Voice Commands do not work on my remote control.

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.

1. 2015 Android TV™ Touchpad Remote Control
2. 2016 or later Android TV Remote Control

NOTE: 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.
   You can also check the Internet connection status by pressing the HELP button on the remote control.
   1. Press the Help button on the remote control.
   2. Select Internet connectivity symptoms.

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 remote controls, follow the steps below.
  NOTE: Some menus vary depending on the model.
  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. (Android™ 9)
     • Select Bluetooth settings. (Android 8.0 or earlier)
  4. Check if SONY TV RC MIC 001 or SONY TV VRC 001 is registered.
  • If it is registered:
    Deregister the Bluetooth pair of the SONY TV RC MIC 001 or SONY TV VRC 001, and then register it again.
    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 — SONY TV RC MIC 001 or SONY TV VRC 001 — Unpair — OK. (Android 9)
       • Select Bluetooth settings — SONY TV RC MIC 001 or SONY TV VRC 001 — Unpair — OK. (Android 8.0 or earlier)
    4. After unpairing the remote control, register it again with the following How to register remote control steps.  
  • If it is not registered:
    Register it as follows.
    
    How to register 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  button.
       • Select Remote control — Connect via Bluetooth.
       • Select Voice Remote Control — Activate  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.

C. 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.

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 — Software update.
   • Select Remote control or Voice Remote Control — Software update.

NOTES:

• 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 is displayed, you do not need to update the software.
• If the above does not work, perform a Power reset on the TV: Un-plug the TV power cord for 60 secs (or 2 minutes for Android TVs) and plug back in.

 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 following 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.