Alexa is a virtual assistant, that happily responds to voice commands. It is capable of playing your favorite song, reading the latest headlines, dimming the lights in your living room, and many more.
But what if you give a command to Alexa and Alexa won’t respond but light up? There could be numerous factors that can lead to Alexa not responding but lighting up issues.
If you have encountered the Alexa won’t respond issue, then don’t get upset. In this, we will walk through a brief guide on how to fix the Alexa not responding Alexa not responding but lighting up.
However, before jumping to fixes, you will need to get yourself familiar with different colors of light, to figure out and resolve the problem. Every color on Amazon Alexa has a different meaning.
If you see a red light, then it indicates that the mic is mute or there is an internet connectivity issue. You will see a Blue light if there are any software bugs or server outage issues. So, if you see any light on your device and encounter the Alexa not responding but lighting up issue.
It is necessary to solve the problem as soon as possible. If you are unable to solve the problem on your own, then here are various fixes to solve the problem. Simply go through the following methods to rectify the Alexa won’t respond.
Why is Alexa Not Responding But Lighting Up?
As said above before jumping to fixes, you should make yourself familiar with the causing roots of the problem. When we know the root causes of the problem, then it becomes more straightforward to identify and troubleshoot the problem. Below we have mentioned possible causes for Alexa won’t respond problem.
1. Internet Connectivity Issue
Alexa relies on an active and working internet connection. So, if your internet connection is weak or the Alexa is offline. Then it might light up but will not respond to your voice commands.
2. Outdated System
If it has been a very long time since you haven’t updated your device. Then possibly you will encounter the Alexa not responding but lighting up. New systems are meant to solve issues experienced by the users or to improve the experience.
3. Poor Power Supply
Alexa won’t respond to your voice command if there is any issue with the power supply. The problem may be with the wall socket or the extension cord. So, you need to make sure Alexa is plugged into a working socket and also getting enough power supply.
4. Microphone Issue
Alexa will be able to hear you only when the microphone is unmuted. So, if the Alexa is mute, then you will see a red ring, which will turn blue when you unmute. Also, if the mic is covered or faulty, you might experience the same problem.
5. Internal Component Issue
You will encounter the Alexa not responding but lighting up if your device has hardware problems. The hardware issue could be the motherboard not working as it should be or any other interior parts.
Steps to Troubleshoot the Alexa Not Responding But Lighting Up
Hope now you know what is causing the alexa won’t respond, now it is time to fix it as soon as possible. Well, you don’t have to stress yourself much when you encounter this problem, as you can easily fix this. Below is a list provided to rectify the Alexa not responding but lighting up.
1. Check your Internet Connectivity
If you encounter that Alexa won’t respond, then the foremost thing you should check is your internet connectivity. Alexa requires a working WiFi connection to connect and process the command effectively.
If you see a red light on your device, you likely dealing with a connection problem. So, you need to check that WiFi is on, also Alexa and action devices are connected to the same network.
If the problem is with the WiFi network, then you need to reboot the router and connect the Alexa again. You also may need to update the WiFi, if the speed is low to avoid such issues.
2. Unmute the Microphone
As mentioned above, if the mic is mute then it won’t be able to listen to your command. So, you need to check in the app whether the microphone is enabled and proceed to unmute it by pressing the unmute button on the device. Below is how to check if the mic is enabled.
- On your phone, launch the Alexa app and click on the Menu icon.
- After this, go to Settings and click on Device Settings.
- Then head over to Microphone Settings.
- Now toggle off the switch if it is disabled.
- If in case, the microphone is covered, then remove it so that it can perceive your voice.
3. Update Your System
The next method to rectify the Alexa won’t respond but light up is to update the system. An outdated system can also lead to the same problem. In this, all you need to do is force Alexa by giving a command, “Alexa, check for a software update.”
If any new updates are available, then proceed to update your system. You can also use the app to check if there are new updates and update accordingly as well. Here is how to update the Alexa.
- Open the Alexa app and head over to Settings.
- Next, swipe down from the top and choose Settings.
- Then choose Device and click on Check for Software Updates.
- If any is available, install the software update and restart the Alexa.
- Once done, check whether Alexa not responding but lighting up is resolved or not.
4. Use Different Wake Words for Your Devices
If you have the same wake word for your device, then may cause Alexa won’t respond. If this is the issue, then you will only see the light because of voice detection.
However, it won’t respond if it is considered it it wasn’t the intended one. So, you need to set the devices apart to resolve the problem or change the wake word. Below are the steps for how to change the wake word.
- Launch the Alexa app on your device and visit Devices.
- Then click on Echo & Alexa and choose your device.
- After that, head over to the wake word and enter the preferred command.
- You should also check that the device setting isn’t on Whisper or DND mode.
- If any of this is on, then turn it off for the device to listen to the commands.
5. Check the Power Supply
Another method to rectify Alexa won’t respond is to check the power supply of the device. You need to check the power outlet in which the device is plugged in to ensure it is working well.
Try to connect the device to a different socket or use a different extension to get out of the issue. Also, examine the power port on your device, unplug and plug it back firmly to ensure a proper power supply.
You also should check that you are using the original power adapter that came with the device, and replace it if you have lost it. If there is a web server outage in your area. Then all you can do is wait till the problem is resolved from the end.
6. Factory Reset the Alexa Device
Last but not least, try to reset your Alexa device, if none of the above fixes help you with Alexa not responding but lighting up. Factory reset will erase all your data and you will need to set your device afresh through the Alexa app.
So before resetting the device, try some requests to confirm if it is working. Go through the following steps to reset the Alexa device.
- On your phone, open the Alexa app and choose Devices.
- Next, click on Echo and Alexa and choose Echo device.
- After that, scroll down until you see the reset option.
- Once seen, click on it and confirm the action of resetting the device.
FAQs for Alexa Not Responding But Lighting Up
1. Why is Alexa Turning On but Not Responding?
The problem might be with the device if Alexa not responding but lighting up. Most are minor problems that you can resolve quickly on your own. Below are some issues mentioned for this.
- Software bugs.
- Mic is mute.
- Alexa is offline.
- System is outdated.
- Command issues.
2. Why my Alexa isn’t Responding but Lighting Red?
A red on the Alexa mostly indicates that the microphone is mute. If the device is mute, then it will not respond because it cannot listen to your wake words and other voice commands. So, you need to locate the Mic button and press it to turn on the mic. For Echo devices with cameras, red light bars light up to demonstrate that your videos will not be shared.
3. How Can I Reset My Unresponsive Alexa?
The process of resetting the device has various ways depending on the generation of your device. If you have 1st gen, then simply find and press the reset button.
Press the volume down and microphone off buttons simultaneously for about 20 seconds to reset the 2nd gen. To reset the 3rd, 4th, or 5th gen Echo simply press and hold the action button for 20 seconds.
When the light is reset, it will turn off and then go back to setup mode. Install the Alexa app on your devices and set them up.
4. What if My Alexa is Glowing Blue But Not Responding?
Try saying “Alexa, wait” and see if the blue light goes away. If this doesn’t work, then try plugging the device into another wall socket. Connect your device to the power adapter that came with it. Connect to the internet if you do not already have one.
Sum up
Encountering Alexa not responding but lighting up can be frustrating if you always rely on them to manage your daily schedules. So, simply go through the above fixes as given to rectify the not responding issue. Resolving the Alexa won’t respond isn’t a complicated job. Hope, the above guide will help you to solve the Alexa not responding but lighting up.
