How To Fix Siri Not Talking After iOS 26 Update

How I finally got Siri talking again after upgrading to iOS 26

So, I recently updated my iPhone to iOS 26 — and of course, immediately, Siri stopped speaking. It was dead silent no matter what I asked. At first, I thought maybe it was just a glitch, but nope, after messing around for a bit, I realized it was a pretty common issue folks are running into after this update. Turns out, the settings got jumbled or reset, possibly because of some under-the-hood changes during the install. Anyway, here’s what finally worked for me, in case you’re stuck too.

Start with the basics: internet connection

First off, Siri needs a solid internet connection to talk back. Mine was a little flaky that day, so I toggled airplane mode Settings > Airplane Mode quickly—swiped down to the Control Center and hit that airplane icon. That refreshes the network connection, and surprisingly, it sometimes fixes little glitches. I also ran a speed test just to make sure my Wi-Fi wasn’t dead or crawling. If your mobile data or Wi-Fi is acting up, that’s probably why Siri isn’t responding vocally — it can’t fetch info without a stable network.

VPN or network weirdness?

If you’re using a VPN, try disabling it temporarily. On my older ASUS, I noticed VPNs can cause DNS conflicts or block some Apple servers, which messes with Siri’s ability to talk. Head into Settings > VPN or your VPN app and switch it off for a moment. After that, test Siri again. Sometimes, VPNs just get in the way, especially if they weren’t configured properly after the update.

Reset network settings — the magic fix

This step changed everything for me: I went to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Be warned — it wipes out all saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN configs, cellular info, the whole lot. So, have your Wi-Fi password ready because you’ll need to reconnect afterward. After the reset, I re-enabled Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, reconnected to my favorite networks, and then—boom—Siri started responding again. Seems like the update jumbles some network configs, and a reset clears out old, corrupted data that screws things up.

Check Siri’s own settings

This was a big one for me. Head over to Settings > Siri & Search. Make sure Listen for ‘Hey Siri’ is on. Also, verify if Press Side Button for Siri (or Press Home for Siri) is enabled, depending on your model. Then, check if Allow Siri When Locked is toggled on—this sometimes gets disabled automatically and prevents Siri from talking when your phone is locked.

Most crucially, look for Speak Siri Responses. If it’s turned off, that would explain why Siri stays silent. After toggling it back on, I did a quick test: “Hey Siri, what’s the weather?” — and finally, she spoke back, like normal. I was relieved. These settings sometimes reset after a major iOS update, and toggling them off and then on again can fix the issue.

Turn on Talk to Siri if it’s off

Sometimes, this toggle gets disabled during a major update. Switching Speak Siri Responses on is what actually makes Siri speak aloud. If it was off, that’s probably why she stayed mute. Give it a try, then ask her something simple. If she replies audibly, you’re back in business. Honestly, that toggle is easy to overlook and can be the culprit.

Power cycle your device

If you’re still having trouble, do a full restart. Completely turn off your device — hold the side or top button, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. Simple, yes, but surprisingly effective. This resets the system processes that might be stuck, especially after a big update. For me, doing a couple of reboots over the next few hours helped lock things in and get Siri talking again.

When all else fails — contact support

If nothing works, it might be time to reach out to Apple Support. You can do that through their website or via the Apple Support app. They can run remote diagnostics or suggest more advanced resets. Sometimes, a full restore from iCloud or iTunes is needed, but that’s usually a last resort. Remember, restoring wipes your device, so back up first.

Extra tips: support and troubleshooting

Using the Apple Support app can be a quick way to get live help or schedule a call if you’re desperate. Sometimes, chatting with a real person can reveal small specifics you might not find in guides. And don’t forget, keeping your device up to date — or even rolling back to iOS 25 if you’re okay with it — can sometimes avoid these bugs altogether. Just be aware OEM restrictions or firmware locks, especially on older devices, might limit what options you have.

Here’s a quick checklist for fixing Siri not talking:

• Check internet connection, toggle airplane mode if needed.
• Disable VPN and test again.
• Reset network settings — this saved me a lot of trouble.
• Verify Siri settings: Listen for ‘Hey Siri’, Allow Siri When Locked, and Speak Siri Responses.
• Power off and back on — it’s simple but effective.
• If it’s still broken, contact Apple Support or consider a full reset.

Honestly, this whole process took me way longer than I expected. It’s frustrating when things break right after an update, but these steps helped me get Siri back in action. Hope this helps — it took me way too long to figure it out, and maybe this can save someone else a glass of wine or two worth of frustration.