Alexa is a helpful tool which can work in your home or your office.
This is a device that works with wireless internet.
If you are not connected to the internet, then Alexa is not going to work.
Some people who use Alexa quite often to stream music start to wonder how much of their monthly internet data is being used by Alexa.
We have gathered some helpful information for you and some ways to optimize what you get out of the Alexa service.
How Much Internet Does Alexa Use?
Generally speaking, Alexa does not use the internet very much.
If you are streaming audio, you will use about 256 Kbps.
If you listen to music for about an hour or so, that would be about 100mb per hour.
Since there are 1000MB in a GB, you could have about ten hours of music before getting to a GB.
Alexa will not work without WiFi in your home.
If you are someone who uses Alexa regularly, then you may want to consider an unlimited data plan so you don’t end up hitting your limits.
If you are having trouble streaming music or having Alexa respond to your commands, there could be a few reasons behind it.
How Much Internet Speed Does Alexa Use?
Like all electronic devices, there is a minimum internet speed Alexa is capable of running on.
The speed is 512 Kbps.
Most likely, your internet service is quite a bit faster than this, but sometimes, what you pay for and what you get are two different things.
If you confirm you are paying for an internet speed higher than 512 Kbps, but you still aren’t getting the results you won’t, you may want to run a speed test.
Can Alexa Do an Internet Speed Test?
Alexa can do an internet speed test, and it is a good idea to do a speed test from time to time.
You may need to download another application to test the speed of the internet, but it is not difficult to do.
When you run an internet speed test, you can get the data you need to make sure you are getting the internet speed you think you are getting.
If, for some reason, your internet speed is much lower than what you think it should be, you can call your provider.
They should be able to see the results you got from your test so you can verify that there is an issue.
Ways to Get Alexa to Work Better
Alexa is a great tool to have in your home if it is working correctly.
Speed and internet connection are the top ways to get Alexa to function better, but there are other things you can do that will help.
1. Customization
Don’t forget to customize your Alexa so it works for your needs.
Since Alexa is an Amazon product, it is going to default to the Amazon products each time you ask it to do something.
If there are other products or streaming services you enjoy outside of Amazon, then you need to program this into your Alexa.
For instance, if you like to stream music on Spotify, you absolutely can do so with your Alexa.
However, until you set this up as the default, Alexa will automatically turn to Amazon Music.
Customizing your Alexa to work for you will help you save on internet usage and get a more hassle-free experience when using the device.
2. Voice Remote
The voice command feature of Alexa is part of what makes it so appealing.
However, unless you are close to the Alexa, the voice functions don’t work.
If you are finding that this is causing issues for you, then you can purchase a voice remote.
The voice remote is a device you can speak to, and it will communicate with Alexa for you.
This is a great option to have if you can’t be close to Alexa but still need it for functionality.
3. Training
Sometimes Alexa will have a hard time figuring out what it is you are trying to say.
Some people think this has to do with their internet speed, but it is more about training the Alexa to understand.
There are voice training procedures you can go through which will help Alexa learn your voice and respond accordingly.
These only take a few minutes, but they can make a big difference when it comes to speed and the Alexa’s ability to recognize your voice.
4. Profiles
Another great way to eliminate any confusion on your part and the part of Alexa is to create profiles.
If you have multiple people using Alexa, the profiles can help to keep everything organized.
When you want to switch accounts, all you need to do is tell Alexa to switch accounts.
What is even better about the profiles is that you can assign a password to the profiles to make sure privacy is still upheld across all accounts.
Five people living in a household all trying to use the same Alexa can get a bit tricky and not work out quite as well as you may hope.
Can You Use Alexa Without WiFi?
Alexa needs WiFi to function.
If you want to use Alexa but don’t have a wireless connection at the moment, you can use a hotspot.
A wireless hotspot will allow you to get Alexa working, but this is because it is providing the internet Alexa needs to function.
If your WiFi is down, Alexa can’t access the databases it needs to give you the answers you need.
Conclusion
Alexa is not going to use up all of your data for a month.
If you are streaming music for an hour while you are cleaning the kitchen, don’t even worry about how much data it uses.
If, however, you are someone who wants Alexa to work for you 24/7, then you may want to choose unlimited data.
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