A smart speaker can exist a wonderful affair, especially for busy people. You can use it to add items to your shopping list, call your family, search for recipes, play your favorite music, or even play games. And all of that is possible with just the use of your vocalization.

But a smart speaker, like an Amazon Echo with Alexa, tin also be a pain in the neck, especially when information technology fails to do the one thing it'due south designed to—understand your commands.

So if your Alexa keeps saying "I'm having trouble understanding you correct at present," we're hither to help ready it.

Why Is Alexa Having Trouble Understanding?

echo dot red light

Equally smart as information technology is, an Amazon Echo is but a device, which tin suffer from technical issues. Luckily, most issues are easy enough to gear up—once you get to the root of the trouble.

When Alexa is having trouble understanding, the first thing y'all demand to know is that it'southward non cleaved, and you don't demand to get a new device. The problem here is not with the device itself, simply with the connection.

Means to Fix Alexa Having Trouble Understanding

1. Try a Elementary Restart

Have you tried turning it off and on once again? This communication is the nigh mutual ane in tech support, as it solves and then many bug. The same is true for the Amazon Repeat.

If you can't become it to understand, just unplug information technology from its ability source, which is either the wall or a battery-powered speaker. Wait a few seconds, connect information technology again, and wait for the blueish light to stop circling before you try to talk to Alexa once more.

2. Cheque Your Wi-Fi

Alexa can but piece of work if it's continued to the cyberspace. So if your connexion is down, the device won't work also.

Check if the net is working on other devices, similar your laptop or smartphone. If information technology is, and Alexa is withal non responding, try to reset your router and wait a few minutes before you talk to the device.

3. Come across If Alexa Is Connected to the Right Network

Maybe y'all but moved homes and forgot to change the Wi-Fi network on your Alexa app for iOS or Android. Or possibly you lot changed internet suppliers and forgot to update your Repeat. Perhaps someone played with your Alexa and inverse the network by mistake.

All of these can make Alexa non sympathize you. To check if that's the instance, go to the Alexa app on your phone, go to Devices, select your Echo and look under Wi-Fi Network to see that's connected to the right i. If not, tap Modify, and follow the steps on the screen.

four. Bring Alexa Closer to the Router

Fifty-fifty if your internet is but fine and the device is continued, the signal may not exist strong enough to reach Alexa. This tin happen if the router is on the other side of the house, or in a closet, for example.

To test if this is the case, place the Amazon Echo right side by side to your router. If it works when you do that, you may desire to get out your Alexa in that room or find a new location for the router.

5. Brand Sure the Software Is Updated

Alexa automatically connects to its servers on a daily basis to cheque for software updates. If your device is having trouble understanding, maybe it's because information technology couldn't download the latest version for some reason.

The easiest way to prompt Alexa to check for updated is to printing the mute push button for 30 seconds. Yous'll know the device is connecting to the server, one time the red light is gone and the blue round lite appears.

six. Endeavor a Factory Reset

As a last resort, yous can opt for a manufactory reset. This will erase your saved routines, alarms, and reminders, and basically revert the device to how it was when you outset plugged it in. Yet, this may be the thing to become it working again.

You tin can practise a manufactory reset through your app. Find your device on the app, as described in step 3. Nether Device Settings, coil down until you see Registered To. Tap Deregister to go on with the reset. You lot tin as well use the buttons on the device to practise this. Here'south the full guide on how to reset your Amazon Echo.

After you complete the factory reset, you'll have to reconnect it to your dwelling Wi-Fi in order for information technology to work. Here's how to connect Alexa to Wi-Fi with or without the app.

If Aught Works, Go to the Source

If you go through all of these steps, and you're Alexa is still having trouble understanding, the problem may be with Amazon itself.

Bank check to run into if Amazon servers are down with a site like DownDetector, or attain out to Amazon back up on their website.

Every Command You Can Say to Your Amazon Alexa

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About The Writer

Tal Imagor (54 Articles Published)

Tal Imagor has been a freelance Journalist and Content Writer for over 10 years, writing anything from newsletters to deep-dive feature articles. She'southward passionate writing well-nigh promoting sustainability, diversity and inclusion, especially inside the tech environment.

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