In this article, you will learn how you can change the volume on Alexa devices without any hassle using several means. Is your Alexa device volume so low or too high? You can control the volume of your Alexa devices via the following: voice command, using the speaker’s volume physical buttons, hardware volume control, or via Alexa App.
Any of the actions stated above will change the volume of the sound on Alexa devices, however, Alexa’s volume starts from zero (mute) to 10 (loudest) when you use voice commands, but you have more outstanding control when you use the Alexa app or the controls on the speaker.
Amazon is trying to implement a feature known as the Adaptive Volume on smart home speakers, which enables Alexa to respond louder once it detects you are in a noisy environment. The Adaptive Volume mode is meant to ensure that despite the noise pollution around you, you will still be able to hear Alexa’s responses notwithstanding (it could be the sound of a dishwasher, people talking, or music playing on another device). Unfortunately, Amazon says the feature is presently available to US customers for now, and you can activate it by simply saying “Alexa, turn on adaptive volume”.
There are other ways to reduce the volume on Alexa dynamically, one of such ways is via the Whisper Mode, where Alexa will quietly whisper its response if you talk to it silently. You can activate this mode by asking Alexa to “Turn on Whisper Mode”. The Whisper Mode can be used if you need a lowered response. Read on to learn how you can quickly change Alexa’s volume and how you can switch to Whisper Mode when you need Alexa to respond in a quieter and lower tone.
It’s amazing to know that you have the power to control several settings on your Amazon Echo speakers, including changing sound options, adjusting the equalizer or EQ settings, and pairing or grouping speakers all using the Alexa app, which is designed to make this process quite straightforward. The EQ settings allow you to add more treble or bass or in other words tweaking your audio preferences.
How to Change the Volume on Alexa by Adjusting EQ Settings
The EQ Settings option allows you to add more treble and bass effects which grants you the access to tweak your audio preferences. Follow the steps below:
- Navigate to the Alexa app on your smartphone or device.
- Choose Devices.
- Select Echo & Alexa.
- Choose your Echo smart device or speaker.
- Click on the Audio Settings and utilize the slider bars to make the adjustments.
- That’s it!
How to Turn on Adaptive Volume on Alexa
If you don’t want to manually change the volume on your Alexa device, you can also use the new Adaptive Volume feature. This will automatically adjust Alexa’s speaking volume based on how loud you are talking and the background noise.
To turn on Adaptive Volume, open the Alexa app, and go to More > Settings > Voice Response. Then tap the slider next to Adaptive Volume to turn it on. You can also turn this feature on with a simple voice command by saying, “Alexa, turn on Adaptive Volume.”
From this page, you can also turn on Brief Mode, which changes many of Alexa’s common responses into a short beep. You can also enable Whisper mode to make Alexa’s voice get really quiet when you whisper a voice command.
How to Change the Volume on Alexa using Voice Commands
Most times the easiest way to control the volume of the Alexa speaker is to command it to be loud. You can give Alexa the voice command to change its volume anywhere from zero to 10, where zero is muted. For instance, you could say, “Alexa, set the volume to 5”, which is the device’s 50 percent volume level.
You may also say things like “Alexa, increase the volume by 2” or “Alexa, increase the volume by 30 percent”. It all depends on how loud you enjoy your music.
In case you are not sure what the present volume is, you can say, “Alexa, what’s the present volume”?
You can as well mute your speakers by saying, “Alexa, mute”.
To unmute, simply say “Alexa, unmute”, and your Echo will return to its former volume level. You can also unmute by telling Alexa to adjust the volume to a specific level. For instance, you can say, “Alexa, turn the volume to 5”.
This is one of the simplest ways to change Alexa’s volume on top of your speaker. All you need to do is press the plus sign (+) to increase the volume or the minus sign (-) to reduce the volume. You can as well press the circle with a line through it to mute your speaker.
You will find these buttons on every Echo smart speaker except the first-generation models, which have a volume ring at the top. Simply twist this ring to the right to increase the volume or to the left to reduce it. Simple right?
Every Alexa device has physical volume controls whether it’s an Echo speaker or Echo Show, where you can press to either increase or reduce the volume on Alexa.
Most of these devices have plus and minus buttons to set volume. Some Echo speakers however use a dial instead, all you need to do is spin the dial at the top of the device to adjust the volume. Note that every Alexa device has a volume control you can use to fine-tune the audio level of choice.
How to Change the Volume on Alexa using the Alexa app
The Alexa app is not a straightforward option to change the volume on Alexa. This is because you still need to navigate to your specific Alexa device in the app, which can be a bit confusing. However, Alexa might not allow you to change the volume unless it’s presently playing music.
Although, this method has an advantage, which is it allows you to change the volume from zero to 100, instead of the common zero to 10. This gives you much finer control over the exact volume level you want.
- Launch the Alexa app and click “Devices” at the bottom right of the screen.
- Click on “Echo & Alexa” at the top left of the screen.
- Navigate to Alexa’s list of devices and then select to see the list of Echo & Alexa devices.
- Locate the Echo device you want to adjust and click on it.
- You will see an audio slider near the top of the page.
- Swipe it to the left or right (softer or louder respectively) to adjust the volume.
In case audio is presently playing, you can move the slider to set Alexa’s volume. That’s it!
How to Change the Volume on Alexa via Hardware Volume Controls
In case your device is a newer version of the Echo devices, this includes the 2nd Generation versions of the Echo and Echo Dot, as well as the Echo Show and Echo Spot, follow the steps below to change the volume on Alexa via Hardware Volume controls:
- Click “+“ or “-” to change the volume.
- Tap the plus “+” or minus “-“ buttons at the top of the device.
- For devices with a volume ring, just rotate the ring to change the volume.
- At the top of the device, rotate the ring clockwise to increase the volume and anti-clockwise to reduce it.
- The light ring will show the present volume level in white.
Note that devices with a volume ring include the 1st Generation versions of the Echo and Echo Dot as well as the newer Echo Plus.
How to Change the Volume on Alexa via Routines
Changing the volume on Alexa via Routine is so easy but it requires several steps to get it done. You can easily make Alexa’s volume change automatically throughout the day via Routines in the Alexa app. To achieve this, all you need to do is open the app and go to More >> Routines. Then click on the plus sign at the top-right corner and create a schedule with a custom action like “Turn the volume to 4”.
- Open the Alexa app.
- Click on the More icon at the bottom-right corner of your screen.
- Click on Routines.
- Then click on the plus sign (Located at the top-right corner of your screen).
- Next, select Enter Routine Name.
- Give your Routine a name and tap Next once you are done (Note that the name will help you identify what the routine does, so it’s best to name it meaningfully like “Morning Volume”, “Night Volume”, or something similar).
- Click on Schedule and select a start time.
- To create your own schedule, click At Time. and select.
- Now, choose the days and times that you want the volume to change.
- Click Add action.
- Choose Custom.
- Then enter something like, “Turn the volume to 4”.
- Click on Next at the top-right corner once you are done.
- Click Save.
- Choose whichever device you want to respond to.
- Finally, click the play button next to your routine name to ensure it works.
Alexa can be scheduled to be a particular volume at a specific time via the Routines feature found within the Alexa app.
Assuming you wanted to have Alexa play some music as your alarm clock and so want to enjoy the music relatively loud, then you will hear it going off in the morning, but having Alexa speak at that volume any other time would be too loud.
When setting up a routine, you can choose volume as a necessary action alongside others like playing the music.
Change the Volume on Alexa by Using an External Speaker Set
Do you live in a noisy environment or your area is just constantly noisy or do you just enjoy your music when it’s turned to the highest volume? Then, you might want to look into purchasing an external speaker set that can accommodate your hearing needs.
Most users who encounter this same issue enjoyed this option because they have witnessed it and it greatly helps them control the sound according to their unique wishes and circumstances. Buying a higher quality speaker can also improve the quality of the sound, as well as allow you to customize its configurations to your spec.
In case you don’t move around a lot in your house or you live in a small apartment, selecting a non-portable option would be highly advisable. This is because it’s almost always preferable as they tend to have better quality sound and a higher volume range compared to their portable counterparts in the same price range.
These non-portable speakers also come with several other advantages, like they can connect to the internet and radio via WiFi and their sturdiness and controllability via remote control. Therefore, if the system’s mobility isn’t a must for you, it’s recommended to use the non-portable options.
In addition, since the Echo device in itself isn’t portable either, then this option applies to almost all potential buyers that want to buy a new stereo set to connect to their Echo system.
Change the Volume on Alexa by Using BlueTooth
Using BlueTooth to pair up your Alexa devices is an easy approach. To complete the process, you need to follow the steps below:
- Set the sound system device into pairing mode.
- Open the Amazon Alexa app.
- Click “Devices”.
- Click “Echo & Alexa”.
- Choose your device.
- Click “BlueTooth devices”.
- Select “Pair a new device”.
Immediately after the last step, the external stereo will be set, and the system will be ready for use.
Can’t Change the Volume on Alexa? Try these Fixes!
In case you are facing one difficulty or the other while trying to change the volume on Alexa device, try the following fixes below:
- Persistent audio problems: This could be inconsistent volume, try unplugging the device for about 10 seconds and plug it back in. This should work and if it doesn’t move to the next fix below.
- The echo device is hooked up to speakers presently playing at a high volume: Alexa may not recognize your voice or commands as well. You may need to use the hardware buttons or volume ring instead.
- Adjusting the volume will cause the light ring on the Echo to display the present volume level in white before going off again.
- Shorter voice commands are better: Since you can say anything you want to Alexa and still change the volume, also note that long commands have a higher chance of error, therefore try and shorten your words.
- If you are always having trouble adjusting the volume with voice controls you may need to reposition your device. Try to move it closer to where you use voice commands the most and move any furniture or objects that may be blocking it especially if they are very close to the device or obstructing it.
- Power Cycle Your Alexa Device: Although, Power cycling is an old-time concept of unplugging your device, waiting for a few minutes, and plugging it back again. It’s usually overlooked, but it might just be the reason why your Alexa is lacking volume.
- Power cycling is so widespread and often effective and which is why it can help you fix some volume problems that may be originating from internal bugs of your Amazon Echo device.
You need to figure out what solution would work best with your specific issue. In case none of the above fixes work for you, you can go ahead and contact Amazon support at the end, click here to know more about how you can contact an Amazon Customer service representative quickly!
Unfortunately, independent control over Alexa’s voice volume hasn’t been discovered yet, but who knows, perhaps Amazon is working on it to give us this feature in a future update. Stay tuned and don’t miss out!
I hope this article is quite comprehensive and explanatory enough to help you change the volume on Alexa devices. Kindly feel free and let us know what you think about this article in the comment section below. Thank you for reading this far.