Alexa is the virtual voice assistant created by Amazon for use on its Echo devices. The most recognizable Echo device with a screen is the Echo Show. When someone “drops in” on an Echo Show to initiate a video call, the light ring around the top of the device will change colors to indicate the call status.
How Does Alexa’s Light Ring Work on Echo Show?
The Echo Show has a light ring around the top that illuminates in different colors depending on what Alexa is doing. Here is an overview of what the different light ring colors indicate on the Echo Show:
- Blue – Alexa is listening for a command
- Green – Alexa is thinking or processing a command
- Yellow – Alexa has a notification for you
- Red – Alexa is muted
- Orange – Multiple notifications are waiting
- White – Call or Drop-in incoming
The light ring essentially acts as a visual cue to provide feedback on what task Alexa is currently engaged in on your Echo Show device. The most relevant color change when someone drops in is to white.
What Happens When Someone Drops In?
“Dropping in” is a feature on Echo Show devices that allows you to instantly connect with someone through video calling. When someone drops in on your Echo Show, here is the sequence of what happens:
- The light ring turns solid white to indicate an incoming call
- The screen displays who is calling and “Answering Drop In” message
- Video call connects showing the caller’s video feed
- Light ring pulses white during the call
- Call ends when caller hangs up, light ring returns to blue or off
So in summary, the light ring turns completely white when a drop in call is initially incoming, then pulses white during the video call, before returning to its normal color once the call ends.
Displaying the Drop In Call on Echo Show Screen
In addition to the light ring, the Echo Show screen also displays information about the drop in call. Here’s what you’ll see on the screen when someone drops in on an Echo Show:
- Name of the caller displayed
- “Answering Drop In” message shows
- Video call connects showing caller’s camera feed
- On-screen controls during call allow you to mute mic or end call
The on-screen messages and video caller feed give additional context about the drop in call that complements the light ring changing to white. This provides a clear visual indicator that someone is trying to connect via video call on your Echo Show.
What Can You Do During a Drop In Call?
When on a Drop In call on Echo Show, you have a few options for controlling the call experience:
- End the call – You can end the call at any time by saying “Alexa, hang up” or by tapping the on-screen “End Call” button.
- Mute your mic – You can mute your microphone by tapping the mute button on screen so the caller cannot hear you.
- Adjust volume – Use the physical volume buttons on Echo Show to turn the caller’s volume up or down.
- Block caller – If you don’t want to receive Drop Ins from someone, you can block them in the Alexa app.
So you have some options to control the call experience once someone has dropped in. The light ring will remain white and pulsing until the call is disconnected.
Why Does the Light Ring Change Color for Drop Ins?
There are a few key reasons why the light ring on Echo Show devices changes to white for incoming Drop In calls:
- Lets you know someone is calling – The sudden color change is a clear visual indicator someone is trying to reach you.
- Differentiates from other tasks – The white color stands out from other blue/green/yellow states to show this is a call.
- Shows active call status – Pulsing white confirms you’re on an active call throughout the conversation.
- Visible from a distance – You can see the light change even from across a room.
Echo Show doesn’t have a traditional ringing phone sound for Drop Ins. Instead, the light ring provides a visual cue that someone is calling. This allows you to notice an incoming call even if the room is noisy or you’ve stepped away briefly.
How Do You Set Up Drop In on Echo Devices?
To use Drop In calling on your Echo Show and other Echo devices, you need to set it up in the Alexa app. Here are the steps to get Drop In configured:
- Open the Alexa app and go to Settings > Device Settings
- Select your Echo device and go to Communications > Drop In
- Toggle Drop In to “On”
- Select “Manage Contacts” to choose which contacts can drop in
You can restrict Drop In access to only people in your household, specific friends or family, or leave it open to all your Alexa contacts. This lets you control who can instantly connect with Drop In calls.
Can You Disable the Light Ring for Drop Ins?
There is no setting to disable the light ring on Echo Show specifically for Drop In calls. However, you can disable the light ring for all notifications and calls using these steps:
- Go to Settings > Device Settings in the Alexa app
- Select your Echo Show
- Go to Light Ring > Do Not Disturb
- Toggle on “Do Not Disturb” to disable the light ring
This will prevent the light ring from changing color for any incoming calls. But it also means you lose the visual notifications for timers, alarms, and other alerts.
There is no way to disable the light ring on Echo Show for only drop ins while keeping it for other functions. Your only options are to manage your Drop In contacts or disable the light ring completely.
Can You Change the Drop In Light Ring Color?
There is no setting to change the white light ring color shown for Drop In calls on Echo Show devices. The color is hardcoded to be white and cannot be customized.
Alexa does allow you to change the wake word light color for when she is listening from blue to yellow or red. But the drop in white color cannot be adjusted.
This is likely because the white provides a universally clear indication of an incoming call, while allowing users to customize the listening color provides more personalization without being confusing.
Troubleshooting Echo Show Light Ring Issues
In some cases, you may experience issues with the light ring on your Echo Show not behaving as expected. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check Do Not Disturb settings – This can mute the light ring for all notifications and calls.
- Ensure Drop In is enabled – The light ring won’t change if Drop In is disabled.
- Check Wi-Fi connection – A disconnected Echo may not receive call requests properly.
- Restart your Echo device – Power cycling can resolve transient software glitches.
- Factory reset device – Resetting removes any faulty configurations.
- Contact Amazon support – For persistent hardware-related issues.
In most cases, checking your Alexa app settings, Wi-Fi connection, and restarting the Echo Show will help get the light ring working again for drop ins and other functions.
Light Ring Colors for Other Echo Show Functions
In addition to drop in calls, the Echo Show light ring communicates other status information through different colors. Here are some other common light ring colors and what they mean:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blue | Alexa ready for command |
| Green | Alexa processing command |
| Yellow | Notification waiting |
| Red | Microphone muted |
| Orange | Multiple notifications |
The color coding provides an at-a-glance way to understand what your Echo Show is doing. Most colors represent standard modes like listening or notifications. But the white drop in color makes it very clear when special event like an incoming call is happening.
Conclusion
The Echo Show light ring changing to solid white when someone drops in provides a clear visual indicator that a video call is incoming. It turns completely white when the call starts, pulses during the conversation, then returns to normal when the call ends. This gives a recognizable alert that stands out from other light ring colors and notifications. So if your Echo Show suddenly flashes with a white ring, it means someone is dropping in to chat!