Sony Support

Article ID : 00110991 / Last Modified : 22/10/2020

Voice Commands do not work on my remote control.

Does the included remote support voice recognition?

    Prior to performing further troubleshooting steps, confirm whether the remote control has a microphone mark. Remote controls that support voice recognition will have this mark shown below.

     Image A, B and C for remote controls that support voice recognition

    1. 2015 Android TV™ Touchpad Remote Control
    2. 2016 to 2018 Android TV Remote Control
    3. 2019 or later Android TV Remote Control

    NOTES:

    • The location of the Microphone button or mark on the remote control varies depending on the region and the model. Refer to the manual for details.
    • If the Microphone button/voice command function does not work on your Voice command remote control after updating the TV or after you replace your Voice command remote control, refer to the following: How to re-pair your Voice command remote control to your TV

    If voice recognition does not work, even when you use a remote control that supports the voice recognition function, check the following items.
     

    1. An Internet connection is necessary to use voice recognition.

    Follow the steps below to make sure that your TV can connect to the Internet.

    1. Using 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.
      NOTES:
      • You can also check the Internet connection status by pressing the HELP button on the remote control, then select Internet connectivity symptoms.
      • For X74H / X75H series, check the connected network status under the Network & Internet option.

    If the network diagnosis result is not OK, check the following article:
    The Android TV cannot be connected to the Internet: how to perform a network diagnosis

    2. You need to pair your remote control to your Android TV before it will work.

    The pairing method differs depending on the type of remote control. See the images above to check whether the remote control that you use is Type A or B.

    For Type A remote controls

    Refer to the following: How to pair the Touchpad Remote Control with the TV. 

    For Type B and C remote controls

    1. Check if the remote control is registered.
      NOTE: If your model was released in 2020 (except for X74xxH / X75xxH Series), you can skip this step. Refer to the 2. Register the remote control step.
      1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
      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.

        If it is registered: If it is not registered:
    2. Register the remote control.
      1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
      2. Select  Settings.
      3. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
        • Select Remotes & Accessories — Remote control — Connect via Bluetooth or Activate Microphone button.
        • Select BRAVIA Settings — Voice Remote Control.
        • Select Remote control — Connect via Bluetooth.
        • Select Voice Remote Control — Activate Microphone button.
      4. Follow the onscreen instructions.
        NOTE: If the battery level is low, pairing may fail. In such cases, replace the batteries with new ones before pairing.

    3. Speak directly into the microphone built into the top portion of the remote control.

    Position the microphone closer to your mouth, or speak in a loud and clear voice.
    image for the mic position

    * MIC position (This image is for Type A Touchpad Remote Control.)

    4. Check if the circumstance that can use voice recognition.

    Voice recognition cannot be used in all circumstances. Additional information about the different circumstances wherein the Search box does not appear, even after pressing the Microphone button on the Touchpad Remote Control is available.

    5. Remove and then re-insert the remote control batteries.

    If the issue persists, remove and then re-insert the remote control batteries.

    6. Updating the software of the remote control.

    Symptoms may improve by updating the software of the remote control. Check whether there is a software update for the remote control.

    For details, refer to the following article:
    How to perform a TV remote control software update

    7. Perform a reset to your Android TV.

    If the issue persists, perform a reset to your Android TV by referring to How to restart (reset) an Android TV?

     For TVs that do not come with a remote control as shown above, you can use one of these two alternatives to the voice recognition function of the TV.

    1. Use a software keyboard.
    2. Use the Android TV Remote Control application on your mobile device or tablet. (Except for X74H / X75H series)
      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.