How to Diagnose Streaming Issues With Amazon Alexa
By Timothy Tibbetts |
Streaming issues with Amazon Alexa devices can be frustrating to diagnose. Here are the steps you can take to diagnose internet and streaming problems.
There are numerous steps everyone should take to ensure that their Wi-Fi signal is the clearest possible between your Alexa device and your router. We're going to begin by looking at known solutions with Alexa devices, then move on to the internet and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.
1: Restart Your Alexa Device and Router
Restarting your devices is simply the first place to start to "refresh" your router and Alexa.
Unplug your router and wait at least one minute. Plug your router back in and wait for it to boot. A reboot can take 5-10 minutes with some routers, so be patient.
Restarting your Alexa device:
Amazon Echo - On the first-generation Echo, use a paper clip to press and hold the Reset button. Release after the ring light goes off, then on. On the second generation, press and hold the Microphone Off and Volume down buttons at the same time until the orange ring appears (about 20 seconds).
Amazon Echo Dot - On the Second-generation, hold the Microphone Off and Volume down buttons simultaneously. Wait until the light ring turns orange and release. On the third generation, press and hold the Action button for 25 seconds and release.
Amazon Echo Plus - On the first-generation Echo, use a paper clip to press and hold the Reset button. Release after the ring light goes off, then on. On the third generation, press and hold the Action button for 25 seconds and release it after the light turns off and on.
Amazon Echo Show or Spot - The Echo Show and Spot work differently. Say Alexa, go to settings or swipe down from the top of the screen and select Settings. Select Device Options. Click on Reset to Factory Defaults, but retain Smart Home Device Connections or to completely reset your Show or Spot select Reset to Factory Defaults..
Amazon Echo Sub - Press and hold the Action button for 25 seconds.
If a reset failed, you could reregister your device. Log into your Alexa app, go to Devices, and select your device. Scroll to the bottom and click on deregister.
2: Optimize Your Router and Alexa Locations
You want your router centrally located in your home. Do not rule out strange locations like an upper closet shelf on the first floor if your home has two or more levels.
Most wireless connections are optimal when the router and connected devices are 10-20 feet away. The farther away your device is from your router, the worse the signal will be. Opinions vary, but anything beyond 30 or 40 feet is too far for maximum performance in our experience. If you're farther than 40 feet, purchase a repeater.
If you have metal anywhere between the router and your Amazon Alexa devices, this can also cause interference. You may have noticed that metal sliding doors create weak signals when you walk through them.
3: Change Your Wireless Channel and Try 5 GHz
Changing the channel is an excellent idea if you are picking up a lot of other wireless signals. Most modern routers can automatically select the best channel, but you can tweak this to force it on a channel that works best for you. In today's home, you can be on the same channel as your cordless phone, microwave, garage door opener, and many, many more. Many routers go out with the default channel six, so changing your channel can be great to get on a different channel than your neighbors.
If you read up on the best channel to choose, it is a hot debate because everyone's situation is different. Why sit at your computer for hours and guess the best channel when you can let inSSIDer see what channel is best? Download inSSIDer, install and scan. Set your channel as far away as possible from busy channels.
You will need to log in to your router to do this. Please check for your documentation or download it from your router manufacturer. Most routers ship with a basic or no password, so consider setting up a new password once you log in. Linksys has a tutorial here that shows you how to change your channel, and it should be similar to any router. Step 1 of that tutorial also includes a link on how to log in to your router.
Also, wireless N routers come with dual-band 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies. Naming each channel distinctly different names is advantageous for two reasons:
1: If you have a cordless phone system in your house running at 2.4 GHz, this can cause interference, and hence you should switch to the 5 GHz frequency.
2: Although 5 GHz can send more data, it does not perform well through solid objects. The range of the 2.4 GHz is by far greater, but try both to see which performs better in your home.
Having different names for each band will help you quickly choose when you need/want to switch. Try connecting Alexa to see if your signal improves.
4: Check for Open Ports
Most routers have the correct ports already configured for Alexa, so we saved this step for last.
Alexa requires the following UDP ports to be open for outgoing traffic:
123
443
4070
5353
40317
49317
33434
Consult your router's documentation to learn how to verify these ports are open.
Similar:
How To Find, Listen, and Delete What Amazon Alexa Has Recorded
How to Stop or Change the Amazon Alexa Flashing Green Ring
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There are numerous steps everyone should take to ensure that their Wi-Fi signal is the clearest possible between your Alexa device and your router. We're going to begin by looking at known solutions with Alexa devices, then move on to the internet and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.
1: Restart Your Alexa Device and Router
Restarting your devices is simply the first place to start to "refresh" your router and Alexa.
Unplug your router and wait at least one minute. Plug your router back in and wait for it to boot. A reboot can take 5-10 minutes with some routers, so be patient.
Restarting your Alexa device:
Amazon Echo - On the first-generation Echo, use a paper clip to press and hold the Reset button. Release after the ring light goes off, then on. On the second generation, press and hold the Microphone Off and Volume down buttons at the same time until the orange ring appears (about 20 seconds).
Amazon Echo Dot - On the Second-generation, hold the Microphone Off and Volume down buttons simultaneously. Wait until the light ring turns orange and release. On the third generation, press and hold the Action button for 25 seconds and release.
Amazon Echo Plus - On the first-generation Echo, use a paper clip to press and hold the Reset button. Release after the ring light goes off, then on. On the third generation, press and hold the Action button for 25 seconds and release it after the light turns off and on.
Amazon Echo Show or Spot - The Echo Show and Spot work differently. Say Alexa, go to settings or swipe down from the top of the screen and select Settings. Select Device Options. Click on Reset to Factory Defaults, but retain Smart Home Device Connections or to completely reset your Show or Spot select Reset to Factory Defaults..
Amazon Echo Sub - Press and hold the Action button for 25 seconds.
If a reset failed, you could reregister your device. Log into your Alexa app, go to Devices, and select your device. Scroll to the bottom and click on deregister.
2: Optimize Your Router and Alexa Locations
You want your router centrally located in your home. Do not rule out strange locations like an upper closet shelf on the first floor if your home has two or more levels.
Most wireless connections are optimal when the router and connected devices are 10-20 feet away. The farther away your device is from your router, the worse the signal will be. Opinions vary, but anything beyond 30 or 40 feet is too far for maximum performance in our experience. If you're farther than 40 feet, purchase a repeater.
If you have metal anywhere between the router and your Amazon Alexa devices, this can also cause interference. You may have noticed that metal sliding doors create weak signals when you walk through them.
3: Change Your Wireless Channel and Try 5 GHz
Changing the channel is an excellent idea if you are picking up a lot of other wireless signals. Most modern routers can automatically select the best channel, but you can tweak this to force it on a channel that works best for you. In today's home, you can be on the same channel as your cordless phone, microwave, garage door opener, and many, many more. Many routers go out with the default channel six, so changing your channel can be great to get on a different channel than your neighbors.
If you read up on the best channel to choose, it is a hot debate because everyone's situation is different. Why sit at your computer for hours and guess the best channel when you can let inSSIDer see what channel is best? Download inSSIDer, install and scan. Set your channel as far away as possible from busy channels.
You will need to log in to your router to do this. Please check for your documentation or download it from your router manufacturer. Most routers ship with a basic or no password, so consider setting up a new password once you log in. Linksys has a tutorial here that shows you how to change your channel, and it should be similar to any router. Step 1 of that tutorial also includes a link on how to log in to your router.
Also, wireless N routers come with dual-band 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies. Naming each channel distinctly different names is advantageous for two reasons:
1: If you have a cordless phone system in your house running at 2.4 GHz, this can cause interference, and hence you should switch to the 5 GHz frequency.
2: Although 5 GHz can send more data, it does not perform well through solid objects. The range of the 2.4 GHz is by far greater, but try both to see which performs better in your home.
Having different names for each band will help you quickly choose when you need/want to switch. Try connecting Alexa to see if your signal improves.
4: Check for Open Ports
Most routers have the correct ports already configured for Alexa, so we saved this step for last.
Alexa requires the following UDP ports to be open for outgoing traffic:
Consult your router's documentation to learn how to verify these ports are open.
Similar:
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