4 common Amazon Alexa problems and how to fix them
An Alexa speaker, such as the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Amazon Tap, can be a great addition to any living room, kitchen, or even a bedroom.
Especially in a smart home.
And typically, after the initial set up, there's not a lot of tweaking or maintenance that needs to be done.
But that doesn't mean that things can't go wrong.
Here are four common problems with Alexa speakers and how to fix them.
If you're having trouble connecting a smart home device to your Alexa speaker, first make sure it's a natively supported device.
While the list of compatible devices is growing, many of those devices are actually only compatible through a third-party skill from the skill catalog To add a new device, open the Elect app on your smartphone and go to Smart Home in the left menu.
Under Your Devices click Discover Devices.
If your device can't be discovered, go to the Skill section, also in the left menu, and search for the brand of your Smart Home device.
If there is a skill available, enable it and follow the on screen instructions for connecting it through the skill instead.
Even if your device is not natively supported, or there is no skill available, you're not entirely out of luck.
There's an instance in that channel for Alexa which connects it to many other SmartHome devices.
That would not otherwise be compatible.
If you're having trouble with the Alexa speaker disconnecting from your network regularly there are a few things you can try.
First power cycle everything.
Unplug the router, the modem, and the speaker.
Then restore power after a few minutes.
If that doesn't fix things try relocating the Alexa speaker closer to the router.
And away from other devices.
If that doesn't work and you haven't already, you may want to consider switching your Alexa speaker from a 2.4 gigahertz network to 5 gigahertz to decrease interference.
You may also notice that the Alexa speaker doesn't hear you quite as well as it used to.
This could be explained by things being added around the speaker and it being cluttered or the speaker physically moving closer to the wall.
To fix this, try to remove obstruction from the speaker and keep it at least eight inches away from the wall.
Also consider what's around the speaker.
If it's near a noisy appliance or air vent, you may want to relocate it to another part of the room.
And finally, you can try voice training, which is under settings in the Alexa app.
Voice training will have you read 25 phrases aloud in a typical voice from a typical distance, so Alexa can better understand you.
And finally, due to increased popularity, marketing, and sometimes pure coincidence, The television can activate your speaker if you're watching a tv show or movie that has any of the wake words included, or anything that is audibly similar.
While harmless, it is a nuisance, and there are three things you can do to help prevent it.
One, simply move the Alexa speaker further from the television so it doesn't pick up on the audio from the sound system quite as well.
Two, hit the mute switch So it stops listening to audio all together.
Or three, change the wake word that is used commonly in the show or move that you're watching.
Be sure to check out CNET.com/howto for more Alexa tips.
Amazon Introduces New Ring and Blink Devices
Up Next
Amazon Introduces New Ring and Blink Devices
Find Free Wi-Fi Near You to Stay Connected
Find Free Wi-Fi Near You to Stay Connected
Incandescent Light Bulbs Are About to Be Extinct
Incandescent Light Bulbs Are About to Be Extinct
Eufy Video Doorbell Dual Review: Are Two Cameras Really Better?
Eufy Video Doorbell Dual Review: Are Two Cameras Really Better?
Amazon Smart Thermostat vs. Wyze Thermostat: Comparing Affordable Smarts
Amazon Smart Thermostat vs. Wyze Thermostat: Comparing Affordable Smarts
Biggest announcements from Amazon's fall event
Biggest announcements from Amazon's fall event
MyQ's smart doggy door can open at your pup's command
MyQ's smart doggy door can open at your pup's command
Samsung's newest lineup of CES robots includes a butler to pick up your messes
Samsung's newest lineup of CES robots includes a butler to pick up your messes
Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen) review: Dot, Dot, Dot...
Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen) review: Dot, Dot, Dot...
All of the announcements from Amazon's crazy fall event
All of the announcements from Amazon's crazy fall event
Tech Shows
The Apple Core
The Apple Core
Alphabet City
Alphabet City
CNET Top 5
CNET Top 5
The Daily Charge
The Daily Charge
What the Future
What the Future
Tech Today
Tech Today
Cooley On Cars
Cooley On Cars
Carfection
Carfection
The Apple Core
The Apple Core
Alphabet City
Alphabet City
CNET Top 5
CNET Top 5
The Daily Charge
The Daily Charge
What the Future
What the Future
Tech Today
Tech Today
Cooley On Cars
Cooley On Cars
Carfection
Carfection
Latest News
Microsoft Announces First Surface Copilot Plus PCs Powered by Qualcomm
Microsoft Announces First Surface Copilot Plus PCs Powered by Qualcomm
Everything Announced at Microsoft's Surface Copilot + PC Event
Everything Announced at Microsoft's Surface Copilot + PC Event
Android 15: See New Features in Action
Android 15: See New Features in Action
If Apple Makes Siri Like ChatGPT or Gemini, I'm Done
If Apple Makes Siri Like ChatGPT or Gemini, I'm Done
Bose SoundLink Max Review: How Does It Compare to the Cheaper SoundLink Flex?
Bose SoundLink Max Review: How Does It Compare to the Cheaper SoundLink Flex?
Hands-On With Huawei's Pura 70 Ultra
Hands-On With Huawei's Pura 70 Ultra
I Tried Three Fitness Apps to Help My Postpartum Recovery
I Tried Three Fitness Apps to Help My Postpartum Recovery
How Many Times Did Google Say AI at I/O 2024?
How Many Times Did Google Say AI at I/O 2024?
I Tried Google's Project Astra
I Tried Google's Project Astra
Everything Google Just Announced at I/O 2024
Everything Google Just Announced at I/O 2024
Microsoft Announces First Surface Copilot Plus PCs Powered by Qualcomm
Microsoft Announces First Surface Copilot Plus PCs Powered by Qualcomm
Everything Announced at Microsoft's Surface Copilot + PC Event
Everything Announced at Microsoft's Surface Copilot + PC Event
Android 15: See New Features in Action
Android 15: See New Features in Action
If Apple Makes Siri Like ChatGPT or Gemini, I'm Done
If Apple Makes Siri Like ChatGPT or Gemini, I'm Done
Bose SoundLink Max Review: How Does It Compare to the Cheaper SoundLink Flex?
Bose SoundLink Max Review: How Does It Compare to the Cheaper SoundLink Flex?
Hands-On With Huawei's Pura 70 Ultra
Hands-On With Huawei's Pura 70 Ultra
I Tried Three Fitness Apps to Help My Postpartum Recovery
I Tried Three Fitness Apps to Help My Postpartum Recovery
How Many Times Did Google Say AI at I/O 2024?
How Many Times Did Google Say AI at I/O 2024?
I Tried Google's Project Astra
I Tried Google's Project Astra
Everything Google Just Announced at I/O 2024