Why does Alexa respond but not play music? [Guide]

Amazon Alexa is an indispensable part of today’s home.

If there are times when Alexa responds to your commands but fails to play music and you are frustrated, this guide will give you solutions.

Why does Alexa respond but not play music?: Common Causes

Common reasons for the problem of Alexa responding but not playing music include:

1. Faulty Update: Sometimes, Alexa’s recent software update might contain bugs or issues, affecting its music playback.
2.  Mute Enabled: If Alexa’s mute function is turned on, it won’t play music as it’s designed to remain silent.
3.  New User Profiles: Recently added profiles on your Amazon account could lead to conflicts, preventing Alexa from playing music.
4.  Multiple Wi-Fi Networks: If Alexa is connected to different Wi-Fi networks, it can disrupt its ability to play music seamlessly.
5.  Slow Internet Speed: A sluggish internet connection can hinder Alexa’s ability to stream music promptly or may even prevent it from playing music at all.

How To Fix Alexa Responds But Won’t Play Music

1. Reconnect the music service first.

If you’re experiencing an issue where Alexa responds to your voice commands but refuses to play music, there’s a straightforward solution. Re-link the music service on the Alexa app.

The most common reason for this problem is a glitch between the music service and the Alexa app.

Alexa allows users to set up their default music service within the Alexa app. By unlinking and re-enabling this service, you can often resolve the issue quickly. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Amazon Alexa app.
2.  Tap the “More” option at the bottom right corner of the screen.
3.  Select “Settings.”
4.  Scroll down and tap “Music & Podcasts” under Alexa preferences.
5.  Choose your music app from the “SERVICES” options.
6.  Tap “DISABLE SKILL,” then “ENABLE TO USE.”

2. Setup Default Music Service

Configuring a default music service in the Alexa app can simplify your music commands and might resolve any playback issues. By setting a default music service, you won’t need to specify the app name whenever you want to play music. Here’s how to set up your default music service:

1. Open the Amazon Alexa app.
2.  Tap “More.”
3.  Select “Settings.”
4.  Scroll down and tap “Music & Podcasts” under Alexa preferences.
5.  Choose “Default Services.”
6.  Tap “Change” next to “Alexa, play music” under MUSIC.
7.  Select your preferred music app as the default.

3. Also check if your Wi-Fi connection is unstable.

A stable Wi-Fi connection is crucial for Alexa to stream content and perform its cloud-based functions effectively. While it might not be the primary cause of your music playback issues if Alexa is still responsive, it’s essential to understand that a reliable internet connection is vital for its overall functionality.

Alexa relies on an internet connection to access its servers, the backbone of its core functions. If it can’t connect to these servers, it will severely limit its capabilities and responsiveness.

4. Update the Alexa app and fix the issue where Alexa responds but doesn’t play music.

Ensuring that your Amazon Alexa app is up to date is essential for smooth operation. An outdated app may contain bugs or other issues that disrupt your Alexa experience. Here’s how to update the Alexa app on your Android or iOS device:

For Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2.  Search for “Amazon Alexa.”
3.  Select the Alexa app.
4.  Tap the “Update” button.
5.  Wait a few seconds for the new update to install.

For iOS:

1. Open the App Store.
2.  Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
3.  Scroll down to the “UPCOMING AUTOMATIC UPDATES” section.
4.  Locate the Alexa app in the list.
5.  Tap the “Update” button next to the app’s name.
6.  Wait for a few seconds for the update to complete.

5. Confirm The Music Service Subscription Is Active

For certain music streaming apps like Spotify, a premium subscription is often required to use them with Alexa. If your premium subscription is inactive or has expired, this could be the reason Alexa is unable to play music.

To check and ensure your subscription status, follow these steps:

1. Open the Spotify or other music streaming app on your phone.
2.  Navigate to your Account section.
3.  Verify that your subscription is active.
4. If your subscription is inactive, consider renewing it to enable seamless music playback with Alexa.

6. How do we clear the app cache and fix Alexa not playing music?

To clear the app cache and resolve Alexa’s music playback issues, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Clear Amazon Music App Cache:

• Open the Amazon Music app.
•  Tap the Settings icon in the upper right corner.
•  Select “Settings” from the list.
•  Scroll down to the Storage section.
•  Tap “Clear Cache.”

1. Enhance Internet Speed:

• Disconnect unnecessary devices from your Wi-Fi network.
•  Position your devices at a higher location.
•  Keep them away from metal objects, walls, and potential sources of interference.

1. Check Song Availability:

Ensure the song you’re attempting to play is available; try a different song if needed.

1. Configure Firewall Ports:

• Find your router’s IP address.
•  Enter the IP address in your web browser’s search bar.
•  Provide your router username and password on the login page.

1. Reset Your Alexa:

• Hold down the reset button on the device’s bottom for at least 5 seconds.
•  Wait for the light ring to turn off and on.
•  Reconfigure your device.

For those encountering issues with Alexa playing music from Spotify, consider clearing the cache and app data of the Spotify app.

7. Switch The Default Music Provider

You have the flexibility to designate a default music streaming app within Alexa. To determine if the issue relates to your chosen music streaming app, you can experiment by switching to the default music app to check for persistent problems.

Here’s what you do: Open the Alexa app, navigate to More > Settings > Music & Podcasts > Music > Default Services, and pick a different app as the default.

8. Remove additional profiles and try again.

If you’ve recently introduced a new profile to your Amazon account, it might clash with existing settings and lead to issues. To address this, begin by removing these additional profiles.

After removal, restart your devices and check if the problem is resolved. You can always re-add these profiles once the issue is resolved.

9. Try a Wi-Fi Extender.

Another potential solution is investing in a Wi-Fi extender. Numerous options are available on platforms like Amazon, but it’s crucial to review the product details carefully.

Look for an extender to enhance your existing Wi-Fi network rather than creating a new one. This approach prevents the creation of multiple, separate networks in your home.

10. Alexa Has No Way to Fulfill the Request

Alexa’s capabilities are impressive, but there are limits to what it can do. It’s important to understand that Alexa operates based on its programming and may only sometimes intuitively fulfil every request.

For instance, if you ask Alexa to play a specific song and then immediately request the “next song,” it may not be able to comply, especially if the song is not part of a playlist or album.

In such cases, Alexa might simply pause the request. To minimize these situations, it’s advisable to request songs from particular albums, artists, or playlists where Alexa’s functionality is more seamless. 

Alexa responds but doesn’t play music [briefly]

In the perplexing conundrum where Alexa seems to engage with your voice commands but curiously refrains from initiating the desired musical melodies, there exists a surprisingly straightforward yet notably effective solution.

It entails the deliberate act of unplugging your Alexa device for a substantial duration, at least a full minute. After this interlude, securely reconnect the device and ensure it’s well-seated in the power source.

Meanwhile, consider validating that your Alexa App is operating on the most recent iteration, and if not, perform the necessary updates. Furthermore, give your Wi-Fi network a figurative reboot, a step that could potentially iron out any lingering connectivity kinks.

Implementing this course of action has been observed to resolve the ‘Alexa responding but not playing music‘ issue for a significant proportion of users, around 90%. If your musical enigma persists, the subsequent sections unveil potential causative factors and alternative strategies.

FAQ

Why is my Alexa not playing music from Bluetooth

If Alexa won’t play music from Bluetooth, there could be several reasons.

First, make sure your Echo device has the latest software updates. After that, check if your Bluetooth device uses a supported Bluetooth profile. Then, move your Bluetooth and Echo devices away from potential sources of interference. Now, ensure your Bluetooth device is fully charged and close to your Echo device when pairing. Such reasons cause Bluetooth not to play.

Why does Alexa not respond to stop?

There may be several reasons why Alexa may not respond to the “stop” command. Among them, the main reason is the use of heavier commands. You simply deal with Alexa. And Alexa’s hardware problems can also cause this.

How do I play SoundCloud on my Alexa?

There are several ways to use SoundCloud with your Alexa. You can easily connect SoundCloud to Alexa using the Alexa app or Bluetooth.

Can I make Alexa respond to only my voice?

Here you can not only have your voice respond, but you can create a personal voice profile that allows Alexa to recognize your voice and respond with personalized answers.

Why won’t Alexa turn on my LG TV?

If you can’t get your LG TV to work with Alexa, there are a few solutions you can try. You can try solutions like restarting your device, troubleshooting for connection issues, updating firmware.