Ugly annoying Software bug - Amazon Echo Show

[PhillyGuy72]

No HomePod here sadly...been using this Echo 5 Show (Gen 1) since 2019 and it's fine.

UNTIL now. Started a few days ago out of nowhere - suddenly Alexa just doesn't wish to acknowledge me at all. This white noise app "Sleep Sounds" I have running all night...which will change to a dim clock display...wasn't the case when I woke up, NO clock, and not knowing the time. So that was a first sign.

I always say to stop the app/skill. "Alexa, stop." -- and it stops the white noise app, sound. Saying "Alexa" over and over, louder and louder is a bit of a lousy start to my day...LOL. The app artwork would not go away, little blue Alexa "listening line" never showed up. Only way to quit this was ti unplug it, restart.
This seemed to do the trick, so I thought. After 45 min, Alexa stopped hearing me again. Another reboot and after a brief period, Alexa stopped. Happened yesterday a few times and again this morning. I'm just unplugging this when it happens and forget out it.

Anyway..some troubleshooting sites, including useless Amazons Help page stated router reset, I did that.
Check to see if it's muted, nope.
OR a total factory reset. Did that. Again, it SEEMED ok and again stopped.
Checked Software Version - (Its on Fire OS 6.5.5.6), "no updates available at this time"

I was actually ready to head out and grab the 2nd Gen Echo Show at Target, its still on sale, thinking this older one is dead. But thought, maybe software issues from an update.

This seems to be the case! After Googling "Alexa not respnding" I got a Reddit page filled with the same issue, many stating it started Thurs, or noticed it yesterday. Same with Amazon Help Forum.

SO...clearly a bug in the software, this new 6.5.5.6. Hoping a patch hits sometime next week.
Bad timing, I think quite a few will get a Show, you are forced to update to the latest FW on setup...wonderful. Many will install and quite a few may have problems right off the bat.

If you have one of these, I would not update to this firmware, stay clear!Not 100% sure though you can turn off automatic updates? I think you can in settings?? Have to check.

VERY annoying bug. Useless "smart clock" right now, just a tiny clock with a LED display

 

[PhillyGuy72]

Update to this. Amazon is pathetic when it comes to fixing their devices. OS bugs. (Probably not that shocking) Looking at other forums, I am not the only one by far with Echo Show, Alexa totally failing and becoming unresponsive after multiple reboots.

*Oh and "avoiding updates" is not an option, these do install automatically...nothing you can do about that, unless you turn off Wifi on the Amazon device, which pretty much renders this a useless "smart device" and turns it into just a clock.

I caved in and unsealed a NEW Echo Show 5 last night (this was sitting in a bag for a few weeks), thinking if I had the same issue...I'll return it (I have until Jan 20) Setup was fine...it updated but to 6.5.5.5 OS...worked PERFECTLY, fast, Alexa no problems responding to commands. But did see a prompt to update to 6.5.5.6 OS..I did not want that!

Before I could do anything else...it started it's little update to the newer OS and now I have the same issues on a second Echo Show. Alexa is "deaf" doesnt respond, etc.

So...digging up my receipt, this new Amazon device will be returned today, don't need or want it. This older Gen 1 Echo Show...well I just have to wait until Amazon gets it together and fixes this, whenever that will be. 🙄😒

(If the Gen 2 was far better with major improvements than older Gen 1, I'd keep it. But there really is no massive difference between the 2019 Show and 2021 Gen 2 whatsoever.)

 

[Derrick York]

Whoa, that's a tough break with your Echo Show Gen 1.

 

[PhillyGuy72]

Whoa, that's a tough break with your Echo Show Gen 1.

Eh, still waiting for Amazon to update and totally fix this thing..whatever. I returned that Gen 2 since it simply was not needed.

The issue with this software is the mic seems to be hypersensitive (someone on Reddit discovered this - since a lot are having issues with this), the air purifier just outside my door was actually causing Alexa to not respond. If I turned the air purifier off..it works fine.

If I have music or TV on..it's ok 70-80% of the time. Seems like white noise, air purifier a fan...etc messes with the mic on the Echo, Alexa becomes "deaf." Bizarre!