Alexa routines fail to run on schedule because of wrong time zone settings, WiFi connection problems, outdated Alexa app versions, or conflicts with other routines. Check your device location settings first, then restart your Echo and update the Alexa app to fix most scheduling issues.

Quick Navigation

  1. Why routines miss times
  2. Fix 1: Time zone & location
  3. Fix 2: Restart your Echo
  4. Fix 3: Update the Alexa app
  5. Fix 4: Recreate the routine
  6. Fix 5: Check for conflicts
  7. Fix 6: Stabilize WiFi
  8. Fix 7: Confirm enabled
  9. Fix 8: Verify devices online
  10. When to contact Amazon
  11. Tips to keep routines smooth

Why Alexa Routines Miss Their Scheduled Times

When your Alexa routine doesn't run when it should, there's usually a simple reason behind it. The most common causes include:

  • Wrong time zone: Your Echo device thinks it's in a different time zone than where you actually live
  • WiFi problems: Your smart speaker lost its internet connection right when the routine was supposed to run
  • App needs updating: An old version of the Alexa app has bugs that mess up scheduled routines
  • Device location not set: Amazon doesn't know where your Echo is located, so it can't figure out the right time
  • Routine conflicts: Two routines are trying to run at the same time and blocking each other

Let's go through each fix one by one so you can get your automations working again.

Fix 1: Check Your Time Zone and Location Settings

This is the number one reason Alexa routines run at weird times or not at all. If your Echo thinks you're in California but you live in New York, your 7 AM routine will actually try to run at 4 AM your time.

Here's how to check and fix your location settings:

  1. Open the Alexa app on your phone
  2. Tap Devices at the bottom of the screen
  3. Select Echo & Alexa
  4. Pick the Echo device that's supposed to run your routine
  5. Tap Device Location
  6. Make sure the address matches where your Echo actually sits
  7. If it's wrong, enter your correct street address and save it

After you update the location, your Echo will automatically use the right time zone. Give it a few minutes to sync up, then test your routine by setting it to run 5 minutes from now.

Fix 2: Restart Your Echo Device

Sometimes your Echo just needs a fresh start. A quick reboot clears out temporary glitches that can mess with scheduled routines.

  1. Unplug your Echo from the wall outlet
  2. Wait a full 30 seconds (count it out - don't rush this part)
  3. Plug it back in
  4. Wait for the light ring to turn off, which means it's ready to use

After the restart, say "Alexa, what time is it?" to make sure your device has the correct time. If the time is wrong, go back to Fix 1 and double-check your location settings.

Fix 3: Update the Alexa App

Amazon pushes out updates to the Alexa app pretty often, and older versions can have bugs that break scheduled routines. Even if your app looks like it's working fine, an update might fix hidden problems.

To update on iPhone:

  1. Open the App Store
  2. Tap your profile picture in the top right
  3. Scroll down to see pending updates
  4. Find Amazon Alexa and tap Update if available

To update on Android:

  1. Open the Google Play Store
  2. Tap your profile picture
  3. Select Manage apps & device
  4. Find Amazon Alexa and update it

Fix 4: Delete and Recreate the Routine

Sometimes a routine gets corrupted and the only way to fix it is to start fresh. This sounds annoying, but it only takes a couple minutes and often solves stubborn problems.

  1. Open the Alexa app
  2. Tap More at the bottom right
  3. Select Routines
  4. Find the routine that's not working
  5. Tap on it to open the settings
  6. Scroll down and tap Delete Routine
  7. Confirm you want to delete it
  8. Now create a brand new routine with the same settings

When you rebuild the routine, pay close attention to the "When" section. Make sure you pick the right days of the week and the exact time you want it to run. Also check that you selected the correct Echo device to announce or perform the actions.

Fix 5: Check for Routine Conflicts

If you have multiple routines set to run at the same time, they can step on each other's toes. Alexa might skip one routine entirely or run them in a weird order that causes problems.

Go through all your routines and look for any that share the same trigger time. If you find conflicts, space them out by at least 5 minutes. For example, if you have a "Good Morning" routine at 7:00 AM and a "Turn On Coffee Maker" routine also at 7:00 AM, change one to 7:05 AM.

Fix 6: Make Sure Your WiFi Is Stable

Your Echo needs a solid internet connection to run scheduled routines. If your WiFi drops out right when a routine is supposed to trigger, nothing will happen.

Signs your WiFi might be the problem:

  • Routines work sometimes but not always
  • Your Echo occasionally says "I'm having trouble connecting"
  • Other smart home devices also act flaky
  • Your Echo is far from your router or behind thick walls

Try moving your Echo closer to your WiFi router, or add a WiFi extender if your smart speaker is in a spot with weak signal. You can also restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, which often fixes connection hiccups.

Fix 7: Check If the Routine Is Actually Enabled

This sounds obvious, but it's easy to accidentally disable a routine without realizing it. Every routine has a toggle switch that turns it on or off.

  1. Open the Alexa app
  2. Go to More then Routines
  3. Find your routine in the list
  4. Look for the toggle switch next to it
  5. Make sure it's switched on (it should be blue or highlighted)

Fix 8: Verify Your Smart Home Devices Are Online

If your routine controls smart lights, plugs, or other devices, those devices need to be online and working for the routine to succeed. A routine might technically "run" but appear to do nothing because the target device is offline.

  1. Open the Alexa app
  2. Tap Devices
  3. Look for any devices showing as "Offline" or "Unavailable"
  4. Fix those devices first by power cycling them or checking their WiFi connection

When to Contact Amazon Support

If you've tried all these fixes and your routines still won't run on schedule, there might be a problem with Amazon's servers or your specific account. Reach out to Amazon customer support if:

  • None of your scheduled routines work on any of your Echo devices
  • The problem started suddenly after working fine for months
  • You see error messages in the Alexa app about routines
  • Other Alexa features work fine but only scheduled routines fail

Amazon support can check if there's an issue on their end or if something in your account settings needs to be reset.

Tips to Keep Routines Running Smoothly

Once you get your routines working again, here are some tips to prevent future problems:

  • Keep the Alexa app updated - turn on automatic updates if you can
  • Restart your Echo devices once a month to clear out any buildup of small glitches
  • Don't schedule too many routines at the exact same time
  • Test new routines right after creating them by setting a trigger time a few minutes away
  • Keep your WiFi network healthy with regular router restarts

Most Alexa routine problems come down to location settings or WiFi issues. Start with those two fixes first, and you'll solve the problem about 80% of the time. If those don't work, rebuilding the routine from scratch usually does the trick.