Amazon Echo Keeps Turning Off: 4 Known Issues (Solved)

Amazon’s Echo Dot has been one of the most popular in-home AI devices since it first hit the scene in 2016. But, like most new technology, it does come with its own set of bugs.

Most notably, users complained about their Amazon Echo turning off randomly or not answering voice commands. So, what are some of the most common reasons why an Echo Dot shuts off, and how can you fix it?

Here is what we’ve learned:

1. Your Echo Dot Is Not Connected To Your Wi-Fi

The main reason why you may find that your Amazon Echo is shutting off is that it cannot find a secure connection to your home’s Wi-Fi network.

In order to work, an Amazon Echo needs a strong connection. This is how it is able to connect to not only your home’s system but also to all of your electronic devices.

When an Amazon Echo is not connected to a Wi-Fi network, it serves no purpose other than to be an expensive paperweight. 

To fix this problem, first, take a look at your Amazon Echo settings. From your phone, you should be able to make sure the device is attempting to connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Once your settings are updated and correct, try to restart your Amazon Echo by unplugging it for 30 seconds and then plugging back in the power adapter. This will force the device to reconnect to your network, and you should be good to go.

2. The Power Source is Unstable

Most Echo Dot devices use a power adapter as the main power source. However, some Echo accessories, like speakers and monitors, use rechargeable batteries to power on.

If you are using a battery-powered device, one reason why your device is turning off is that the batteries have been drained. In this case, all you will need to do is remove the battery pack and charge the battery.

However, if you have an Echo Dot that uses a power adapter, the fix may be a little more complicated.

• Your first move should be to check the wiring on the power adapter. Damage to the cord, like dog bites or a bent plug, can mean that the Amazon Echo is not getting enough power which will force it to shut down.
• If you find that the power cord is damaged, you can order a replacement from Amazon.
• You also want to consider what your device is plugged into.
  • If you are using a power strip or an extension cord, make sure that it is one that is grounded and has enough watts to support your Amazon Echo.

3. Your Device Has Not Been Updated Properly

Unlike other personal devices that require manual updates like your phone or computer, the Amazon Echo is designed to automatically update on its own.

This is how they are able to maintain updated features and information. However, often times something can go wrong when the device attempts to update automatically.

The problem is, you won’t be informed if your Amazon Echo Dot has not upgraded correctly.

Instead of knowing that your Echo Dot has not updated, it may randomly just start shutting off. But, don’t worry it is a pretty easy fix.

You will need to do a full factory reset on your device, which can be done from your phone’s application or from your Amazon profile.

Just be aware that when doing a factory reset, you will have to re-enter all of your personal information as well as re-connect all of your devices through the Alexa application.

4. Your Amazon Echo Is Defective

Like most new technology, Amazon Echo Dots do not always work the way they were intended to and may become defective.

Receiving a defective Echo Dot is fairly rare, but is something that the company will replace for you if needed.

However, there are other ways for an Echo Dot to become defective. Most commonly, Amazon Echos that have been damaged will not work perfectly.

So, whether your Amazon Echo has received some water damage, or even took a tumble off of the coffee table, any significant damage to the inside of the device will keep it from working correctly.

If your Amazon Dot keeps turning off without notice or even skipping, and you have tried troubleshooting the above common problems, chances are the device itself has been damaged.

While Amazon will replace devices that have a factory flaw, if you damaged the Echo Dot on your own, you will be financially responsible for a replacement.

Pros and Cons of Using an Amazon Echo

Pros

While it can be frustrating to have an Amazon Echo Dot that randomly shuts down, there are plenty of pros to outweigh the few cons that come along with using an Amazon Echo Dot.

The biggest perk of an Echo Dot is that you can completely control your home from anywhere, even from the other side of the world.

Once your Echo is connected to your home’s Wi-Fi, you can control the temperature, when the lights go out, and even lock your front door.

Along with controlling your home, another pro of using an Amazon Echo is that you always have a hands-free helper. Using simple voice commands, you can check the weather, check delivery status, and even schedule meetings without having to pick up your phone.

Amazon Echo Dots are also great for entertaining. When you connect your dot to streaming services like Spotify or Netflix, you can play music from anywhere in your home by just asking, and you can even fast-forward or pause whatever show you are currently watching.

Bonus, Amazon Echo Dot also connects to Smart TVs.

Overall, the biggest pro of using an Amazon Echo Dot is that it completely changes the way you live your day-to-day life by helping to make it easier. 

Cons

• Amazon Echo Dot needs a stable Wi-Fi connection in order to work.
• Your Echo Dot can become damaged internally, which will cause it to not work properly
• Amazon Echos need to be updated frequently and do so automatically, which can cause some issues.
• An Echo Dot needs to be plugged into a power source in order to work and does not have a backup in case the power source fails.

Final Thoughts

In the case of using an Amazon Echo Dot in your home, the pros completely outway the cons. While one of the biggest complaints is that some people find their Echo shuts off randomly, this is usually a fairly simple fix.

So, next time your Amazon Echo turns off without notice, make sure to check your network as well as your settings, and you should be good to go. Take care.

Sources

Amazon Echo Keeps Lossing Connection

Most Common Amazon Echo Dot Problems and How To Fix Them