My Lincoln Vehicle>SYNC>Troubleshooting>What if I am having issues with SYNC voice commands?

What if I am having issues with SYNC®* voice commands?

If SYNC does not understand your voice commands, refer to the troubleshooting tips in this article.

Note: If your voice commands are working, but you are having trouble with your connection, see the Why is my phone not connecting to SYNC? topic.

Troubleshooting SYNC Voice Commands

Select your symptom from the drop-down options below for possible solutions.

SYNC does not understand what I am saying.

If SYNC does not understand your voice commands:

  • Verify that your SYNC software is up-to-date.
  • Review the phone and media voice commands in your Owner's Manual to ensure you are using the correct voice commands.
  • Press the Voice icon. Wait until the tone sounds and "Listening" appears before saying a command. Any command spoken before this will not register.

SYNC does not understand the name of a song or artist.

If SYNC does not recognize the name of a song or artist:

  • Review the media voice commands in your Owner's Manual to ensure you are using the correct voice commands.
  • Say the song or artist exactly as listed on your media device. If you say "Play Artist Prince," SYNC will not play music by Prince and the Revolution or Prince and the New Power Generation. Make sure you are saying the complete title, such as "California remix featuring Jennifer Nettles."
  • Spell the title of a song if all the letters in a song title are capitalized (e.g., the song "LOLA" requires you to say "L-O-L-A").
  • Ensure you are not using special characters in the title as SYNC will not recognize them.

SYNC does not understand or is calling the wrong contact when I want to make a call.

If SYNC calls the wrong contact or does not understand who you would like to call:

  • Review the phone voice commands in your Owner's Manual to ensure you are using the correct voice commands.
  • Make sure you say the contacts exactly as they are listed on your phone. For example, if you saved a contact as Joe Wilson, say, "Call Joe Wilson."
  • Have SYNC read the name to you, giving you some idea of the pronunciation SYNC is expecting. Using the SYNC phone menu: 
    1. Open your phonebook. See How do I use the SYNC Phonebook in my Lincoln? if you need assistance.
    2. Scroll to the name SYNC is having trouble understanding.
    3. Press the Speaker icon or the Hear It button to the left of the contact's name. SYNC will read you the name.
  • List full names, such as "Joe Wilson" rather than "Joe."
  • Avoid using special characters in the contact name as SYNC will not recognize them.
  • Spell the name of the contact if all the letters are capitalized (e.g., "JAKE" requires you to say "Call J-A-K-E").

Additional Information

How do I use voice commands with SYNC?
Why is my phone not connecting to SYNC?

*Do not drive while distracted or while using handheld devices. Use voice-operated systems when possible. Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear.  Not all features are compatible with all phones.