Nobody likes hearing unexpected or random noises.
Especially in the middle of the night.
Because honestly, that’s a little bit creepy.
So, I totally understand how frustrated you may be…
Now that your Alexa won’t stop making random noises.
But don’t worry. This problem only takes minutes to fix.
Keep reading to find out:
- 9 simple solutions when Alexa makes random noises.
- The most common reasons your AI makes unexpected sounds.
- Which Alexa tasks could be causing the random noises you hear.
- And this is just the beginning…
Why Alexa makes random noises
Alexa makes random noises because your Echo may be glitching. This problem also occurs if you have Alexa routines, reminders, or alarms. Alternatively, your Echo may be making these random noises because its Brief mode is ON.
9 solutions when Alexa makes random noises
#1: Power cycle your Echo
Let’s start with my ultimate go-to fix when Alexa gadgets act out of the ordinary:
Power cycling.
In other words, unplug your Echo from the outlet, then plug it back again.
Yes, it sounds extremely simple.
But trust me. Power cycling is a huge lifesaver for tech devices.
Because it stops them from glitching.
For example, you can use power cycling to fix a TV that won’t connect to a hotspot.
Or even a Samsung refrigerator that can’t make ice.
So, just follow these steps to…
Power cycle your Alexa smart speaker:
- Unplug your device from the outlet.
- Wait for 1 minute.
- Reconnect it to power.
After following this process, observe your Alexa.
Editor’s pick: Does Alexa Have To Be Plugged In To Work? + Alternatives
#2: Ask Alexa
You don’t have to go through heaps and hoops to fix this problem.
Because Alexa herself can tell you why she’s making a random noise.
Just observe your AI consistently.
And when you catch her making weird sounds again, ask:
“Alexa, what just happened?”
More often than not…
Your voice assistant will tell you why she’s making a particular noise.
So, you’ll know exactly how to avoid that random sound next time.
#3: Turn OFF notifications
Alexa wants to make your tech experience as hands-free as possible.
Hence, by default, when you get a notification…
Alexa will try to inform you of it.
Along with the seemingly random sound…
Your Echo will show a color and pattern that specifies which notification you got.
So, to check whether your Alexa is making noises because of this…
Check your Echo whenever you hear a random sound from it.
Does it show a pulsing green or yellow light?
Then, Alexa’s random noise just means you have an incoming call or text.
So, if you want her to stop doing so, just…
Turn OFF Alexa’s notification sounds:
- Launch the Amazon Alexa app (Android/iOS).
- Tap the More icon at the bottom-right corner.
- Click Notifications.
- Turn OFF the specific notifications you want to.
#4: Unpair Alexa from its Bluetooth connections
Your Echo also functions as a Bluetooth speaker.
So, chances are…
There’s an audio source paired with your Alexa.
And it’s causing the random noises you hear from your smart speaker.
If this is the case for you, luckily, it’s very easy to…
Disconnect Alexa from other Bluetooth devices:
Step 1: Open the Amazon Alexa app
Make sure you’re logged in so you can go ahead and…
Step 2: Choose More
You’ll find this at the bottom of your screen.
It’s the first option from the right.
Step 3: Select Settings
This option has the gear icon on it.
Step 4: Click Device Settings
It’s the 3rd option from the top of your screen.
Step 5: Select your Echo from the list
Specifically, the Alexa device that makes random noises.
Step 6: Choose Bluetooth Devices
You’ll see this under the “WIRELESS” heading.
Step 7: Disconnect other devices
Click the names of the gadgets on your screen.
Then, choose “Forget Device” from the window that appears.
Do you want a shortcut for this process?
In that case, just say:
“Alexa, disconnect.”
And your AI will automatically unpair with all its Bluetooth devices.
#5: Disable Brief mode
Does Alexa make a random noise whenever you say a voice command?
Then, your AI’s Brief mode is most likely causing this problem.
See, with this feature…
Alexa shortens its responses as much as possible.
And she even replaces the default “Okay” acknowledgment with a beeping sound.
Which may be what you’re regularly hearing.
Don’t worry, though.
This problem is very easy to solve.
All you have to do is…
Disable Alexa’s Brief mode:
- Launch the Amazon Alexa app.
- Tap More at the bottom-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Click Voice Responses.
- Turn OFF the toggle beside Brief mode.
After doing so…
Observe if Alexa still makes random noises.
#6: Turn OFF Alexa routines
Setting up Alexa routines is a no-brainer.
So, many of us forget that we’ve set them up in the first place.
Now, of course…
You most likely never asked your voice assistant to make random noises on purpose.
However, for every routine your Alexa finishes…
She’ll beep to inform you that she successfully did so.
And this could be why you often hear random noises from your smart speaker.
Fret not. It only takes minutes to…
Delete unnecessary Alexa routines:
- Launch the Amazon Alexa app.
- Tap More at the bottom-right corner.
- Select Routines from the list.
- Scroll through the list of routines on your screen.
- Click the routine you don’t need/recognize.
- Tap the 3-dotted icon at the top-right corner.
- Select Delete Routine.
If you still hear random noises despite deleting unnecessary routines from Alexa…
#7: Check her tasks
Apart from routines, Alexa has Alarms and Reminders.
These are features that help you not forget about important activities. Or simply waking up.
And since both of these tasks require Alexa to repeatedly make noises…
They might be causing the random sounds you hear from your smart speaker.
So, let’s go over how we can check each 1, starting with…
Deleting unnecessary Alexa Reminders:
- Open your Amazon Alexa app.
- Click Reminders.
- Choose the reminder you don’t need.
- Tap Edit Reminder at the bottom.
- Click Delete Reminder.
How to delete Alexa alarms:
- Tap the More icon on your Alexa app.
- Choose Alarms & Timers.
- Find an alarm you don’t need or recognize.
- Swipe its name to the left.
- Click the Delete icon on the right.
Does your Alexa still make unwanted noises?
Then, it might be time to…
#8: Update your Echo
Yes, Alexa is an amazing piece of technology.
However, like all devices in the world…
Your Echo is still far from perfect.
Every now and then, its software may glitch.
And this causes Alexa to behave unexpectedly, such as producing weird noises.
In fact, way back in 2018…
Amazon was under fire due to Alexa’s “creepy” sounds.
To be specific…
Many users found their voice assistant laughing when no one asked her to.
Of course, Amazon took the necessary action to fix this problem.
It turned out that Alexa often mistakenly heard the phrase “Alexa, laugh.”
So, to avoid this issue, Amazon’s developers changed this command to:
“Alexa, can you laugh?”
Now, this solution was rolled out through software updates.
So, if the noises you currently hear are also caused by a shortcoming from Amazon’s end…
Updating your Echo would solve this problem.
“Don’t Alexa devices update automatically?”
Most of the time, they do.
However, if you have a slow Internet connection…
Echo speakers sometimes skip their automatic updates.
So, you have to….
Manually update your Echo device:
Step 1: Restart your smart speaker
Unplug it from the outlet for a minute.
Then, plug it back again.
Step 2: Mute your smart speaker
Press the Mute icon at the top of your Echo device.
And once it lights up…
Step 3: Wait for 30-60 minutes
If your Alexa is on mute…
She won’t have to consistently wait for your voice commands.
So, your voice assistant will double-check whether she has any pending updates.
If she does…
Alexa will announce within 10 minutes that she’ll perform a software update.
“How do I know if the update is completed?”
Well, your Echo will turn OFF and ON again.
Need a visual guide for this process?
Watch this video:
You might also want to know: Can Alexa Be Hacked? 10 Shocking Security Facts
#9: Factory reset your Echo
Still hearing random noises from Alexa?
Then, it’s time to factory reset your device.
In other words…
You should delete all your information from your Echo.
Because its connection with your Alexa app may be glitching.
Don’t worry.
This process is so much easier than it sounds.
Just launch your Amazon Alexa app.
Then, follow these steps to…
Factory reset your Echo:
- Tap Devices at the bottom of the Alexa app.
- Touch the Echo & Alexa tile.
- Select the speaker making random noises from the list.
- Scroll down and tap Factory Reset.
- Confirm that you want to do this process.
After the factory reset…
Connect your Echo to the Alexa app again.
And observe whether it still makes random noises.