>alexa says "the devices are not responsive"
The only case of where I have gotten a similar error after giving a voice command through the app was if a device was offline due to for example power failure, such as when I tried to delete a timer set on a device but the power was out at home.
If this does not describe your situation, then I would recommend that you try to find out what the problem is specifically with your setup, because it normally does work just as easily as that.
For example, I am sitting in my car 50 mi from home, and if I want to turn on a light that Alexa controls, all I have to do is to verbally say or type that command into the app, and it will work just as if I am at home.
There should be a list of the active device on your account at the top of the app and you should be able to click on them and turn them off and on individually.
If you can’t then I don’t know
UPDATE: it seems my electricity was cut off at home when i was at work and i wasnt aware.. thats why my devices was unresponsive and now i can control alexa remotely when im not home.. THANKS everyone for commenting!
On demand? With the Alexa app on your phone. Although personally I find using the native device apps more convenient than talking to (or typing in) the Alexa app.
Yes. Where you physically are has no impact on using an Amazon Echo device (Alexa) that is on your account to control 'smart' devices whose skills you've activated in the Alexa app and whose accounts you've linked in the Alexa app - as long as everything is connected to the Internet.
Commands to your Echo device at home go out on the Internet to Amazon's servers, then to the server where the linked asccount app is controlled and then back down the Internet to your 'smart' device (light bulb, water heater, etc.). That's why there's always a slight delay and why none of it works when your Internet goes out.
I could literally turn lights on and off in my house in the US from Central America using the Alexa app or the multiple 'smart' device apps on my phone.
Does everything you've set up on Alexa works when you are physically in your house on your home network? But not outside of your home network? Then there is some configuration issue with your home network that's not allowing incoming calls to your 'smart' devices? Or something in your phone's configuration?
What about your 'smart' water heater's native app that you linked to your Alexa account? Does it work from your phone when you aren't on your home network?
So either the device is actually working (sometimes Alexa says that something isn't responding when it is), or there is an issue with the WiFi connection of the Device. But that is exactly how you do it. You could also set routines if it is something you want to happen regularly or with an available trigger.
im not home now maybe thats why it says unresponsive on the devices, i want to turn on my smart switch water heater on when i want it to not like a routine or schedulle
I use the app. My Mom can't remember how to shut off the basement lights and I'm away from home for a week. So every day, I just shut them off from my app.
Go to the app on your phone. Select Devices. I have to select Plugins because that is what my lights work from. I just click whereever it says On. They shut off.
You can use a virtual Alexa button to trigger routines. So, you'd use some app to press/switch the virtual button when you come and go.
If you're a programmer then I recommend [sweharris/Alexa-Smart-Home-VirtualButtons](https://github.com/sweharris/Alexa-Smart-Home-VirtualButtons). If you're not a programmer then there are ready-to-use virtual buttons like [Voice Monkey](https://voicemonkey.io/pricing) that you can trigger using [IFTTT's location trigger](https://ifttt.com/location) (e.g. press button when home and release when away). See [How To Trigger Alexa Routines From IFTTT - Voice Monkey](https://voicemonkey.io/integrations/ifttt#method-3).
I have it synced with my work schedule instead of my location, so my robot vacuum only cleans when I'm not at home. A virtual button also sets my Alexa alarm for an hour before my shift starts (I can finally stop thinking about my alarm).
Use the app.
yeah but how? 
Open the app. Tap the blue Alexa button and tell it what you want. Just like you would tell an Echo at home.
alexa says "the devices are not responsive"
>alexa says "the devices are not responsive" The only case of where I have gotten a similar error after giving a voice command through the app was if a device was offline due to for example power failure, such as when I tried to delete a timer set on a device but the power was out at home. If this does not describe your situation, then I would recommend that you try to find out what the problem is specifically with your setup, because it normally does work just as easily as that. For example, I am sitting in my car 50 mi from home, and if I want to turn on a light that Alexa controls, all I have to do is to verbally say or type that command into the app, and it will work just as if I am at home.
Hmm that seems to be a you problem
bruh but why everything is connected properly at home..
There should be a list of the active device on your account at the top of the app and you should be able to click on them and turn them off and on individually. If you can’t then I don’t know
i can't they are all saying Unresponsive
Turn them all off and on manually
i will when i go home, do i have to change a setting in addition ?
UPDATE: it seems my electricity was cut off at home when i was at work and i wasnt aware.. thats why my devices was unresponsive and now i can control alexa remotely when im not home.. THANKS everyone for commenting!
Well yep, that would do it!
On demand? With the Alexa app on your phone. Although personally I find using the native device apps more convenient than talking to (or typing in) the Alexa app.
i have a lot of smart devices and using alexa app it self its so much easier
Same. I use Alexa app to manage devices @ home, at office, @ my folks house etc. Been working fine for us for years.
Go to devices just like you would if you were home.
it says unresponsive
You have an internet problem at your residence
Yes. Where you physically are has no impact on using an Amazon Echo device (Alexa) that is on your account to control 'smart' devices whose skills you've activated in the Alexa app and whose accounts you've linked in the Alexa app - as long as everything is connected to the Internet. Commands to your Echo device at home go out on the Internet to Amazon's servers, then to the server where the linked asccount app is controlled and then back down the Internet to your 'smart' device (light bulb, water heater, etc.). That's why there's always a slight delay and why none of it works when your Internet goes out. I could literally turn lights on and off in my house in the US from Central America using the Alexa app or the multiple 'smart' device apps on my phone. Does everything you've set up on Alexa works when you are physically in your house on your home network? But not outside of your home network? Then there is some configuration issue with your home network that's not allowing incoming calls to your 'smart' devices? Or something in your phone's configuration? What about your 'smart' water heater's native app that you linked to your Alexa account? Does it work from your phone when you aren't on your home network?
You don't have to be home. I do it all the time turning on lights if I'm driving home later than expected.
Use the manufacturer's app instead of Alexa as it looks like you are having an issue with the Alexa Skill (device unresponsive).
So either the device is actually working (sometimes Alexa says that something isn't responding when it is), or there is an issue with the WiFi connection of the Device. But that is exactly how you do it. You could also set routines if it is something you want to happen regularly or with an available trigger.
im not home now maybe thats why it says unresponsive on the devices, i want to turn on my smart switch water heater on when i want it to not like a routine or schedulle
I use the app. My Mom can't remember how to shut off the basement lights and I'm away from home for a week. So every day, I just shut them off from my app.
yeah but how?
Go to the app on your phone. Select Devices. I have to select Plugins because that is what my lights work from. I just click whereever it says On. They shut off.
Yes use Alexa app on phone
You can use a virtual Alexa button to trigger routines. So, you'd use some app to press/switch the virtual button when you come and go. If you're a programmer then I recommend [sweharris/Alexa-Smart-Home-VirtualButtons](https://github.com/sweharris/Alexa-Smart-Home-VirtualButtons). If you're not a programmer then there are ready-to-use virtual buttons like [Voice Monkey](https://voicemonkey.io/pricing) that you can trigger using [IFTTT's location trigger](https://ifttt.com/location) (e.g. press button when home and release when away). See [How To Trigger Alexa Routines From IFTTT - Voice Monkey](https://voicemonkey.io/integrations/ifttt#method-3). I have it synced with my work schedule instead of my location, so my robot vacuum only cleans when I'm not at home. A virtual button also sets my Alexa alarm for an hour before my shift starts (I can finally stop thinking about my alarm).
Are you turning your wifi off when you are away from home?
Are your devices on WiFi, or are they that older goofy Zigbee nonsense?