Amazon Echo speaker lights: what each colour means

Amazon publishes one help page for the light ring or light bar on its Echo speakers, the same text on amazon.com and amazon.co.uk, and says the colours mean the same with Alexa+ and the original Alexa. It names each colour but, for several, not the pattern; two further pages give the steps for a yellow or green light that will not go away.

Echo speakers have a light ring around the top (or a light bar on the front on some models). The colour, and whether it is steady, pulsing or spinning, is the whole message.

1. Yellow, a slow burst every few seconds

   Alexa has a message or notification, or there’s a reminder you missed.

   Echo speakers. 2 steps from Amazon on its page.

2. Solid red

   The microphone on/off button has been pressed: the device microphone is disconnected and Alexa is not listening. On Echo devices with a camera, a red light bar means your video will not be shared.

   Echo speakers (a red light bar on Echo devices with a camera). 1 step from Amazon on its page.

3. Orange

   Your device is in setup mode, or is trying to connect to the internet.

   Echo speakers. Amazon’s page gives no step for this light.

4. Spinning cyan (teal and blue, slowly spinning)

   Your device is starting up. If it has not been set up, the light turns orange when the device is ready for setup. The device may also restart after a software update; then the slow teal and blue spin means it is restarting after the update is complete.

   Echo speakers. Amazon’s page gives no step for this light.

5. Cyan on blue

   A cyan spotlight on a blue ring means Alexa is listening. The ring glimmers briefly when Alexa has heard and is processing your request; a briefly glimmering blue light can also mean the device is receiving a software update.

   Echo speakers. Amazon’s page gives no step for this light.

6. Teal blue bar

   Alexa is ready for you to speak: you can talk to Alexa directly without saying the wake word first.

   Echo speakers. Amazon’s page gives no step for this light.

7. Pulsing or flashing green

   You’re receiving a call on the device.

   Echo speakers. 1 step from Amazon on its page.

8. Spinning green

   Your device is on an active call or an active Drop In.

   Echo speakers. 3 steps from Amazon on its page.

9. Purple

   With Do Not Disturb on, the light briefly shows purple after you make any request. During first setup, purple shows if there are Wi-Fi issues.

   Echo speakers. Amazon’s page gives no step for this light.

10. White

    When you change the volume, white lights show the volume level.

    Echo speakers. Amazon’s page gives no step for this light.

Find a light by colour on any maker’s speaker →