Alexa with HW-Q990B & HW-Q930B

[Iggsta]

Hiya Peeps from Australia here,

I’m just wondering if the Alexa function is working on anybody’s Samsung HW-Q990b or the HW-Q930B.

When I tested the Q930b in the store I bought it from it worked when I say “Alexa” or “Hey Alexa” it worked in the store. Now I checked if there was a seperate Alexa device near by that could detect my voice but there was none. I was right up to the Q930B Soundbar in store with my nose almost touching it and when I said “Alexa” or “Hey Alexa” it worked! I tested this in store until I was ready to buy.

I used the Samsung SmartThings App to to connect both the Soundbar and signed in and allowed my Amazon Alexa App/Account, Google Account to link and allow services to the Soundbar which was successfully done.

When I say “Alexa” or “Hey Alexa” this feature is still not working on the Soundbar. The mic on the Soundbar is on and everything.

I also did the revers and deleted the device from the Samsung SmartThings App, Google Home Apps and Amazon Alexa App, that’s including deregistering the Soundbar from my accounts and doing the process again, I did this several times for both models with no luck.

I Specifically bought this device specifically to be be able to control the Soundbar by Saying “Alexa” or “Hey Alexa” just like I would if I wanted to use “Google” or “Hey Google”.

I took back the Q930B to the store and when the agent in store connected his phone to my Q930B Soundbar in store it did not work for him. He was actually signed in to the Q930B in store, the one that was working. He has a Samsung phone to connect the Soundbar and I am using a iPhone 14Pro with all apps and services up to date.

What’s the point in having an On/Off Button for the Mic on top of the Soundbar? If Samsung are restricting access to us then I will never buy Samsung again!

Very Disappointed!

Suggestions anyone?

[Jonty]

We’ll done for trying. I am thinking about getting an echo too for the same reason. For now I just created a ‘likes’ playlist on Amazon music and use my phone to play through the soundbar. One day it may be fixed for us all!

[Jonty]

Thanks for that info it’s good of you to help. It’s a frustrating thing and I agree with you it’s not worth worrying about, it’s an add-on at best. Very best wishes and thanks, Jonathan 

[daschmee12]

I bought the Q990C during Samsung's Black Friday sale back in November '23. I had no issues setting up the Alexa functionality initially, but it later caused issues with my home A/V setup, so I ended up disabling it again. I first added the bar to the Smart Things App(SmartThings app auto detected the soundbar as soon as i plugged it in).  Then, once added, if you go to the Settings for the Soundbar within SmartThings app(click the soundbar in smartthings app then select the 3 dot settings button in upper right corner), there is an option for "Voice Assistant Settings", where you can select between Bixby(which actually seems to be more capable of controlling the soundbar with voice commands than Alexa is on the soundbar), OR Alexa. You can also just not touch the option, and you won't have any Voice Assistant enabled on the bar. Anyway, the problem started once i realized that every time i said the wake word "Alexa" the soundbar would turn on, and then trigger all the other devices connected to the soundbar, and in the CEC chain, to all turn on simultaneously...my LG TV, Nvidia Shield, Chromecast with Google TV 4K, and my Xbox all turning on constantly, due to utilizing the Alexa feature on the bar. I quickly disabled Alexa voice functionality after that, as I need to use CEC for device control, but cant have every single device connected to the TV and Soundbar turning on, every single time I say the word Alexa.

As to your question regarding suggestions.....

Although I ended up turning off the Voice Assistant functionality(Alexa) on the soundbar, I actually ended up having to remove/de-register the soundbar from the SmartThings app the other night, due to an issue with my Samsung account not recognizing all the devices I have registered to my account. I then re-added the soundbar(Q990C) to SmartThings app, at which point, i was able to access the soundbar settings in SmartThings app again, which is where the Voice Assistant Settings are found(you can select Alexa here.)  You should then be brought to a page asking you to sign into your Amazon account, and then authorize Alexa to access/control the soundbar.  In fact, even though I don't currently have Alexa set up on the bar.... once i re-added the bar to SmartThings, and then opened the Alexa app, i was greeted with a Pop-up stating that Alexa functionality was available/built into the Soundbar i had just added, and asking if i wanted to enable it(Alexa will recognize the bar as soon as you add it to SmartThings app). That's always how i got Alexa Voice Assistant functionality working on the bar, before i decided not to use it anymore.

[Members_26pdbOR]

Speaking with Samsung's level 2 technical support, yesterday, their senior expert admitted that Samsung had no part in developing the software they've installed and have no idea how to fix the issues.

His official recommendation was to tell me how to DISABLE Alexa on the Samsung Q-series sound systems 😳!

A major problem that I found is that Alexa mutes the speaker when it hears the activation word "Alexa". This is necessary so it can hear what you're saying if you're watching a loud blockbuster action movie. Sounds reasonable enough, and works the same if you're playing music on an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot device. However, Alexa is supposed to stop listening after it's heard and actioned your command, returning your volume to the original sound level. It doesn't!

My very expensive Q-series sound system remained muted (with the Alexa "listening" lights displaying in the little LED screen*) losing around 70% volume thereafter. 

For the extremely limited usability of Alexa as implemented on Samsung sound systems, I'd recommend following their senior technical support guy's instructions to disable and uninstall Alexa from any Samsung soundbar. Alexa functionality, to control things like volume or selecting a program, is better enabled through an Alexa enabled TV. Personally, I use Amazon's Fire TV Stick [MAX] which has Alexa built into the remote or can be connected to an Echo or Echo Dot. It also means you're only dealing with one set of technical incompetents (a.k.a. technical support) if you need assistance. 

As for Samsung's attitude: it stinks! Shalln't be purchasing any further Samsung products, their policy being customer should sort problems for themselves "self help" as they term it. 

[srsnleo]

i am also facing the same issue.. Alexa works sometimes with my Samsung Q900d soundbar and sometimes not... When i switch off TV, soundbar ,wifi and in the next morning, Alexa not working with my soundbar.. Crazy.. I just use 2.4ghz wifi .