Alexa Keeps Turning On By Itself? – 5 Tips To Fix It.

Alexa
Alexa

We know that Alexa turns on when we trigger it with a wake word like Hey Alexa, then say our request in order to get what we want, like turn on a light, play a podcast, or launch an audiobook, etc.

However, many people have experienced a situation where Alexa keeps turning on randomly throughout the day and triggering some actions without any user interference.

It is a bit scary for some users when they encounter this problem because they think that a hacker has taken over their device and is using it for his own purposes.

While it’s true that hacking is one potential cause of this issue, there are also other explanations to consider like outdated firmware or app versions, internal software glitches, or even unintentionally created routines.

The main reason you’re here is to find a solution to this problem, and that’s exactly what we’ll cover in the next chapter.

How To Fix Alexa That Keeps Turning On By Itself?

As mentioned earlier, there are many reasons why Alexa keeps turning on, so there are also many solutions to this problem including rebooting your device, modifying the account password, deleting unwanted routines and more.

So keep reading to get all the tips needed to learn how to fix the issue and restore your Alexa to its normal state.

Tip 1: Reboot Your Device.

Rebooting the device you use to control Alexa like your Echo device, smartphone, or tablet is the first thing you do when this problem starts to show up.

It may seem inefficient but rebooting these devices is an important step in fixing technical issues as it allows the system to clear out any temporary errors or glitches that may prevent your voice assistant from working properly.

In addition, rebooting your device can free up system resources and improve overall performance and maintain its optimal functionality.

If you have already tried this tip and the problem still persists, then I suggest moving on to the next solution.

Tip 2: Check Your Routines.

Alexa routines perform one or more actions at the same time, from changing lighting colors to running a complicated good morning or good night routine that triggers a symphony of actions.

These Routines can be automatically triggered at certain times, which may explain why you see Alexa turn on and perform certain actions without your interference.

Yes, as we mentioned earlier, it is possible that you have unintentionally set certain routines to start at certain times without even realizing it.

So go and check this by following the next steps:

  1. Open the Alexa app.
  2. Click on the hamburger menu on the bottom right corner of the screen.
  3. Then tap on Routines.
  4. And check if there are any unintentionally created actions.

If you find an unintentionally created routine, be sure to delete it.

Tip 3: Change Your Account Password.

The next thing to do is to change the password of your Alexa account, this step is performed in case a hacker has penetrated your account and he is behind the unexpected actions triggered by your voice assistant.

Follow the next steps in order to modify your Amazon Alexa account password:

  1. Log in to your Amazon account, and select Login & security.
  2. Next to Password, select Edit.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions and select Save changes.

Note: Use a password that is difficult to guess in order to make it harder for hackers to get access to your account (Use at least 12 characters long, at least 1 number, 1 lowercase letter, 1 uppercase letter).

Tip 4: Update The App and The Firmware.

Another thing to consider is updating your Alexa app and your Echo device firmware, this is crucial for them to run at peak performance and avoid all sorts of errors that can be part of the problem your voice assistant is currently facing.

Here’s how to update Alexa on Android devices:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app.
  2. Tap Menu, then my apps & games.
  3. Find the Alexa app.
  4. Tap Update.

And here’s how to update it on IOS devices:

  1. Go to the App Store.
  2. At the bottom right of the screen, tap Search.
  3. Tap your account.
  4. Find the Alexa app.
  5. Tap Update.

To see if your Echo device is running the latest version of firmware, follow these instructions:

  1. Open the Alexa app.
  2. On the main menu, select Settings.
  3. Select your Echo device.
  4. Under About, compare the Device firmware version to the latest firmware version for your device.

Tip 5: Perform a Factory Reset.

Resetting your Echo device can also be considered an effective troubleshooting tip to fix your Alexa voice assistant that turns on by itself.

This tip will restore the device’s default settings and configurations, which can effectively resolve many software-related problems that can be part of your issue.

In addition, resetting your Echo device can also clear any accumulated cache and data that may be causing performance issues and causing the gadget to malfunction.

To reset Echo Dot (2nd Generation):

  1. Press and hold the Microphone off and Volume down buttons.
  2. Wait for 20 seconds until the light ring turns orange.

To reset Echo Dot (3rd or 4th Generation):

  1. Hold down the Action button for 25 seconds.
  2. The light ring will pulse orange, then turn off.
  3. Wait for the light ring to turn back on and turn blue.
  4. The light ring then turns orange again and the device enters the setup mode.

And if you’re using an Echo Show here’s how to reset it:

  1. Press and hold the Mute and Volume Down buttons until you see the Amazon logo (about 15 seconds).
  2. When prompted, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device.

Conclusion.

By following the tips and solutions mentioned in this article, you can increase your chances of resolving the issue and getting your Alexa that keeps turning on back to its normal state.

I want to remind you that you can always contact Amazon technical support if you want further assistance.

Adam B