Alexa is a great AI assistant, enabling you to run your day-to-day activities conveniently, courtesy of its voice features. Unfortunately, this app can sometimes disrupt your activities by beeping randomly.
So, why does Alexa Beep? Alexa may beep if she thinks you instructed her to wake up, receive a message or call, adjust the device volume, be in setting up mode, cannot connect to your Wi-Fi, or have enabled Brief Mode. Also, if you toggle the Do Not Disturb, Alexa will beep.
If your Alexa app at times makes a beeping noise, you are not alone. Several users report hearing this noise from their device and cannot attach a reason.
Some possible reasons for the beep include the device mistaking background noise as a wake-up command, if you receive a notification on your device, or the device battery is low. This beep could also occur when you toggle the Do Not Disturb function on or off or Alexa is having issues connecting to Wi-Fi.
Alexa features certain phrases or words, which it can pick and cause it to wake up to listen to further questions or commands from the user. When Alexa thinks it has heard such phrases, it will beep in acknowledgment to let you know it is listening for a command. In return, you will hear random beeps during a conversation or while watching TV.
Luckily, you can prevent this issue by pressing a button on top of your device to turn off its microphone and prevent the app from picking audio input. Once done with your conversation or watching TV, you can turn the microphone on.
Turning on Brief Mode will make Alexa use non-speech techniques, mainly in the form of beeps, in its responses. You may have turned this feature on by default when you started using Alexa. Hence, disabling this function will stop beeping, and Alexa will respond with OK when you give her a command.
If you enable notifications on your device, such as knowing if your order is shipped or has arrived, Alexa will inform you through a beep. Thus, if you no longer want such alerts, navigate to your Settings app and adjust the settings.
Alexa will also beep upon receiving a message, and you can give her permission to read the message. This beep will occur for every message you receive and can be a nuisance over time. In this case, you can prevent it by disabling the Calling and Message feature.
Like in messages, when you receive a call, Alexa will make a beeping noise, and you can tell her to take the call with a simple instruction. If you do not want this beeping for every call, disable the Calling and Messaging feature under the Communications section on Alexa.
Adjusting Alexa’s volume will cause it to glow and give a beeping sound to notify you about the volume level. At times, this beeping may occur even when you are not physically adjusting the volume yourself. Your device could be stuck in a pressured position, in which case you can stop this feature by ensuring its volume buttons are not in a pressed position.
Also, ensure you keep your device from anything or anyone that can manually turn up the volume without your consent, including your pets and kids. If you rule out the above reasons for beeping due to volume issues, you should contact Amazon customer service as someone could be trying to hack your system.
The Do Not Disturb function blocks call and message notifications on your device. Relying on Alexa to turn on or off this function will cause a musical beeping as she informs you that she has done what you instructed. To resolve these issues, toggle this feature on your Alexa app by selecting your device and the Do Not Disturb option.
Your Wi-Fi may also go off due to a power outage or other issues, disconnecting Alexa. In return, this app will beep to alert you that it is offline and unable to reconnect to Wi-Fi. You can resolve this by ensuring your Wi-Fi is still active and trying reconnecting. If the problem persists, disconnect then reconnect your router. Further Wi-Fi issues may require you to contact your ISP for assistance.
Finally, Alexa will wait for you to set up Wi-Fi when in set up mode. As such, it will beep to inform you that it is in this mode. If the beeping persists, navigate your Alexa app and ensure the Wi-Fi settings are okay. If not, reset and connect. While the above issues should stop the beeping, Alexa will continue beeping if the issue is technical, and you should contact Amazon technical team for further assistance.
Can You Use Alexa Without a Smartphone?
Alexa’s ability to play music, make phone calls and control your smartphone ranks it among the best in the market. Knowing whether this app is functional without a smartphone is ideal for avoiding unnecessary expenses on a new smartphone, especially if your target audience does not know how to operate it.
Using Alexa without a smartphone is possible, but you need one to connect to Wi-Fi and do the initial setup. You can enjoy many features on Alexa without a smartphone, including music, weather updates, and news. Hence, if you do not have a smartphone, use a friend’s or family member’s smartphone for the initial set-up to enjoy the above benefits.
If you want to make calls without a smartphone, you can do so with Alexa by connecting it to other phones and landline numbers via Wi-Fi. One of the ways to accomplish this is through alexa.amazon.com. To access this website, you will need a web browser.
If you have a smartphone, start by downloading the Alexa app and creating your amazon account through the browser. However, if you are not using a smartphone, you will rely on an internet connection. While it is possible to make calls to your friends, Alexa will not allow you to make emergency calls like 911, and an alternative device for this is necessary.
You can also make calls on Alexa through the Echo show if you do not have a smartphone. This option is ideal for the elderly who cannot use a smartphone. Echo show features a screen similar to a smartphone. It is feasible for individuals with flip phones, and with such a set-up, you can reach out to the elderly.
To set up an echo show, start by placing it conveniently and connecting it to a power supply. When setting this unit, consider where the person spends most of their time such that if the elderly person has limited mobility or is bedridden, a space near their bedside is ideal. Also, the screen and camera should be within reach, enabling them to make necessary adjustments.
To use Echo Show, you need an active internet connection via Wi-Fi. You can open the Alexa website, sign into your account or create an account for your loved ones. During the set-up, you will use the number on the flip phone to receive the code.
You will also add Echo Show as the flip phone’s Alexa device, after which you can log out from their account. With this set, you can tap the Communicate button on your smartphone Alexa app and select the contact you want to call. This action will place a video call on Echo Show, enabling you to communicate with someone who does not have a smartphone.
With a premium subscription such as Alexa guard plus or AskMyBuddy, users can also make calls without a smartphone. However, a smartphone is necessary during the initial set-up, after which you can place calls through simple instructions. Equally, you can place a direct call through Alexa if you have a Verizon Wireless plan or AT&T.
Can You Use Alexa as a Speaker for PC?
Alexa features a clearer audio input courtesy of its large speakers than most laptops and monitor speakers. Using these speakers will also save you on electricity costs as you will not have to waste electricity on another set of speakers. This way, you will also reduce the wires crisscrossing below your desk.
The Alexa speaker will connect to a PC via Wi-Fi when you boot it for the first time. However, if it does not, you can pair it manually. Also, you can connect your Alexa speakers via Bluetooth and utilize a wide range of voice commands with your computer speakers.
To connect Alexa to your PC via Bluetooth, navigate to the Alexa website on your PC web and log in with your credentials. Next, navigate to the Settings app, select the device you wish to use as a speaker then select the Bluetooth tab.
Select Pair a new device to search for Bluetooth devices on the next window. To make your PC available, navigate to the Bluetooth settings and turn on Bluetooth. The two devices will pair, and you can use Alexa speakers to listen to music, news updates, or your calls and messages.
To use Alexa as a speaker for a PC without Bluetooth, start setting up your device. Visit the Alexa website and sign in with your account. If you already have an account, enter your email or phone number as the username and password, then tap the Sign in button.
If you are a new user, click on the Create a new Amazon account button and follow onscreen instructions to create your account. From here, navigate to the settings and tap on the Set up a new device option. This action will guide you through the compatible devices, and you can select yours then re-enter your credentials.
After selecting your device, click the Continue tab to open the next page. You will receive a prompt to sign into your account before setting up your device. Once set, press and hold the Dot button on Alexa until it flashes an orange light.
You will receive on-screen instructions guiding you through the process on the next page that opens. At this point, plug your Alexa speaker into an electrical outlet and hold the Dot button for about 10 seconds until the blue light turns orange. Alexa will notify you that it is in setup mode, and you can click the continue button.
On the other hand, your PC screen features a network icon at the bottom right corner. Click on this icon to open your internet settings and select the Wi-Fi network appearing with the Amazon-XXX- format.
The X, in this case, will be a combination of numbers and letters. If this network does not pop immediately, wait for a few seconds to appear on screen. Alexa will notify you of a successful connection. If you are using a Mac, you will find these settings at the top right corner of your screen.
A message will appear on your Alexa app, prompting you to continue with your speaker set up as you continue scanning Wi-Fi. Hit the continue tab and on the next page, select your Wi-Fi network to connect your Alexa Speaker to your PC.
Connecting to your Wi-Fi network may take time or even fail in some instances, but you should keep trying until it is successful. You will know your progress through a progress bar showing your device is connecting to the internet. When the process is complete, Alexa will alert you by saying, “This device is ready”, and the orange light on the speaker will disappear.
Wrap Up
Alexa is popular for its convenience, taking in voice commands to enable you to operate your devices when your hands are busy. However, at times this app may beep, causing unnecessary distractions.
This can happen when the app thinks you instructed it to wake up from familiar phrases on TV or a conversation in the room, is in brief mode, adjusting its volume, is disconnected from Wi-Fi, or is receiving a call, message or notification. The beeping should stop when you adjust the above accordingly, and you can use it via voice commands.
While you need a smartphone to set up Alexa, you do not need it for subsequent use. You can make calls and listen to music and news via the website as long as the device you are using has a Wi-Fi connection. Finally, you can connect your Alexa speaker via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and listen to your messages, calls or music with quality audio, given that Alexa speakers have a better output than PC.
