My Amazon Alexa suddenly stopped responding to voice commands. The light ring does not turn on when I say the wake word.
If the light ring does not activate at all, Alexa either cannot hear you or the device has a software/power issue. First, check the basics: make sure the microphone is not muted — look for a red light ring or a red microphone button on the device. Press the microphone button to unmute if needed. Check that the device is plugged in securely and the power adapter is working. Try a different outlet. Next, restart the device: unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait 1 to 2 minutes for it to fully boot. If Alexa responds to button presses but not voice, the microphone may be damaged or obstructed — clean around the microphone holes with a soft brush. If the device powers on but still does not respond, reset it to factory settings: press and hold the Action button (the dot button) for 20 to 25 seconds until the light ring turns orange. Then set it up again through the Alexa app. If your WiFi changed recently, the device may be disconnected — open the Alexa app on your phone and check if the device shows as offline. If so, go through the WiFi setup process again in the app. For Echo devices with screens, you can check WiFi status directly in Settings on the device.
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