This site is not affiliated with Google Assistant; this is an independent explanation.
Google Assistant not working can mean Hey Google does nothing, the Assistant opens but says it cannot help right now, or it hears you but gives wrong answers. The feature needs a working microphone, an internet connection, the right voice and language settings and permission to listen.
Because many parts are involved, the quickest approach is to go from the plain checks to the settings. Also note that on some devices and versions Google has been moving features to newer assistant tools, so menu names and available options can differ by phone and update. Follow the general path below. If the microphone itself is the issue, read phone microphone not working, and if the internet is the trouble, see mobile data not working. The phone problems hub has other faults.
Common causes
1No internet or a weak signal
How to tellAssistant says it cannot connect, or takes a long time
What fixes itCheck Wi-Fi or mobile data and try a web page
2Microphone blocked or permission off
How to tellAssistant opens by touch but never hears you
What fixes itAllow microphone permission and check the mic in a voice recorder
3Voice Match or Hey Google turned off
How to tellOnly the button or swipe works, not the voice phrase
What fixes itTurn the voice phrase on and retrain your voice
4Battery saver or app restricted in background
How to tellStops working when the phone is idle or locked
What fixes itAllow the app to run in the background and turn off strict saving
5Language or region mismatch
How to tellAssistant misunderstands, or the phrase is not detected
What fixes itSet the phone and Assistant language to the one you speak
6Old app or system version
How to tellBegan after an update or after a long time without updating
What fixes itUpdate the Google app and the system
7Screen guard, case or dirt on the mic
How to tellHears you only up close
What fixes itClean the microphone hole and remove blocking covers
How to fix it, step by step
Confirm you are online
Load any website using the same connection. Google Assistant sends your request online, so a slow or broken connection makes it fail. If the page does not load, fix that first with internet not working.
Test the microphone
Open a voice recorder or a voice message and speak. If nothing is recorded, the mic is blocked or faulty. Remove the case and clean the small hole at the bottom of the phone.
Allow the permissions
In phone Settings, go to Apps, find the Google app, open Permissions and allow Microphone. Without it the Assistant cannot hear you.
Turn Hey Google back on
Open the Google app, tap your profile picture, then Settings, and find the Google Assistant settings. Switch on the Hey Google option, and retrain your voice under Voice Match if it is offered. The names of the menus change between versions.
Check the language
In the same settings, confirm the Assistant language matches how you speak. Mixed language speech can lower accuracy, so try the phrase slowly in the chosen language.
Let it run in the background
In the battery page for the Google app, pick the unrestricted choice. Switch off battery saver while testing, since it can stop always-listening features.
Update the Google app and the phone software
Install updates from the app store and in system settings. Many Assistant bugs vanish after updates.
Clear the app cache and restart
On Android, open the Google app's page under Apps, go to Storage and clear the cache, then restart the phone. If the Assistant still fails, remove updates for the Google app only if you know how, or sign out of the Google account and sign in again.
What Google Assistant needs to work
Think of four links in a chain: the microphone hears you, the app has permission to listen, the phone is online, and your account allows voice features. Break any link and Google Assistant stops responding. Checking them in order is faster than random tapping.
You say "Hey Google, set an alarm" and the phone stays silent, but pressing the Assistant button works. The microphone and internet are fine, and the phrase detection is off. Retrain it in Voice Match.
Hey Google not working versus Ok Google not working
Both phrases trigger the same feature, and the cause is the same. Ok Google was the older phrase and many people still say it, but support depends on the version and the language. If neither works, test with the Assistant button or the swipe gesture. If those work, the problem is in the phrase detection or Voice Match, not in the whole app.
| Result | Meaning | Look at |
|---|---|---|
| Button works, voice phrase does not | Detection is off or untrained | Voice Match, background limits |
| Opens but cannot connect | Internet problem | Wi-Fi, data, account |
| Opens but cannot hear | Microphone or permission | Mic test, permission |
| Nothing opens | App or system fault | Update, restart |
Google Assistant not working on the lock screen or in the car or in the car
Lock screen use needs a setting that lets the Assistant respond when the phone is locked, and some phones disable it for privacy. In a car or with earbuds, the sound may go to the connected Bluetooth device, so the microphone you are speaking to is the earbuds, not the phone. Disconnect Bluetooth to test.
When to look beyond settings
If voice recording fails in every app, the microphone may be damaged. If only the Assistant fails on one phone but works on another with the same account, a clean setup of the Google app usually solves it. Do not install unofficial versions of the Google app from outside the official store.
Check which accounts are signed in on the phone, and never share your account password or the verification codes sent to you with anyone.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Hey Google not working on my phone?
Begin with the internet, the microphone permission and the Hey Google switch in the Google app settings. Retrain Voice Match if it is offered.
Why is Ok Google not working but the Assistant button works?
The voice phrase detection is off or restricted. Turn it on, retrain your voice and allow background use for the app.
Why is my Google Assistant not working after an update?
An update can reset permissions or settings. Check the microphone permission, the Assistant language and the Hey Google switch again.
Does Google Assistant need the internet?
For most requests, yes. A few device actions can work offline, but searching, messages and answers need a connection.
Why does Google Assistant not hear me?
Dirt in the mic hole, a case, a blocked permission or sound going to a paired Bluetooth device. Test in a voice recorder to confirm.