How to Set Up Echo Show 8 — Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

1. 1

   Place it and plug it in

   Choose a location where the screen is easy to see and the microphone can hear you from across the room — a kitchen counter, bedside table, or living room shelf works well. Plug the round end of the power adapter into the port on the back of the Echo Show 8, then plug the other end into a wall outlet.

   The screen will light up automatically within a few seconds. Amazon's setup process will begin on its own.

   Tip: Position the Echo Show 8 where you spend a lot of time during the day — the more it hears you, the more useful it becomes.

---

2. 2

   Choose your language and connect to Wi-Fi

   The screen will ask you to choose a language — tap the correct one. Next it will show a list of Wi-Fi networks it can detect. Tap your home network name. When the keyboard appears, type your Wi-Fi password carefully — Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure capital letters are correct — then tap Connect.

   Tip: If you do not know your Wi-Fi password, look on the back or bottom of your router — it is usually printed there on a sticker, labelled "Password" or "WPA Key."

---

3. 3

   Sign in to your Amazon account

   The Echo Show 8 will ask you to sign in to an Amazon account. Enter the email address and password associated with your Amazon account. If you bought the device directly from Amazon while signed in, it may already be registered to your account — the device will recognise this and skip the sign-in step.

   If you do not have an Amazon account, tap Create a New Amazon Account and follow the prompts. You will need an email address and a password you choose.

---

4. 4

   Adjust brightness, volume, and display size

   Once setup is complete, swipe downward from the very top edge of the screen. A settings panel will appear. Tap Display and drag the brightness slider to a comfortable level — brighter is generally easier to see from across a room.

   To make the text and icons on screen larger, tap Settings → Display → Display Size and choose a larger option. To adjust the volume, press the volume buttons on the top of the device or say "Alexa, set volume to 7."

   Tip: Volume 6 or 7 out of 10 is a good starting point for hearing reminders from another room without the device being uncomfortably loud.

---

5. 5

   Make your first video call

   To call someone using the Echo Show 8, they need either an Alexa device of their own or the free Alexa app installed on their phone. Once they have it set up, say: "Alexa, video call [their name]."

   The screen will show your video on one side and the caller's on the other. To end the call, say "Alexa, hang up" or tap End Call on the screen.

   The Echo Show 8 also supports Zoom video calls. Say "Alexa, join my Zoom meeting" or tap the Zoom app on the home screen and enter a meeting ID.

   Tip: The built-in camera has a physical privacy cover — a small sliding switch on the top of the device. Slide it toward the camera to cover the lens when you are not making calls. A red light on screen confirms the camera is covered.

---

6. 6

   Set up a daily reminder

   Say: "Alexa, remind me to take my medication every day at 8am." Alexa will confirm the reminder aloud. At 8am each day, both an audio announcement and a visible on-screen notification will appear — the screen is a significant advantage here, because you can see what the reminder says even if you did not hear the announcement clearly.

   To review or change reminders, open the Alexa app on your phone, tap More → Reminders. You can also say "Alexa, what are my reminders?" to hear them read back.

If It's Not Working — Common Fixes

• Alexa is not responding when I say her name

  Check the top of the device for the microphone button — if it shows a red light, the microphone is muted. Press the microphone button once to unmute it. Also make sure the volume is turned up — press the volume up button or say "Alexa, set volume to 7" once it is unmuted.

• I cannot connect to Wi-Fi during setup

  Double-check the Wi-Fi password — passwords are case-sensitive. If the network name includes spaces, make sure to type them. Try moving the Echo Show 8 closer to your router during setup. If the problem persists, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in, then try setup again.

• The person I want to call does not appear in my contacts

  They need to have the free Alexa app installed on their phone and have set up their own profile. Once they do, open the Alexa app on your phone, tap the speech bubble icon at the bottom, then tap the person icon to import contacts. Their name will appear once both sides are set up.

• The screen shows adverts and content I did not ask for

  Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Settings → Home & Clock → Home Content, and turn off any content categories you do not want. You can disable news, entertainment suggestions, and Amazon promotional content individually. Saying "Alexa, go home" returns to a clean clock display.

Recommended for Echo Show 8 Users

Common Questions About Echo Show 8 Setup

• Does the Echo Show 8 require a monthly subscription or fee?

  No required monthly fee. All core features — reminders, voice calls, weather, news, smart home control, and Alexa voice commands — are free. Amazon Prime is optional and adds video streaming and music, but the device works fully without it.

• How do I make a video call on the Echo Show 8?

  Say "Alexa, video call [contact name]." No buttons or tapping required. The contact needs either an Alexa device or the free Alexa app on their phone. The Echo Show 8 also supports Zoom — say "Alexa, join my Zoom meeting" or tap the Zoom app on screen.

• How do I make the text on screen larger?

  Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Settings → Display → Display Size, and choose a larger option. You can also adjust text size separately under Settings → Display → Text Size. Both settings take effect immediately with no restart.

• Can the Echo Show 8 call regular phone numbers, not just Alexa contacts?

  Yes. Say "Alexa, call [phone number]" or "Alexa, call [contact name]" if the number is saved in your contacts. Calls to US, UK, Canada, and Mexican numbers are free. International calls outside these countries require an Alexa Calling subscription.

• How do I stop unwanted content from appearing on the screen?

  Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Settings → Home & Clock → Home Content, and turn off news, entertainment, and any promotional content you do not want. Saying "Alexa, go home" always returns to the clean clock display.

• Alexa is not responding. What should I check first?

  Check the top of the device for the microphone button. If it shows a red light, the microphone is muted — press the button once to unmute it. Then check the volume by pressing the volume up button on the top edge. A muted or low-volume device is the most common reason Alexa appears unresponsive.

Related Guides

Last updated: April 2026.
This guide covers the Echo Show 8 (2nd and 3rd generation). Menu names and on-screen layouts are consistent across both generations. Steps may vary slightly if your device's software has not been updated recently — the Echo Show 8 updates automatically when connected to Wi-Fi.