How to Fix Alexa Echo Multi Room Music Not Working
Introduction
If you've got Alexa set up for it, you can stream music to all your connected devices even if they are in different rooms. However, with all the interconnecting parts, there are bound to be some issues. You could have one speaker just not working or Alexa could tell you she couldn't complete the command.
There are a couple limitations to the Multi-Room Music Groups like being unable to stream over Bluetooth. Your speakers need to be connected to an Alexa device by a wire. Let's make sure your speakers are properly connected to the right network and powered. It sounds simple but its easy to overlook. After that we'll go over how to reduce the WiFi congestion just in case that's causing an issue.
Before You Begin:
1 Multi-Room Group Compatibility and Limitations
Multi-Room Music Limitations
Multi-Room Music will not work over Bluetooth, so if you have a Bluetooth speaker paired with the Echo, you'll need to connect the two using the 3.5mm jack.
Compatible Devices
You can see your compatible speakers during setup for Multi-Room Music. You will only be able to use these speakers to create a multi-room music group. Any devices not compatible will not show up.
When you define your group, devices you can use will be under devices available.
Compatible Content
Make sure you're using a music platform that supports Alexa. Some platforms that support Alexa include:
- Amazon Music Unlimited (Individual plan or Family plan)
- Prime Music
- Amazon Music
- Spotify
- Some third-party music providers (like TuneIn)
2 Make Sure the Devices are Turned On
Restarting an Echo Smart Speaker
If you're worried about additional issues with your speaker or you want to go ahead and restart it unplug the power adapter from your Echo device for three seconds, and then plug it back in. This should remove any issues it had.
3 Make Sure Your Multi-Room Group is Functioning
You can connect all of your Amazon Echoes or similar devices together and then create what is known as a Multi-Room Music Group. This lets us play music across multiple speaker systems.
In order to use the Multi-Room music commands, you need to have the multi-room group set up. Let's make sure your devices are set up within a group.
If Multi-Room Music is working except for one speaker, this is usually the issue you can fix.
- Open your Alexa app.
- Select Devices.
- Scroll down on the Devices page to review Speaker Groups. If you have Speaker Groups, go ahead and tap one.
- You'll be brought to the Edit Group page. From here you want to make sure all the speakers you want to play music are in the group. Devices included in the group will be shown as online and with a blue check mark.
- If you don't have an active music group, you'll need to make one.
Create a Multi-Room Music Group
4 Make Sure Your Devices are on the Same Network
- Open your Alexa app.
- Select the Menu.
- Select Settings.
- Select Your Speaker Device.
- Select Update Wi-Fi.
- The Wi-Fi network you're connected to will be listed and needs to be the same for all speakers. If the network is different than expected, you can go ahead and change it here.
- If you changed the network, you may need to add the speaker back to the multi-room group.
5 Reduce WiFi Congestion
What is WiFi Congestion
Have you ever been to a concert and trying to talk to someone while the music is playing, the crowd is cheering, and the speakers are pounding? Its almost impossible to hear yourself think, let alone hear the other person.
WiFi congestion is similar to that where you have multiple devices all fighting to be heard at a concert. The more devices, the more congestion.
If your WiFi network is congested with smart phones, watches, gaming consoles, smart televisions, home security, or anything else that regularly uses your network, then it may be possible your Multi-Room Music issue is WiFi congestion.
How to Reduce WiFi Congestion
- Turn off devices you aren't using to free up bandwidth on your network.
- Move your Echo device closer to your router and modem if it's in a different room or blocked by an object.
- Move your Echo device away from walls, metal objects, and other sources of possible interference (such as microwave ovens or baby monitors).
- If your Echo device is on the floor, move it to a higher location.
- Many Wi-Fi devices only connect to the 2 GHz channel. If multiple devices use this channel on your network, your network speed may be slower. If you have a dual-band router, you can connect your Echo devices to the less congested 5 GHz channel for better range and less interference.
Was this content helpful?
YesNoIf you've got Alexa set up for it, you can stream music to all your connected devices even if they are in different rooms. However, with all the interconnecting parts, there are bound to be some issues. You could have one speaker just not working or Alexa could tell you she couldn't complete the command.
There are a couple limitations to the Multi-Room Music Groups like being unable to stream over Bluetooth. Your speakers need to be connected to an Alexa device by a wire. Let's make sure your speakers are properly connected to the right network and powered. It sounds simple but its easy to overlook. After that we'll go over how to reduce the WiFi congestion just in case that's causing an issue.
Before You Begin:
Multi-Room Music Limitations
Multi-Room Music will not work over Bluetooth, so if you have a Bluetooth speaker paired with the Echo, you'll need to connect the two using the 3.5mm jack.
Compatible Devices
You can see your compatible speakers during setup for Multi-Room Music. You will only be able to use these speakers to create a multi-room music group. Any devices not compatible will not show up.
When you define your group, devices you can use will be under devices available.
Compatible Content
Make sure you're using a music platform that supports Alexa. Some platforms that support Alexa include:
- Amazon Music Unlimited (Individual plan or Family plan)
- Prime Music
- Amazon Music
- Spotify
- Some third-party music providers (like TuneIn)
Restarting an Echo Smart Speaker
If you're worried about additional issues with your speaker or you want to go ahead and restart it unplug the power adapter from your Echo device for three seconds, and then plug it back in. This should remove any issues it had.
You can connect all of your Amazon Echoes or similar devices together and then create what is known as a Multi-Room Music Group. This lets us play music across multiple speaker systems.
In order to use the Multi-Room music commands, you need to have the multi-room group set up. Let's make sure your devices are set up within a group.
If Multi-Room Music is working except for one speaker, this is usually the issue you can fix.
- Open your Alexa app.
- Select Devices.
- Scroll down on the Devices page to review Speaker Groups. If you have Speaker Groups, go ahead and tap one.
- You'll be brought to the Edit Group page. From here you want to make sure all the speakers you want to play music are in the group. Devices included in the group will be shown as online and with a blue check mark.
- If you don't have an active music group, you'll need to make one.
Create a Multi-Room Music Group
- Open your Alexa app.
- Select the Menu.
- Select Settings.
- Select Your Speaker Device.
- Select Update Wi-Fi.
- The Wi-Fi network you're connected to will be listed and needs to be the same for all speakers. If the network is different than expected, you can go ahead and change it here.
- If you changed the network, you may need to add the speaker back to the multi-room group.
What is WiFi Congestion
Have you ever been to a concert and trying to talk to someone while the music is playing, the crowd is cheering, and the speakers are pounding? Its almost impossible to hear yourself think, let alone hear the other person.
WiFi congestion is similar to that where you have multiple devices all fighting to be heard at a concert. The more devices, the more congestion.
If your WiFi network is congested with smart phones, watches, gaming consoles, smart televisions, home security, or anything else that regularly uses your network, then it may be possible your Multi-Room Music issue is WiFi congestion.
How to Reduce WiFi Congestion
- Turn off devices you aren't using to free up bandwidth on your network.
- Move your Echo device closer to your router and modem if it's in a different room or blocked by an object.
- Move your Echo device away from walls, metal objects, and other sources of possible interference (such as microwave ovens or baby monitors).
- If your Echo device is on the floor, move it to a higher location.
- Many Wi-Fi devices only connect to the 2 GHz channel. If multiple devices use this channel on your network, your network speed may be slower. If you have a dual-band router, you can connect your Echo devices to the less congested 5 GHz channel for better range and less interference.