Amazon Echo Speaker Problems: 6 Known Issues (Solved)

Amazon’s Echo speakers are brilliant smart home devices that give you the ability to stream music and podcasts on all your favorite services.

They are also a great way of ensuring you remain up to date with your calendar, along with countless other features such as regular news and weather updates.

However, as with all technology, Echos are not immune to general bugs and malfunctions.

In this article, we have compiled a list of the most commonly known issues with Echo devices to help you troubleshoot and quickly resolve any problems you may be experiencing with your Echo.

1. Amazon Echo is Not Streaming Music Properly because of a Problem with your Wi-Fi Connection

In order to have the best experience with your Amazon Echo there are a few things that you must consider, such as:

• Your bandwidth strength.
• Whether both your smartphone and your Echo are connected to the same network.
• The distance between your router and your Echo.

If your bandwidth is too low or your signal is intermittent, Alexa may be unresponsive, the music pauses, or general streaming issues.

This is normally indicated by an orange ring light on the top of your Echo speaker.

To solve this problem, simply try running an internet speed check and then restart your modem. You can also try to limit any other bandwidth-hogging activities.

Another issue known to Echo users is that when their smart device is located too far from their internet modem, they experience streaming or connection problems. This is simply because the signal strength is not solid enough to maintain the constant internet connection needed for your Echo to function correctly.

All you have to do is ensure that your router and Echo are no further than 30 ft apart and try to limit the number of walls or appliances between them.

It’s also worth double-checking that your smartphone is actually connected to the same network as your Echo device because they will not work if they are on different networks.

2. Alexa has become Unresponsive to your Voice

One of the biggest selling points of Echo speakers is the voice recognition AI technology that owners can use to control its functions.

This AI, coined as Alexa, has been known to occasionally become unresponsive with some owners and fails to interpret their voice commands accurately.

Luckily, there are a few simple explanations as to why this is happening, along with a couple of quick fixes.

The first thing to check is that no other loud appliances are running in the background while you are simultaneously trying to give a voice command.

For example, if someone is hoovering or blow drying their hair, the voice recognition may not be able to properly interpret or pick up a voice command.

There also may be another appliance that’s creating a background hum, such as a fridge, that’s distorting Alexa’s ability to pick up on your voice. If this is the case, it’s worth relocating your Echo to rule out any other external noise interference.

Additionally, it’s worth remembering that Amazon Echo devices come with the ability to set up Voice ID, a feature designed to aid Alexa in recognizing your voice commands.

Here’s How to Set Up a Voice ID with your Amazon Echo:

1. Open the Alexa app on your chosen smart device.
2. Navigate to ‘Settings’
3. Select ‘Your Profile & Family’
4. Select your profile name, then tap ‘Set up Voice ID’
5. Alexa will now prompt you to say 4 phrases.

Once this is complete, your Echo device should be able to interpret your voice more efficiently, with the bonus of not needing to authenticate any Amazon purchases.

3. Your Echo Speaker is Not Functioning with your other Smart Devices

Amazon takes pride in the compatibility of their Echo speakers with other smart technology currently available –  a feature that is loved by owners around the globe.

However, if you find that your Echo suddenly lacks the ability to connect with your other smart technology, you will need to start from the beginning and remove these devices from your Echo.

Deleting known devices is incredibly straightforward by using the Alex app.

To re-pair your Echo with your smart device follow these steps (Sonos is used as an example):

1. Ensure both your Echo and smart device are set up and running properly.
2. Navigate to the menu and select ‘Skills’
3. Search for your smart devices, e.g., ‘Sonos’
4. Select the Sonos skill, and choose ‘Enable’
5. You will now be prompted to sign into your Sonos account.

4. Alexa is Causing Interruptions by Being Over-Responsive

Echo owners sometimes find that, as useful as the AI can be, Alexa will wake up at times when she isn’t actually being addressed.

For example, if you have a friend over named ‘Alex’, and you refer to them in conversation, Alexa may interpret this as a voice command and light up ready to comply.

This keen over-responsiveness can be amusing at first, but over time it may become rather tedious. Thankfully, there is an easy solution to this common issue with Amazon Echo speakers.

Alexa’s wake word is set as default to ‘Alexa’, but there are, however, 4 other options to choose from to help stop any unwanted wake-ups.

These other options are:

• ‘Amazon’
• ‘Computer’
• ‘Echo’
• ‘Ziggy’

Using one of these alternative wake words can easily be achieved by accessing the ‘Devices’ section in the Alexa app.

5. Alexa’s Voice Notifications are Too Loud

There’s little worse than being sat, fully immersed in a true-crime podcast, when Alexa announces a notification 10 times louder than the volume of the narrator’s voice – making you jump right out of your skin.

The default volume levels of notifications such as timers, messages, or reminders are set to be much louder than the standard volume of your speaker by design. It makes sense that you wouldn’t want to miss certain notifications, but if the increased volume levels are starting to annoy you then there is a solution.

Thankfully, it is possible to adjust the volume levels of notifications to stop these jump scares from happening in the future.

All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Tap on ‘Devices’
3. Tap on your Echo speaker.
4. Select ‘Sound’
5. From this menu, you will be able to adjust the sound levels of all of the notifications to one you deem more suitable.

6. Making Calls with your Echo is Not Possible

Another great feature of Amazon Echo speakers is the ability to ask Alexa to call one of your contacts, effectively replacing your home phone.

However, one known issue to Echo owners is when this feature no longer works, and they cannot seem to ask Alexa to call anyone anymore.

If you are experiencing this particular issue, try using these troubleshooting tips, and you should find yourself being able to make calls again in no time:

• Ensure the caller’s contact information is correct.
• Check your Wi-Fi strength or reset your router.
• Update the Alexa app on your smartphone.
• Close the Alexa app, restart it, and try calling again.

General Pros & Cons of Amazon Echo

Pros

Amazon Echo speakers are a great piece of smart technology that you can add to your home at an affordable price.

Through the use of voice commands, you have the ability to make calls, stream music or podcasts, make online purchases, and much more.

Echo owners love that they have the ability to connect their speaker with other smart technology and also are thoroughly impressed with the powerful audio quality that their device has to offer.

All in all, Amazon Echo speakers are a great benefit to every household.

Cons

• Wi-Fi connection issues.
• Alexa can sometimes become unresponsive
• Problems occurring when connecting your other smart devices and your Amazon Echo
• Loud notifications
• Complications with making calls with Alexa

Sources

10 Common Amazon Alexa Issues and How to Fix Them

How to Fix 8 Common Alexa and Amazon Echo Issues

How to Connect Your Sonos Speaker to Alexa