Having a smart gadget like an Echo device at home can be helpful, but like any other gadget, you can experience many challenges with your Echo device.
When something is amiss, an Echo will always display color-coded messages, but it can be challenging to translate these. So, what does a red line mean?
Your Echo has a red line at the bottom to show that the device is mute or disconnected from WiFi. The red line at the bottom also shows that the camera is off. You can unmute the Echo or reconnect it to your WiFi network to fix the red light.
Thankfully, this is something you can quickly fix with a push on the microphone button or a quick reboot.
Read on and learn why your Echo has a red line at the bottom and possible solutions to this problem.
I’ll also share more info about Alexa’s color codes and what they mean to help you identify any Echo-related issues.
Why Does Your Echo Display a Red Line at the Bottom?
Your Echo displays a red line at the bottom to indicate that the device is mute or has lost WIFi connection.
Alexa isn’t listening to your commands when this happens, so your Echo can’t carry out any duty. The red line also shows that you turned off the Echo’s camera.
How To Unmute the Echo Microphone
Isn’t it annoying talking and commanding your smart gadget to carry out a particular task, but the screen only stares at you?
That is what happens when the Echo microphone button is disabled.
If you want to get your Echo up and running again, start by identifying the microphone and speaker button at the bottom of the screen with the red line passing through it.
Press the button once you see it, and your Echo device will be ready to listen again.
How To Reconnect Your Echo To WiFi
If the red light on your Echo occurs due to a lost internet connection, there are several ways to reconnect and turn the light off.
First, you can reset your router.
Resetting your router is one of the easiest ways to reconnect your Echo to WiFi, but it won’t always work. However, it’s worth a shot.
If resetting your router does not do the trick, you can reset Alexa by unplugging your Echo.
Leave it unplugged for around 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
When the Echo reboots, it will try to reconnect to the internet.
However, if these two methods don’t eliminate that ominous red light, you can always re-pair Alexa with your wifi network. To do so:
- Hold the ‘Action” button (the one with the dot) for six seconds or until the light turns orange.
- Open your Amazon Alexa app on a device.
- Select your Echo on the app.
- Connect your Echo to your WiFi network following the steps on the application.
Once you reconnect your Echo, the red light will disappear, and you’ll be up and running again!
Different Light Colors and Their Meaning on Echo Devices
The different light colors popping on your Echo have various meanings.
Some warn you of a problem, while others give notifications.
This feature can confuse first-time users who don’t know what each light color means.
In addition, the location of these colored messages can appear in different areas based on your Echo’s model.
The standard Amazon Echo, for instance, shows the different light colors in the form of a ring, either at the top or bottom.
The Echo Show series has a smart display showing colors as a line appearing at the bottom of the screen.
The light colors are the only way Echos can pass a message to you since they don’t speak unless commanded.
Therefore, understanding each light color will help you fully utilize your Echo device.
There are seven colors that your Echo will display in different situations; red, orange, green, yellow, purple, white, and blue. Here are each of these colors and what they mean.
- Red in an echo indicates the camera or microphone is off. Besides notifying you that the microphone or Echo camera is off, the red color in your Echo can display an error, such as a connectivity issue. Other examples of when the red light appears are when the device cannot connect to any device you’re trying to pair it with or has lost a WI-FI connection.
- Orange in an echo indicates setup mode. The light orange light indicates setup mode, displaying that the Echo is trying to set up or the device is connecting to the available WI-FI.
- Green in an echo means an incoming call. If you see a pulsing green light on your Echo device, know that there’s an incoming call. A spinning green light shows that you’re in an active drop-in or an active call.
- Echo’s yellow color alerts you of a missed message. A pulsing yellow light reminds you of a message or call you missed. An Echo’s yellow color might also indicate a new message that needs your attention.
- Purple means the echo is on a don’t disturb mode. A light purple color will appear once you put your Echo on a don’t disturb mode. Sometimes, when the Echo device is experiencing an error connecting to the WI-FI, the purple light appears to notify you that you will not be able to receive messages or calls.
- White appears when adjusting the echo’s volume. You will see a white light when adjusting your Echo’s volume level. However, a spinning white light indicates that Alexa is in Away Mode.
- Blue means the echo is listening to commands. Blue light is the most common color in an Echo. This color appears every time Alexa listens to you and processes your commands.
How Do I Turn Off the Echo Light Colors?
You can turn off the Echo light colors in two ways.
The first one is to activate the “Do Not Disturb Mode” on your Echo device.
Another alternative is to communicate with Alexa and respond to what each color means.
There are times in your home that you wouldn’t want any disturbance whatsoever.
You could be working from home, and you need total silence to complete your projects in time.
Other people also don’t like being woken up in the wee hours of the night to respond to notifications or messages from their Echo gadget.
Enabling the Do Not Disturb Mode means you mute all notifications, messages, and calls that can come through this device.
That way, the Echo will not flash colors, and it won’t respond to any of your commands or deliver messages.
Final Thoughts
The Echo device does a lot of activities in your home to make your life comfortable.
However, it can suddenly display a red line at the bottom, indicating that it has either been muted or lost a WiFi connection.
The red color should disappear once you unmute the Echo or reconnect it to your wireless network.
Are You Still Struggling With Your device?
If you’re still struggling trying to get going your smart device, contact me at nelson.barbosa@myautomatedpalace.com and we can discuss how can we fix it!