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Alexa Not Responding – Here’s How To Fix?

Alexa is the most popular virtual assistant that takes commands from the users and operates smart devices accordingly. Alexa and Amazon Echo work together seamlessly.

However, we all know that technology can malfunction at any time, and if Alexa is not responding, there is nothing to be worried about instantly. There are various reasons for which Alexa could have stopped functioning such as internet outage, Wi-Fi connection problem, or voice recognition glitches. We are listing down all the different methods to fix Alexa’s not responding issue instantly.

Methods to Fix Alexa Not Responding Issue

Method 1 – Checking the Microphone Button

Checking the Microphone Button

The first method will be to check the microphone. If the device is turned off, it will not respond to the voice commands. Confirm if the power of the microphone is on. You will only have to press the power button. If it starts working, you will see the power light turning on. If the color of the light is blue, it is turned on. If the color of the light is red, it is turned off.

Method 2 – Restarting The Alexa Device

When your Alexa device that is Amazon Echo has the issue of Alexa not responding, you just need to restart the device. Here are the steps to follow to restart your device.

Step 1: You will have to press the volume button up and down simultaneously. You will have to do it twice.

Restarting The Alexa Device

Step 2: Now, you can check if the LED is flashing. A flashing LED confirms that the device is working but not responding to voice prompts.

Step 3: You need to unplug the device from the socket or disconnect the power. Make sure that you wait for a minimum of 30 seconds.

Step 4: You will now have to reboot the device and then connect to Wi-Fi. The booting time can last for a minimum of 2 minutes. Turn the power on and see if Alexa responds to your voice.

Method 3 – Hard Resetting The Alexa Device

If in any case, the normal reset does not work, you will have to opt for a hard reset. This method can be very helpful and it has a higher success rate. Here are the steps to follow.

Step 1: You need to see the bottom of the Amazon Echo and check for the reset hole.

Step 2: Try to use any pointed object or a paper clip for pressing the button inside the hole.

Step 3: You will now see the blue light changing to orange light. It can take time for the device to turn off.

Step 4: Turn it on manually and your Alexa has now resumed its original factory settings.

By using your Alexa app, you can easily set it directly from your smartphone. If in any case, it does not work, you can give voice commands via the Alexa remote.

Method 4 – Enable/Disable Alexa Privacy

Another method will be to enable the privacy function of Alexa. Perform the following steps to make the adjustments.

Step 1: You need to go to the “Nucleus” screen.

Step 2: Follow by clicking the Alexa button.

Step 3: You will come across the “Alexa Now” option. Click on it and confirm with your voice.

Method 5 – Checking The Wi-Fi Network

Keep in mind that the Echo has internet access as well as a power connection. You will have to note that if the Wi-Fi is not working, Alexa will not understand your command. For this, you will have to get a proper internet connection. Always check the router and see if there is anything wrong. We recommend you check the connection by connecting your smartphone and try surfing the internet.

Method 6 – Changing The Position/Location of Your Echo Device

Another simple method to troubleshoot will be to change the position of your Amazon Echo. In some cases, you will note that the Echo device is at a distant location from the router. This will make Alexa not respond. You can do it by placing the device within the range of the Wi-Fi network or as close as the router. Another tip will be to keep the Echo close when you are speaking. Make sure that it lets you hear clearly or it can listen to your commands.

Method 7 – Connect Your Smartphone and Echo To The Same Network

In this method, you will have to see if the Echo and smartphone are on the same internet network. If you happen to find them on different networks, you need to connect them both to the same network. This is because it is commonly seen that when your smartphone and Echo are connected to different internet networks, Alexa tends to malfunction.

Method 8 – Wi-Fi Congestions

In many cases, you will note that too many devices are connected with a single Wi-Fi can lead to traffic congestion and narrowing of bandwidth. For this, it is recommended that you don’t connect the minimum number of devices to the same Wi-Fi network.

If your Echo is connected to a Wi-Fi network where multiple devices are connected, you should disconnect all those devices and keep the connection of Echo only. Now check if Alexa responds to your commands.

Advanced Troubleshooting Guide for Alexa Not Responding Issue –

Apart from the above-mentioned methods, you should keep these advanced troubleshooting tips for repairing the concerned issue.

1. Alexa Red Ring

Check if the Alexa has a red ring light which is an indication of a problem. This can easily happen due to the mic or Wi-Fi connectivity. Additionally, confirm if you are using the latest version of the Alexa app.

2. The Voice Training Option

There can also be problems due to the English accent. For this, you need to give voice training before giving commands. You can do it by opening the Alexa app and then going to the settings option. By clicking on the voice training option, you can choose from many phrases. You can select the one which the device can understand. This will make Alexa respond to your voice commands with easy understanding.

3. LED Board or Microphone not working

When you find that the microphone or the LED board is not working, it is a hardware problem. This can even lead the device to not respond or it may not work. Check if there is any light or it requires some repairing. If this is the case, you will have to call in an Alexa expert to fix the problem.

4. Entering the Correct Wi-Fi Password

You can start by checking the Wi-Fi password. This is a common error that can make Alexa unresponsive. You need to be careful while entering the Wi-Fi password. When you enter the password, the device will attempt to connect to the internet.

5. Router Issues

In some cases, you will find that the router can also lead to the problem. For this, you need to turn off the router. Disconnect the cable from the router and then switch it off for some time. Reinsert the cable and then turn on the router again.

6. Changing the Wake Word

Alternatively, you can even fix it by changing the wake word on the Amazon website.

Step 1: For this, you will have to go to the web browser of a computer and log in to the Amazon Alexa site.

Step 2: On the left side, you will find the settings option. Click on it and then choose the devices section.

Step 3: You can now select the Alexa device option and then scroll the page to the general section.

Step 4: Click the option of the “wake word” and enter a new wake word from the dropdown menu.

Step 5: Finally, you need to click on save to make changes.

Device settings           —                   wake word settings

Basic Troubleshooting Tips for Alexa Not Responding Issue –

We will now discuss some of the basic troubleshooting tips. This can be very helpful and can fix your problem.

  • The first step will be to use another adapter for Amazon Echo. Using the same adapter for different devices can lead to voltage fluctuations. Follow it by connecting to the original adapter and always press the “Action” button. You can confirm by checking the device along with any voice commands.
  • Problems with Alexa speakers can also make your voice go unheard. For this, it is advised to keep the speakers to at least 3 feet from the Echo Dot.
  • When the device is placed towards the wall, you need to confirm the microphone path. This can lead to the blockage of the voice path and Alexa may not be able to reach it.
  • One of the most common things is unwanted background noise. Try to have a clean environment so that your voice command will be loud and audible.
  • The final thing will be to keep the Echo Dot from other electronic devices that can create vocal output.

Conclusion

Alexa not responding issue is rather common, and hence, you should not panic instantly and think that the smart speaker is damaged.  Instead, you should try out all the different methods we have mentioned one by one. We are sure that the issue will be solved by any of these methods. Otherwise, you can consider taking it to the nearby repair shop and fix the issue with the help of an expert.

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