Alexa is one of the most versatile smart assistants to help owners centralize voice controls for their smart ecosystem. It provides support for countless brands, and you can simply download skills on the application to link up a new smart device. Users are quite delighted with the value brought forward by this smart assistant. However, off-brand devices can still run into issues with Alexa, so you should stick with established options to benefit from voice control features.
While Alexa is arguably the best voice assistant in the market, it can still run into minor bugs from time to time. Customers have pointed out some issues with Alexa keeps saying I can’t do that. So, let’s go through some fixes for this issue.
Fixing Alexa Keeps Saying I Can’t Do That
- Turn Off Free Time
The major reason behind this error with Alexa is the activation of the Free Time mode. So, if you’re also experimenting with the parental controls on your smart assistant, then that is likely why you’re struggling with Alexa smart assistant keeps saying I can’t do that. Luckily, you will be able to fix this issue by turning off the free time features.
You will have to wait for a software update to benefit from this feature, as it is a bit bugged at the moment. So, try to manage the commands on your smart assistant accordingly to maneuver through these bugs.
- Power Cycle Device
If the free time mode is already turned off and you’re running into this issue, then there is a possibility that a simple power cycle will fix this issue. You just have to remove the power connection from the devices connected to Alexa for a few seconds and turn it back on. It will troubleshoot minor bugs, and the commands should start working.
This is especially true if you’re running into problems with only a few devices and the Alexa is working perfectly with other smart units. So, just power cycle the effective device and start the system again.
- Reset Application
If power cycling the system gets you nowhere with the issue, then resetting the smart app should be your next step. A bugged app is known to create this problem with the Alexa smart assistant. So, simply go to the app settings on your phone and select the storage options.
From the storage options, you can easily remove all the stored data and cache in your mobile device. This won’t remove any configurations from your phone, and you can log back into the app to access the smart devices. Ideally, the bugs should be fixed at this stage if they are related to your app only.
- Check Software Update
If you browse the community forums for a while, you will find that the majority of customers ran into this problem with Alexa keeps saying I can’t do that after updating the software. The software updates can occasionally raise these minor bugs, and simply waiting for a new version is your best bet.
Some owners have also said that rolling back to the previous update eliminated the problem, so check the software update-related issues on the forums and switch the current unit to a different version.
- Fix Wi-Fi Connection
A poor Wi-Fi connection can also play a role in this issue. So, if you’re not getting anywhere with any of the fixes mentioned above, checking the Wi-Fi connection should be your next step. Ideally, you should troubleshoot this issue after increasing the signal strength. So, if the router is placed somewhere far away from the smart devices, just move it closer to your smart setup and try connecting the devices again.
- Reconnect Devices
Reconnecting the smart devices with the Alexa assistant is another great method of troubleshooting this issue, with Alexa saying I can’t do that. If this issue is only happening for a handful of devices, remove them from the app and give them a quick reset. Once that is done, you can pair them up with the home network again and then link them with the smart assistant.
Go through all the configurations again and then try using the voice commands to turn on these devices. Hopefully, the issue with your Alexa will be fixed at this point, and you won’t have to bother with more troubleshooting steps.
- Change Voice Command
Sometimes the fix is as simple as changing the voice commands for the smart device you’re trying to access. So, open up the application configurations on your mobile phone and access the voice settings. From there, you can issue a new command line that can be used to activate your system. Changing this command will eliminate the majority of performance-related issues with your smart setup.
Similarly, changing the activation work on your Alexa smart assistant will also improve your situation. So, update the current app configurations and then issue the new commands to access the smart device. It should start working as long as there are no hardware-related issues or software mismatches with the device.
- Call Amazon
The last thing you can do about this situation with Alexa keeps saying I can’t do that is call Amazon support. Many owners have been told to wait for a software update, and the new version will address all of these issues. So, you just need to be patient and call Amazon support to troubleshoot this problem with Alexa not working. It will save you a lot of headaches, and the professional will guide you through each step of the way.
The most common reason behind this issue is the activation of Free Time. So, make sure to disable that if you’re running into this problem with the Alexa keeps saying I can’t do that. Ideally, that will fix the problem, and you won’t have to go through any additional troubleshooting steps to improve the system. However, if you’re not that lucky and the system is still not working perfectly, then calling Amazon support is the last option left.