Alexa-enabled devices can do just anything – from finding you a film to turning on the lights. Maybe the best thing about Alexa is that (once set up) you can pretty much ask it to do anything!
But whether you’re just getting started with Alexa or you’ve had yours for a while, you have you noticed Alexa device sometimes flashes different colours. If you’re not sure what to look for, these flashes can be quite puzzling - leaving you wondering what on earth Alexa is trying to tell you.
And that’s where the tech experts at Currys come in. We’ll help unravel the mysteries behind those colourful flashes and shed light on the reasons why Alexa might be flashing yellow, green, orange, red or blue – and then what you can say to make the flashing go away!
Why is Alexa flashing yellow?
When Alexa flashes yellow, it usually means you have a new notification or message waiting for you. It could be a reminder you set, an incoming call or message, or even an announcement from another Alexa-enabled device in your home.
Solution:
Simply say, "Alexa, what are my notifications?" to hear the messages or announcements and clear the yellow light.
Why is Alexa flashing green?
If you notice Alexa flashing green, there’s either an active call or someone is dropping in on your Alexa device using the "Drop In" feature. It's a handy way for friends to reach you instantly, making it ideal for urgent situations or checking in on loved ones.
Solution
To end the call or disable the Drop In feature, simply say, "Alexa, hang up" or "Alexa, turn off Drop In." That’s one less distraction!
Why is Alexa flashing orange?
Alexa flashing orange indicates that your device is in setup mode or trying to connect to the internet. So you’ll see it whenever you’re setting something up or reconfiguring it.
Solution
You don’t have to do anything. Once setup is complete, the light should turn off or change to a different colour.
Why is Alexa flashing red?
When Alexa flashes red, it means that the microphone on your device is temporarily muted. It’s a classic meeting situation! This probably means you’ve pressed something or already asked Alexa to disable your microphone.
Solution
To unmute Alexa, find the microphone button on your device and press it. Alternatively, you can say "Alexa, unmute."
Why is Alexa flashing blue?
Alexa flashing blue just means that the device is actively listening and processing your voice commands. You’ll always see a flashing blue when you wake Alexa by saying the "wake word" (such as "Alexa" or "Echo"). Flashing blue means Alexa’s waiting for you!
So now you know what Alexa's flashing about. A yellow light’s notifications, a green light means you’re on a call, an orange is setup, a red light means your mic’s muted and a blue light means Alexa’s listening in.
If you're looking to bring Alexa into your home, be sure to check out our range of Alexa-enabled devices. From smart speakers to displays, we’ve got loads to choose from - so Alexa can light up your life!
How do I know if someone is listening on Alexa?
There are a few quick and easy ways to see. First, have a look at the light ring on your Alexa. If it’s flashing or glowing, it means the device is active and might be recording. You can also ask Alexa straight up. Just say ‘Alexa, are you listening?’ to find out. Then, if you want to triple check, fire up the Alexa app on your phone or tablet. You’ll be able to scroll through the activity history to see if there’s any recent recordings that seem a bit fishy.
Why does my Alexa randomly flash?
It could be caused by all sorts of things. One of the most common is that it’s trying to connect to the internet or is downloading updates. If the light’s flashing blue, it’ll be Alexa trying to link up to your Wi-Fi. If it’s orange, it’s probably having trouble connecting, or is in the process of updating.
Sometimes, Alexa might also flash if it hears a sound that it thinks is its wake word, even if it’s not. This’ll drive you loopy after a while – so, if it’s happening a lot, dig into your device settings or move your gadget to a quieter spot.
How do I get Alexa to stop flashing?
Make sure your Alexa device is actually connected to the internet. If it’s not, restart your router or just hook it back up to the Wi-Fi. Updates causing the flashing? Wait a few minutes for them to finish, and you’ll be back asking questions in no time.
When the wake word’s still causing issues, try muting the device by pressing the microphone button on the top. It’ll switch off the mics and the light will shut off too. We suggest heading into the settings to make your wake word less sensitive. Then you’ll actually have to properly shout for Alexa to hear you.
When the flashing won’t stop though – and you’ve tried absolutely everything – it’s time to get the pros involved. Get in touch with Amazon support. They’ll be able to help out and hopefully solve the problem quickly!
