We have all been in a situation where Alexa lights up blue after listening to the wake word, but it doesn’t respond . We are sure it must have happened at least once for everyone. But if this problem continues after repeated attempts, you must troubleshoot it. This guide will show you how to fix Alexa not responding but lighting up.
The problem is that the blue light shows up on the Echo as if it’s processing the query, but eventually, it doesn’t respond. To fix it, restart the Echo, check its internet connection, say the command naturally and, move other Echo devices far away, and reset the Echo, among other solutions. Let’s check them in detail.
1. Restart Echo
If the Alexa-enabled Echo device is turning on but not responding , the first thing that you should do is try the age-old trick of restarting the device. For that, unplug it for 30 seconds and then plug it back. Hopefully, this should be enough to fix Alexa lighting up but not responding.
2. Check Internet
The next thing that you must check is your internet connection. There may be something wrong with your internet. Maybe the internet isn’t working, its password has been changed, or your Echo device is not within the suitable range of Wi-Fi.
To fix it, try these solutions:
- Restart your Wi-Fi modem.
- Keep Echo close to your Wi-Fi modem.
- Try the internet on some other device. If it’s not working, check if you have paid the bill or contact your network service provider.
Tip: Check other ways to fix internet issues on Alexa
3. Say Command Clearly
Many times, Alexa doesn’t understand your query, so even though it lights up, it won’t respond. All you need to do is say the command clearly and loudly. You can try rephrasing the query. For instance, if you are asking Alexa, ‘India capital’, rephrase it to ‘What is the capital of India?’ Similarly, you should be clear and loud when using the wake word. Try changing the wake word for your Echo device.
You can check your voice command history in the Alexa app and see if Alexa is taking them. For that, open the Alexa app and tap on the More tab, followed by Activity History. Tap on Voice to see your recent commands. If any command says ‘Audio could not be understood’, speak the same clearly so that Alexa understands you.
4. Increase the Volume of Alexa
As stupid as it may sound, there’s no harm in checking the volume of your Echo device if you haven’t checked it already. We mean that maybe Alexa is actually responding, but since your device’s volume is low, you cannot hear it.
So, use the physical volume buttons on the Echo device to increase the volume. Or go into the Alexa app and select Devices, followed by your Echo device. Tap on Volume and increase it using the slider.
5. Check Nearby Echo Devices
Do you have multiple Echo devices in your home? One of the major reasons why Alexa doesn’t respond but lights up is because of nearby Echo devices. Basically, you might be trying to say the command to one Echo device, but another nearby Echo could be taking it instead of the one you intended for. So, even though the Alexa will light up, it won’t respond.
To see if this is the problem, go near the problematic Echo device and say the command right into its microphone so that no other Echo device hears it. If it responds, you know where the problem is.
To fix this problem, you can keep the Echo devices slightly far away from each other. A better approach is to use different wake words for each Echo device.
To change the wake word, open the Alexa app and go to your Echo device. Tap on the Settings icon to go to the settings of your Echo device. Tap on Wake Word and select a different wake word. Please note that you must do this separately for each Echo device.
Tip : In addition to the wake word, try changing Alexa’s name and voice .
6. Disable Brief, Whisper, and Follow Up Modes
Alexa-powered Echo devices have certain useful modes like Brief , Whisper, and Follow-up that can unintentionally cause problems like this one. If Alexa is not responding but a blue light appears whenever you invoke Alexa, try turning off these modes.
To disable Brief Mode on Alexa, open the Alexa app and tap on More, followed by Settings. Then, tap on Voice Responses and turn off the toggles next to the Brief and Whisper modes.
To disable Follow-up mode, tap on your Echo devices in the Alexa app and press the Settings icon at the top. Select Follow-up mode and turn it off on the next screen.
7. Other Solutions to Try
The last solution is to reset the Echo device, but before you do that, try the following solutions too:
- Slap or hit the Echo device a couple of times.
- Check and remove any Bluetooth devices connected to your Echo
- Check Alexa isn’t on mute. When muted, it shows a red light.
- Plug a 3.5mm speaker or headphone jack into the Echo device and remove it.
- Uninstall any newly installed skill, as it could be crashing up and affecting the functionality of your Alexa.
Tip: Know how to fix Alexa not talking back .
8. Reset Echo
Finally, try factory resetting Alexa if it still doesn’t respond to you but continues to light up. Please note that you will have to set up your Echo again after resetting it. To factory reset Echo , press and hold the Microphone off and volume down buttons until the light ring turns off and on again.
Tip : Facing issues while setting up Alexa? Know how to fix Alexa setup issues .
Make Alexa Useful
We hope your Alexa is back in action and responds when it lights up. Before you go, check out the best Alexa skills. Also, check out useful things you can do with Alexa on Echo Show.
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- Outlook saves its print settings in the Outlprnt file. Deleting the file can help fix print issues.
- Sometimes, Outlook plugins and extensions can interfere with the printing. Removing them can help you fix the issue.
- Ensure the email is completely downloaded before you can print it.
Try Basic Fixes:
- Restart Outlook: When Outlook relaunches, it loads all the modules, including extensions. This ensures that if Outlook or any of its modules are stuck, they will start working.
- Reset hardware connection : Powering off a printer might clear temporary issues, such as a print job stuck in the queue or a minor error.
- Update the Outlook app: If the Outlook app and Windows settings are out of sync, especially after a Windows update, check if an update is available for the app.
Fix 1. Check the Default Printer
Sometimes, we select a printer and wait to realize it isn’t the default printer. Windows Settings can quickly fix this, or you can manually select the printer whenever you print.
Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Step 2: Select Bluetooth & devices from the sidebar. Select Printers & scanners from the right pane.
Step 3: Find the connected printer from the list and click on it.
Step 4: Select the Set as default button from the following menu. Open Outlook and try to print the attachment again.
Fix 2. Save the Document and Print It From File Manager
If Outlook still gives you trouble printing an attachment, you can save the document locally on the PC and print it.
Step 1: Download the attachment from Outlook or choose the Save as option, and save it on your PC.
Step 2: Use the File Manager to find the document and double-click to launch it in the Microsoft Edge browser or any PDF app.
Step 3: Look for a printer icon and use it to print the document.
Fix 3. Run Printer Troubleshooter
A built-in Windows troubleshooter can reset some printer parameters, which can help you start printing again.
Step 1: Open the GetHelp App using the Start menu.
Step 2: Type printer troubleshooting in the text box, showing you the Printer troubleshooter .
Step 3: Launch the wizard and let it complete the process. Once done, open the Outlook app again and try printing a document.
Fix 4. Uninstall Printer Drivers
At times, corrupt or outdated printer drivers can lead to such issues. You can reinstall printer drivers and try your luck again.
Step 1: Right-click the Windows key and open the Device Manager from the menu.
Step 2: Scroll down and expand the Print queues listing.
Step 3: Right-click on the printer with which you have the issue and select Uninstall device from the context menu. This will also Uninstall the driver.
Alternatively, follow this guide to remove the printer and uninstall the driver .
Step 4. Confirm your decision and restart the PC. Once you log into your account, Windows will install the default driver for the driver. Check if you can print from Outlook.
Fix 5. Wait for Emails to Download Completely
If an email contains too many elements, such as images from external sources or linked documents, and you start printing as soon as it arrives, it might cause an issue.
It’s best to wait for the download to complete; you can see no broken images, etc. For such emails, it’s best to wait for the download to be complete and then print it.
Fix 6. Troubleshoot Outlook Com-Addins And Extensions
Some Com-Addins and extensions can interfere with the print experience. It would be best to remove and disable them and troubleshoot.
Step 1: Open the Run prompt using Win + R, type Outlook /safe , and press Enter .
Step 2: Once Outlook launches, check if you can print. If it works, check which extension is causing the problem.
Step 3: Launch Outlook the usual way > go to File > Options > click on Add-ins .
Step 4: Click the Go button next to COM Add-ins to open a list of installed Addons and extensions .
Step 5: Select the one to uninstall from the checked list and click the Remove button. Once you’ve done this, try to print. Repeat the steps until you find the one causing the issue.
Fix 7. Delete the OutlPrnt file (Print Settings)
The OutlPrnt file stores printer settings. If the file becomes corrupt, the print function will not work as intended. However, if you delete the file, it will be recreated.
Step 1: Go to %AppData%/Microsoft/Outlook using the Run prompt.
Step 2 : Locate the OutlPrnt file and permanently delete it.
Step 3: Relaunch Outlook and check if you can print a file.
