11 Best Ways to Fix Amazon Echo Not Playing Music

Amazon Echo is one of the most affordable Alexa-powered smart speakers out there. You can play your favorite music tracks, run home or office automation with voice commands, get real-time traffic details, news, and more. While the Amazon Echo experience is flawless, sometimes it gets stuck on blue light, doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi, and even fails to play music. Here are the best ways to fix Amazon Echo not playing music.

Amazon Echo is compatible with Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and other streaming services. However, it’s all irrelevant when your smart speakers fail to stream music tracks in the first place. Here’s why your Amazon Echo is responding but not playing music.

1. Restart Amazon Echo

Let’s cover some basics first. You should disconnect the Amazon Echo from the power source, wait 10-15 seconds, and plug it back in. Now, use voice commands or play music via a Bluetooth connection on your phone.

2. Check the Internet Connection

If your Amazon Echo plays music from a streaming service like Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Music, ensure it’s connected to a robust Wi-Fi network. Here’s how you can check the current Wi-Fi network on Amazon Echo.

Step 1: Open the Alexa app on your phone.

Step 2: Go to the Devices tab and select your Echo.

Step 3: Scroll down and check the connected Wi-Fi network.

You can tap on it and change the Wi-Fi network from the following menu.

3. Check Amazon Echo Volume

You can’t hear audio tracks if your Amazon Echo is set on mute. You can use the volume buttons on your Amazon Echo or adjust the sound using the Alexa app.

Step 1: Launch Alexa and find your Amazon Echo device from the Devices menu (check the steps above).

Step 2: Select and use the slider to increase sound.

4. Check Subscription

Are you trying to play tracks from Spotify or Apple Music on your Amazon Echo? If your subscription has expired, the smart speaker can’t play songs from it. You need to confirm an active Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or Pandora subscription and try again.

5. Check the Default Music Service

You should also check the default music service on Amazon Echo to use relevant commands.

Step 1: Launch Alexa and go to the More tab.

Step 2: Tap the Settings icon.

Step 3: Scroll to Music & Podcasts. Select default services.

Step 4: Set your favorite music streaming service as default.

You can ask Alexa to play your favorite playlists.  

6. Use Relevant Commands

You need to use relevant voice commands to stream trending songs. Instead of asking questions or saying phrases like ‘can you please play a new song?,’ keep your voice commands simple. Here are some of the examples.

• Alexa, play [song]
• Alexa, play my
• Alexa, play workout mix

7. Play Music via a Bluetooth Connection

If you have an offline music collection on your phone, connect it to Amazon Echo via Bluetooth and play them. The process is quite simple.

Step 1: Open your Amazon Echo device in the Alexa app (check the steps above).

Step 2: Tap Connect a device under the Bluetooth Connections menu.

Follow the on-screen instructions to pair a Bluetooth device with your Amazon Echo. Once the pairing process is complete, play songs from services like YouTube Music to Amazon Echo.

8. Relink the Music Service

Amazon Echo may not play music due to an account authentication error on your streaming service. You should relink the streaming service and try again.

Step 1: Head to Alexa settings (check the steps above).

Step 2: Scroll to Music & Podcasts and select a streaming service.

Step 3: Tap Disable skill.

Enable it again after some time and sign in with your account details.

9. Disable Explicit Filter

An active profanity filter can block explicit songs on Alexa-enabled devices like Amazon Echo.

Step 1: Head to Music & Podcasts in Alexa settings (check the steps above).

Step 2: Tap the Profanity Filter.

Step 3: Disable the option.

10. Check Timezone and Location

If your Amazon Echo is set in the wrong timezone and location, it may fail at performing basic tasks like playing music.

Step 1: Head to Amazon Echo settings in Alexa (refer to the steps above).

Step 2: Scroll to the location and timezone and set it correctly.

Restart the Alexa app and reboot the Amazon Echo (check the steps above). You can now try playing music again.

11. Check Streaming Service Outage

If one of the streaming services is facing an outage, you can’t play songs from it on Amazon Echo. You can visit Downdetector and search for the service. You may notice a high outage and user comments complaining about the same.

Enjoy Your Favorite Tracks While Cooking

Amazon Echo not playing music can turn your household chores into a nightmare. Before you throw it out or order a new one, use the tricks above to fix the problem. Which trick worked for you? Share your findings in the comments below.