How to Fix a Smart Speaker Not Responding

Smart speaker problems are almost always related to WiFi connectivity, microphone settings, or the wake word not being heard correctly.

Likely causes

• Microphone muted (physical mute button)
• WiFi connection dropped
• App or firmware needs updating
• Speaker too far from the router
• Wake word not recognised correctly

Step-by-step fix

1. 1
   Check the mute button

   Most smart speakers have a physical microphone mute button. A red light usually means the microphone is muted. Press it to unmute.

2. 2
   Restart the speaker

   Unplug the speaker from power, wait 10 seconds, and plug back in.

3. 3
   Check the WiFi connection

   Open the companion app (Alexa, Google Home) and check if the speaker appears as connected. If not, reconnect it to your WiFi network.

4. 4
   Move it closer to the router

   Smart speakers need a reliable WiFi signal. Move it closer and test.

5. 5
   Update the firmware and app

   Open the app and check for device updates. Outdated firmware causes many response issues.

6. 6
   Deregister and set up again

   In the app, remove the device and set it up from scratch. This fixes most persistent software issues.

Frequently asked questions

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