Unraveling the Mystery: Why Does Amazon Alexa Turn Yellow?

Amazon Alexa: Understanding the Yellow Light Indicator

If you own an Amazon Alexa device, you might have noticed a peculiar yellow light that occasionally flashes on the device. This mysterious light can be a bit puzzling, especially for new users who aren’t familiar with Alexa’s various notifications and indicators. In this article, we will explore why your Amazon Alexa turns yellow, what it means, and how you can address it. Whether you’re troubleshooting or just curious, this guide will help you unravel the mystery of the yellow light.

What Does a Yellow Light on Amazon Alexa Mean?

The yellow light on your Amazon Alexa device is part of the device’s notification system. The light indicator serves as a way for Alexa to communicate different statuses or alerts to the user. The yellow light specifically indicates that there is a notification or a message waiting for you.

• Unread Messages: Alexa often flashes yellow when you have a message in your Alexa app, whether it’s a voice message or a message from another Alexa user.
• Shopping Reminders: If you have items in your shopping list or if Alexa has reminders for you, the yellow light might also be a visual cue.
• Notification Alerts: Certain notifications such as delivery updates, weather alerts, or calendar reminders can also trigger a yellow light.

Why Does Amazon Alexa Turn Yellow? Common Scenarios

The yellow light isn’t always a sign of something wrong with your device. In fact, it’s part of Alexa’s effort to keep you informed. Let’s take a deeper look into some of the common reasons for the yellow light.

1. New Message Waiting for You

If someone has sent you a voice message via the Alexa app, or if your Alexa device has received a message, you’ll see the yellow light appear. Alexa might also flash yellow if you’ve missed a call or notification. To check this, simply ask Alexa, “What are my notifications?”

2. Shopping List or Reminders

Amazon Alexa is designed to assist with shopping and reminders, and if you have an item on your shopping list or an important reminder due, the yellow light could flash as a nudge. To check this, ask, “Alexa, what’s on my shopping list?” or “Alexa, do I have any reminders?”

3. Delivery and Order Updates

If you’ve placed an order through Amazon, Alexa will notify you of its status via the yellow light. The flash will typically indicate that a delivery is in progress, or there’s an update related to your Amazon purchases. You can ask, “Alexa, track my order” to get more information.

How to Resolve the Yellow Light on Amazon Alexa?

Now that we understand the main reasons behind the yellow light, let’s walk through the steps to resolve it. These steps will ensure that you can manage your notifications effectively and stop the yellow light from flashing unnecessarily.

Step 1: Check Your Alexa App for New Messages

One of the most common reasons for a yellow light on Amazon Alexa is an unread voice message or notification in your Alexa app. Follow these steps to check for messages:

• Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
• Tap on the “Communicate” icon to check for messages or missed calls.
• Listen to the messages or clear the notifications to stop the yellow light.

Step 2: Review Your Shopping List and Reminders

If the yellow light is flashing because of shopping lists or reminders, you can easily manage these notifications by asking Alexa:

• “Alexa, what’s on my shopping list?”
• “Alexa, do I have any reminders?”

If you no longer need a reminder or shopping list item, you can remove it using voice commands, such as: “Alexa, delete my reminder” or “Alexa, remove the item from my shopping list.”

Step 3: Check Order or Delivery Status

To resolve the yellow light related to orders or deliveries, simply check your order status by asking, “Alexa, track my order.” This will give you real-time updates on your Amazon purchases. If you don’t have any orders pending, the yellow light should stop once Alexa receives no further alerts to communicate.

Step 4: Clear Notifications Manually

If you’ve checked everything and the yellow light persists, it might be necessary to manually clear all notifications. You can do this by following these steps:

• Open the Alexa app on your device.
• Go to “Settings” > “Notifications” to review and clear any notifications.
• Alternatively, use voice commands like “Alexa, clear my notifications” to remove the yellow light.

What to Do If the Yellow Light Won’t Go Away?

In some rare cases, you may find that the yellow light remains on your Amazon Alexa even after you’ve checked all your messages, lists, and orders. If this happens, consider these troubleshooting tips:

• Restart Your Device: Sometimes, a simple restart can fix persistent issues with your Alexa device. Unplug it for a few seconds, then plug it back in to reset it.
• Check for Software Updates: Ensure that your Alexa device is running the latest software. You can ask, “Alexa, check for software updates,” or visit the Alexa app for update notifications.
• Factory Reset Your Alexa: If all else fails, performing a factory reset may be necessary. Remember, this will erase all your settings, so use this as a last resort. You can reset your device by pressing and holding the action button until the light ring turns orange.

When to Contact Amazon Support

If the yellow light issue persists even after performing the troubleshooting steps, it might indicate a deeper issue with the device. In this case, it’s best to reach out to Amazon customer support. You can contact Amazon via their support website or call them directly for assistance. If needed, they can walk you through further troubleshooting or replace the device if it’s under warranty.

Conclusion: Staying on Top of Your Amazon Alexa Notifications

The yellow light on your Amazon Alexa is a helpful way to keep you informed about messages, reminders, shopping lists, and order updates. While it can be a little perplexing at first, understanding why it happens and how to resolve it can make your experience with Alexa even better. Regularly checking your notifications, messages, and reminders will help you stay on top of your Alexa notifications and keep that yellow light from flashing unnecessarily.

If you continue to face issues with the yellow light, following the steps outlined in this guide should resolve most common problems. However, don’t hesitate to contact Amazon support for more assistance if needed. Happy Alexa-ing!

This article is in the category Smart Homes and created by VoiceAssistLab Team