Common Problems With Amazon’s Alexa And How To Fix Them

Common Problems With Amazon's Alexa

Identifying the common problems with Amazon’s Alexa is key to one’s overall experience with the product. The Amazon EchoOpens in a new tab. and Echo DotOpens in a new tab. are the best voice-controlled Smart Home speakers you should purchase. They work with lots of different Smart Home services and products, and there are lots of very cool stuff you can do using them.

But as we all know, it’s not always sunshine and roses with technology. Things fall out of sync or stop linking and when they do it could be very frustrating.

Some of the common problems you could encounter with your Amazon Echo and Alexa include:

  • Alexa Just Isn’t Responding
  • Streaming Problems with Alexa Devices
  • Trouble with Alexa Calling
  • Bluetooth Problems with Alexa
  • Accidental Activation 
  • Alerts and Notifications Are Too Loud 
  • Issues With Streaming Music Via Spotify

We’re here to help with a few suggestions for these problems which you may run into with your Amazon Echo and Alexa.

14 Common Problems With Amazon Alexa/Echo 

What Exactly Does the Light Ring on Amazon Echo/Alexa Signify? 

Alexa on average sits around completely dormant until called upon with the wake word (“Alexa”). Sometimes, however, the light-emitting diode ring around the very top of the Echo and Echo Dot lights up when you’re not actively using the smart speaker. In cases like this, the colored light can alert you to a problem. Below are a couple of the colors you may have encountered if you are having issues with your own speaker.

Spinning violet. Indicates there is a challenge with the Wi-Fi installment (addressed below).

Spinning orange. The gadget is connecting to a system.

Solid red. The microphone has been turned off and Alexa is not actively listening for your own commands. Push the microphone button to turn it back on.

The light ring may also tell you whether a person is calling you, whether your Amazon order is out for shipping, the volume of the speaker and much more. 

Alexa Just Isn’t Responding

If you state the wake word of your device but Alexa does not respond, it is one of a few difficulties. Before you begin troubleshooting, make sure your device is powered and has internet-access. Internet outage or even an unplugged Echo might be the actual issue.

For those who have a reddish light ring instead of a solid red, that’s OK. It only means that the microphone has been turned off. Press the mic button on the device to turn it on again.

When you’ve got several Alexa devices, the wrong one might hear and answer the wake word. The wrong Echo device may respond although Amazon uses Echo Spatial Perception to find out which device is closest to you.

Check the Alexa program to make sure all devices are set up on an Amazon account. For example, if your child has an app and another account for her Alexa, they may not work precisely.  If the wrong device still reacts, you can change the wake word for some of those Echo devicesOpens in a new tab..

Alexa Cannot Locate Your Smart Home’s Devices

Amazon Echo’s service a very long collection of Smart Home appliances. The growing list includes devices such as the Ecobee3 and traces out of companies like Honeywell, Insteon, Lifx, Nest, Philips Hue, and Wink. Even more devices and services have included official Alexa support by way of Skills that make that service or device simply take your verbal commands (e.g., “Alexa, tell Philips Hue to switch on my kitchen lights”).

To add a brand-new device, open the Alexa program > Add Device > select the device you’d like to add (such as a smart button or plug) and adhere to the instructions from the program.

If the devices are supported and don’t have Skills, you’re not entirely out of luck. Alexa has a formal IFTTT channelOpens in a new tab. and additionally integrates with YonomiOpens in a new tab., both of which have a thorough collection of supported Smart Home devices.

If Alexa does not appear to connect although if you’ve already added your device, there certainly are two or three solutions. Look at the command you are using, aka your invocation. The controls vary between different devices, Skills and connected services, such as IFTTT. They can be special controls, and small differences in the phrasing or names of those devices can give Alexa to get a response.

A few Smart Home devices have trouble staying connected due to additional difficulties or computer software problems and crowded networks. Powering the affected devices and turning them back on again will fix any connectivity problems you’re having.

If that doesn’t resolve the problem, consider removing the speaker and adding it back.

Alexa Plays Music on the Incorrect Device

Have you ever asked Alexa to play some music for you and a gadget in another room starts playing? A lot of problems can arise when Echo devices are grouped together. The defaults become confounded and Alexa eventually ultimately ends up sending music to some other device in its loop.

To resolve the issue, regroup them and you’ll need to first ungroup the devices. Here’s how:

  • Open the Alexa app.
  • Select Devices.
  • Select the Group that you desire to ungroup.
  • Click Edit.
  • Click Publish. (The trashcan icon.)

Once you’ve ungrouped the offending devices, which can be regrouped later by you, then you are good to resume your smart life. If you do not make sure no default speaker is selected, you’ll continue to have exactly the exact same problem.

Streaming Problems with Alexa Devices

The most common reason why Alexa won’t play music is an interrupting online service or bandwidth. The Amazon Echo troubleshooting helps figure out this issue.

  • Turn off devices that will be attached to Wi-Fi. 
  • Take the Echo nearer to the router and off from walls, metal objects or other possible sources of interference.
  • Turn off the router and modem.
  • Wait 30 minutes. 
  • Restart your modem.
  • Restart the router.
  • Turn the Alexa device off and turn it back on.

Trouble with Alexa Calling

Amazon Echo devicesOpens in a new tab. can take the place of your home telephone. In case calling with Alexa is no longer working and you have ensured you have a powerful wi-fi connection, try these troubleshooting steps.

Check your contacts. Alexa may possibly not have upgraded to incorporate it if you included a contact.

  • Close and then reopen the Alexa program.
  • Open the Conversations tab and then wait for the contact you’re trying to call.
  • Ensure that the phone number is correct.
  • You sign can sign out from this program and sign in later if the issue is still not resolved.
  • Go to the menu of the Alexa program and select Settings.
  • Choose Sign Out.

Sign back in and try to make a call. 

Bluetooth Problems with Alexa

It’s possible to troubleshoot problems such as “linking your Alexa device via Bluetooth”. Make sure your Alexa device supports connections.

  • Be certain that the Bluetooth device has a new battery or full control.
  • Move the device and also the Echo.
  • Open the Alexa program.
  • Choose Alexa Devices from the menu.
  • Then and select Bluetooth Devices to choose Clear.
  • Restart the Echo device and the Smart Home device.
  • Publish the Bluetooth device and your Alexa device.

Resetting Your Amazon Echo

For those occasions when everything fails, you’ll be able to reset your Amazon Echo device to its initial settings. Be aware that in the event you reset these devices, you’ll want to register it and enter device settings again in order to make use of it.

  • Locate the Reset button on the bottom of the unit.
  • Press and hold the Reset button.
  • Wait while the light ring on the gadget turns orange and blue. 
  • Turn back on and wait for the light ring to turn off. After the light turns orange, then the device will enter the setup mode.
  • Connect your Echo device to the network. Also, register it and the Alexa program to your Amazon account.

Alexa Doesn’t Understand Anything You Say 

“I’m sorry, I did not quite get this” — a phrase usually used by Alexa. It happens once the voice assistant didn’t comprehend what you said previously. Luckily, Amazon has added a new feature that allows you to ask Alexa what she just heard. You’re able to ask stuff like “Alexa, tell me exactly what you heard” to find out if it understood what you said.

You want to make sure the Echo is set in an open space away from noisy household items just like the washer, dryer, and dishwasher. You may be heard by Alexa better.

You could also utilize Voice Training, an option in your settings from the Alexa app. You’ll read 25 phrases aloud in an “average voice from a common space” so Alexa could possibly get a baseline knowledge of one’s pronunciation and cadence.

Accidental Activation 

When a commercial or show is talking about Alexa on television or you say a word that sounds like “Alexa,” your speaker can just get activated make you confused. There is a new feature like Saying “Alexa, why would you really do this?” — This brand new feature provides you more insight as to why Alexa performed a task. 

  • Proceed from the TV screen.
  • Press the button at the top whilst watching TV.
  • Change the wake word from the default “Alexa” to “Echo” OR “Amazon.”

Alerts and Notifications Are Too Loud 

You might have noticed that when alarms or timers go off, the noise is much louder (or maybe quieter) compared to the playback volume of Alexa. That is because timer and alarm volume is controlled within the Alexa program.

To set the alarm, timer and telling volume, open the Alexa app on Android or i-OS and head to Devices > [your device name] > Sounds, and then drag the slider to the volume level you’d like.

Issues With Streaming Music Via Spotify

Amazon’s Alexa speakers are now designed for streaming music from third-party services like Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn and Spotify. Of these, Spotify seems to have hiccups with music sometimes and intentionally quits midstream for no reason or not playing at all, compared to the other services.

To troubleshoot the challenge, a good start will be to reboot the speaker, although there’s absolutely not any definitive fix for those errors. Then unlink your own Spotify accounts and sign up

To unlink Spotify, start the Amazon Alexa program and go to Settings > Music > Spotify. Tap on Hide Skill and affirm by tapping on Disable. Next, tap Enable Use and follow the directions to log into your account again.

Another reason for this problem can lie with your Spotify account. Unlike Google Home ($99 at Walmart), which allows Spotify Free users to stream music, Alexa still requires Spotify Premium for streaming.

Trouble Playing Audio on the Proper Speaker 

Utilizing Multi-Room Audio, you can control music playback on Echo speakers with another Echo. The feature works with the Echo, Echo Dot ($59 in Walmart) and Echo Show ($230 in Amazon), plus it lets you play music across your home.

However, if you have your Echo devices precisely named, then you will run into an issue when trying to play with music. At the same time, it will be simpler to queue music up and also remember which speaker is where if you name each speaker after the space it’s in or its location in your house.

For instance, if you’ve got one Echo speaker called Taylor’s Echo Dot, then you’ll have to mention, “Alexa, play Fleet Foxes on Taylor’s Echo Dot.” While that’s not too tricky to state, it’s unquestionably easier and more natural to express “Alexa, play Fleet Foxes from the kitchen”

Your Amazon Echo Can’t Hear You

Moving on, your Amazon Echo, Echo ShowOpens in a new tab. or even Echo Dot may improve the way it’s hearing your voice orders. Don’t shout at the device to be heard. Instead, consider moving your device to where Amazon says the speaker selection of each Echo device is most effective. You could also need to turn down a television that’s close to it. Still another thing to try is always checking to ensure nobody pressed the mute button. In the event where the microphone button is red, press it. You could even try plugging it back in and unplugging the echo from power for 30 seconds.

FAQS

  • How do I fix my Amazon Alexa?
How to Reset Amazon Echo
  1. To reset your first-generation Echo device, use a paper clip (or something similar) to press and hold the Reset button. Wait for the light ring to turn off and then turn it on again.
  2. To reset your second-generation Echo device, press and hold the Microphone Off and Volume down buttons at the same time.
  • How do you reset Alexa?

To reset your Echo device, press and hold the Microphone off and Volume down buttons at the same time. Wait until the light ring turns orange (about 20 seconds). For setup instructions, go to Set Up Your Echo (2nd Generation).

You can also watch a video on how to reset Alexa hereOpens in a new tab..

  • Why is my Alexa not connecting?

Echo does not connect to ad-hoc (peer-to-peer) networks. In the Alexa app, open the left navigation panel and then select ‘Settings’. Select your device and then select ‘Update Wi-Fi’. Note: The Alexa app may ask you to manually connect your device to your Echo device through your Wi-Fi settings.


Victor Patrick

A Biochemistry graduate that fell in love with tech. Passionate about smart devices and smart homes. Hobbies include DIY technical projects, hiking and chess. When not at my desk writing about the latest technology in the smart home industry, I can be found sparring on Lichess or taking piano lessons. You can always follow me on Twitter @aka_Vic_Thor for the latest developments on smart homes and the tech world in general. I follow back!

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