Why is my Alexa blinking yellow? What each colored light means on your device

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Why is my Alexa blinking yellow? What each colored light means on your device
When the ring at the top of your Alexa device flashes different colors, it means different things. Pexels
  • If your Alexa is blinking yellow, it means you have an unread message.
  • If your Alexa is flashing green, it means you have an incoming call.
  • Other colors (like blue, purple, orange, and red) indicate other things, from Wi-Fi connection issues to processing a request.
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Alexa-enabled devices, like the Echo and Echo Dot, will light up in different colors as you interact with them, indicating things like new messages and incoming calls.

If you're curious about what the different colored lights mean, or want to turn off notifications for calls and messages, here's what you need to know.

Why is my Alexa blinking yellow?

A blinking yellow light indicates that you have unread messages in your inbox. This may be a message in your Amazon inbox, perhaps from a seller with an update on your order or a notification from Amazon letting you know that your package has been delivered.

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How to resolve Alexa's blinking yellow light

To get your Echo or other Alexa-enabled device to stop flashing yellow, ask Alexa to read your message.

If it's a delivery notification, Alexa will simply tell you that an order has been delivered. If it's a message received in your inbox, Alexa will read you the message.

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Why is my Alexa blinking yellow? What each colored light means on your device
Your messages on Amazon. Ryan Ariano

Since you can use your Alexa app to send and receive text messages, you can also access those using your Echo or other Alexa-enabled app.

How to disable Alexa's blinking yellow feature

1. Open the Alexa app on your iPhone or Android.

2. Tap the three-line icon in the top-left corner.

3. Tap Settings.

4. Tap Device Settings.

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Why is my Alexa blinking yellow? What each colored light means on your device
Select "Device Settings." Ryan Ariano

5. Tap your device and then tap Communications.

Why is my Alexa blinking yellow? What each colored light means on your device
Tap "Communications." Ryan Ariano

6. Tap the toggle next to Communications so it turns gray.

Why is my Alexa blinking yellow? What each colored light means on your device
Tap the toggle. Ryan Ariano

Why is my Alexa flashing green?

A flashing green light indicates that you have an incoming call. If you pick up the call, the green light will spin.

How to resolve Alexa's flashing green light

To stop the flashing green light, pick up the call (by saying "answer call"), decline the call (by saying "decline call"), or simply ignore the call until it stops ringing.

Quick tip: A spinning green light indicates that you're currently on a call. To end the call and turn off the green light, say "hang up."

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How to disable Alexa's flashing green feature

1. Open the Alexa app on your iPhone or Android.

2. Tap the three-line icon in the top-left corner.

Why is my Alexa blinking yellow? What each colored light means on your device
Tap the three lines to open a menu. Isabella Paoletto

3. Tap Settings.

Why is my Alexa blinking yellow? What each colored light means on your device
Select "Settings." Isabella Paoletto

4. Tap Device Settings.

5. Tap your device and then tap Communications.

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6. Tap the toggle next to Communications so it turns gray.

What other Alexa colored lights mean

There are other colored lights that indicate different things on Alexa:

  • Blue: When you wake Alexa (solid blue), when Alexa is processing your request (solid blue with spinning cyan), or when Alexa is responding to a command or question (alternating blue and cyan)
  • Purple: Problem connecting to Wi-Fi (blinking purple), activating Do Not Disturb (spinning blue light with purple flash), or interacting with Alexa when Do Not Disturb is on (purple flash)
  • Orange: Your device is connecting to your Wi-Fi network (spinning orange)
  • Red: Microphone is off (solid red)
How to set up and use the Alexa app on your iPhoneHow to connect your Amazon Echo to Wi-Fi to get the most out of your Alexa-enabled smart speakerHow to set up any Amazon Echo device and customize its settingsA comprehensive list of Alexa voice commands you can use with your smart devices
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