If your Alexa routines have suddenly stopped working, you are likely dealing with a “skill disconnect” or a recent software glitch that has been affecting users in early 2026.
Here is the troubleshooting checklist to get them running again, ranked from easiest fix to most technical.
1. The “Toggle” Fix (Most Common Solution)
Sometimes the routine script gets “stuck” in the cloud. Toggling it forces a refresh.
Open the Alexa App > More > Routines.
Open the specific routine that isn’t working.
Toggle it OFF, wait 5 seconds, and Toggle it ON.
Test it immediately.
2. The “Voice Command” Conflict
If you trigger your routine by voice (e.g., “Alexa, Goodnight”), she might be confusing it with a native command.
Check Activity: Go to More > Activity History > Voice.
See what Alexa thought you said. If she heard “Goodnight” but treated it as a polite greeting instead of a trigger, her native AI is overriding your routine.
Fix: Change the trigger phrase to something less common (e.g., change “Good Night” to “Time for bed” or “System Shutdown”).
Also Read : Clock Watchdog Timeout Error
3. The Third-Party “Skill” Expiry
If your routine involves smart lights (Tuya, Smart Life, Hue) or plugs, the connection between Alexa and that brand often expires silently.
Go to More > Skills & Games.
Find the skill for your device (e.g., “Smart Life”).
If it says “Account Linking Required,” tap it and sign in again.
Pro Tip: Even if it looks fine, Disable the skill and Enable it again to force a fresh handshake.
4. Location-Based Routine Failure
If your “I’m Home” or “I’m Leaving” routines aren’t firing, this is almost always a phone permission issue.
iOS/Android Settings: Go to your phone’s main settings > Alexa App > Location.
Change the permission to “Always Allow”. If it is set to “While Using App,” the routine will not work when your phone is in your pocket.
Open the App: On some recent Android updates, the Alexa app puts itself to sleep. You may need to open the app once every few days to keep the location tracker active.
5. The “Nuclear” Option (Delete & Re-create)
If a routine was created a long time ago, it might be running on legacy code that conflicts with the 2026 updates.
Delete the routine entirely.
Create it from scratch.
Note: Do not just “duplicate” the old one; build a fresh one to ensure it uses the latest action protocols.
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