To turn off wake-up lights on Alexa, you primarily need to adjust the alarm settings within the Alexa app, specifically by disabling the option that automatically adds wake-up lighting to active alarms. This ensures that your Echo device or connected smart lights no longer simulate a sunrise or turn on with your alarms.
Disabling Wake-Up Lights for All Alarms
The most direct method to prevent Alexa from automatically enabling wake-up lighting for new or existing alarms is to adjust a specific setting within the Alexa app's alarm section.
Step-by-Step Guide via the Alexa App
Follow these instructions to turn off the global wake-up light setting:
- Open the Alexa App: Launch the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Navigate to More: Tap the "More" icon (often represented by three horizontal lines or a person icon) located in the bottom navigation bar.
- Select Alarms & Timers: From the menu, tap on "Alarms & Timers".
- Access Alarm Settings: At the top of the "Alarms & Timers" screen, look for a "Settings" or "Gear" icon, or an option explicitly labeled "Alarm Settings." Tap on it.
- Locate Wake-Up Light Option: Within Alarm Settings, find the option related to "wake-up lighting" or specifically labeled "Add to All Active Alarms". This option, when toggled on, is responsible for enabling wake-up lighting for new or existing active alarms.
- Toggle Off: If this option is currently toggled on, tap to toggle it off.
- Practical Insight: Toggling this option off ensures that Alexa will no longer automatically apply the wake-up light feature to your alarms. If you still experience lights coming on after this step, check individual alarm settings or any custom routines you might have set up.
Turning Off Wake-Up Lights for Specific Alarms
If you only wish to disable the wake-up light feature for certain alarms, you can modify them individually.
- Open the Alexa App: Launch the Amazon Alexa app.
- Navigate to More: Tap the "More" icon.
- Select Alarms & Timers: Go to "Alarms & Timers".
- Choose an Alarm: Select the specific alarm you wish to modify from your list of active alarms.
- Edit Wake-Up Light: Look for an option like "Wake-up light", "Sunrise effect", or "Light" associated with that particular alarm.
- Toggle Off or Remove: Toggle the setting off or remove the associated light action.
- Save Changes: Make sure to tap "Save" to apply your modifications.
Removing Wake-Up Lights from Alexa Routines
Sometimes, smart lights are triggered by an Alexa Routine rather than a direct alarm setting. If your lights are still coming on with an alarm after adjusting the alarm settings, a routine might be the cause.
- Open the Alexa App: Launch the Amazon Alexa app.
- Navigate to More: Tap the "More" icon.
- Select Routines: Tap "Routines".
- Identify the Routine: Browse your list of routines to find any that might be turning on lights around your alarm time (e.g., a "Good Morning" routine).
- Edit Actions: Tap on the relevant routine, then find the "Add action" or "Actions" section.
- Delete Light Action: Locate any actions that specifically turn on or adjust smart lights. Tap "Delete" or the minus sign next to these actions.
- Save Changes: Tap "Save" to update the routine.
Table of Wake-Up Light Control Methods
| Method | Description | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Global Alarm Setting | Disable "Add to All Active Alarms" in the Alarm Settings of the Alexa app. | Preventing all new or existing alarms from using wake-up lights by default. |
| Individual Alarms | Edit specific alarms to turn off their dedicated wake-up light features. | Disabling wake-up lights for only selected alarms, not all. |
| Alexa Routines | Remove light-triggering actions from any custom morning routines. | When lights are activated by a custom routine, independent of direct alarm settings. |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you're still experiencing issues with wake-up lights, consider these troubleshooting steps:
- Check Device Connections: Ensure your smart lights are properly connected to Alexa and are visible and controllable within the Alexa app under the "Devices" section.
- Update Alexa App: Always ensure your Alexa app is updated to the latest version. App updates often include bug fixes and improvements to features.
- Restart Echo Device: A simple restart of your Echo device (unplugging it from power for a few seconds and then plugging it back in) can often resolve minor software glitches.
- Consult Amazon Support: For persistent issues or unique setups, refer to Amazon's official Alexa support page for detailed guides and specific troubleshooting steps.
