People make use of Alexa in many ways like listening to tracks, shopping, creating to-do lists, voice commands, contextual responses, etc, but sometimes issues arise with Alexa not working.
There are many ways to solve this problem, and Let us discuss some of the common problems faced by Echo as well as Alexa.
Common Problems with Alexa and Echo
Some of the common problems faced by Alexa and Echo are
- WiFi Connectivity issue
- Alexa not understanding commands
- Some issues with the smart devices of home
- Echo does not play music or any kind of audio
- Alexa not taking your voice commands
- Some problems with routines and skills
- Alexa does not sync information
Let us understand how to solve some of the common problems faced by all of us while using Alexa in our homes.
How to Fix Alexa Not Responding to Voice Commands
Try some of these ways to solve your problem.
- Check the basic settings
- Check your Echo connection to the power source.
- Check the internet connection and its strength.
- Check Echo’s microphone, if it is muted or not.
- Restart the device – Unplug and wait for 30 seconds, and again replug.
- Try voice recognition improvement techniques
- Control background noise.
- Use the voice training process offered by Alexa to train Alexa so that it can easily recognize your voice.
- Skills disabling and re-enabling – Open the Alexa Skills Store and disable any skill which your feel might be interfering with the performance of the device.
- Update outdated software – Check for the updates in the store, follow the prompts, and then install it.
- Resetting the Echo device – This is the last option to resort to. For about 20 seconds, press the reset button, which will turn the orange ring to blue. Use the Alexa App to again set up the echo device.
Also Read: How to Accept Shared Album Invite on iPhone
How Alexa Changes its Voice
Follow these steps to change Alexa’s voice
- Open Alexa App.
- Devices >> Echo & Alexa >> name of your device.
- Go to Settings >> Alexa’s Voice.
- Choose one option from the two – (i) Original (ii) New
What is Super Alexa Mode
It is a mode designed as a joke and is activated by saying ‘Alexa, up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start.’
What is Yellow Flashing on Alexa Mean
The yellow flashing on the Alexa means that there is a new message. The moment you direct Alexa to ‘read my notifications’, the flashing of the yellow light stops.
How to Fix Alexa Playing Music on Wrong Device
IF Alexa is playing Music on a device other than your preferred device, just try some of the below-discussed methods, that might fix your problem
- Open Alexa App and then go to alexa.amazon.com
- Click on the ‘Devices’ tab. Check, if your device is named correctly and is showing the correct location or not. If any error is found, please edit their settings.
- While giving the voice command use the name of the device.
- For example – say ‘Alexa, play music on a Sony XRX player’.
- If you have multiple Echo devices, disable the multi-room music. For this, again axis the ‘Devices’ tab and select ‘Speakers Groups’. If the device is assigned to the wrong group then edit the group settings.
- Recheck the music settings (default) – Go to ‘Devices’ and then select Echo device. Access the ‘Music sections’.
- Make sure to select the music service of your choice and then select the default speaker also.
- Adjust the settings, if there is any need.
- Check for any software updates offered by Amazon.
- click the ‘Devices’ tab to know about any updates for the software.
- Reset the Echo device – Again, this is the last resort for any type of error removal.
- Reset by pressing the reset button for about 30 seconds and then set up the Echo device again with the help of the Alexa App.
How to Fix Alexa Not Streaming Music
There are some troubleshooting measures, which might help you to resolve your problem of Alexa not streaming music problem
- All the music services are not supported by Alexa. So check for the music service. Some of the common music services supported by Alexa are – Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc. Go to ‘Settings’ and then ‘Music and Podcasts’. Check, if the music you want to use is authorized to work with an Amazon account or not, and also check if the music device is linked or not.
- Echo device needs the internet to work properly. Go to Alexa App and check the Wi-Fi settings. Do not check only the connectivity, but also the stability of the internet connection as well.
- Give proper music commands. The most common way is to say to Alexa ‘Alexa, play (song/artist) on (music service platform).
- Restart the music service by disabling and then re-enabling it.
How to Fix Alexa Not Working for Connecting to WiFi
Again there are some known fixes for Wi-Fi not connecting issue
- Check the connection to the internet.
- Power off the modem and router and then power it on.
- Power off the Echo device and then power it on.
- Check your Wi-Fi Password.
- Factory reset the Echo.
How to Connect Alexa to WiFi
- Open Alexa App.
- Go to Devices >> Echo & Alexa >> device name.
- Settings>>Wi-Fi Network
- Follow the instructions.
How to Fix Alexa Calling Not Working
As you must be knowing that Amazon Echo devices are sometimes used as the home phone also. When the Alexa calling feature does not work, try the following –
- Check the Echo’s internet connection.
- Check the contact information for its correctness because Alexa can make calls only on the correct numbers.
- Restart Alexa App. You need to do it according to the OS system installed on the device.
- Keep checking that if your smartphone and the Echo device are connected to the same Wi-Fi or not. For calling, both of the devices are expected to work on the same Wi-Fi.
How to Fix Alexa Not Working in Finding a Device
Sometimes we try to connect our device and Alexa does not set a connection with it. In such a case, you can try these methods –
- Check the compatibility of the device – some devices simply don’t have the ability to connect with Alexa. So you need to be aware of if your device can connect to Alexa or not. You can take online help for it.
- Restart the device that you want to connect to Alexa.
- Connect the device and Alexa to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Check, if the device is updated with the latest software/firmware or not. Sometimes the old version of the software hinders the connection process.
- Device skills – First, disable the device skills and then re-enable them. Go to the ‘Skills and Games section on the Alexa App. Find the skill sets that matches the device with which you want to connect Alexa. Disable and then re-enable it.
- Reset the device – Factory reset the device (if possible).
- Reach out to the device support center for possible help.
How to Fix Alexa Not working on Bluetooth Issues
Connecting Alexa to other devices via Bluetooth is common. But sometimes, it becomes difficult to establish a Bluetooth connection with Alexa. In this case, you can try the following ways –
- Restart both the devices i.e. Alexa and the device that you want to connect via Bluetooth.
- First disconnect the Bluetooth, and then re-enable it.
- Unpair the Bluetooth device that you want to connect to Alexa and then re-pair it.
- Update the software of both devices.
- Bring both devices in close proximity to each other.
- Activate the pairing mode of both devices.
- If all doesn’t work, contact Alexa.
How to Fix Alexa Not Operating a Specific Skill
Sometimes Alexa does not operate a specific skill set. In this case, try the following –
- Check skill compatibility – First check the compatibility of the specific skill by checking the skill’s description in the Alexa Skills Store. If the skills do not match the specific device requirements, it will not operate that specific skill set.
- Do the skill activation verification – Go to the ‘Skills & Games’ section, and check the ability of the skill. If it is enabled, then only it will operate. So ensure that it is enabled.
- Update the outdated skill – Updates frequently fix the issues. If there is an update available in the ‘Skills and Games’ section, install it by clicking on ‘Update’.
- First disable the skill and then re-enable it – Refreshing connections sometimes solve problems quickly.
- Switch off the device and restart it at least after 30 seconds.
- If any skill is not operating properly, disable it, so that it will not hinder the working of the skills that are working correctly.
- If any of it doesn’t work, contact the skill developer support centre. They readily help you with the detailed instructions.
