Why your Echo Show camera isn't working

⚡ Fast fix

• Check the shutter. The camera may simply be covered.
• Look for camera-off settings. Privacy controls can block video.
• Restart the Echo Show. A quick reboot clears many camera glitches.
• Test another feature. Try Drop In or a video call to narrow it down.
• Need an assist?
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An Echo Show™ camera usually fades into the background until the moment you need it—then suddenly the video is black, frozen, or missing during a call. It can feel like the camera has failed, but many Echo Show camera problems come down to privacy settings, the physical shutter, Wi-Fi, or a temporary software hiccup.

Asurion Experts help with smart home setup and troubleshooting every day, and camera issues are one of those problems where the first check is often the least dramatic. Before assuming the Echo Show is broken, start with the simple stuff.

Why is my Echo Show camera not working?

If your Echo Show camera isn’t working, the most common causes are:

• A closed camera shutter
• Disabled camera setting
• Privacy mode turned on
• Weak Wi-Fi
• An app or calling issue
• Outdated device software

The camera also depends on what you’re trying to do. A video call, Drop In, Home Monitoring, and a connected Ring® or Blink™ view can all fail for different reasons. That’s why it helps to test more than one camera feature before deciding the built-in camera itself is the problem.

If you’re trying to view a doorbell or camera feed through Alexa®, Asurion’s guide to showing your Ring doorbell on your TV can help with linked-device issues too.

Check the camera shutter and privacy controls

Many Echo Show models include a physical camera shutter. If that shutter is closed, the camera can’t see anything, no matter what the app or screen says.

Look along the top edge of the Echo Show and slide the shutter open. Then check the screen for a camera-off icon or privacy message. If the microphone/camera button is turned off, press it again to re-enable the device.

This sounds obvious, but it’s the kind of thing we always check first because it saves time. A device can look broken when it’s really just doing exactly what the privacy control told it to do.

Restart your Echo Show

A restart is the easiest way to clear a temporary camera glitch without erasing your settings.

1. Unplug the Echo Show from power.
2. Wait about 30 seconds.
3. Plug it back in.
4. Wait for it to fully restart.
5. Try the camera again.

If Alexa itself is also slow or not responding, follow Asurion’s guide to fixing an Alexa device that’s not responding before moving on to deeper fixes.

Test the camera with a video call or Drop In

Once the shutter is open and the device has restarted, test the camera in a feature that uses the Echo Show’s built-in camera. Try a video call or Drop In with a trusted contact or another device in your home.

If the built-in camera works in one feature but not another, the camera itself probably isn’t the issue. The problem may be permissions, a contact setting, a linked skill, or the service you’re trying to use.

For Drop In setup questions, Asurion’s guide to activating and using Alexa Drop In walks through the feature and permissions.

Check Wi-Fi and device placement

Video features need a stronger connection than basic voice commands. Your Echo Show may answer questions fine but still struggle with camera feeds if Wi-Fi is weak, crowded, or unstable.

Move the Echo Show closer to the router and test again. If that helps, the issue may be placement rather than the camera. Restarting your router can also help if several smart home devices are acting up at once.

For setup and connection basics, see Asurion’s guide to setting up an Amazon Echo device.

Update your Alexa software

Outdated software can cause odd behavior with calls, camera features, and connected smart home controls. Echo devices usually update automatically, but they need power, Wi-Fi, and time to install updates.

You can say, “Alexa, check for software updates,” or use the device settings to look for update options. Asurion’s guide to updating Alexa software explains how to check and what to expect.

Check camera permissions in the Alexa app

If the camera issue happens during calls, Drop In, or Home Monitoring, open the Amazon Alexa app and check the device settings.

1. Open the Amazon Alexa app.
2. Tap Devices.
3. Tap Echo & Alexa.
4. Choose your Echo Show.
5. Open Settings.
6. Review communication, camera, Drop In, and Home Monitoring settings.

The exact options can vary by model and app version, so focus on anything that controls communication, camera access, or privacy.

When the Echo Show camera may need more help

If the camera still shows black after the shutter is open, privacy controls are off, Wi-Fi is strong, software is updated, and multiple camera features fail, the issue may be hardware-related. Damage from drops, heat, moisture, or a failed camera module can keep the camera from working.

At that point, it’s worth getting help from a tech expert before resetting everything. If the Echo Show has other symptoms too—screen problems, power issues, or repeated freezing—a factory reset may be worth trying, but only after backing up or noting the settings you’ll need to rebuild. Here's the guide to factory resetting your Echo Show.

FAQ

Why is my Echo Show camera black?

The camera may be covered, turned off, blocked by a privacy setting, or stuck after a software hiccup. Open the shutter, restart the device, and try again.

How do I turn the Echo Show camera back on?

Open the camera shutter, make sure the microphone/camera privacy button isn’t disabling it, then check camera and communication settings in the Amazon Alexa app.

Can I fix an Echo Show camera myself?

Often, yes. Shutter, settings, Wi-Fi, updates, and permissions are all worth checking. If the camera hardware is damaged, though, DIY magic probably won’t cut it.

Why does Drop In work without video?

Drop In may be set to audio only, the shutter may be closed, or camera access may be disabled. In other words, the feature may be working—just camera-shy.

Should I factory reset my Echo Show if the camera isn’t working?

Not right away. Resetting is the big broom. Try restart, updates, Wi-Fi, shutter, and settings checks first.