Alexa Making Random Noise? – Complete Fix Guide

Is your Alexa making random noise? There’s a simple explanation for that!

Noises or responses that Alexa makes usually indicate a type of voice command you’ve given to the device.

Environment and background noises could trigger your Alexa assistant to say something in response to a command.

Let’s learn how to fix that easily!

When Alexa makes random noises, reduce all the background sounds around the assistant. Next, check for set reminders or alarms and perform a power cycle on the device. In case nothing helps, refresh the Alexa device by performing a Factory Reset.

Alexa is still making noises completely at random? Let’s learn why!

Why Does My Alexa Make Random Noises?

When Alexa outputs random voice lines, it means that it is answering your question!

However, there are situations where certain notifications, scheduled reminders, or even delivery packages could make Alexa output anything.

Let’s learn more!

Here’s what could be making Alexa speak:

• Background Noises around the Alexa Assistant
• Accidental input of Voice Commands
• Scheduled Reminders, Notifications, or Alarms
• Power Fluctuations or loss of Internet Connection
• Frequently Pronounced Wake Word

This is what users have suggested as capable of making Alexa output random noises and voice commands.

Luckily there is a way to avoid all of this and make your Alexa assistant completely silent, except for when you’re actually asking something.

Using the method of elimination, we’re going to resolve the problem as soon as possible!

How To Fix When Alexa Making Noises?

Paying attention to what Alexa exactly says can answer most of your questions about this problem.

As we’ve clarified, what Alexa usually narrates is an answer to a voice command. This is essential to unwrapping this problem and therefore fixing it.

Let’s jump right in with the solutions!

Solution #1 Reduce Background Noise

Your first step is to make sure there is no background noise that could trigger Alexa!

Listening to the news and even watching videos could have Alexa triggered accidentally.

You don’t have to stop doing all this, but having your Echo device next to your TV might cause issues. 

Here’s how to prevent accidental Alexa activation:

1. Turn down the volume of ongoing broadcasts, news, or videos
2. Move the source of the audio away from your Alexa
3. Avoid saying “Alexa” while talking near the assistance
4. Relocate the Echo device away from audio sources

Essentially, saying “Alexa” will trigger the Echo and put it on standby for voice command insertion.

This, however, depends on your distance from the speaker!

Note: The blue LED under the speaker will light up if you’ve announced an activation!

Solution #2 Power Cycle your Echo

A way to refresh your Alexa software is to perform a Power Cycle process.

What happens during a power cycle (or hard reset) is the full discharge of your Echo device’s power.

This process will have both the hardware and software of your assistant refreshed.

How to perform a Power Cycle on Amazon Echo:

1. Shut down your Echo with the Power Button.
2. Disconnect the device’s Power Adapter from both ends.
3. Wait for 5 minutes while the Echo is unplugged.
4. Once the device has fully cooled down, reconnect it.
5. Turn on the Echo device.

You will notice that your Echo device has started up by paying attention to the LED light underneath the device.

If it shines in bright blue, then the Echo device is functioning.

Solution #3 Change Alexa’s “Wake Word”

One of the best ways to avoid random noises with Alexa assistant is to change the “Wake” word to something else.

When you’re watching a TV show where one of the characters/cities is called “Alex”, “Alexander”, or “Alexandria”, some issues might appear.

• This is why we need to change the Alexa wake word to something else!

1. Open the Alexa Application.
2. Go to Devices > Echo & Alexa.
3. Choose your Echo device.
4. Go to Settings > Wake Word.
5. Set a different wake word than “Alexa”.

When the wake word has been changed, test whether the Echo will continue to produce weird noises.

In case the device continues to act weirdly, proceed with the next solution!

Solution #4 Reconnect Alexa to the Home App

When Alexa making random noise, there’s probably a Connection Problem. 

Alexa often announces when she’s disconnected after asking about something.

The Echo device could be turned ON/OFF due to power fluctuations. In contrast, the device won’t be able to control devices when disconnected from the internet.

How to reconnect Alexa from the home app:

1. On your mobile, launch the Alexa app.
2. Navigate to “Devices” within the app.
3. Locate the Connected Echo.
4. Press “Unpair”.
5. Go back to the Home screen of the Alexa app.
6. Press “Add Device”.
7. Re-add your Echo device to the Amazon Alexa app.

Once the speaker is re-added to the app, re-add the settings configuration you’ve had before!

Note: For any connected devices, check whether they are hooked up to the power source!

Solution #5 Remove Alexa Reminders!

One of the reasons that Alexa is making random noises are Scheduled Reminders.

• The Alexa reminders can be added/removed via voice commands!

Reminders that include pending shipments enabled notifications, or manually added letters could make Alexa beep and talk.

What you should do during this solution is have all of the reminders that exist within the application removed or temporarily suppressed.

Here’s how to remove added Alexa reminders:

1. Ensure that your Alexa is plugged in.
2. Pronounce “Alexa” or your wake word.
3. Shortly after, say, “delete [name of reminder].”
4. Alexa will notify you once the reminder is successfully removed.

Check Active Reminders?

If you’re unsure what active reminders you currently have, you could ask Alexa!

Simply say “Alexa, what reminders do I have?”.

The assistant will then begin pronouncing all of the available reminders that could be canceled or managed.

You should clear them ALL by saying, “Alexa delete all reminders”.

Note: Alexa reminders could be configured to announce on a daily basis!

Solution #6 Stop Alexa Notifications!

The next step is to ensure that the random Alexa noises are not notifications.

The notifications could be from Amazon Shopping, Calendar & Email, and Announcements.

• Go to Alexa app > More > Settings > Notifications!

From there make sure to stop any notifications you don’t want your Echo device narrating.

It’s important to disable the Announcements and Calendar notifications. Then your Alexa should not produce random noises without proper reasoning.

Tip: To be sure ALL notifications are stopped, toggle OFF all of the activation sliders!

Solution #7 Update Echo’s Software

The random Alexa noises could also be caused due to a Pending Software Update.

It’s always essential to keep your Echo and Alexa versions updated to the latest version available.

Otherwise, your device could potentially fall behind in regard to software functions, features, and available options. Let’s learn how to update your Echo device software!

• To check for software updates, say, “Alexa, Check for Software Updates”.

Wait for your Alexa’s voice response. If an update is ready, Alexa will reply, “Yes, there’s a pending update”.

You must say “Yes”, to verify the update, which will begin shortly!  

Note: Do not unplug or turn off your device during the firmware upgrade!

Solution #8 Factory Reset the Echo

Although this is an end-solution, performing a Factory Reset on your Echo will definitely clear up the problem with the random noise.

The entire software configuration will be reverted back to factory defaults, preventing Alexa from randomly activating.

• A Factory Reset can both be triggered by the panel button and the Alexa app!

Let’s now learn both ways of resetting your Echo device!

Factory reset through the Alexa app:

1. Launch the Alexa App.
2. Navigate to Echo & Alexa.
3. Press the problematic speaker.
4. Scroll down and choose “Factory Reset”.
5. Complete the on-screen instructions.

Alternatively, press and hold the Microphone OFF and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for about 20 seconds.

Release the reset button shortly after Alexa starts blinking in orange!

Note: Don’t apply the old setting after the reset, before making sure that the issue is gone!

Quick Recap:

Thus, to prevent Alexa from making random noises we need to undergo a Power Cycle and then re-add the Echo to the Alexa app. Next, disable Scheduled Reminders, stop ALL notifications and change our Wake Word. As a last resort, perform a Factory Reset.

Wrapping Up:

In this guide, you’ve learned how to fix when Alexa making random noise and what could potentially cause the problem.

We’ve undergone a complete troubleshooting session to make sure no random noises your Alexa makes persist.

If you’re still experiencing trouble, we suggest contacting Amazon for professional assistance.