8 Common Amazon Alexa Issues and How to Fix Them

February 29, 2024

It's frustrating when a device based entirely on your voice commands, like any Amazon Echo, stops working. There could be a number of reasons for the issues.

But we're here to help. Here are some common problems with Amazon Alexa and how you can fix them.

1. Finding Smart Devices With Alexa Isn't Working

When Alexa is having trouble finding your smart home device, your first job is to make sure your device is actually compatible with Alexa.

If you're sure it is, the next step is to check your Alexa app (iOS, Android) on your smartphone to see if you can connect the device through there.

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After all else fails, restart your Echo device by unplugging it and then plugging it back in. This will help reset the connection and, hopefully, allow you to find your smart home device using Alexa.

Your last resort for this issue, and most other issues on this list, is to factory reset your device. Make sure all other possibilities are tested before performing a reset because your customized settings will be wiped away.

2. Alexa Doesn't Stream Music Properly

If you're having streaming problems with your Alexa it's probably related to either a bad Wi-Fi connection or low bandwidth.

Try loading a site on your phone and see if you have slow loading times. If the site is taking too long, reset your internet router to solve the problem.

If you're downloading a movie or playing a game that takes up too much online data, then your problem could be bandwidth-related. Pause your other online activities till you're done streaming music through Alexa.

Spotify will often have problems streaming through Alexa. Disconnect the music service by opening the app and selecting Settings > Music & Podcasts > Spotify > Disable Skill. Then try reconnecting it.

3. Alexa Wi-Fi Stopped Working

Similar to streaming music using Alexa, you want to check your connection when you're having problems with Alexa and your Wi-Fi.

Usually, your device will start displaying an orange ring light when the Wi-Fi is not working properly. Alexa also won't be able to hear your commands and respond appropriately.

Use another device to test the internet to determine if your router is the source of the problem. It's either that or Alexa is malfunctioning.

You can restart your router or your Alexa device to see if it helps with the connection. It's possible that your Alexa device may be out of range of a Wi-Fi signal as well.

Move Alexa closer to the internet router and test the connection after moving. Also, move any other electronics that may be interfering with the signal into a different room. It's possible these could be skewing your connection.

4. Alexa Isn't Responding to My Voice

Don't take it personally, it could be that Alexa just isn't used to your voice yet. Or, it has too much background interference to make out what you said.

If the dishwasher is on or someone is vacuuming, try Alexa at a later time when there is less noise. Another solution is to run a vocal test with Alexa so it can become more familiar with your voice.

To do that, open the Alexa app and select Settings > Your Profile. Then select Manage next to Voice. Finally, you'll choose Match Voice Profiles.

That will start the Voice Training feature. Alexa will prompt you to say 25 different phrases at a normal distance away from the device.

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After completing the prompts, Alexa will be able to better understand your pronunciation and cadence to personalize your experience.

5. Alexa Gets Triggered Accidentally

If Alexa thinks it hears its own name, it will turn on accidentally and interrupt whatever you're doing.

The main reason this happens is that either you, your friends, or the TV said a phrase that sounds similar to "Alexa." To fix this, change the wake phrase to a less common word like Echo.

Alexa will also respond if you ask why it performed a specific action. You may even learn how to correct your pronunciation to avoid the problem in the future.

6. Playing Music on the Wrong Speaker

Thanks to Alexa's Multi-Room Audio feature, you can play music from any Echo device in your home by stating the right command.

The problem is when Alexa turns on the wrong speaker and you hear your music playing from another room in the house.

To fix this, use the Alexa app to group your devices together. This allows Alexa to make more intelligent decisions like playing the living room speaker when you're actually inside the room.

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Naming your speakers in an appropriate fashion also makes it easier to play the right speaker. If your speaker lives in a specific room, name it after that room. You can say, "Alexa, play my music in the bedroom" to play the right speaker.

7. Alexa Can't Perform a Skill

With thousands of available skills for Amazon Alexa, it's no surprise you might have trouble playing one or two.

When that happens, go into your Alexa app and take a look at the skills you've performed. Open the app and select the More button and then Skills & Games. On that page, select Your Skills. Choose the skill you're having problems with and then disable it. Then re-enable it.

This simple on and off fix can work pretty well in most cases. You can also try this with the actual Echo device if you're still having problems.

You also need to make sure you're calling the skill by the correct name. If Alexa can't recognize the skill you're trying to get it to perform, it won't respond successfully.

8. Alexa Voice Call Doesn't Work

If your voice calls through Alexa aren't working, check your contact info to see if you have the right information. Alexa can't make the call if the information is incorrect

You also may not be saying the name clear enough for Alexa to hear you. Ask Alexa what it heard and you'll have a better idea if that is the issue.

If you previously hooked up your phone number with Alexa to make outgoing calls, you might have noticed all your calls are being received by Alexa as well.

Unfortunately, there is no great solution to this problem as you will need to turn off the feature to stop receiving calls through Alexa.

Getting Amazon Alexa Working Again

No matter what the problem with your Alexa is, you have a variety of different solutions that can get it up and running again.

If all else fails, try restarting your Alexa then reset your device. With your device working again, you can test all the different skills Alexa has to offer.

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