Google users can simply say "Hey Google" or "OK Google" to wake up Google Assistant. This is more like "Hey Siri," and it could be very interesting.
Users can use it to play music, check the weather, control smart devices, and so on. However, it can suddenly stop working. This can be very frustrating for users who are used to it.
Thankfully, most issues are easy to fix. Here’s a
step-by-step guide to get your Assistant listening again.
Check your language settings and microphone
Sometimes, the problem is as simple as using
the wrong language or having a blocked microphone.
To check your language settings:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Google services and preferences.
- Select the All services tab.
- Choose Search, Assistant & Voice.
- Tap Google Assistant and then Languages.
- Ensure your preferred language is selected. You can add up to three languages if needed.
To clean your microphone:
- Inspect the microphone grill for dust, lint, or debris.
- Use compressed air or a soft cotton swab to clean gently.
- Avoid sharp objects that could damage the mic.
If your phone can’t hear you, Google Assistant
can’t respond — so start with this easy check.
Make sure Google Assistant is turned on
If your Assistant was accidentally disabled,
no voice command will work until you turn it back on.
To enable Google Assistant:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Google services and preferences.
- Select All services, then Search, Assistant & Voice.
- Choose Google Assistant.
- Tap General and toggle Google Assistant on.
Try saying “Hey Google” after switching it on
to confirm it’s active.
Enable the OK Google or Hey Google command
Even if the Assistant is working, the voice
activation might be turned off. You need to check that Voice Match is enabled.
To turn on Hey Google or OK Google:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Google services and preferences.
- Go to All services, then Search, Assistant & Voice.
- Choose Google Assistant.
- Tap Voice Match.
- Make sure Hey Google is toggled on.
This setting lets your phone respond to your
voice even when the screen is off.
Turn off battery saver or optimization features
Battery saver modes can stop background
features like voice detection to save power.
To disable battery saver:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Select Battery Saver.
- Toggle Use Battery Saver off.
If your phone has Adaptive Battery or
similar optimization features, turn those off temporarily as well. Once OK
Google starts working again, you can re-enable them.
Update the Google Assistant app
Sometimes, bugs or outdated versions of Google
Assistant cause voice commands to stop working. Keeping the app updated helps
avoid these problems.
To update Google Assistant:
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Choose Manage apps and device.
- Tap Updates available.
- If Google Assistant appears on the list, tap Update.
- You can also tap Update all to refresh all apps at once.
App updates often include fixes that restore
broken functions.
Retrain your voice model
Google Assistant uses a trained voice model to
recognize your speech. If it struggles to understand you or ignores your
commands, retraining the model can help.
To retrain Voice Match:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Google services and preferences.
- Go to All services, then Search, Assistant & Voice.
- Select Google Assistant.
- Tap Voice Match.
- Choose Retrain Voice Model.
- Follow the on-screen prompts and record your voice again.
This helps Google Assistant learn your
pronunciation and tone, improving accuracy.
Check if Google’s servers are down
If nothing seems wrong on your device,
Google’s servers might be the issue. Outages are rare but possible.
To check if Google is down:
- Visit the Google Workspace Status Dashboard to see any outages.
- You can also go to DownDetector.com and search for “Google Assistant.”
- If many users report problems, the issue is on Google’s side.
Unfortunately, if Google’s servers are down,
you’ll have to wait until the service is restored.
Verify your internet connection
Google Assistant needs an internet connection
to work. If your Wi-Fi or mobile data is down, voice commands won’t respond.
To check your internet:
- Try loading a webpage or using another online app.
- If nothing loads, your connection is likely down.
To restart your router:
- Press the reset button if your router has one.
- If not, unplug it for about one minute, then plug it back in.
If you’re using mobile data:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Select SIMs.
- Toggle Mobile data on.
- If you’re abroad, enable Roaming (note: this may add extra costs).
Once you’re connected again, try the “Hey
Google” command.
Try a factory reset
If all else fails, you might need to reset
your phone. This should be your last resort since it wipes all files and
settings.
Before resetting:
- Back up your photos, contacts, and important files.
To factory reset your device:
- Open Settings.
- Tap System.
- Choose Reset options.
- Select Erase all data (factory reset).
- Tap Erase all data again to confirm.
- Enter your PIN or password if prompted.
Once the phone restarts, go through the setup
process again and test OK Google. This often fixes deeper software issues.
Get professional help
If nothing works, there could be a hardware
problem — like a faulty microphone. You can:
- Visit the Google Assistant Help page for troubleshooting advice.
- Contact your phone manufacturer or carrier for support.
- If your device is out of warranty, take it to a trusted repair shop for diagnosis.
A professional can test your microphone and
replace parts if necessary.
Final thoughts
Most OK Google issues have simple solutions.
In many cases, it’s something small like a disabled voice setting or a blocked
microphone.
Start with the basic steps — checking settings, retraining your
voice, and cleaning your mic — before moving to bigger fixes like resets.
By following these troubleshooting steps one
at a time, you can usually get your Assistant working again quickly. Once
everything’s fixed, you’ll be back to saying “Hey Google”
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