Voice Commands do not work on my remote control.

Prior to performing further troubleshooting steps, confirm whether the remote control has a Microphone button or mark. Remote controls that support voice recognition will have that button or mark, as illustrated below:

1. 2015 Android TV™ Touchpad Remote Control
2. 2016 to 2018 Android TV Remote Control
3. 2019 or later Android TV/Google 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 How to re-pair your Voice command remote control to your TV article.
• 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.
• You need to sign in to Google account on your Android TV for Google assistance to work properly. To find out how to add or remove Google account, refer to the following: How to add (or remove) a Google account on Sony's Android TV™

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

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, open the  Settings screen.   How to access Settings: 
   • Using the Quick Settings button (For models released in 2019 or later)
     1. On the remote control, press the  (Quick Settings) button.
     2. Select  Settings.
   • Using the HOME button
     1. On the remote control, press the HOME button.
     2. Select  Settings.
2. 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:
   • Depending on the model, you can also check the Internet connection status by pressing the HELP button, then select Internet connectivity symptoms.
   • For W8, X7 and X74H / X75H series, check the connected network status under the Network & Internet option.

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

You need to pair your remote control to your Android TV/Google 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 How to pair the Touchpad Remote Control with the TV article.

For Type B and C remote controls:

1. Check if the remote control is registered.
   NOTE: If your model was released in 2020 or later (except for W8, X7 and X74H / X75H series), you can skip this step. Refer to the 2. Register the remote control step.
   1. On the remote control, 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.

      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. On the remote control, 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 settings — SONY TV RC MIC 001 or SONY TV VRC 001 — Unpair — OK.
      4. After unpairing the remote control, register it again with the following the 2. Register the remote control steps. 
      If it is not registered, or either of them are not displayed:
      
      Refer to 2. Register the remote control 
2. Register the remote control.
   1. Open the  Settings screen.   How to access Settings: 
      • Using the Quick Settings button (For models released in 2019 or later)
        1. On the remote control, press the  (Quick Settings) button.
        2. Select  Settings.
      • Using the HOME button
        1. On the remote control, press the HOME button.
        2. Select  Settings.
   2. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
      • Select Remotes & Accessories — Remote control — Connect via Bluetooth or Activate  button.
      • Select BRAVIA Settings — Voice Remote Control.
      • Select Remote control — Connect via Bluetooth.
      • Select Voice Remote Control — Activate  button.
   3. Follow the onscreen instructions.
      NOTE: If the battery level is low, pairing may fail. In such cases, before pairing, replace the batteries with new ones.

Speak into the microphone built into the top portion of the remote control in one of the following ways:

For Google TV models: On the remote control, press and hold the Microphone button. During holding the Microphone button, speak into the microphone on the remote control.

For Android TV models: On the remote control, press the Microphone button and then speak into the microphone on the remote control.

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

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

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.

Remove and then re-insert the remote control batteries.

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

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 How to perform a TV remote control software update article.

Perform a reset to your Android TV/Google TV.

If the issue persists, refer to the How to restart (reset) an Android TV? article to perform a reset on your 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.
   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 appropriate page:
   • Android™ OS
   • iOS