Picture this: You’re hosting a small gathering at your home, and you want to impress your friends by using voice commands to cue up the perfect song on Alexa. But instead of playing that hit track everyone loves, Alexa either misinterprets the request or plays something entirely different.
Frustrating, right? Chances are, you’re not alone in facing this modern-day conundrum.
Did you know that Alexa can learn and adapt to your voice over time? By taking advantage of features like voice learning, we can improve our interactions with these smart devices significantly.
And if you’ve encountered issues trying to get Alexa to cooperate when it comes to music playback, hang tight—help is on the way! Our blog post is brimming with troubleshooting tips and tricks designed specifically for fixing Alexa Won’t Play Specific Songs.
We’ll guide you through simple solutions so that next time, Alexa will play exactly what you have in mind—effortlessly!
Ready for crystal-clear tunes at command? Keep reading; sweet melodies await!
Understanding Amazon’s Echo/Alexa
Amazon’s Echo is a smart speaker that brings Alexa into your home. Think of Alexa as a helpful friend who loves music and knows lots about it. She lives inside your Echo, ready to play songs, answer questions, and do tasks for you.
All you have to say is “Alexa,” followed by what you want her to do.
Echo devices come in different shapes, like the dot and the show. Each one has a microphone, so Alexa can hear you from across the room. They all connect to the internet through Wi-Fi, which lets them stream music from services like Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify, or Apple Music.
Just ask Alexa what song you want to hear, and she will look for it on your preferred service.
Common Issues When Alexa Won’t Play Specific Songs
Navigating the hiccup of Alexa not playing your chosen tracks can be frustrating. Let’s delve into why your musical commands may sometimes fall on deaf digital ears and uncover how to fine-tune this smart assistant for a seamless auditory experience.
Alexa Doesn’t Understand What You Asked For
Speak clearly to Alexa and use simple commands. If she still can’t grasp your request, try rephrasing it. For example, if you asked for a song by saying, “Play the track with the chorus that goes like this,” instead say, “Alexa, play ‘Title of Song’ by Artist.” Check your Echo’s microphone too.
Make sure nothing blocks it and no loud noises are around.
Update your Alexa app as well. Older versions may cause misunderstandings. Go to your app store on iOS or Android devices and look for updates. If an update is available, download it to ensure better communication with Alexa.
If none of these work and Alexa keeps missing what you’re asking for, reset your Echo device completely or contact Amazon support for help. Remember to check Twitter or downdetector.com before reaching out, though; there might be an Amazon Music service outage causing the issue.
Alexa Plays the Wrong Thing
Sometimes, Alexa can make mistakes. She might play a different song than you asked for. This happens if she doesn’t catch the right title or artist’s name. Maybe there are songs that sound alike, and she gets mixed up.
To fix this, double-check your words when speaking to Alexa. Make sure to say the song titles and artist names clearly.
If problems continue, it could be a connectivity issue or a software glitch with your smart speaker. Ensure your internet connection is strong and stable so Alexa can understand you better.
It’s also a good idea to see if any updates are available for your Echo device or the music streaming app you’re using. Keeping everything up-to-date helps avoid these mix-ups with songs.
Top Solutions to Fix Alexa Not Playing Specific Songs
If Alexa’s giving you the silent treatment when it comes to specific tracks, don’t fret—unlock her musical capabilities with these targeted fixes. Dive into a toolkit of solutions designed to fine-tune her song selection senses and restore harmony between your playlist preferences and Alexa’s execution.
Restart Echo
Restarting your Echo can solve the problem when Alexa won’t play specific songs. This easy fix often gets things back on track.
- Unplug the power cable from your Echo.
- Wait for about one minute to let the device fully turn off.
- Plug the power cable back into the Echo.
- Give your Echo a few moments to start up.
Check Echo Volume
Your Alexa might not be playing music because the volume is too low. You can easily turn up the Echo’s volume. Here’s how to make sure your Echo’s volume is just right for playing your favorite songs:
- Say “Alexa, increase volume” or “Alexa, turn up the volume” to boost the sound level.
- Press the plus sign on top of your Echo device if you prefer using buttons.
- Open the Alexa app on your phone and slide the volume bar if you’re not near your Echo.
- Look at the light ring on your Echo when adjusting volume; it shows the level.
- Ask Alexa for a sound check by saying, “Alexa, can you play a sound?” to test if it’s loud enough.
- Set a specific volume level by saying, “Alexa, set volume to 5” for a halfway mark on most Echos.
- If background noise is an issue, move your Echo away from fans or other sources of noise.
- Consider creating a voice routine in your Alexa app that includes setting a default volume.
Verify Your Amazon Music Subscription
Make sure you have an active Amazon Music subscription. This is key to playing the songs you want on Alexa. Check your account status in the Amazon Music app or website. If your subscription ended, renew it to get back to enjoying your tunes.
Sometimes, even with a subscription, Alexa might not play certain songs. If this happens, sign into the Amazon website and look at your music settings. Confirm that everything looks correct and reflects an active plan.
With this verified, Alexa should be able to access all the specific songs available with your membership.
Check Your Internet Connection
Having trouble with Alexa playing songs? Your internet connection could be the problem. Make sure your Echo device is connected to a strong Wi-Fi network. The signal should be stable for Alexa to access Amazon Music or other streaming services.
Sometimes, simply moving the Echo closer to your router can boost the signal strength.
If you find Wi-Fi isn’t working well, try using a different network or setting up a hotspot on your phone. This can help figure out if the issue is with your home internet or the Echo itself.
Also, check that your modem and router are on and running smoothly. A quick restart of these devices often fixes temporary glitches affecting connectivity.
Confirm the Default Music Provider
Make sure Alexa is set up with your preferred music service. You might want to play specific songs on Alexa for free or use a subscription like Amazon Music, Spotify, or Apple Music.
Go into the Alexa app on your smartphone and select ‘Settings.’ From there, choose ‘Music & Podcasts,’ and then tap on ‘Default Services.’ This is where you pick your favorite music provider.
If you’re having trouble getting Alexa to play songs from the right service, double-check this setting. It tells Alexa which library to search for when you ask for music. If it’s not set correctly, she might not find or play what you want to hear.
Change it if needed so that Alexa knows where to look for your tunes!
Check the Availability of the Song
Sometimes Alexa can’t play a song because it’s not in her library. New or less popular songs might be missing. To see if she has the song, try playing it in the Amazon Music app first.
Add it to your playlists or routines if you find it there.
If Alexa still won’t play the song, think about how well-known the artist is. You can also use other music streaming services with your Echo device for more choices. Always check what songs and artists are available on your preferred service to avoid disappointment with Alexa.
Turn off the Explicit Filter
Your Alexa might block certain songs because of explicit content. You can fix this by turning off the explicit filter.
- Open your Amazon Alexa app on your phone or tablet.
- Tap the menu icon. This looks like three lines in the top-left corner.
- Choose “Settings” from the menu.
- Scroll down and select “Music & Podcasts.”
- Look for the “Explicit Language Filter” option.
- Tap the switch next to it to turn it off. The switch should no longer be orange or green, depending on your device.
- Ask Alexa to play the song again. With the filter off, she should play it without issue.
Update Amazon Country Settings
Updating Amazon Country Settings is a simple process. It ensures your Alexa and Amazon services match your current location.
- Open the Amazon website on your computer or mobile device.
- Log in to the account linked with your Echo device.
- Go to ‘Your Content and Devices’.
- Select the ‘Preferences’ tab.
- Find the Country/Region Settings option.
- Click on ‘Change’ next to your current region.
- Enter the address that matches the location of your Alexa services.
- Save your new country setting by clicking on ‘Update’.
- Wait for confirmation that your region has been updated.
Transfer Music to Different Country
Sometimes your Alexa won’t play specific songs because of country restrictions. Here’s how to fix that issue:.
- Verify your music service subscription details. Make sure it allows international access.
- Update location settings in your Alexa app. Go to “Settings,” then “Device Settings,” and select your Echo device.
- Check regional availability for the song you want. Some music might not be accessible where you live.
- Consider using a VPN if certain songs or services are blocked in your country.
- Change the Amazon account country. Visit “Your Content and Devices” on Amazon and update under “Preferences.”
- Clear any region-specific settings that could be limiting music access.
- Connect with customer support for assistance with international music transfers on Alexa devices.
Deregister and Re-register Echo
Sometimes Alexa won’t play the songs you ask for. This can be frustrating, but deregistering and re-registering your Echo device might just solve the issue. Here are the steps to get your music playing again:
- Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Tap ‘Devices’ at the bottom of your screen.
- Choose your Echo device from the list.
- Scroll down and select ‘Deregister’. Confirm this action when prompted.
- Wait a few moments, then go back to ‘Devices’ in the Alexa app.
- Press the ‘+’ sign to add a new device.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to register your Echo device again.
- After re-registering, ask Alexa to play a song to check if it works.
Conclusion
Now you know how to fix it when Alexa won’t play specific songs you ask for. Make sure your music service is right, and check your song’s availability. If problems keep happening, remember that these tips can help.
Restart your Echo or look at your internet connection. Get back to enjoying your favorite tunes with Alexa’s help!