We’re conditioned to associate a red ring on our devices as bad news. If you suddenly see one on your Alexa device like an Echo, it’s easy to start worrying. It’s even worse when you try to use Alexa but find that the voice assistant isn’t responding as it should.
Contents
- Why does my Alexa have a red ring?
- Steps to fix an Alexa or Echo red ring
- What about a red light on an Echo Show?
Don’t worry! You didn’t break your smart device. Echo devices use their indicator rings to relay many types of information. In this particular case, a red ring isn’t as bad as you might think. With a few basic steps, you can fix it fast. Let’s jump into the details.
Why does my Alexa have a red ring?
For many Echo devices, a red ring simply means the microphone has been turned off. The device can no longer pick up voices, including wake words and voice commands, so the Echo will also stop responding when the red light is on. Sometimes this no-microphone mode is enabled on purpose for privacy reasons; other times, it can happen by accident, especially when you move around an Echo device.
Other devices where Alexa is built-in may use similar indicator lights as well, so our steps may work for them, too.
Steps to fix an Alexa or Echo red ring
Step 1: Look for the microphone button on your Alexa device. Typically, this looks like a small microphone icon or a circle with a slash through it. The button is usually on the top of your Echo and easy to spot. Press it, and see if the red ring disappears. Confirm that your Echo is working by giving Alexa a brief voice command.
Step 2: If your Echo is stuck on a red ring no matter how much you press the microphone button, it could be frozen or have a similar problem. Unplug it, wait for several seconds, then plug it back in and let your Echo power back up. Now try to use the microphone button and see if it’s working properly.
Step 3: You can also check your Wi-Fi connection and make sure your Echo is connected to your Wi-Fi network. Sometimes this can cause problems with Alexa responding to commands or Echo settings that won’t turn off. Verify the Echo is in range, and try disconnecting it from your Wi-Fi, then reconnecting it. If this doesn’t work, try resetting your Wi-Fi router and see if that helps fix the problem.
Step 4: Check your Echo for physical damage. A drop or dent could be interfering with the microphone capabilities and automatically switching your mic off occasionally or disabling it permanently. This may also be the result of internal damage, such as getting the top of your Echo wet. There’s not much you can do in the case of physical damage, but if you are not responsible for the defect, then Amazon’s limited warranty may help out.
What about a red light on an Echo Show?
Echo Shows have similar indicators as well — often a bar on the display that will change colors based on the setting. On an Echo Show, a red indicator light can also mean the microphone is not working. In this case, it will also turn off the camera. Fortunately, the steps above should also work to solve any red light issues on a Show. However, on some Show models, the power button and the mic button are the same, so watch out for that and consult your manual if necessary.
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- If Alexa lights up but won't respond, the most common reason is that it didn't understand you, so repeat the command.
- It might also have ignored the command if it thought your request was intended for another nearby Alexa device.
- You can also check your Wi-Fi connection and network settings, or reset the Alexa device.
Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant that makes every Echo speaker and display a handy smart home appliance. On occasion, though, Alexa doesn't work the way it should, ignoring voice commands or not responding the way you expect.
More vexing, the device might seem to acknowledge you — the speaker's status light comes on, but it doesn't respond. If that happens to you, here are some of the most common fixes to get your Alexa assistant back up and running.
Alexa didn't understand you
The single most common problem most people run into is when Alexa doesn't understand your command, so the device simply ignores you. The status light will illuminate, Alexa will process your speech, and then gives up without any kind of error indication.
Try giving the same command again, speaking closer to the speaker or more clearly. Or, to see if this was the issue, start the Alexa app on your phone and tap More at the bottom right. Tap Activity and then choose Voice History at the top of the page. Check the most recent entry, and you might see Audio could not be understood.
You can check your Alexa app's voice history to see what went wrong with a command. Dave JohnsonYour speech was processed by a different Alexa device
If you have two Alexa devices relatively close to one another, it's not unusual for both to react to your request, but one will decide that it wasn't the intended device and ignore you. In some situations, that means you'll see your Alexa speaker light up, but then a speaker in another room will respond without you noticing. Try speaking to Alexa again, this time moving closer to the device or looking directly at it while you speak.
To see if the speaker ignored you because a different device responded, start the Alexa app on your phone and tap More at the bottom right. Tap Activity and then choose Voice History at the top of the page. Check the most recent entry, and you might see Audio was not intended for this device.
If a command was processed by a different Alexa device, you can find out in the Alexa app. Dave JohnsonIf this happens often, you might want to move the two devices further apart, or change the wake word on one of the devices so they don't get confused.
Alexa needs a system update
It's possible that your Alexa device needs a system update. Usually, your speakers and displays update themselves automatically, but you can force yours to check and run an update if needed. Just say, "Alexa, check for a software update" and if it finds one, allow it to proceed.
Your network isn't connected to the internet
A lack of internet service can also keep your Alexa device from responding properly. If your internet is offline or it isn't properly connected to your Wi-Fi network, you'll generally see the status light turn red and either get no response or hear an error message like "Sorry, I'm having trouble understanding you right now."
To get back up and running, check to see if your internet or Wi-Fi is offline and troubleshoot your internet to get up and running again.
The microphone may be muted
Make sure that Alexa's microphone isn't muted. The easiest way to tell: The status light is solid red. Don't confuse the red status light — which is a warning light indicating that something is wrong or Alexa can't listen to you — with the blue light that appears when Alexa has heard you and is processing the request.
Don’t confuse the red light, which indicates muted audio, with the normal status light that means Alexa is listening. Dave JohnsonYour Alexa device needs to be restarted
Occasionally, your Alexa device can get confused and need to be restarted. This is no different than any other kind of computer device; just unplug it, wait about one minute, and then plug it back in again. If there was a temporary glitch, restarting the device should clear it out of memory. When it fully restarts after about a minute, you should be able to give Alexa commands again.
Your Alexa device might need to be reset
If nothing else has worked so far, including restarting your Alexa device, then there could be something wrong with the speaker's configuration. Reset your device back to factory conditions.
After that, set up your device again. Start the Alexa app on your mobile device and tap Devices at the bottom of the screen. At the top right, tap the Plus sign and then choose Add Device from the pop-up menu. Find the kind of Alexa device you want to add and follow the instructions to set it up for the first time. Hopefully, it will again respond to commands.
Dave Johnson
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
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