Understanding the Issue of Alexa Not Responding

Are you having trouble with Alexa not responding to your commands?

Worry not, because this is a common scenario that can be easily fixed. 

Alexa is a virtual device that replies to all your commands through the Amazon Echo device. As simple as this function seems, there could be a number of minor issues that can result in either delay or not letting Alexa function properly. 

Here are the steps you can take to understand and fix the issue of Alexa not responding. 

Common Scenarios: When Alexa Doesn't Respond

When Alexa doesn’t respond to your commands, it could result in confusion and frustration. The non-technical issue could be the distance of your voice frequency, or clarity in understanding your question. The technical problem could be loose wiring of the device, forgetting to power up the device, or even a weak network connection. 

Let’s find out about how to fix this in detail. 

Quick Troubleshooting Steps for Alexa Unresponsiveness

Below are given some quick steps to troubleshoot Alexa unresponsiveness. These are simple to apply and your device will be fixed in a short time.

• Most of the time the change of location of the device may affect the response system. 
• Make sure that you are using the power adapter that was included with the device. 
• Check that your device is not in the mute. The light indicator turns red when the mute mode is active. Make sure the microphone is turned ON. 
• Press the ACTION button to check the Echo device’s response. 
• Sometimes minor distractions like an adjacent wall or excessive background noise may also result in not hearing the response of Alexa. 
• Unplug your device and then plug it back in. 

Checking the Internet Connection and Wi-Fi Strength 

Another common situation that could hamper the working of your device is network connection and internet strength. To fix this:

• Recheck the power access of the Echo. Sometimes extreme weather or a power outage can disconnect the device. 
• Changing the Wi-Fi network can also create trouble connecting smartphones with Echo. Make sure both the app and the device are sharing the same network.
• Rephrasing your question can also help Alexa respond better. 
• A smarter way is to change the wake word for Alexa. These Alexa-supported wake words include - Amazon, Echo, Computer, and Alexa.
• Resetting Alexa on the factory default system can also fix the issue. 

Conclusion

These are all the reasons that Alexa might not be working properly. As you can see, the troubleshooting steps are easy to follow. If you can’t fix this issue, you might have to talk to your internet service provider. Once you get the hang of it, you will understand that fixing this issue is not that difficult and you can keep on enjoying the smooth Alexa experience like before.