.

To turn Dictation on or off, follow these steps:

• iOS 8.1 or later: go to Settings > General > Keyboards > Enable Dictation.
• iOS 8.0 or earlier: go to Settings > General > Restrictions. Learn more about using Restrictions.

Learn more

Siri might not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features might vary by area. Cellular data charges might apply.

I hope this information helps ....

- Judy

One problem is, I have done all the resets(software, shut off, turned on, restored the phone completely, brought up from a backup, etc), checked several other apps, called people, used headsets, done everything that Apple has said to do, and I also can't get Siri to work for me since the update. We are not the only two either, there are TONS of people who it won't work for anymore. Just do a search for it.

What can be done to fix this Software issue with Siri?

I am having the same issue .. voice dictation does not work i iMessage or Suri. I have test the mic with the Voice memo .. and that works fine. If I use the google app and use voice dictation it works fine there. I am just see the issue with voice dictation in Imessage , Safari, and Suri. Please let me know what to do to resolve this apparent software issue.

Thanks

I have the same problem with my iPhone 6.

* dictation works

* Siri works with headphone

* voice dialing works (even without headphone)

* phone calls are loud and clear

* Siri works only when you talk really loud.

I think it has something to do with iOS 8.3. Somehow the software of microphone is not working properly ( I guess)

iOS 8.4 is coming soon. So I hope it will be fixed in 8.4.

Add me to the list of people with this problem. Voice Memo works fine, but Siri doesn't hear me, and keyboard dictation microphone doesn't work.

Just did a reboot (home button and power button) and now it works again. I'm afraid the problem will come back, though.

I am also having same issue. Tried everything recommended. Siri and dictation does not work but phone calls work, other apps hear me clearly,etc. If I use my ear buds it works fun. I am not sure if there are two mics in the iphone 6. I did notice that when I take video if I have it on the camera on back the sound is fine, but if I take a front video the audio has high background noise and my voice is so faint it can't be heard. I was doing these tests in a very quiet room so there was no background noise. I also made sure there is nothing blocking the mic.

Hopefully Apple responds to this with something other than the usual troubleshooting steps that we have all tried. I am on the latest iOS and I know Siri was working fine approx a month ago.

I am not convinced it is a hardware issue unless they have two mics and Siri/dictation and the front camera all use it while other apps use the other.

Can others verify my front camera sound test and let me know what yo experience?

Come on Apple, reply with someone that knows something.

Guys, this is very important you should all read this:

After spending hours of research on the internet I have found a very interesting read, mentioning that Siri and Dictation are functioning through ANOTHER microphone, next to the front-facing camera. So, the problem is indeed a hardware problem. At least it was for me, so I replaced the proximity cable (which includes front-facing camera and mic) and it fixed the problem!

To test this do the following:

1. Test if there's any signal wave when using Siri and Dictation

2. Take a front-facing video, and then play it and listen if you hear any audio.

*If there is audio, it must be a software issue - try disabling Siri and Dictation, and then do a power off power on or reset. If that doesn't work you can try to reset to factory setting. If there's no audio move on to step 3:

3. No audio at all? As mentioned above you are most likely facing a hardware problem, which is a faulty proximity cable. This means the mic next to the front-facing camera (which is used by Siri and Dictation too) is faulty.

The solution:

Take it to Apple and replace it, if you can. You can also replace it on your own, the part is cheap, but the replacement process is pretty difficult, and you could be creating other issues, so be warned.

Here is the part on Ebay's listing

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261898279994?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=S TRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Here's how to do it:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+5+Front-Facing+Camera+and+Sensor+Cable+Repla cement/10896

This has also helped me to replace the part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5CSiQLULjc

It is odd as for me the whole issue happened suddenly when dictation stopped working, but when I opened the phone I saw an open screw and things were loose, I replaced it and everything seems to be ok now.

Once again - doing this is at your own risk, it took me a few hours to replace it and after doing this I had a few more issues so it took me another hour to re-fix it and make sure everything's in place. It might be better to take it to Apple, or a local repair shop.

Hope that helps.

Good luck guys!

[one-hoop=However, when I reset all settings, they began working again (all 3 front microphone applications).]

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6765123?start=45

one-hoop, was the method you used to "reset all settings", Settings>General>Reset>Reset All Settings?

Did it permanently fix the inoperative front mic problem or did the problem return again later?

Did you reload each third party app from scratch to avoid recreating the problem or leave all your apps as they were?

A couple of us are addressing this in a more current thread at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7488603

Hey everyone - Hope someone can help.

I'm having the same issue as dumax, although, mine seems a little different. Siri won't recognize that I am saying anything at all. My microphone works fine (people can hear me, I can dictate, etc). In fact, Siri will work with my headset plugged in, so I know that it may not be a problem with Siri specifically. And I believe that the hardware is fine as well, for obvious reasons stated above.

I've tried restarting, to no avail. Is there a second mic that Siri uses that is different than the one we use to talk on the phone?

I'm kind of annoyed.

Please help.

Thanks!

Same problem here!

Several month ago siri and dictation stopped working. It works fine with the earbud microphones. People can hear me fine on the phone. The memo app works fine with anything. Videos record sound fine. I've tried many reboots, hard reboots, soft reboots. Wiped everything and start from new. Wipe everything and start from restored backup. Nothing seems to work.

I see some people are just bringing the phones in for a new one now. I hope that is not the case. C'mon Apple, whats the deal?

Does anyone have a reliable fix?

Does apple know what the problem is?

Thanks!

john

I'm also having a problem with Hey Siri. Since Monday, it has stopped working. Voice Memos, Calls, etc all work fine 😟. I'm 100% sure the phone is connected and charging the same way it was when it was working. Location and lockscreen access are enabled. I've tried resetting settings 3 times, it didn't work. I've also tried:

Disabled Siri on the lock screen (Settings -> TouchID and Passcode -> scroll to allow access when locked and slide "Siri" to off.)

Disabled Hey Siri. (Settings -> General -> Siri, slide "Allow Hey Siri" to off.)

Disabled Siri.(Settings -> General -> Siri, slide "Siri" to off.)

Restart Phone.

Re-enable in reverse order (Enable Siri, enable Hey Siri, enable Siri on the lock screen.).

I've also tried changing Siri's language, nothing.

I've then tried a factory reset. Reseted everything, without restoring any backups. Still not working .

I can still access Siri by holding the home button and it hears me perfectly. What's wrong?

It's a 6+ and I'm on iOS 8.3.

Thanks.

I might have a SOLUTION !!

First check if there isn't any kind of dust/dirt in the microphone (duh).

Second look on your siri config page. (configuration> generic>siri)

This page looks something like this.

Siri on/off

explanation

"hey Siri" on/off

explanation

language Dutch

voicefeedback Always.

my info. none

Maybe it's just coincidence but stay with me.

Usually the "my info" box is blank. I filled this in with my name in my contactbook (my name isn't none, don't know why it says that)

and SIRI WORKS again.

It's kinda hard to believe this is the missing pice in Siri's hearing. However it (seems to) work for me. I hope for you guys 2.

GOOD LUCK,

Vince

I have the same issue except that Siri works when I plug my ear buds in. If the ear buds are out, then I know the mic is working when I use the voice memo app but neither dictation or Siri works. With the ear buds in all is well, what gives?

I have the same issues on my iPhone 6. Siri (including Hey Siri) and dictation via keyboard do not work UNLESS I use the earbuds or a bluetooth headset. All other apps work--Voice Memo, Evernote dictation, videos, etc. It's fine in phone mode too. I have tried resetting everything as indicated above, including a full reset, with no success. My problem actually came on gradually. A couple of weeks ago, I would start dictating an email, for instance, and the first part of the sentence came out fine. Then I would get the spinning ball and have to finish manually. Now I just get a flatlined recording indication like it hears nothing.