Voice recognition or voice control is the standard feature that is present in Kia Optima. You can use the various features in your car by giving the audio command. You do not have to see the steering wheel buttons or touch screen frequently to use features in your car.
Kia Optima voice recognition not working can be due to incorrect language setting, noise obstruction, damaged microphone, incorrect pronunciation, damaged voice control button, phone connectivity problem, and outdated software.
The voice recognition feature helps enhance the safety of passengers and vehicles because you can keep an eye on the road without any distractions. You can use various features without disturbing your eye contact with the windshield.
| Causes | Solutions |
| Incorrect language selection | Select the correct language from the settings |
| Noise obstruction | Close doors and windows |
| Damaged microphone | Keep microphone clean |
| Incorrect pronunciation | Pronounce words clearly and correctly |
| Use of other buttons | Do not use other steering control buttons |
| Damaged voice control button | Avoid over-turning the steering wheel |
| Phone connectivity problem | Keep the connections clean and secure |
| Outdated software | Reset the infotainment system by disconnecting the battery |
Incorrect language selection
Voice recognition in your car supports different languages and accents because of the diversity of the people and their different languages.
You can see the list of several languages in the settings and select them according to your language. Sometimes, the feature stops functioning when people do not select the specific language from their settings.
They recognize and process the voice commands according to the selected language. Many people forget to choose the language of the settings.
In addition, the issue also comes when people unintentionally click on the incorrect language. These cannot recognize your audio or process the data when it is not compatible with the selected option.
Several features in your car stop functioning when you give the audio command and press the button for speaking after the beep sound.
Moreover, these vehicles also support specific languages and accents, and you cannot use the feature when you cannot find the required language in the settings menu.
It is necessary to update the software because voice recognition is continuously evolving and introducing more languages and accents in their data.
You should speak specific accents of the language for proper audio command processing and recognition. The system cannot recognize the audio signals when you use the incorrect sound or phonetics during speaking.
Noise obstruction
Voice recognition in your car stops functioning because of noise obstruction from the surroundings. The system cannot recognize your audio commands when two or more people are speaking at the same time.
In addition, the system cannot process the signals when children produce noise on the backside.
These also stop working when other passengers and children play music on their mobile phones and laptops in the background. Moreover, the issue also comes because of the noise obstructions from the surrounding area.
You can face problems when traveling with a high traffic load. Noise from the other vehicles also interrupts their normal working.
Many people also prefer to take their pets when planning long tours with family. Pets also make noise in cars and can obstruct voice commands.
I always prefer to close the windows and doors of my car while using this feature to avoid noise obstruction. It is also better to close your vehicle’s sunroof to decrease obstructions from your surrounding environment.
Damaged microphone
Kia Optima contains microphones near the driver-side cabin to use the voice recognition feature. The microphone is connected to your vehicle’s infotainment screen and control unit.
These are above the driver seats so they can speak while properly maintaining their sitting posture.
It is helpful to amplify your audio commands and give the signals to the control unit accordingly to activate the feature. You can face the issue because of a damaged microphone, which cannot process and analyze the audio signals.
You cannot activate the feature when the microphone is not giving the command. These become faulty because of the electric issues, including blown-out fuse, damaged wirings, short circuits, and loose connections.
In addition, the working efficiency of microphones decreases because of the accumulation of dust and debris on their perforated surfaces. Small dust particles can easily get stuck inside their perforated surfaces and cause problems.
They cannot catch the voice properly because of the sized holes. Seized holes decrease their ability to catch audio commands. It is necessary to keep the microphone clean and free from dust.
Keep your car windows and moonroof closed while moving on unpaved roads because dust can easily enter an interior cabin and ruin the various components.
Incorrect pronunciation
You have to pronounce the correct word using voice recognition features according to the selected languages. Different languages have distinct pronunciation sounds; you must speak according to the respective phonetics.
You cannot activate the feature in your Kia Optima when you are not pronouncing the words correctly. The issue also comes when you are not speaking the words clearly.
The system cannot recognize the audio commands when you speak quickly. It is better to speak slowly with clear words so it can process the audio commands.
I also experienced the same issue and spoke the same thing multiple times but could not activate the feature. I realized the problem came because I was not pronouncing the selected language correctly.
It is better to speak clearly and naturally, as you communicate daily with your friends and family. Moreover, you also have to pronounce specific symbols and numbers. However, some commands do not support the symbols and numbers.
Use of other buttons
The voice control button is present on the steering wheel of your car. The steering wheel contains several buttons for better accessibility and to reduce driver distractions.
You can hear the beep sound after turning on the voice recognition button. You cannot hear this beep sound because it cannot analyze and process the audio signals.
You can press this button again after giving the command. Sometimes, people press other buttons that are present on the Kia Optima steering wheel during this procedure, which can cause interruption.
You cannot record the audio signals when you unintentionally turn on the other control buttons. Avoid using other buttons while using this feature.
Damaged voice control button
Voice control buttons are present on the steering wheel with specific sound waves like signs. Press this button for a few seconds for feature activation.
Start speaking when you hear the beep sound after activating this feature. Sometimes, you cannot use this because of damaged steering control buttons.
These buttons can get damaged because of faulty clock springs that help maintain the button connection with electric wires.
Moreover, dust accumulation also causes these buttons to get stuck inside. These can also stick inside when you press them hard and exert more pressure on them.
Carefully turn your steering wheel because over-turning can damage the clock spring and electric connections.
Phone connectivity problem
Many people connect their Android or Apple phones with their car’s infotainment system to enjoy various features. You can also use different features of your smartphone with audio commands.
Many people complain that voice recognition stops functioning in their mobile phones, which are compatible with their vehicles.
The issues do not come from the non-compatible devices. You can face this because of the poor connectivity of phones. You can connect them with USB ports or Bluetooth connections.
Check the USB ports and ensure they make proper contact with mobile phones. Keep the ports clean and free from dust. Turn on the Bluetooth and pair the devices completely for better connectivity with your vehicle.
Outdated software
Voice recognition uses the software of your car for its functioning. This software helps process data and analyze audio commands.
In addition, you can also get access to different languages and accents after updating the software. You cannot use this feature in your Kia Optima without updating the latest version of the software in your car’s computer system.
Software glitches and bugs are common, which cause interruptions in their functioning. You can also reset the infotainment system by disconnecting the batteries to restart the software.
Related Articles: