How To Fix Alexa Won’t Play Music Issue

Are you experiencing the Alexa won’t play music issue? There are several factors that can cause this problem such as a problem with the internet connection, no active subscription, or even a software glitch. To fix this you will need to perform several troubleshooting steps.

Amazon Alexa or Alexa is a virtual assistant technology that can reply to simple queries or perform various tasks using voice commands. It is used in the Echo speaker line of devices allowing users to get the latest news, check on the weather, or read emails just to name a few. There is no monthly fee required to use Alexa however an internet connection is required.

Best way to fix Alexa won’t play music from Amazon Music

Best way to fix Alexa won't play music from Amazon Music

One of the many features of Alexa is the ability to play streaming music from the Amazon Music app or even Apple Music. Instead of manually pressing the speaker physical buttons all you need to do is use voice commands. Sometimes though Alexa won’t play music no matter what commands you use.

Here’s what you need to do to fix Alexa won’t play music issue.

Solution 1: Check the internet connection

The first thing you need to do in this case is to check your internet speed. Since you are going to stream music you will need to have a good internet connection. A slow internet connection or a poor internet connection will cause the Alexa not playing music issue.

To determine if this is an internet related issue you should try doing a speed test.

Checking your internet speed

Open a browser on your smartphone.

Go to speedtest.net. This is an online speed test tool that is free to use.

Click on Go. This will start the speed test.

In order to stream music you should have a good download and upload speed result. The results should match your subscription plan from your internet service provider.

If you have a slow or no internet then you can check if this is caused by an issue with your Wi-Fi network.

  • Turn off your Amazon Echo device or smartphone with Amazon Alexa app.
  • Unplug your Modem and Router from the power source.
  • Wait for a minute then plug your modem and router back into the power source.
  • Wait until the lights turn back on.
  • Turn on the Amazon Echo device or smartphone with Amazon Alexa app..
  • Reconnect your Echo device or smartphone with Amazon Alexa app to the internet.

Try to check if you are now able to use Alexa with your music service.

Here’s what you can do to get a stable internet .

  • Try to disconnect other devices connected to the Wi-Fi router while you use the Alexa app. or Echo device This will allow the Fire TV Stick to use the maximum internet bandwidth.
  • Move the Echo device or smartphone closer to the router . This will allow the device to get a much stronger Wi-Fi signal strength.
  • If you have a dual band router try to connect to the 5Ghz band instead of the 2.4.

Solution 2: Restart Echo device

One of the common reasons why Echo devices will not play songs on your voice command is because of a software glitch. You should try to power cycle the Echo device to refresh its software as this will usually fix this particular problem.

power cycle echo devices

Turn off your Echo device.

Unplug your Amazon Echo power cable from the power source.

Wait for a minute before plugging the Echo device then turn it on.

Once your device has turned on try to check if it can play music.

Solution 3: Check the Amazon Echo volume setting

There’s a possibility that the problem is simply caused by the volume setting set too low. your Amazon Echo might already be playing music but you can’t hear it because the volume is low.

You can increase the volume of Amazon Echo using voice commands or you can manually do this.

Adjust volume of Echo

Open the Alexa app.

Access the menu then go to Settings.

Click on Device Settings.

Select the Echo device you want to adjust.

Adjust the audio slider to increase the volume.

After increasing the volume you should now hear Amazon Echo play music.

Solution 4: Confirm your subscription

If you are using Amazon Echo for Amazon Prime or Amazon Music Unlimited then you will need to have an active subscription to be able to stream music.

Checking your subscription status

Access your Amazon account from a browser.

Click your name next tp the country flag to access the menu.

Click on Memberships & Subscriptions.

Check your subscriptions.

Solution 5: Set Amazon Music as the default music service

Alexa will not play music from Amazon Music if it is not set as the default music provider. If you have various music streaming services available such as YouTube Music, Spotify Music, and Apple Music just to name a few and you need to use the Amazon Music service then you will need to specifically mention the music service.

In order to avoid constantly mentioning Amazon Music when playing music then you should just make it as your default music provider.

Setting default services

Open the Alexa app.

Tap More.

Tap Settings.

Select Music & Podcasts.

Tap Default Services.

Tap Change Music to the existing default music service to Amazon Music.

Solution 6: Update your country settings on Amazon

Most of the services provided by Amazon will work on certain countries or regions. If you are using Alexa in a different country form the region set in your account then this might be what’s causing the issue. If you travel constantly then you will need to update your country settings as well.

Change country setting in Amazon

  • Go to the Amazon website and login to your account from a web browser.
  • Click the three horizontal lines on the top left corner.
  • Scroll down to lost and click the country flag.
  • Click the country name. A drop down menu will show countries.
  • Select the country of your current location.

Solution 7: Move your Music account to your current location

If you are now located in a different country and you have not yet updated the Amazon Music settings then you should do so as to avoid any playback issues from occurring.

Move your music account

  • Login to your Amazon Music account on a web browser.
  • Click the settings icon and then select “Your Amazon Music Settings”.
  • Scroll down to find “Amazon Music Account Country/Region” and click ‘Move your Music account’.
  • Scroll down to find “Amazon Music Account Country/Region” and click “Move your Music account”’.

Solution 8: Check Amazon Echo Settings

You need to make sure that your Amazon Echo settings are not outdated in order for Alexa to work properly.

Checking settings

  • Open the Alexa app and tap “Devices”
  • Tap “Echo & Alexa”.
  • Select the Echo device that is not responding to music commands.
  • Check the “Device Location”, “Time Zone”, and “Language”. Update them if you are in a different location or time zone.

Solution 9: Check the network firewall

Your router might have a built-in firewall that’s blocking certain ports. You need to make sure that your router is not blocking the ports that Alexa is using.

Checking the network firewall

  • Access your router admin page. This is usually 192.198.1.1 on most routers.
  • Go to the settings or configurations option.
  • Find a section that says Port Forwarding.
  • Check if these open ports are present: 123, 33434, 4070, 443, 40317, 49317, 5353

Solution 10: Turn off explicit language filter

There is a setting in Alexa that blocks songs that contain explicit language. This means that if you request a particular song that has explicit language and the explicit filter is active then it won’t play the song. you need to turn off the explicit filter to fix this issue.

Turning off explicit filter

  • Go to the Alexa app’s settings.
  • Click on Music & Podcasts.’
  • Select Explicit Language Filter.
  • Turn off Explicit Filter’ and Voice Deactivation.

Solution 11: Reconnect your Echo to the internet

If your Echo device got disconnected form the internet then it won’t be able to play music. The disconnection might be due to a new password or the WiFi name might have changed. To fix this you need to reconnect the Echo device.

Reconnecting Echo to the internet

  • Go to the Alexa app’s settings.
  • Click on Music & Podcasts.
  • Select Explicit Language Filter.
  • Turn off Explicit Filter and Voice Deactivation.

Solution 12: Reset your Amazon Echo settings

If the above troubleshooting steps fails then you should consider resetting the Amazon Echo device.

Reset first generation device

The reset button is found at the bottom of the device. Use a paperclip to press this button for a few seconds until the light turns off and on.

Reset second generation device

Click and hold the Microphone button and Volume down button for several seconds until the light turns orange.

Reset third generation device

Click and hold the dot or action button for 30 seconds until the light turns orange.

Reset Amazon Echo Show

Click and hold the Mute and Volume down buttons for at least 20 seconds until the Amazon logo shows on the screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why is Alexa not playing any sound or audio?

    You should try checking the volume settings as this might be set too low. Adjust the volume settings to maximum level then check if the sound can be heard.

  2. Why won't my Alexa play on all devices?

    You need to make sure that all of the Alexa devices streaming music are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a router that has a 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless network then make sure that all devices are connected to the same wireless network.

  3. Why does Alexa stop playing music?

    There are various reasons why Alexa will stop playing music such as a weak Wi-Fi signal, the Echo device is being blocked by thick walls, an expired subscription, or the song you are trying to listen to is no longer available.

  4. Can Alexa play music without Amazon music?

    Yes it can still play music from other music services such as Apple Music, pandora, Deezer, tidal, and TuneIn just to name a few.

  5. Alexa already says it is playing music but it can't be heard

    This issue could be due to a slow internet or Alexa can't find the song you have requested.


Posts You Might Like

Leave a Comment