Alexa’s “Do Not Disturb” mode is a great feature that aims to limit outside interruptions, but when it activates randomly it can cause you to miss critical notifications and messages. This can throw your schedule out of sync, and it needs to be settled before more problems emerge.
How do you stop Alexa from constantly turning “Do Not Disturb” mode on? Why is it even doing that, to begin with?
Alexa randomly turning on “Do Not Disturb” mode may be due to someone else in your home toggling the setting while you’re away. It may also be part of a set Alexa schedule or routine, which requires you to check and disable them manually.
Alexa’s “Do Not Disturb” mode can be quite disruptive if it activates when you didn’t intend for it to, but thankfully it’s an easy problem to address with the proper guidance. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to quickly and effortlessly settle the issue.
Someone Else is Toggling “Do Not Disturb” Mode
There’s a small chance that Alexa’s random “Do Not Disturb” mode changes are being caused by someone in your home enabling the setting without telling you.
Here’s how to check if “Do Not Disturb” is currently enabled using the Alexa app.
- From “Devices”, select “Echo & Alexa”.
- Choose the device you want to change.
- “Do Not Disturb” mode is activated per unit, so unfortunately you won’t be able to apply this as a global change in your smart home Echo devices.
- Click the icon for “Device Settings” on the upper right.
- You’ll find “Do Not Disturb” mode right under the “General” category.
If you see this mode has been toggled in your settings, and you know for a fact you didn’t set it up, ask around in your home to get to the bottom of this. There’s a pretty big chance someone in your house just got fed up with surprise drop-ins or Alexa randomly lighting up!
“Do Not Disturb” Mode Is Set in a Schedule
Alexa schedules are a set of instructions that your Echo device will follow at specific times. This can extend to toggled settings and can even control smart home tasks – ranging from locking your doors, turning on lights, or even brewing a lovely cup of coffee!
If “Do Not Disturb” mode is scheduled for specific times, you’ll notice it cropping up on a regular basis even after the initial check.
If you’d like to see it for yourself, just follow the video below.
If you’d prefer to read simple instructions, we’ve got you covered.
- Open the Alexa app.
- Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the screen.
- Tap Routines.
- You will see a list of all your routines, including any schedules that you have created.
- To see the details of a schedule, tap on the name of the schedule.
“Do Not Disturb” Mode Is Part of a Routine
An Alexa routine is a set of instructions Alexa follows when triggered and can be quite complex. Individual tasks can be bundled up into one routine, and these triggers can be anything from specific words, light settings, or even proximity (if you have sensor accessories).
You can find routines the same way you find schedules in the Alexa app, so just follow the guide above to understand how routines work – you’ll be in good hands.
Schedules vs Routines
While it might seem like routines are synonymous with schedules (they’re even accessed in the same settings menu on the Alexa app) they operate a bit differently.
Schedules are limited to specific times and durations, while routines allow a greater degree of complexity. Routines also let you link up multiple different features to one trigger, while schedules usually handle rudimentary settings or individual tasks like shutting down lights.
In summary, everything you’re capable of doing in schedules can be done in routines, but not vice versa. They’re accessed through the same Alexa app menu but are distinct from one another – meaning you could have either a schedule, a routine, or even both responsible for your issues with the “Do Not Disturb” mode on your Alexa.
Final Thoughts
“Do Not Disturb” mode is a great way to manage unwanted interruptions, but if it activates when you don’t want it to it can pose a serious nuisance to your plans.
It’s often caused by changed settings, but if you notice “Do Not Disturb” mode frequently being enabled by Alexa, you’ll want to check for pre-existing schedules or routines that snuck by!