I have been using Alexa on our Sono One for months with no real issue but in the past couple of weeks the timers have become unreliable. It's not a consistent problem but it seems that most attempts to set a timer are now failing. There are three scenarios: say "Alexa, set timer for 10 minutes" > no audible response from Alexa to confirm that it has been set but if then asked "Alexa, how much time left on the timer?", Alexa confirms that timer is set. Timer goes off as expected. say "Alexa, set timer for 10 minutes" > no audible response from Alexa to confirm that it has been set but if then asked "Alexa, how much time left on the time", confirms that timer is set. Timer DOES NOT go off as expected. say "Alexa, set timer for 10 minutes" > audible response from Alexa to confirms that it has been set. Timer DOES NOT go off as expected. I tried turning off and on again but there is no change to the behaviour. This is one of the most used and useful features for Sonos/Alexa and I am loosing trust in the whole system at this rate. Any ideas why this is happening?

Contributor I

Answered

Alexa timers not working / unreliable

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
September 2, 2019
24 replies
6267 views

I have been using Alexa on our Sono One for months with no real issue but in the past couple of weeks the timers have become unreliable. It's not a consistent problem but it seems that most attempts to set a timer are now failing. There are three scenarios:

say "Alexa, set timer for 10 minutes" > no audible response from Alexa to confirm that it has been set but if then asked "Alexa, how much time left on the timer?", Alexa confirms that timer is set. Timer goes off as expected.
say "Alexa, set timer for 10 minutes" > no audible response from Alexa to confirm that it has been set but if then asked "Alexa, how much time left on the time", confirms that timer is set. Timer DOES NOT go off as expected.
say "Alexa, set timer for 10 minutes" > audible response from Alexa to confirms that it has been set. Timer DOES NOT go off as expected.

I tried turning off and on again but there is no change to the behaviour.

This is one of the most used and useful features for Sonos/Alexa and I am loosing trust in the whole system at this rate. Any ideas why this is happening?

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Best answer by Sebastien D.

Hi folks,

Few suggestions I’d like you to try regarding this issue. First, make sure that your Sonos System is currently up to date.

If that’s not the issue, try unplugging the power from your Sonos speakers and plug it back. Wait for few minutes for your Sonos products to come back online.

Lastly, check and make sure your time zone is set under Date & Time within the Sonos app. If that doesn't work, I'd recommend that you submit a system diagnostic within 10 minutes of trying to set an alarm, and contact Sonos Technical Support as there may be underlying network issues.

Moderator edit: provided link to tech support

Show previous replies

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Scoobydoofus

Contributor III

Just wanted to add my voice here, I’ve been getting the same thing with a Sonos One.

Intermittently I get no response when I set a timer, if I ask how long is left usually it says x minutes remaining, and usually the alarm will sound when the timer finishes but sometimes not. Very frustrating, this used to work flawlessly.

T

tropicmo

Lyricist I

Same problem. Same three scenarios. VERY frustrating. Have called Alexa bad words...Following and hoping for a solution.

D

dasym

Prominent Collaborator II

Same problem here with Sonos One. Makes it useless in the kitchen! As usual, I see no useful response from Sonos support.

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bwishan

Lyricist I

+1 on this issue.

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SonosSoyes

Lyricist II

+1.

Newbie here. Multiple Alexa timers (for cooking) are messed up. All sorts of issues Set 2 or more for extra fun, then ask what’s left on all timers and the response is there are no timers set.

I’ve come from an Echo dot which works perfectly.

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SonosSoyes

Lyricist II

This is becoming a real headache for me. Timers should be one of the most basic functions. Can anyone at Sonos shout out regards a fix for this bug?

Any timers or multiples have the problem.

H

hairrell

Avid Contributor I

Same for me. It’s nothing about whether or not I’m understood, so it has nothing to do with “inflection”. She understands, but is choosing to grudgingly and silently accept my request rather than graciously confirming it. The maddening thing is it is inconsistent. Within minutes of various attempts, some may be confirmed, others not, and others not created at all.

Come on Sonos Support...chime in!!!!

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stfn

Lyricist I

We also have exactly the same issue and actually the set A timer instead on set timer seems to work consistently.

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SonosSoyes

Lyricist II

Well, this could help a few folks:

If you have Sonos Ones setup as stereo pairs, turn off the Alexa mic on one of the speakers, leaving one operable. Doing so helps quite a bit in reducing the problems.

V

vitesse

Lyricist I

I have had the same timer problem with a Sonos Beam and a pair of Sonos Ones. I like the suggestion to disable the mic on on of the Ones and will give that a try.

A few months ago Amazon had a sale on Echo Dots and I bought one for the kitchen just to have a reliable timer. It’s kind of funny, but when I really need a timer to work I’ll go tell it to the Dot. Same with turning on lights. This morning I got up and told the Alexa on Sonos “light on” but other than a beep I had no results. The same command on the Dot turned the lights on.

I’ll try shutting of a mic and see if that helps both problems.

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