Red lights are rarely a good sign. Red is almost always considered an indication that something is “wrong.” The same goes for Alexa devices . If you see a red light on your Echo , then you probably won’t be able to give voice commands.
Luckily, the fix is simple. Once you know what it means, the red light on your Echo is no longer scary, and there are actually times when you might want it to appear. From the Echo Show to the Echo Pop, here's how to turn off the red light on every Alexa-enabled device.
See also: How to control your smart home lights with Alexa?
Why does an Alexa-enabled device have a red light?
On most Echos, the red light simply means the microphone is muted. The device can't hear voices, including "wake words" and other voice commands. As a result, it stops responding while the red light is on.
This “mute” mode is sometimes enabled intentionally, for privacy reasons, but it can also be done accidentally. So there are times when you might want the red light to appear, especially if you’re concerned about your privacy .
Other devices, with Alexa built-in, may also use similar light indicators, so the steps may apply to them as well.
See also: How to reset Alexa on your Amazon Echo device
How to fix the red light issue on Alexa or Echo devices
- Find the microphone button on the device. It usually has a microphone icon or a circle with a diagonal line through it and is located on the top of the Echo. Press it and see if the red light turns off. Test the function by giving a short voice command to Alexa.
- If the red light remains on (while the button is pressed), the device may be “stuck” or have another similar problem. Unplug it from the power source, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in. Once it powers back on, try the microphone button again.
- Check your Wi-Fi connection. If your Echo isn't connected properly, it may not respond to commands or its settings may not change. Make sure it's within range. You can also try disconnecting it from Wi-Fi and reconnecting it. If that doesn't work, try restarting router .
- Check for physical damage to your Alexa device. A drop or bump can affect the microphone and disable it. Internal damage, such as liquid ingress, can also cause the same problem. In such a case, if it is not your fault, you may be covered by Amazon's limited warranty.
See also: The 10 best games you can play with Alexa!
Red light on Echo Show
Echo Show uses similar indicators when there's a problem. Typically, a bar appears on the screen that changes color depending on the setting. On the Echo Show, a red light can also mean the microphone isn't working and the camera is also disabled. You can try the steps above in this case as well. On some models, the power button and microphone button are the same, so it's a good idea to consult your user manual to make sure you're following the procedure correctly.
See also: How to control security cameras with Amazon Alexa?
Red light on Echo Pop
The new Echo Pop doesn't have the same light ring as the Echo Dot, but it uses a similar light bar to indicate its status. If the bar turns red, the microphone is likely muted. To fix this, press the Mute button on the top of the device. If that doesn't fix the problem, unplug it and plug it back in.
Source: www.digitaltrends.com
