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Amazon Alexa, Echo & Fire TV
Set-up, offline Echos, routines, smart home and Fire Stick problems. 34 guides in 6 sections.
Please note: this is independent guidance and Vision Tech is not affiliated with Amazon. Menus and apps change between models and software versions, so if your screen looks different, check the maker's own manual or help pages.
Download the Amazon Alexa, Echo & Fire TV handbook (PDF)
Setting up your Echo
How to set up a new Echo Dot or Echo speaker step by stepSetting up an Echo speaker takes about ten minutes and uses the Alexa app on your phone.How to set up a new Echo Show step by stepAn Echo Show is an Echo with a screen.Echo Dot will not connect to Wi-Fi, or you need to change the Wi-Fi networkIf your Echo cannot join your Wi-Fi, or you have a new router and need to move it to the new network, the fixes below usually work.What the Echo light ring colours meanThe light ring on an Echo speaker tells you what Alexa is doing.Alexa app cannot find my Echo or other deviceWhen the Alexa app cannot see your new Echo during setup, the problem is nearly always Bluetooth, location permissions or Wi-Fi on your phone rather than the speaker itself.
Not responding, offline or too quiet
Alexa says "I'm having trouble connecting"This message means the Echo cannot reach Amazon over the internet at that moment.Echo shows as offline in the Alexa appWhen the Alexa app says your Echo is offline, it means the app cannot reach the speaker through your Wi-Fi.Alexa does not respond or keeps hearing me wrongIf Alexa ignores you, answers the wrong question or wakes up by itself, the cause is usually something simple such as the microphone being off, background noise or the Echo's position.Alexa volume too low or music keeps stutteringQuiet playback or music that cuts out is commonly caused by weak Wi-Fi, a busy router or the Echo being in a poor spot.Alexa alarms, timers and reminders not workingIf your alarm did not ring, a timer stayed silent or a reminder did not appear, the cause is usually volume, a lost Wi-Fi connection or the wrong time zone.
Music, routines & lists
How to set up multi-room music and speaker groups with EchoWith a speaker group you can play the same music in several rooms at once, or in a pair of speakers for stereo sound.How to link Spotify, Amazon Music, BBC Sounds or TuneIn to AlexaAlexa can play from several music and radio services.How to pair an Echo with a Bluetooth speaker or your phoneAn Echo can play music from your phone over Bluetooth, or send its own sound to a separate Bluetooth speaker.How to set up Alexa routines for morning and bedtimeA routine lets one phrase or a set time trigger several actions, such as turning on the lights, reading the news and telling you the weather.How to use shopping lists and to-do lists with AlexaAlexa can keep a shopping list and a to-do list that you add to by voice and see on your phone.
Smart home & TV control
How to link smart plugs and bulbs to Alexa, and fix "device unresponsive"Alexa can switch plugs, bulbs and heating if they are made by a brand that works with Alexa, such as Hive, Ring, Tapo or TP-Link.How to group smart devices into rooms in Alexa, and Philips Hue basicsPutting devices in rooms and groups lets you say, "Alexa, turn off the living room lights", and control several at once.How to control your TV with Alexa, and what to do when it stops workingWith the right setup you can say, "Alexa, turn on the TV" or "Alexa, pause".
Fire TV Stick & Prime
Fire TV Stick shows a black screen or no signalA black screen or a No Signal message usually means the TV is not looking at the Fire Stick, or the stick is not getting enough power.Fire TV remote not working, or how to pair it againIf your Fire TV remote stopped working, the cause is usually flat batteries or the remote needing to be paired again.Fire TV Stick Wi-Fi problems and bufferingBuffering, freezing and "cannot connect to the network" on a Fire Stick are nearly always down to Wi-Fi strength or speed.Fire TV Stick storage full: how to clear space and cacheFire Sticks have limited storage.How to install BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Netflix on a Fire TV StickInstalling an app on a Fire Stick takes a minute.Fire TV apps will not load, crash or freezeWhen an app on your Fire Stick sticks on a logo, shows an error or closes by itself, work through these steps, starting with the easiest.How to sign out or change the Amazon account on a Fire TV or Echo, and fix Prime login problemsDevices are tied to one Amazon account.How to factory reset a Fire TV StickA factory reset wipes the Fire Stick and returns it to how it was when new.Fire TV parental controls, PIN and kids' profilesYou can protect a Fire TV with a PIN, limit what children can watch and set up a profile for them.How to mirror your phone to a Fire TV StickYou can show your phone screen on the TV using a Fire Stick, but how it works depends on your phone and your Fire TV model.
Privacy, safety & scams
Alexa calls, messages and Drop In: how they work and how to keep them privateEcho devices can make calls and send messages to other Alexa users, and a feature called Drop In lets approved people start talking to your Echo without you answering.Echo Show camera and privacy shutter, and how to turn the microphone offYou are always in control of an Echo's microphone, and an Echo Show's camera.How to review and delete Alexa voice recordings, and Alexa privacy basicsAlexa keeps a history of what you say to it, so you can see and delete it.Alexa Guard, Brief Mode and Follow-up Mode: what they doThese are three extra features you may meet in Alexa settings.Alexa scams and unexpected purchases: how to stop themEcho devices can order from Amazon by voice, and scammers sometimes pretend to be Amazon.How to sell, give away or return an Echo (deregister it first)Before passing on an Echo, you should remove it from your Amazon account, so the next person cannot use your account and you do not lose track of it.
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