• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Technipages

Tutorials and fixes for smartphone, gadget, and computer problems

  • Topics
    • Android
    • Browsers
    • Gaming
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • iPhone
    • Linux
    • macOS
    • Office
    • Reviews
    • Software
    • Windows
    • Definitions
  • Product Reviews
  • Downloads
  • About
How to Disable the Microphone on Amazon Alexa Echo or Dot

How to Disable the Microphone on Amazon Alexa Echo or Dot

October 16, 2018 by Kat Armstrong 10 Comments

I’m pretty sure there isn’t a soul on the planet who hasn’t at least heard of Alexa. The name has become almost the standard symbol for any type of voice-activated assistant. Just a few short years ago, that title was held by Siri, of course. These days, Amazon is completely dominating the market… especially with its Echo and Dot devices selling at the speed of light.

When the gadget is always listening, it makes our lives so much easier when we can ask Alexa to change the thermostat, turn a light on or even crank up some tunes. While we all love being able to just speak our wishes out loud and have Alexa cater to our every whim, many people have privacy concerns when it comes to ‘her’ being able to listen in to everything that is said in our homes. There may also be times you simply don’t want to have the device active, so turning off the microphone makes sense. It is a simple process.

Tap the microphone button on the bottom of Echo or Dot. When you do, both that button and the indicator ring running around the outside of the gadget will glow red. This shows you that Alexa is no longer operational and will not be able to accept any voice commands until you re-enable the microphone. An interesting fact to note is that in the event of a power outage or the device being unplugged, Alexa will remember your last preferred setting. As soon as Echo or Dot finish going through their boot sequence, the indicator ring and microphone button will both revert to their glowing red state.

Keep in mind that if you are also using the Amazon Echo Remote, you will not have to turn the device microphone back on in order to add items to your grocery list, set a timer or turn off the lights the kids left on in their rooms. Simply use the remote to give Alexa the commands you need, and then your favorite personal assistant will return to not being able to hear anything you say.

Have you ever turned off the Alexa microphone on one of your devices? Do you own the remote that allows you to keep it in an off state, or do you prefer your Echo or Dot to be constantly listening? Let us know in the comments!

You Might Also Like

  • How to Reset Amazon Alexa Echo or Dot
    How to Reset Amazon Alexa Echo or Dot
  • How to Integrate Spotify Into Alexa Amazon Echo
    How to Integrate Spotify Into Alexa Amazon Echo
  • Review: Google Home/Nest vs Amazon Echo Alexa Dot
    Review: Google Home/Nest vs Amazon Echo Alexa Dot
  • How to Disable Voice Purchases on Amazon Alexa Devices
    How to Disable Voice Purchases on Amazon Alexa Devices
  • 3 Ways to Disable Amazon Echo Spot Camera
    3 Ways to Disable Amazon Echo Spot Camera
  • 4 Ways to Disable Your Microphone in Windows 10
    4 Ways to Disable Your Microphone in Windows 10

Filed Under: Hardware

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie says

    July 10, 2021 at 12:11 pm

    I have a constant red line at the bottom of my echo 8. How do I get rid of this

  2. Gaby M says

    May 8, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    Oh my god! Took so long to figure out. You have to press both buttons to turn it back on. Silly thing. Lol ok, ima go take a nap now.

  3. CJ says

    January 22, 2021 at 8:40 am

    I can’t believe no one knows how to turn on the damned microphone on these things.

  4. Lola Mowrey says

    January 18, 2020 at 8:15 am

    Aha! I jusr realized that the power button is off when it’s red and on when the light is off. I thought it was the opposite. Problem solved. Thanks.

  5. Lola Mowrey says

    January 18, 2020 at 8:12 am

    No. The power button just turns the device on and off Iit continues to have a red ring and does not answer when I say “Alexa”.

  6. Buf says

    November 29, 2019 at 6:41 am

    Now tell us how to permanently turn the mike off?

  7. Peggy says

    October 16, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    The power button turns it back on. If it’s RED, the microphone is off. If no light shows, it’s on. I hit it by accident when I dusted my Echo. Hope that helps.

  8. Robert says

    October 9, 2019 at 9:19 am

    No how do you turn the microphone back on my echo alexa

  9. Laura says

    August 27, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    I have this next to my 97 year old Mom’s bed. Twice she has been able to call for my help. Today, a nurse’s Aide must have turned it off and didn’t remember to turn back on when she left! Now I know where the mic button is ?

  10. Kenny G says

    August 22, 2019 at 7:57 am

    yeah great you can turn the microphone off – now write an article that tells how to turn it back on

Did this help? Let us know!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • How to Change the Profile Picture on Disney+
  • Local Security Policy: What Is It and How to Open It in Windows 11
  • How to Create and Erase an Alarm in Windows 11
  • 10 Best NAS Storage Device for Home and Professional Use
  • PS5 NVMe Requirements You Must Fulfill to Expand PS5 Storage
  • Steam Deck Won’t Turn On: 8 Possible Fixes You Can Try
  • How to Fix Two-Finger Scroll Not Working Issue on Windows 11
  • Fix: No Sound Coming From Windows 11 Computer

Who’s Behind Technipages?

Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

You May Also Like

  • Need a Good Sim Card for The Usa? Here's 8 You Can Buy Right…

© Copyright 2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved · Privacy