[SOLVED] Ok Google Not Working? Here’s How to Fix it

Google might be moving to Google Assistant, but still, a majority of Android users are still using Google Now. One of the best features of the Google Now is that you can activate it anytime on your phone by just saying a voice command ‘Ok Google’. It’s similar to saying ‘Hey Siri’ on iOS. In most phones, there is an option to activate Google Now by saying the ‘OK Google’ phrase even if the phone is locked. But, with every feature, there are surely some bugs or issues.  What if saying ‘OK Google’ isn’t working?

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Well, this happens with most of the users, and they keep saying ‘Ok Google’, ‘Okay Google’, Okaaayyyy Google’ and the cycle goes on. The reasons for this to happen can either be an issue with your phone’s mic or issue with Google’s Language settings etc. So, in this particular article, we are going to discuss how you can fix the ‘Ok Google Now Working‘ issue.

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WHAT TO DO IF OK GOOGLE ISN’T WORKING

LET’S DEAL WITH THE LANGUAGE SETTINGS –

ok google not working s8

So yes, as mentioned above, there might be some issue in the Language settings. First, we are going to deal with the language settings of Google. If you don’t know, a few years back, Google Now was able to understand only US English. But after 2014, some new languages were added to it. So, you have first to check if the language you speak is enabled or not. Else, your voice won’t be recognized.

For almost every Android user, the default language is US English, but you can also select you secondary language from the settings so that, if somehow you are saying ‘OK Google’ in any other language, Google can automatically switch between the primary and secondary languages. You can set up to 5 different languages that Google can detect when you are saying any voice command. For this, follow these steps –

  • Head to the Settings of Google Now. You can go to the settings by opening Google app, swiping from left and then tapping on ‘Settings’.
  • Once you are in the settings, tap on ‘Voice’ option. 
  • Here, you’ll see ‘Languages’ option. Tap on it. 
  • Now, a list of different languages will be shown to you and now you have to select the languages that you want Google Now to detect. So, are you a multi linguist? Well, this is a great feature for you then. 

As mentioned before, you can select up to 5 different languages that you want Google to detect whenever you say’ Ok Google.’ Is still Ok Google Not Working? Well, let’s move on to the next step.

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LET’S DO A MIC CHECK –

Ok Google Isn't Working

It is pretty obvious that since the problem is related to Voice, there might be an issue with your phone’s mic. So, Google Now depends on the uninterrupted access to your phone’s microphone. There is a simple way to find if the mic is working or not. Open Google Now and then, on the right side of the search Box, you will see the mic icon. If it is drawn with a dotted line, you surely have an issue with your phone’s microphone. Otherwise, there is no mic problem.

ok google detection not working

You can check for debris in the microphone hole because sometimes, that can cause this issue. If there are some, carefully remove them via a small pin-like tool.

Also, you might not be aware but the apps that are running in your phone’s background contribute to background noise that interferes with the mic. So, if there are any background apps running, close them and try to say’ Ok Google’ again. So, these two were the steps that you should take if Ok Google isn’t working. Is still Ok Google Not Working? Well, let’s move on to two simple fixes that are normal but might fix the issue.

SOME SIMPLE FIXES –

why is my ok google not working on my pixel

Now, there are some simple fixes to solve the issue of ‘Ok Google Not Working‘ First of all, try doing a simple reboot. Yes, most of the time, when all the complicated fixes don’t work, a simple reboot does. So, you can try rebooting your phone and checking again.

Is your phone connected to WiFi or Mobile data? Well, check this as the feature to activate Google Now requires a data connection. And hey! Is ‘Ok Google’ settings actually turned on? Well, here are the steps to activate ‘Ok Google’ as mentioned on the Google Support page

  • Make sure you have the latest version of the Google app. (To get the latest version, go to the Google app page on the Play Store and tap Update).
  • Open the Google app Google Search.
  • At the top left, tap Menu Menu and then Settings.
  • Tap Voice and then “Ok Google” detection.
  • Turn on “From the Google app.”

For certain devices, you can also change some settings to turn on “Ok Google” detection outside the Google app:

  • Turn on “From any screen” or “Always on.”
  • Follow the instructions to teach Google what your voice sounds like.
    Note: “Always on” isn’t supported in all languages. If you’re unable to turn this feature on, your language may not be supported.

For most of the users, the problem that ‘Ok Google Not Working’ might be solved by following these steps. But then, the Samsung users face this issue of ‘ok google detection not working’ due to the ‘S Voice’ app that comes pre-installed on Samsung phones. So, here is what to do in that case.

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LET’S DEAL WITH THE S VOICE – 

ok google not working Galaxy s8

Samsung tries to recreate all the Google Apps for its own phones like the Play Store and the Samsung Apps, Google Assistant and Bixby, own Email app, own calendar, dialer, messages and contacts app etc. Even, just like the Google Now, there is S Voice that follows the voice commands of the user. So, if you are having a Samsung device with S Voice as well as the Google Now installed, you might now be able to use ‘Ok Google’ command to activate Google Now.

For this, the simplest fix is to disable S Voice entirely. Here is how to do that –

  • Go to Settings of your Samsung device.
  • Go to ‘Apps’ or ‘Application Manager’ section.
  • Select All Apps and search ‘S Voice’.
  • Tap on it and then ‘Disable’ it. 

So, this will disable the S Voice app and then, Google Now can easily understand all your voice commands without any interruption.



We hope that this article will help you fix the issue of Ok Google Not Working. If still Ok Google isn’t working, do let us know as we will try to solve your problems in the comments section. Also, if you have got any fix to this problem that we didn’t mention in the article, let us know that too in the comments section. Stay Tuned.