Alexa is pretty good at listening, but hardly infallible. If I had a nickel for every time I've called out "Alexa" only to be ignored, I'd be a rich man.
Yes, you could just keep yelling at your Amazon Echo until it listens. But you can also pair your Amazon Echo with a physical remote control. This way, you can pause, play, and stop content, or raise and lower Alexa's volume without speaking.
To do this, you'll need to use a specific remote: the original Alexa Voice Remote for Amazon Echo.
If you have the right remote, here's how to pair it with your Amazon Echo, using the Alexa app for Apple and Android devices.
Check out the products mentioned in this article:
Amazon Echo (From 99.99 at Amazon)
How to pair an Alexa remote with your Amazon Echo
To pair a remote with your Amazon Echo:
1. Open the Alexa app on your mobile device and tap "Devices" in the lower-right corner.
2. On the page that opens, tap the "All Devices" option at the top.
3. Select your Amazon Echo from the list of devices.
4. Under the "Connected Devices" heading, tap "Echo Remote." Instructions will appear on screen.
5. With batteries in the remote, press and hold the Play/Pause button for five seconds.
Your remote will communicate with the Amazon Echo, and the color of its rings may change. You might need to wait for up to 40 seconds for the pairing to complete.
6. Once the remote is paired, your Amazon Echo will say so. You can now use the remote to control it.
Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:
-
'Why does Alexa flash yellow?': How to stop your Alexa speaker from flashing yellow when you receive a message
-
Your Alexa device can play radio stations — you just need to enable the feature on the Alexa app
-
How to change your Alexa device's language or accent in 5 simple steps
-
How to add new skills to your Alexa-enabled device in 3 different ways
-
How to factory reset your Amazon Echo using the Alexa app or your device
Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.
