Why are my Alexa Skills not working?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

There could be several reasons why your Alexa Skills are not working properly. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Disable and re-enable the skill: Sometimes, simply disabling and re-enabling the skill can resolve any temporary issues. You can do this by going to the Alexa app, navigating to the “Skills & Games” section, finding the skill in question, and toggling the enable/disable button.

2. Check your device profile: If you are using Amazon Household profiles, make sure that your device is on the correct profile. Each profile has its own set of skills, so if you are not on the right profile, you may not be able to access certain skills.

3. Account linking: Some skills require account linking in order to function. This means you need to link your skill with a specific account or service. Check if the skill you are trying to use requires account linking and make sure you have linked the necessary accounts correctly.

4. Grant necessary permissions: Certain skills may require permission to access certain features or information on your Alexa device. If you have not granted the necessary permissions, the skill may not work as expected. To check and grant permissions, go to the Alexa app, navigate to the “Settings” section, select the device you are using, and review the permissions for the skill in question.

5. Check for device compatibility: Some skills may only be available on specific Alexa devices. If you are using an older device or a device that is not fully compatible with the skill you are trying to use, it may not work properly. Make sure to check the skill’s compatibility requirements before attempting to use it.

6. Check your internet connection: Alexa skills rely on a stable internet connection to function properly. If your internet connection is weak or unstable, it may affect the performance of the skills. Try restarting your router or connecting to a different network to see if that resolves the issue.

7. Update your Alexa device: Make sure your Alexa device is running the latest software version. Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues with certain skills. You can check for software updates in the Alexa app under the “Settings” section.

8. Contact skill developer or Amazon support: If you have tried all the above steps and your Alexa skills are still not working, it may be worth reaching out to the skill developer or Amazon support for further assistance. They may be able to provide specific troubleshooting steps or insights into any known issues with the skill.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most issues with Alexa skills not working properly. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out for additional support.