Amazon Alexa Commands (2025)

Amazon Alexa keeps getting smarter, and whether you own an Echo Dot, Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, or even the massive Echo Show 15, there’s always something new to explore. Alexa can control your smart home, play your favorite music, help seniors with daily tasks, and even work seamlessly with devices like the Fire TV Stick 4K.

If you're looking to unlock the full potential of your Alexa speaker, this guide will take you through everything from basic commands to advanced features, including how to use Alexa apps to customize your experience.

What’s New with Amazon Alexa in 2025?

Amazon has been making Alexa more conversational and AI-powered, meaning it’s now even better at understanding natural speech. Here are some of the latest Amazon Echo updates you need to know:

More Personalized Commands – Alexa can now remember preferences and offer personalized responses.
Smarter Shopping with Alexa Echo Devices – You can now say, “Alexa, show me a green pleated skirt”, and your Amazon Echo Show 8 or Echo Show 15 will display personalized shopping suggestions.
Enhanced Smart Home Scheduling – Say, “Alexa, turn off the kitchen lights in 10 minutes” to automate your space.
Fire TV Stick 4K Integration – Use voice commands like “Alexa, play Stranger Things on Fire TV Stick 4K”.
Better Alexa for Seniors – Alexa can now offer medication reminders, daily wellness check-ins, and hands-free emergency calls.

Coming Soon: Alexa’s AI-powered “Let’s Chat” feature will make interactions feel even more natural.

Getting Started: Alexa Wake Words & Customization

Your Alexa Echo Dot, Amazon Echo Show, or other Alexa speaker wakes up when you say “Alexa”, but did you know you can change the wake word? You can also use:

“Amazon”
“Echo”
“Computer”

How to Change the Wake Word:

Open the Alexa app.
Go to Settings > Device Settings.
Select your Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Show and change the wake word.

Pro Tip for Seniors: If you or a loved one has trouble remembering the wake word, pick one that’s easy to say!

Essential Alexa Commands for 2025

Whether you have an Echo Dot, Amazon Echo Show 8, Echo Show 15, or Fire TV Stick 4K, these commands will make life easier.

Basic Alexa Commands

“Alexa, help.” (Get assistance)
“Alexa, stop.” / “Alexa, pause.” / “Alexa, mute.” (Control playback)
“Alexa, set the volume to 5.” (Adjust volume levels)

Music & Audio on Alexa Speakers

“Alexa, play music.” (Start streaming instantly)
“Alexa, play classic rock on Spotify.” (Stream from your preferred service)
“Alexa, play my bedtime playlist.” (Use Amazon Music, Apple Music, or Pandora)
“Alexa, set a sleep timer for 30 minutes.” (Perfect for falling asleep to music)

Alexa Commands for Fire TV Stick 4K & Streaming

“Alexa, play [show/movie] on Fire TV Stick 4K.”
“Alexa, open Netflix on Fire TV.”
“Alexa, fast-forward 30 seconds.”
“Alexa, show me action movies on my Echo Show 15.”

Smart Home Control with Amazon Echo & Alexa

“Alexa, turn on the living room lights.” (Works with smart bulbs like Philips Hue)
“Alexa, lock the front door.” (If you have a smart lock like August or Schlage)
“Alexa, turn up the thermostat to 72 degrees.” (For compatible smart thermostats like Nest or Ecobee)
“Alexa, show me the front door camera on my Echo Show 8.” (Perfect for security cameras like Ring or Arlo)

Alexa Calling & Messaging (Perfect for Seniors & Families!)

“Alexa, call Mom.” (Hands-free calling made easy!)
“Alexa, drop in on the kitchen.” (Use Amazon Echo devices as an intercom!)
“Alexa, announce ‘Dinner is ready!’” (Broadcast to all Alexa speakers at home.)
“Alexa, remind me to take my medicine at 8 AM.” (Helpful for seniors!)

Shopping with Alexa Echo Devices

“Alexa, reorder paper towels.”
“Alexa, track my Amazon order.”
“Alexa, what are today’s deals?”

Alarms, Reminders & Timers

“Alexa, wake me up at 7 AM.”
“Alexa, set a pizza timer for 20 minutes.”
“Alexa, remind me to check the oven at 5 PM.”

News & Weather Updates

“Alexa, what’s the news?”
“Alexa, what’s the weather today?”

Alexa Apps & Skills for Extra Functionality

Did you know Alexa has thousands of apps (Skills) that let you do even more? Activate them by saying:

“Alexa, enable Jeopardy!” (Play trivia games.)
“Alexa, open My Fitness Pal.” (Track calories and workouts.)
“Alexa, ask Uber for a ride.” (Hands-free ride requests.)
“Alexa, open Meditation Timer.” (Perfect for stress relief!)

How to Browse Alexa Apps: Open the Alexa app > Skills & Games to discover more.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If Alexa Isn’t Working

If your Amazon Echo, Alexa Echo Dot, or Echo Show isn’t responding, try these quick fixes:

Check Wi-Fi connection – A weak signal can cause issues.
Restart your device – Unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in.
Update Alexa's firmware – Make sure your Alexa speaker is running the latest version.
Reposition your Echo device – Move it closer to Wi-Fi or away from loud noises.
Adjust wake word sensitivity – If Alexa doesn’t hear you well, try changing it in the Alexa app.

Still having issues? Say:
“Alexa, why aren’t you responding?” (Alexa will guide you through troubleshooting!)

Alexa for Seniors

Amazon has made Alexa Echo Dot, Amazon Echo Show 8, and other devices incredibly helpful for seniors and caregivers. Some top features include:

Medication reminders – “Alexa, remind me to take my pills at 9 AM.”
Emergency calling – “Alexa, call emergency contacts.”
Drop-In for caregivers – Check on loved ones using Echo Show devices.
Audiobook reading – “Alexa, read my Kindle book.”
Daily inspiration & motivation – “Alexa, give me a positive quote.”

If you’re setting up Alexa for seniors, enable Alexa apps like MySOS, Reminder Pro, or Ask My Buddy for extra peace of mind.

Conclusion:

Whether you own an Amazon Echo, Alexa Echo Dot, Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, or even the big Echo Show 15, Alexa continues to get smarter, more useful, and more interactive. From smart home control to hands-free shopping, senior-friendly features, and Fire TV Stick 4K integration, Alexa is more than just a voice assistant—it’s a life assistant.