Facing the “Alexa device is unresponsive” alert sure is frustrating. I've often run into this issue when trying to control all sorts of smart home gadgets with Alexa, whether it's through voice commands or using handy routines.
Note: This article tackles scenarios where the Alexa device is unresponsive and is successfully answering your voice commands, however the connected smart device (such as a Philips Hue Light Bulb, a Kasa Smart Plug, a Roomba Robot Vacuum, etc.) is not responding to Alexa.
If your actual Alexa device, such as an Amazon Echo speaker or display is not answering you, check out my other troubleshooting guide here.
1. If the Alexa Device is Unresponsive, Confirm the connected device has power
First things, first … make sure the device is plugged in! Sounds ridiculous, but you won’t believe how common a mistake this actually is. If you live with other people, it’s quite possible that a family member unplugged the device by accident. You could’ve done it yourself and just forgotten about it!
When dealing with smart light bulbs this is a more frustrating problem. If someone turns the light switch off, no power is getting to the bulb. As a result, Alexa can’t control the device as the smart bulb needs constant power.
2. If the Alexa Device is Unresponsive, Check your home Wi-Fi network
If your Alexa device is unresponsive, it might be time to check your internet connection or your home Wi-Fi. Your home network might be inactive or unstable, causing connectivity problems between Alexa and the device in question. Or your Wi-Fi network might be operational, however, your ISP is down so you have no internet connectivity.
Check Wi-Fi is working
To check this, I usually stand beside my router and connect to my Wi-Fi network on my smartphone, disable “mobile data” and then in Google, I search for “speed test”. Google has its own speed test in its search so by clicking that you can see what your internet speed is. When your Alexa device is unresponsive, it's helpful to check if other devices are connected to the same network, as this could be a sign of network issues.
Check Internet Connectivity
If you can connect to Wi-Fi but cannot get to the Google “speed test” screen, or the “speed test” has stalled, then there’s no data flowing from your internet service provider. In that case, I usually go back on “mobile data” and check online to see if there’s an ISP outage.
Possible Wi-Fi Range Issue
If the device Alexa is unresponsive and trying to connect to is a distance from your router, then it would have a low Wi-Fi signal. In this case, these devices can be much more susceptible to interference from other radio signals, or even physical obstructions like closed doors.
To check this there are a variety of Wi-Fi signal checker apps you can install on your phone. I usually just run the same Google “speed test” check, except this time I stand beside the device as opposed to the Wi-Fi router. If I cannot load Google from this distant location, then you may need to invest in a Wi-Fi extender or upgrade to mesh Wi-Fi to improve signal strength.
3. If the Alexa Device is Unresponsive, Power cycle your connected device (Turn it off and on again!)
Encountering an Alexa device that is unresponsive can often be resolved by simply rebooting the device or checking for any software updates. I talk a lot about turning things off and on again. As you can tell, it’s a useful technique for all kinds of devices.
To power cycle, you simply turn off your device completely and remove the plug from the outlet. Wait at least 30 seconds, though I recommend waiting a full minute in case any cached settings persist. Once that time has passed, you can plug the device back in and turn it on again. You’ve just successfully power-cycled your device!
It can’t hurt to also turn off and on your Alexa device (such as an Echo speaker), however, that isn’t usually where the problem lies.
Wi-Fi Router
If you think there may be network issues with the devices communicating, then it can also be worth power cycling your Wi-Fi router. Make sure to leave it unplugged for 1 minute for all caches to clear. If your Alexa device is unresponsive, ensuring it's within range of your Wi-Fi router and not blocked by physical obstructions can often solve the problem.
Once all of the devices boot back up, try the voice command again to see if Alexa can successfully communicate.
4. Verify the manufacturer’s app still works
A lot of smart devices have a separate app created by the manufacturer where you can control the device directly. Dealing with an Alexa device is unresponsive might require a quick check of the Alexa app to ensure the device is properly set up and connected.
Try opening the app and see if your device responds to commands from that app. If the device doesn’t respond, then the problem is not with Alexa but with the actual device.
In this instance, there are a few things to try …
- As in point 3, I’ve previously restarted both the device as well as closing and re-opening the app which sometimes works.
- I’ve checked online to see if the manufacturer is experiencing an outage. A lot of apps rely on cloud services which can go down from time to time.
- I’ve checked to see if the manufacturer’s app is fully up to date and if not, updated it.
- Other times I’ve had to delete the manufacturer's app from my phone and set the device back up again. Follow the instructions in Point 8 below for this.
5. Check Twitter (Also known as X!) to see if there is an Alexa or Device outage!
As mentioned above, a lot of smart home devices, including Alexa, rely on cloud services to operate. Every now and then those cloud services experience an outage which also knocks out your devices. This leads to the Alexa device is unresponsive and “the connected device is not responding” message.
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do when this happens but simply wait until the outage is resolved. I usually check Twitter to see if other people have encountered the same issue and if there is any ETA on when services will be resumed.
Cloud Dependency
This cloud reliance is a major risk with smart home devices, which is why there is a push towards “local-only” home automation. There have been cases where people have not been able to turn on their heating in the depths of winter, due to smart thermostat cloud outages.
In other cases, Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure have had partial outages. As these platforms power cloud services for a wide range of smart home manufacturers, the impact is felt far and wide.
6. If Alexa is Unresponsive, Check if the Skill is Enabled
If the problem is not with the manufacturer’s app, you’ll need to look at its connection to Alexa, which takes the form of a “Skill”.
Sometimes Skills can mysteriously become Disabled, which can be due to new permissions or new terms of service that need to be agreed upon. In those cases, the Skill Expires and needs to be re-enabled.
Note: I find it best to use the Alexa app as opposed to the Alexa web interface, as not all features and settings are supported online.
To find the relevant Alexa Skill …
- Click on “More,” proceed to “Skills & Games,” and select “Your Skills.”
- Look for the skill or device in question.
- If the device is not there, you’ll just need to add it. Click the Search icon and enter the app name and click “Enable to Use.” Follow the instructions and your voice commands should be back up and running.
7. Toggle the Alexa Skill off and on
If you find your device in Alexa’s Skills, then try Disabling and Re-enabling the Skill.
Disabling the skill unlinks your Alexa and Manufacturers accounts.
After clicking “Disable Skill”, look for your device in the “My Skills” section. If it’s no longer there, then you’ve successfully disabled it.
Make sure to restart the device before re-enabling the skill after disabling it, to flush all cached settings
To re-enable the skill, search for it via the search icon in the top right of the screen. You will need to provide permission to link again.
This has worked for me before when the manufacturer made changes to the app's authentication requiring an account relinking.
Note: If you are still getting the message Alexa is unresponsive, you may also need to delete and re-add the “device” under “Devices” at the bottom of the Alexa App. This involves clicking on the device, clicking the gear icon, and then the bin icon. From there you’ll need to re-add the device from the manufacturer's app.
8. Update the device manufacturer’s app and the Alexa app to the latest version
It’s possible that Alexa no longer supports the older version of the device manufacturer's app that you have installed.
Or you could have a really old version of the Amazon Alexa app, which could be causing you problems.
Update Apps
To update them, go to Google Play or the App Store, and search for the installed apps to see if an update is available.
If so click update to download the latest version. On successful installation, open up the app to ensure you can still control the device.
Finally, test the Alexa voice command again to see if it works.
Tip: You can also ask “Alexa, check for updates” to see if everything is as it should be.
9. Uninstall and reinstall the device manufacturer’s app
If your Alexa device is still unresponsive, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the manufacturer's app to resolve the problem. As you can see above, updating the app version usually doesn’t require you to set up the device again -whereas this approach will.
Note: Depending on the app, you may lose some app data or settings with this approach.
- For this you’ll firstly need to disable the specific “Skill” from Alexa’s app (under More > Skills & Games > Your Skills > Skill > Settings > Disable Skill)
- Then Uninstall the app from your phone. On Android you can do this by holding the app icon and hitting “Uninstall”. On iOS, hold the app icon and hit “Remove App” and then “Delete App”
- Again it’s not a bad idea at this point to plug out and plug in the device, to flush any cached settings.
- Now go to the App Store or Google Play, find and install the latest version of the app.
- Log in to your account and follow the steps to add the device again, if required.
- Now that you can control the device using the manufacturers app again, go to the Alexa App, search and enable the Skill to voice control it.
10. Update the device firmware to the latest version
The device Alexa is attempting to control runs on firmware, which is essentially software that makes the device work. This firmware is different from the manufacturer's app, which is used to communicate with the device.
Much like any other software, device firmware is not always perfect and can be prone to bugs and other system errors. You can get rid of some of these errors and speed up your device by upgrading its firmware.
There is usually a section within the manufacturer's app where you can see the current version of the device's firmware and if any updates are available.
If there are updates, then it’s worth installing them and then testing out the voice command again to see if that solves the problem.
11. Router Settings
In researching this article, I read how some users have had issues with certain brands of Wi-Fi routers. In other cases, recent firmware updates to routers that previously worked, activated a tighter security protocol, causing the problem.
This tighter security policy blocked devices from communicating with each other on the same Wi-Fi network, resulting in the “Alexa Device is Unresponsive” message.
- AP Isolation: AP (Access Point) Isolation is a security feature present on some routers that prevents devices connected to the Wi-Fi network from communicating with each other. Enabling this feature may prevent your Alexa device from sending commands to other smart devices on your network.
- Client Isolation: Similar to AP Isolation, Client Isolation also blocks communication between devices on the same network. If you are having trouble with Alexa not communicating with other devices, this setting may be worth investigating.
- UPnP (Universal Plug and Play): UPnP allows devices on a network to discover each other and establish functional network services. Disabling UPnP can cause issues with device communication on your network, as it's used by many smart devices to easily connect and interact.
- MAC Address Filtering: MAC address filtering enhances security by permitting router traffic exclusively from approved devices. If your Alexa or smart device isn't on the approved list, communication issues may arise.
- Guest Network: If your Alexa device and the smart device you're trying to control are not on the same Wi-Fi network, they may not be able to communicate with each other.
- Firewall Settings: Some routers have built-in firewalls for additional security. Overly strict firewall settings may prevent your Alexa device from communicating with other devices on your network.
12. Factory reset the device
If all else fails, and you still are experiencing the Alexa device is unresponsive message, you can still try a factory reset of the device Alexa is trying to connect to. A factory reset wipes the device completely and returns it to its original form. The problem with performing a factory reset is that the device’s memory will be erased. That’s why most people save this solution to be used as a last resort.
Different devices follow different procedures for performing a hard reset. It usually involves holding certain buttons for a specific amount of time. I recommend you check the user manual of the device to find out how to perform a factory reset.
Once complete, you can set up the device again in the manufacturer's app, relink the Alexa Skill and try the voice command again.
Conclusion
I hope the above tips help in getting rid of the Alexa device is unresponsive error message.
Trying to get two devices from different manufacturers to talk to each other can be very frustrating. Even more frustrating if dealing with their customer support and they blame each other!
Leave a comment below if none of these tips worked or let me know what worked for you!
23 Comments
Dale Cary
I have 6 devices connected to Alexa linked through the Kasa app. One of the devices became unresponsive in Alexa after an Android update and the other 5 devices worked fine. The one device still worked using the Kasa app. I was finally able to fix it by removing the device in the Kasa app and reinstalling it.
Steve Hunt
I have 4 echo devices on my network. I also have a number of smart plugs. One of my echo devices always tells me that the “device” is not responding whe I ask it to be turned on/off. The smart plugs all work when controlled through the remaining 3 echo devices or through the apps on my phone. Any ideas?
Bob
In my case, a router upgrade increased the security level on the firewall and restricted packets to http/dns/ftp. This meant Alexa could see the devices but couldn’t communicate over the net to operate them. I lowered the security to allow all packets WAN to LAN. I have no idea what protocol Alexa and Ring use.
Tracy
I have the original Alexa… the large one. Power went off and now she won’t turn back on. I’ve tried all the tricks I know of, but she is unresponsive. Can anyone help me please?
Denise Monteilh
My Sony Smart TV had a responsive alexa for 18 month One day she stopped responding. I have done just about everything to get her to work .i can see it still resoind in a way..like typing “Try saying “”””” and gives examples..nothing works. She will do nothing I ask. I accindently have my TV connected to my echo show but she doesn’t resond at all either except to say “Something went wrong”
Laurie A.
Both of my Sengled smart bulbs became unresponsive at the same time. The porch light had been in use for three or four months, the bedroom light for about a month. They were both set up through the Alexa app with no problems. I added the Sengled app in hopes of correcting the problem but it didn’t do anything more than the Alexa app. I did get the bedroom light working again but the porch multi-color light will not. It cycles through the blinking and the colors but refuses to pair with Alexa. Alexa does not recognize the device. I contacted Sengled but have not received a response as of yet. Very frustrating.
danny gideon
All 3 of my echo dots stopped working at the same time I went on my phone Alexa app and can’t even get on that I ha e done everything!
Jef
Alexa no longer controls any of my smart things devices. It says server unavailable. All items are connected and can be controlled by smart things app.
JB
I bought a brand new Alexa, brand new smart bulbs that say they are compatible with Alexa. Send a couple hours trying to pair them and reset everything from my router to my apps. I’ve decided to keep the Alexa for a timer and weather and news alerts. But I’m sending the smart bulbs back. I thought it would be a nice novelty to be able to control them with my Alexa, but this is way too frustrating. Don’t waste your money
Janet Oge
My Merkury bulb (Geeni App) worked fine for a few months. A few days ago, I couldn’t control it with Alexa. I reset it and can now control it with the Geeni app but Alexa still can’t see it. I also bought an Alexa controlled TV that I never got to work. She could “see” it, but said it was unresponsive. : /
I’m getting pretty tired of Alexa refusing to work with things. On the plus side, at least she is still a nice timer for cooking and can tell me the weather.
Deb
All of my devices became unresponsive at once with Alexa. This includes smart bulbs and plugs from different manufacturers. I’ve followed all of the recommendations and still can’t get Alexa to work. We even tried removing a device and Alexa cannot now find it. Help!
Andy
Same here. They all became unresponsive. After about two hours of uninstalling and re-discovering each of them, they worked for about 24 hours before it happened again. Incredibly frustrating and cannot seem to find a solution.
Brittany
Hello. I have 5 Philips Hue bluetooth bulbs which do not require a philips hub and there is no Alexa skill for BT bulbs. Everything worked perfectly for about a year and now every week or so random bulbs are unresponsive. I remove them from the Alexa app and add them back through discovery however the majority of the time Alexa still can’t connect. I’ve been on calls for hours with Alexa support and more than not it’s a ping pong match between Amazon telling me to contact Philips and Phillips telling me to contact Amazon. The lights always work fine through the Philips app so I don’t think it’s an issue on that end. This technology is amazing when it works but mostly it’s a huge annoyance.
I’m open to any suggestions you may have. Thanks in advance.
JD
same issue with Phillips bulb, worked fine for almost 1 year then became unresponsive…might just switch to all smart plugs.
Jonny
#5 worked for me. Thanks!
Lisa
I bought a shark robot vacuum & Alexa recognizes the device but thinks it’s powered off & unresponsive.
Susie Ford
Delete the shark App if there is one and reinstall it. This is what fixed the same problem with my Philips Hue lights
Priscilla Bender
I have an Alexa that I have had for several years. It stopped working and nothing I do to reconnect it is working. It is currently in set up mode with the orange ring going around but nothings works. Any suggestions?
Steve Ellis
Alexa will not respond to my voice.
Already have:
Reset to factory
Added iPhone app & reset my voice profile
Power cycled several times
Cleaned & air blasted unit
Please help.
Susie Ford
Can you reach out to the company itself? Who did you buy it from, can you return it? I bet it’s still under warranty (which is longer than you might think) so contact the company that made it.
Ken Whitson
It’s becoming an every day pain in the butt. Always with our lamps which have smart bulbs that use the Wiz app along with Alexa. Wiz can always get the lights to respond, but for Alexa, it frequently requires messing with it.
Sometimes recycling the lamps, sometimes rebooting the Echo, once disconnecting Wiz from Alexa and reconnecting…but it’s always something. Works for about half a day then takes a dump. Pfffttt!!!!
Maureen Kelly
Nothing worked. Not one damned thing. I am so pissed off right now I want to throw the whole lot into the trash and forget about it all!!!
Daniel Walsh
Hi Maureen,
It looks like the Tuya / Smart Life cloud service had an outage for a number of hours on the 10th of June which was the problem.
Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done during those times as the issue is out of users hands. (Other than complaining directly to the manufacturer!)
It’s difficult to avoid dependencies on cloud services with smart home devices (as Alexa itself is a cloud service). I’d recommend reading up on Hubitat or Home Assistant if you are interested in deploying a “local-only” smart home network (with no cloud service dependencies).
Best of luck
Daniel