Voice Commands don't work on my remote control

Before you proceed with the troubleshooting steps in this article, first make sure that your remote control supports voice recognition. Look for the microphone mark or button. This mark indicates that the remote control supports voice recognition.

For Google TV models: If the TV is set up as a Basic TV, voice recognition via remote control does not work. The TV must be set up as a Google TV.

If the remote control does support the voice recognition function, proceed with the troubleshooting instructions below.

Troubleshooting instructions

Check if the voice command works after each step. If model-specific information is needed to complete any step, check your product manual for details.

• Remove the batteries from the remote control and insert them again.
• Check that the display or setup screen supports voice recognition.
• Make sure that your TV is connected to the internet:
  1. For models released in 2019 or later:
     1. press the (Quick Settings) button
     2. Select Settings
  2. For other models:
     1. On the supplied remote control, press the HOME button.
     2. Select Settings.
  3. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
     • Select Network & Internet → Network status → Check Connection.
     • Select Network → Advanced settings → Network status → Check Connection.
• Speak directly into the microphone on the remote control.
  • For Google TV models: On the remote control, press and hold the Microphone button, and speak into the microphone.
  • For Android TV models: On the remote control, press the Microphone button and then speak
  • The microphone is usually located at the top of the remote when you hold it upright (location may differ depending on the remote control).
• Make sure that the remote control is paired with the TV.

  The pairing method depends on the remote control type.

  • For Touchpad Remote Controls, refer to the Pair the Touchpad Remote Control article.
    Note: These remotes only have a few buttons. Most of the surface is smooth, similar to a touch screen on a phone.

  • For IR remote controls, follow the steps below.
    
    Note: If your model was released in 2020 (except for X74xxH_X75xxH Series), you can skip some steps.
    1. Press the HOME button.
    2. Select Settings.
    3. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
       • Select Remotes & Accessories → Bluetooth Settings.
       • Select Remotes & Accessories.
       • Select Bluetooth settings.
    4. Check if SONY TV RC MIC 001 or SONY TV VRC 001 is registered.
    5. The next steps will depend on whether or not SONY TV RC MIC 001 or SONY TV VRC 001 is registered:
       • If remote is registered, unpair the remote and then pair it again:
         1. Press the HOME button.
         2. Select Settings.
         3. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
            • Select Remotes & Accessories → Bluetooth Settings → SONY TV RC MIC 001 or SONY TV VRC 001 → Unpair → OK.
            • Select BRAVIA Settings — Voice Remote Control, then select Yes to unpair.
            • Select Bluetooth setting → SONY TV RC MIC 001 or SONY TV VRC 001 → Unpair → OK.
       • If remote isn't registered, follow the steps below to pair your remote:
         1. Press the HOME button.
         2. Select Settings.
         3. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
            • Select Remotes & Accessories → Remote control → Connect via Bluetooth or Activate the mic button.
            • Select BRAVIA Settings → Voice Remote Control.
            • Select Remote control → Connect via Bluetooth.
            • Select Voice Remote Control → Activate the mic button.
         4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

            Pairing may fail if the battery level is low. Replace the batteries with new ones before pairing again.

• Make sure that the remote control software is updated

  Follow the steps below to perform a software update for your remote control.

  1. Press the HOME button.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
     • Select Remotes & Accessories → Remote control → Software update.
     • Select Remote control or Voice Remote Control → Software update.
  Note:

  • If the message Would you like to update the remote control software now? is displayed, you can update the software of the remote control. Follow the on-screen instructions and operate the remote control.
  • If the remote control software update proceeds but fails every time, the battery power may be low. Replace the batteries, and then try updating the remote control software again.
  • If the message Please use a Voice Remote Control to select this item is displayed, the Bluetooth® feature may have frozen temporarily. Remove and insert the batteries or reset the TV, and then try updating the remote control software again.
  • If the message Your software is up to date appears on the TV screen, you don't need to update the software.

What if the remote control doesn't have a Mic button?

There are two alternatives to using the voice recognition function of the TV.

• Use a software keyboard.
• Use the Android TV Remote Control application on your mobile device or tablet.
  
  Note: In this case, it is necessary to connect your smartphone or tablet to the same network as the TV.
• For details about OS versions that support Android TV Remote Control, refer to the following page.
  • Android™ operating system
  • iOS™ operating system