Alexa Guard is Not Working? Here Are Quick Fixes!

If your Alexa Guard is Not Working properly if you run into problems while using it like voice detecting, lights…

Por: WiredCabin Team em January 30, 2023

Why the Alexa guard feature doesn’t work on your Alexa?

First, Alexe guard and guard plus (a subscription feature that has added options to the Alexa guard) features are only available in the US region. So if you get an error like “Alexa guard is not available,” it means you cannot use the service in your country/region.

Since this problem has many forms, giving a general cause is impossible. However, we will give possible causes for a few forms of this problem (we won’t go into much detail here).

If the away lightning doesn’t work, it happens because of incompatible switches and plugs
If your Echo device doesn’t recognize Alexa guard voice commands, it may be due to where you placed the Echo dot or misconfigured routines
If your Echo dot doesn’t light up when enabling the Alexa guard as it is supposed to, the cause could be your Alexa guard profile

The list could go even further. But those are the common issues a lot of users face. In additionally, to the above list, there are a few common causes why Alexa guard doesn’t work for you. Such as weak internet connection, temporary glitches, inactive guard plus subscription, and problems with the connected security devices such as smart lights, cameras, and other smart detectors.

How to fix the Alexa guard not working issue

As we told earlier, there are a few forms of this problem. Therefore, for each specific issue, there are specific solutions that you have to do.

We have mentioned what the solution does in each solution. So you can do the solutions according to the problem you are facing right now.

Let’s start with basic troubleshooting.

Fix 01 – Check the internet connection

Like any other feature in Alexa, the Alexa guard feature requires a stable internet connection. If your router is placed far from your Alexa device and it cannot get enough signals, this could be the reason.

To fix connection issues, follow these troubleshooting steps;

Restart your router

Check the connection speeds and try to move the router to the center of where all your Alexa devices are placed in your home

Try to reconnect the Echo devices

Fix 02: Restart your Echo device

The easiest way to fix if there are any temporary glitches within the Echo device you use, restart it.

To restart, open the Alexa app, tap on devices and select the Echo device you want to restart (if you have multiple Echo devices connected to Alexa, restart them all). Then go to its setting and restart the device.

Also, you can use the restart button on the Echo device to restart it. If you cannot find a way, just unplug the device from the power source. Then wait for a few minutes to plug it back in.

Fix 03 – Move the Echo devices (if the device does not recognize alarms and sounds correctly)

To recognize movements, alarms, and sounds (like glass breaking sounds) correctly, the Echo devices and other security systems should be placed near the place you want them to detect sounds.

As an example, your Echo device won’t hear a glass breaking sound if you place it somewhere that hasn’t even a glass object is placed.

So change the place of your Echo device, or use more Echo devices in your home.

Fix 04 – Check routines (if voice commands don’t work)

If there are routines you have set up on your Alexa that use the same voice commands as in the Alexa guard feature, then this is the issue why Alexa guard commands don’t work with your Echo device.

To fix this, you have to check your previous routines. Here is how;

Open the Alexa app on your smartphone
Tap on the menu icon

Then, tap on Routines

Tap on each routine and “When” the routine gets triggered. Here you should look for voice commands

If you find any routine that uses the same voice command as in Alexa guard, change the command and save the routine
Then wait for 1 – 2 minutes and try to use Alexa guard commands to see if it works

Fix 05: Make sure the Echo device is in your guard profile (If the Echo device isn’t lit up or says cannot connect to Alexa guard)

If the Echo device you want to use (Echo dot, Echo show) with Alexa guard is not in your guard profile, then it won’t light up or work properly with the Alexa guard feature.

So, check your Alexa guard profile by opening the Alexa app, tapping the menu icon, then Guard. And if your Echo device isn’t on the list, add it manually.

Fix 06 – Make sure the guard plus subscription is active (if you are a subscriber)

If you are an Alexa guard plus subscriber, check your subscription by going to the Alexa app > Settings > Guard.

If it is expired or needs to be paid, then reactivate the subscription, and then the feature will start working fine again.

Fix 06: Reset your Echo device

If none of the above solutions worked, then you can try resetting your Echo device to see if the gets fixed.

Resetting your Echo device will remove the integration so you will have to set up it again. Also, resetting will delete any recording that existed on the Alexa account for that Echo device.

You can easily reset your Echo device through the Alexa app, here is how;

Open the Alexa app
Tap on devices
Tap on the Echo device you want to reset
Scroll down and tap on Factory reset

Once the reset is completed, set up the Echo device and see if the problem is fixed.

Conclusion

You should have now resolved the Alexa guard not working issue. However, if you still have questions or need help regarding this guide, leave a comment below. We will be there to help you.

Have a nice day!