[Mini Horses]

We have a 2017 XC 90, with software updates through the end of January. When I touch the Voice Command I get two beeps but no other response. The supplied printed owners manual is virtually useless on the subject.

With this Voice system I know I should be able to make a call, and change the radio station, but can I get directions, and can I switch xm radio stations? Ask for instance to "play MSNBC" or "Watercolors" ?

Other features?

What should happen when I push the button?

Thank you.

 

[SKY-KING]

What has your salesman/dealer said it should do? Did you not receive an orientation on systems when you picked up your car?

 

[Mini Horses]

Our salesman was not able to get it to do anything on initial vehicle pick up, and we moved on to the myriad of other items that are part of the new Volvo initiation. Frankly I thought having had a 2014 GMC truck where we use that function ALL the time that this would be the easiest part of the transition to Volvo.

 

[reeg2]

Well, sorry to report that Voice Commands is the weakest link of Sensus. It's improved since release, but is no match for a smartphone.

If you press the button, release immediately - does the center of the driver instrument panel show that the system is listening?

 

[Mini Horses]

I don't think so. What would show on the screen?

What are you using the Voice Commands to do that is working?

Failure rate ?

 

[tillsbury]

When I picked up my XC90 the voice control wasn't working at all. Turns out it was set to Australian English (which doesn't support voice control). Changing it to UK English fixed it. The language selection in Settings identified which of the languages support voice and which don't. Just worth checking if it's completely non-functioning.

Otherwise read the manual, either PDF or via the app or on the Sensus screen itself. There's a list of recommended voice control statements. Some work a lot better than others. Navigation is next to useless.

 

[butwhy]

Download the Voice Control update from the Volvo website. Load it onto a USB stick, and plug it into the XC90 (preferably whilst going for a drive >30 mins) It will update the Voice control. I had to repeat this once when the update failed, and like you, the voice control didn't work.

Then make sure you've selected a language variant which has voice control

 

[Zahra]

What should happen when I push the button?

You should speak

 

[Steve13]

For navigation it's horrible. I have a great dealer and he agrees. It's Volvo's issue to resolve. That said, I find it works fairly well for heat, fan seat heat, etc.

 

[Mavi57]

As said before, you should speak.
Try saying "Help" - a help screen should appear in front of you.

 

[Purpleorchid]

Press and release the speaking button (person's head with sound waves coming out of it) on your steering wheel. That same icon will show up in your instrument cluster along the bottom, which means the car is listening and waiting for a command. Then you can say your commands.

 

[edddy]

Same issue here. Two beeps and nothing. It beeps so quickly you don't even have time to speak. I've had the car since October, and reading on these forums how bad the system is, I haven't really been dying to get it fixed. Will address at my 10k mile service

 

[phenrikand]

As someone else wrote the fix is to change the voice control language to a supported language (in my case UK english instead of Australian english). With the OTA map update the voice control language seemed to have been changed.

 

[Mini Horses]

Press and release the speaking button (person's head with sound waves coming out of it) on your steering wheel. That same icon will show up in your instrument cluster along the bottom, which means the car is listening and waiting for a command. Then you can say your commands.

Thank you. You have given me a starting point to determine if it is working. My dealer set it up as US English. I am not sure my attempt at a British accent would pass the test

 

[dochobbs]

Same issue, two beeps and nothing. I don't get the listening graphic and it doesn't respond when I ask for HELP. Language looks to be set to English US. Interesting thing is if I have my phone plugged into CarPlay and press/hold the voice command button, it activates Siri just fine. I can't get the voice command button to do anything via bluetooth.

I have an appointment with service coming up for another issue, so I'll check with them also.

 

[AprilF]

I find it works reliably for voice dial about 90% of the time, almost 100% of the time for temperature/fan/seat heat, etc. I don't use navigation much just because I don't tend to go to a lot of unknown places, so I can't really speak to that. I know that I was never able to get my MIL's ML 350 to understand any navigation instructions, so I figured it was just a car thing.

 

[Moewron]

I find it works reliably for voice dial about 90% of the time, almost 100% of the time for temperature/fan/seat heat, etc. I don't use navigation much just because I don't tend to go to a lot of unknown places, so I can't really speak to that. I know that I was never able to get my MIL's ML 350 to understand any navigation instructions, so I figured it was just a car thing.

With the voice control you can say "go to College street in Charlotte, North Carolina" and it'll take you right there. I think it's pretty handy.

 

[ccb8668]

Same issue, two beeps and nothing. I don't get the listening graphic and it doesn't respond when I ask for HELP. Language looks to be set to English US. Interesting thing is if I have my phone plugged into CarPlay and press/hold the voice command button, it activates Siri just fine. I can't get the voice command button to do anything via bluetooth.

I have an appointment with service coming up for another issue, so I'll check with them also.

Ours was working after our 10K service, but suddenly stopped. Language setting is correct. Uploaded voice command updates. Has anyone fixed this without going to dealer.?

Thanks!

 

[ccb8668]

We had our 10K service a few months ago, and they were having a lot of trouble with the software updates. The voice commands were working and suddenly quit. Checked the languages and uploaded the update, but still not working. Anyone able to resolve this without going to the dealership?

Thanks!