8 Fixes for Alexa Not Playing Music From Spotify

Quick Tips

• Disable Show Local Devices Only on your Spotify account by going to Spotify > Settings and privacy > Devices > Show local devices only.
• Link Spotify to Alexa and set it as default using the Alexa app on your iPhone or Android.
• Clear the Spotify app cache by opening Spotify > Settings and privacy > Clear cache > Confirm your choice.

Basic Fixes

• Check your internet connection and restart devices: Ensure the Alexa-enabled Echo device has an active internet connection and restart your device.
• Increase the Echo volume: Alexa might be playing the music, but you might not hear it due to low sound
• Rename your Spotify playlist and make it public: Avoid adding punctuations, difficult titles, or acronyms in the name. Also, refrain from keeping similar names for playlists such as Super Nova 1, Super Nova 2, etc.
• Update Spotify and Amazon Echo app: Install the latest versions of the app.

Fix 1: Disable ‘Show Local Devices Only’ on Spotify

Let’s say the Alexa speaker is not connected to your Wi-Fi network; you should still be able to play Spotify music on it. So, we suggest disabling the option of showing local devices only.

Step 1: Open Spotify, tap on your profile icon, and select Settings and privacy.

Step 2: Tap on Devices and turn off the toggle for Show local devices only.

Fix 2: Remove Alexa Access From Spotify Account Settings

Doing this will remove all the device preferences associated with your Spotify account.

Step 1: Open Spotify and go to Settings and privacy.

Step 2: Select Voice Assistants and Apps and tap on Linked to remove access to the Alexa app.

You can also do this using your desktop by visiting the connected apps page.

Fix 3: Link Spotify to Alexa and Set As Default

Once you have unlinked Alexa on Spotify, link your Spotify account to Alexa and set it as the default music player.

Step 1: Open the Alexa app, tap on More at the bottom-right corner, and select Settings.

Step 2: Choose Music and Podcasts and tap on Spotify.

Step 3: Tap on Disable Skill. Then, link your account again and set Spotify as default.

Tip: If Alexa tells you to connect to your Spotify account, but it’s already linked, unlink Spotify and Alexa from the web. For that, go to your Spotify account settings on the web. Click on Manage Apps. Then, click on Remove Access next to Alexa. Then, try linking your Spotify account to the Alexa app.

Fix 4: Make Spotify Forget Your Echo Device

You can try removing your connected Amazon Echo device with your Spotify account. Then, reconnect the device and see if the problem is solved.

Step 1: Open the Spotify app on your phone and go to Settings and privacy.

Step 2: Tap on Devices > select Device Menu.

Step 3: You will find your Echo device. Tap on the three-dot icon next to the speaker and select Forget this device.

Add your device again and check if the problem is solved.

Fix 5: Use Right Commands to Play Spotify

You must use relevant commands to play music from Spotify on your Alexa device. For instance, say, Alexa, play [Song name].

Here are some tips to play music from Spotify on Alexa without any issues:

• If Spotify isn’t set as the default music app, you must add Spotify at the end of your command.
• If you have multiple Alexa devices in your name, tell Alexa the device name on which you want to play the sound.
• After issuing the right commands, if Echo doesn’t play your playlist, try adding the word My to your command. For instance, ‘Alexa, play my Super Nova playlist.’

Fix 6: Use the Right Account to Play Spotify

If you own an Amazon household account, Alexa might have switched to a different user. That will cause issues with your Spotify. To check the currently active profile, ask her, ‘Alexa, which account is this?’ or ‘Alexa, which profile am I using.’ If it’s a different user, say, ‘Alexa, change user.’

Fix 7: Clear App Cache

An outdated app cache can cause issues with the functioning of apps like Spotify. Clear the Spotify app cache, log in again to your account, and check if it helped solve the problem.

Step 1: Open Spotify and go to Settings and privacy.

Step 2: Tap on Clear cache > confirm your choice.

Fix 8: Reset Amazon Echo

Lastly, you must take the harsh step of factory resetting your Echo device. Doing so will fix any temporary issue that could be causing Spotify to not work on Alexa. Please note that resetting Echo will delete your personal information and connected devices from your Echo device. You will have to set up Amazon Echo from scratch again.

Note: If you face any problem while setting up Echo, learn how to fix Echo setup issues.