(11 Fixes) Alexa Plays Music Randomly [Updated 2023 Guide]

Does your Alexa device seem to be haunted?

It often blasts random screamo or explicit rap music in the middle of the night.

But you didn’t say a command.

Well, before you panic, there are some things that might be causing it.

So, what are those?

And how can you fix this on your own?

Read on to discover:

• 11 ways to stop Alexa from playing music randomly.
• The reasons why this problem happens on Alexa devices.
• How you can reset your Alexa device to its factory settings.
• Steps on how to check and delete a routine on your Alexa app.
• And many more…

Why does Alexa keep playing music randomly?

Alexa keeps playing music randomly because your streaming account might be used by someone else. You may have also let a friend or a family member use it before. So your account is still logged in on their device. But, this can be due to a routine, wrong command, signal interference, or errors too.

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Alexa plays music randomly: 11 ways to stop it

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#1: Logout your streaming accounts on all devices

At first, it may look like a poltergeist is behind all this.

But before you freak out, the culprit can only be your streaming service.

This is more likely if your Alexa device is connected to one. Say, Spotify or Amazon Music.

As well as if there are recently played songs or playlists on your profile that are unfamiliar to you.

“What’s going on?”

There could be someone using your account. 

But, you may also be sharing it with a friend or family member. So whenever they play something, you’ll hear it on your Alexa as it was set as the default speaker. 

What to do?

Whether you have confirmed this or not, it’ll be best to:

Step 1: Sign out your streaming account on all devices.

This is to ensure that whoever accessed your profile will be automatically signed out.

To do this on your Spotify, open your account settings. Then select the “Sign out everywhere” option.

For Amazon, log into your account in a browser. Find and click “Manage Your Content & Devices.”

Select “Devices.” Pick all that you see in the list (or ones that aren’t yours).

Then click “Deregister” to remove the device/s.

Step 2: Sign in to your streaming account using a web browser.

Step 3: Unlink Alexa from your account.

I’ll discuss how to do it on your Spotify. Since the steps may be similar to other streaming services, you can still use these as a reference.

1. Log in to your streaming account on your web browser. 
2. Click your profile icon. (It’s usually on the upper right corner.)
3. Select “Account.”
4. Cycle down until you see “Apps” then click it.
5. Search for Alexa in the list of connected apps.
6. Tap “Remove Access” to unlink your account from Alexa.

You might also like:  Alexa Won’t Play Spotify: 15 Easy Ways To Fix It

And to further make sure that you’re the only one using the profile…

#2: Change the password of your streaming account

To ensure that this won’t happen again, you need to change your password as well.

It must have a better password strength. So you may think of a new one with a combination of letters and numbers.

What to do?

1. Open your streaming account on the app or browser.
2. Click the profile icon with your name.
3. Select “Account.”
4. Choose “Change Password.”
5. Enter the current password of your account.
6. Input the new password twice (or as per instructions).
7. Tap “Set new password” to change it.

Note: Make sure to list or remember your new password.

#3: Change your Amazon account password

Aside from your streaming services…

Also, secure your Amazon account afterwards.

1. Go to the Amazon website.
2. Log into your account.
3. Click “Your Account.”
4. Select “Password” then click “Edit.”
5. Enter the new password. (Follow all the instructions that will flash on your screen.)
6. Click “Save changes.”

But if you forgot your password, follow these steps:

1. Click this link to go to Amazon’s Password assistance.
2. Input the phone number or email address linked with your account.
3. Select “Continue.”
4. Wait for Amazon’s One Time Password (OTP) via SMS or email verification.
5. Type the OTP sent to you.
6. Enter the new account password.

#4: Disable the certain streaming service skill

Once you’ve logged out on all devices and changed your passwords…

You can also disable Spotify or other skills if you’re not using them frequently.

This is a good measure to avoid waking up at 2:30 am with random music playing.

How to disable an Alexa skill

Like phone apps, Alexa skills can be enabled and disabled if you want to. And to do the latter:

1. Launch the Alexa app on your mobile phone.
2. Open the sidebar menu by clicking the upper left button. (This is the icon with 3 lines.)
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Tap “Music & Podcasts.”
5. Click the streaming service you want to remove. (E.g., Spotify, Amazon Music.)
6. Select the “Disable Skill” option.

By doing this, Alexa won’t be able to play songs or podcasts from the disabled app.

So if your device still blasts music randomly through it, this may stop it. (Hopefully!)

#5: Double-check your Alexa routine

When does your Alexa do this?

Does it also happen at an exact time?

If so, and you don’t have any problems with your streaming services…

You might have set a routine on your Alexa. And this is why it plays random music at the same time every day.

“What are Alexa routines?”

These are actions that automatically turn on at a specific time or location. As well as a certain command. 

Learn more: 47 Best Alexa Routine Ideas (#13 Will Blow Your Mind)

How to check or delete an Alexa routine

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Tap the top-left button on the screen.
3. Select “Routines.”
4. Click “Enabled” to see the routines that were set.
5. Choose the routine that you want to delete.
6. Follow the instructions and save your changes.

Note: If this doesn’t work, you can unplug your Alexa device/s when not in use. Like if you’re about to sleep or go outside. Do this until you find the right solution for your problem.

Also, try the other tips below.

#6: Mute your Alexa device

Sometimes, Alexa might have also misheard you.

Or…

It may have detected a wrong command. So it suddenly blasts a song even though you never asked for it.

This case is more probable if there’s a command in your history when this happens.

How to check the voice history on your Alexa app

1. While on the app, navigate to “Settings.”
2. Select “Alexa Privacy.”
3. Click “Review Voice History” to see the list of previous commands.

If you saw that there are unknown commands…

You can also mute your device to avoid getting startled whenever it plays something.

If you have an account issue, this will also help. But, this won’t fully solve your problem.

However, it could help you sleep in peace in the meantime.

What to do?

1. Get your Alexa device.
2. Find its microphone button. (This is usually a microphone or a circle button with a line.)
3. Press the button.
4. Wait until its ring becomes red. (This means that you’ve already disabled the microphone.)

Leave it that way unless you’re not using it. Then press the button again if you need to use the microphone.

You’ll see that the red light will be gone once it’s on.

Check out also: Why is my Alexa not responding to commands?

#7: Turn on the “Do Not Disturb” mode

This is another quick and easy fix.

By turning this mode on, you’ll mute all actions and notifications on your Alexa. And these will only be on once you disable it.

But again, this is only temporary if your issue is caused by a hacked account. However, it could be of great help.

What to do?

To turn the “Do not disturb” mode on, launch the Alexa app. And then:

1. Click the “Devices” button on the bottom part of your screen.
2. Tap “Echo & Alexa.”
3. Scroll down until you see “General” then select it.
4. Look for your device and tap it.
5. Choose the “Do Not Disturb” option.
   
6. Touch the toggle button to enable the mode.

Note: This mode only blocks your notifications. So routines or reminders aren’t included. Also, you can schedule a certain time to activate it.

How?

Repeat steps #1 to #5 above. Look for the “Schedule” option and click its toggle button.

Set the time you want your device to enable this mode. Preferably around your bedtime or working hours.

#8: Disconnect your Alexa from all devices

In other cases, your streaming services might not be at fault for this.

“So, what’s happening?”

While it’s playing, look at your Alexa device’s paired devices.

If someone’s connected to it, then that’s the cause of the problem.

Your Dot or Echo may have its Bluetooth on at all times.  And your neighbor might have paired with it by accident.

Well, this isn’t an uncommon scenario in dense apartment buildings.

Bluetooth can reach a distance of up to 30 ft (9.14 m).

So even you yourself can connect to the Alexa device next to your unit. As long as it’s discoverable.

And this could be the reason why your Alexa plays music randomly.

Now, you might be wondering…

Don’t you have to initiate pairing from the Alexa app for a Dot/Echo?

Apparently, this only happens if you use a voice command.

Say, if you asked Alexa to pair to the device.

But typically, you won’t need a PIN to pair with an Alexa device via Bluetooth.

What to do?

Remove all paired devices on your Alexa device.

1. Open your Alexa app.
2. Click the “Devices” button.
3. Tap “Echo & Alexa” and choose your device.
4. Select “Bluetooth Devices.”
5. Pick the devices you want to unpair.
6. Click “Forget Device.”

Note: If you need to remove two or more devices, simply repeat steps #5 and #6.

#9: Disable bluetooth when not in use

If you have close neighbors, this will be so frustrating.

Yes, you can unpair them whenever. But this method would be too time-consuming.

So if Bluetooth seems to be the cause of your problem…

Why not turn it off when it’s not in use. Or disable it for as long as you want.

What to do?

To turn off Bluetooth on your device, say “Alexa, disable Bluetooth.”

And that’s it.

However, to know if it’s successful you may need to scan for available devices using your phone.

Then check if your Alexa device is there or not.

If it can’t be found, then its Bluetooth is now off. So you don’t have to worry about your neighbor pairing with it at 3 AM.

Note: Now, if you have trouble turning your device’s Bluetooth on, unplug it for a while. Wait for at least 10 seconds. Then put its cord back in the outlet.

#10: Move your Alexa away from other devices

One more thing.

Where do you usually place your Alexa Echo or Dot?

If it’s near other devices while it plays music randomly, then that might be the cause.

For example, your device is on top of a microwave oven. Or close to a baby monitor.

This is likely the problem if you unplugged or asked Alexa to stop many times. But then, it’ll continue playing after a few seconds.

“Why does it happen?”

Although a microwave oven doesn’t have power, it still emits radio waves.

These are signals that travel in the air. So they can interfere with your Alexa device and affect its function.

What to do?

If this is the case, your problem will be fixed in only a few seconds.

Simply move your Alexa device from other wireless devices. Or ones that emit radio waves.

And always keep this in your mind to prevent this from happening again.

#11: Factory reset your echo device/s

If you’ve tried everything and nothing works for you…

Then, try this as a last resort.

The more you use a device, the more bugs or errors it’ll accumulate. And over time, this will also affect its function and play music randomly.

So sometimes, all your Alexa device needs is a reset to clear any errors that it has.

How to factory reset an Alexa device

A simple reboot doesn’t usually solve this problem. So a factory reset will be a more effective solution.

Note: By doing this, you’ll be deleting all the saved settings on your device. It’s like you’re bringing it back to the state when it’s still brand new. So after the reset, you need to set your device all over again.

Now, there are 2 ways to do this.

Option #1: For 1st generation Amazon Alexa devices

1. Grab your Alexa device.
2. Look for its reset button. (It’s a small hole that’s usually on the bottom part of your device.)
3. Get a thin pointed object to push the button inside it. (E.g., paper clip, pin.)
4. Insert it then press and hold the reset button.
5. Do this until the light on the ring turns orange > blue > off > orange.

Option #2: For 2nd generation Amazon Alexa devices

1. Click and hold the “Microphone off” and “Volume down” buttons.
2. Do this at the same time until you see the ring becomes orange.
3. After a few seconds, the ring will turn blue then orange.

Once it becomes orange, it means that the reset is finished.