If you decide to buy an amazon echo speaker or echo show to get started in the smart home theme, you automatically commit yourself to the voice assistant alexa. The amazon smart home scores points, for example, with its simple setup, which can be completed in just a few steps. But sometimes there are annoying or faulty functions. We explain how users can fix five typical problems and make amazon echo easy to use again.
- Melanie Baumann
- 30.01.2022
- The amazon echo speaker can not connect to the WLAN
- Alexa does not respond to voice commands- these are possible reasons
- Amazon echo can not play music streaming services
- New devices are not found in the alexa app
- Data protection concerns with amazon echo and echo show
The amazon echo speaker can not connect to the WLAN
A WLAN connection is absolutely necessary to operate amazon echo speakers and amazon echo shows. Sometimes, however, there can be connection problems already during setup or even in everyday use. This can have several reasons:
During setup: especially with long WLAN passwords a typing error can happen quickly. Perhaps a spelling mistake has crept in or a number was overlooked when entering the data? A multiple input can be annoying, but one try also counts as a simple solution.
General WLAN problemIf there are connection problems, echo users should check if other devices are also temporarily disconnected from the internet. If this is the case, it is worthwhile to turn the router on and off again once. If only the echo device is affected, the speaker should also be disconnected from the power supply for a short moment.
Position the Echo correctlysometimes connection problems are due to wrong positioning. Echo speakers and echo shows should be close to the router. Thick walls or other interfering factors can limit the range or prevent a stable connection.
Loaded WLANMany connected devices can overload the WLAN. It may therefore help to disconnect or turn off unneeded components from the internet. Sometimes it is also worth to change the frequency. Some routers support 2.4 and 5 ghz.
Amazon server problems: there might also be problems with the amazon server. In this case, wait until the problem has been solved, the faulty connection cannot be solved by the user himself. A LOOK AT ALLIANCE.De reveals if other alexa users are also experiencing problems.
Echo speaker reset: as one of the last solutions, users should reset their amazon echo to factory settings. How this works exactly and which steps are necessary for each echo model, we show in our alexa how-to reset amazon echo in case of problems- here’s how.
Alexa does not respond to voice commands- these are possible reasons
With an amazon echo speaker, many compatible devices can be operated on demand and alexa gives an answer to almost all questions. But what can be the reasons when alexa stops responding? We show possible sources of error:
Amazon echo malfunction: is alexa able to listen??
Maybe there is too much noise in the room or you are speaking the activation word "alexa speaking too softly, so amazon’s voice assistant does not hear the command. One thing to try would be to speak a little louder or move closer to the echo speaker. If there are acoustic interference factors, such as e.g. B. Music from a laptop or traffic over the open window, these noises ideally reduce.
Amazon echo malfunction: is alexa set too low??
It may be that the amazon echo device is set too quiet and therefore just not understandable that alexa has responded. Users should readjust in this case and increase the volume by pressing a button on the speaker or echo show.
Amazon echo malfunction: power connection?
It sounds simple, but maybe amazon echo is not responding because the speaker is not connected to power. ÜCheck if this is the case. Possibly there is also a cable break. Then the cable should be urgently replaced for safety reasons, he said.
Amazon echo malfunction: are the microphones turned on??
Users should pay attention to the color of the light ring after an alexa voice command is given. If it is blue, amazon echo is processing the request. If the light ring is red, the microphones are switched off and alexa does not respond to the activation word. Users then only need to press the corresponding microphone button on echo or echo show, and the microphones will be activated again.
In smaller instructions, we explain what the different light colors on amazon echo devices mean and whether they also indicate malfunctions:
Amazon echo can not play music streaming services
an amazon echo is not only a tool to control alexa compatible devices, but also provides entertainment. Many users play music and optionally on demand. But this can also cause problems. For example, if the desired music streaming service is not played. Then an actually practical use becomes an annoying function. We reveal helpful solutions.
Amazon echo malfunction: are there internet problems?
As with the operation of echo itself, an internet connection is also required for streaming music. If there are WLAN problems, we recommend to try the above mentioned solutions. This means users should check if there are general internet problems, for example, or if the WLAN is overloaded, or make sure that the password was entered correctly during setup.
Amazon echo malfunction: is the correct default service selected??
Amazon echo will only directly play streaming services that have been selected as the default service. Without change, this is amazon music from the start. Should be set to "alexa, play music.“ or "alexa, continue my podcast.“ instead of accessing spotify, users can do this by following a few steps in the alexa app (android | ios).
For this in the app in the start menu in the bottom right corner tap on "more tap, then on "settings, „music and podcasts", if needed "connect new services and then at "standard services select the desired streaming service, e.g. B. Spotify, select.
New devices are not found in the alexa app
It is actually quite simple to add new devices via the amazon alexa app. However, if a smart home device is not recognized or found, we recommend the following steps:
- The smart home device must be compatible with alexa. Otherwise, the component may not even be recognized by echo.
- Sometimes it is necessary to set up the device via the manufacturer’s own app before integrating it into the alexa app.
- Users should verify that the credentials in the apps have been entered correctly. It can often be that a typing error creeps in, an incorrect blank character or the first letter is automatically capitalized at the beginning of the entry has been set.
- It sounds obligatory, but it can be the solution to the problem: users should restart amazon echo, the alexa app and the smart home device, and then try to add new devices again.
- If there is an alexa skill to the device, that application should also be disabled and re-enabled.
- Some connectivity issues may arise if latest software updates are missing. Update the devices for a successful installation.
- All devices should be in the same WLAN.
- For components that require an additional control center, such as z. B. The philips hue lighting system, must in this case the philips hue bridge if necessary. Also to be started before connecting the devices.
- Final let the devices detect again, z. B. Via voice command "alexa, discover my devices".
privacy concerns with amazon echo and echo show
With the thought of a smart speaker, many users have privacy concerns. On the one hand, there is the fear that voice assistants could unintentionally record conversations permanently, and on the other hand, that echo shows with a camera could secretly record video or hackers could get a glimpse into the apartment. Useful benefits can then quickly become annoying features. We recommend the following security measures:
When does amazon alexa listen?
Many suspect behind voice assistants spies who are always listening. but in fact amazon promises that voice recordings will only be actively processed after the activation word has been said. this is at amazon "alexa", alternatively also "computer, „echo", „amazon" and "ziggy" also announced for 2022.
In our introduction, we reveal how users can change the activation word: alexa name here’s how.
Deleting activity logs with alexa
Alexa works via a cloud. The more information collected, the better and more customized amazon’s voice assistant can respond to its users’ commands.
The alexa app lets you track your progress. This means that users can track how they interacted with their amazon echo: yesterday they asked about the weather, today they can have their favorite playlist played and important appointments read aloud. If you think this is a data collecting frenzy and you feel insecure, you can also delete the activity history.
To do this, click on "more" in the lower left corner of the alexa app tap, then "activities and then "voice history select. The display can be set for different periods of time. Besides "today" also "yesterday, „last 7 days", „last 30 days", „entire course" or "custom. Depending on the filter, the recordings can be filtered using the option below and deleted if desired.
NoteIf users delete the activity history, alexa’s responses become less accurate. The more alexa knows, the better and more accurately it can adapt and learn from its user. With deleting this added value is lost.
Turn off microphones and camera of echo devices
If the above measures are still too uncertain for you, you can also take further steps. Every amazon echo device has a microphone off button. Then the ring of the echo speaker will turn red and alexa will not even respond to the activation word. amazon echo show devices can also have their microphones muted.
Since echo show devices also have a camera, manufacturer amazon has also thought about the privacy of its users. A slider can optionally be slid over the lens.
