Echo Show Turn On TV: How to Set It Up

Yes, you can use an Echo Show to turn on a TV, but it requires a compatible smart home device and a few minutes of setup. The Echo Show itself has no IR blaster, so it cannot directly command your TV; instead, it acts as the voice and display hub that controls a separate device—like a Fire TV Stick, a smart plug, or an IR blaster—which then powers the TV on or off. This article explains the exact steps, the equipment you need, and how to troubleshoot the most common setup issues.

Why Your Echo Show Can’t Turn On a TV by Itself

The Echo Show is a smart display with a microphone, speakers, and a touchscreen, but it does not include an infrared (IR) transmitter. Most TVs still rely on IR remotes, and a device without an IR blaster cannot send those signals. The Echo Show’s only native way to control other electronics is through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee (on certain models like the Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 15). Since a standard TV isn’t a smart-home device, it won’t respond to those protocols on its own. That’s why you need an intermediary—a device that can receive a Wi-Fi command from the Echo Show and then physically send the power signal to the TV.

What You Need to Control Your TV with Echo Show

Before you start, check what you already own. The three most common setups are:

• Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube: If you have a Fire TV Stick plugged into your TV’s HDMI port, the Echo Show can turn the TV on and off through the Fire TV’s HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) feature. The Fire TV Cube even has a built-in IR blaster, so it can control TVs that don’t support CEC.
• IR blaster hub: Devices like the Broadlink RM Mini or Logitech Harmony Hub (now discontinued but still widely used) can learn your TV’s IR codes. The Echo Show connects to these hubs via Wi-Fi, and the hub sends the IR signal to the TV.
• Smart plug: If your TV is plugged into a smart plug, you can turn the plug on or off with your voice. This is a blunt solution—it cuts all power, so the TV will boot up as if you unplugged it, and it won’t respond to the TV’s remote until it finishes starting. It’s not ideal, but it works for older TVs.

Step-by-Step Setup with a Fire TV Stick

This is the most common and reliable method. You’ll need an Echo Show, a Fire TV Stick (2nd generation or newer), and a TV that supports HDMI-CEC (most TVs made after 2010 do, but the setting may be off by default).

1. Plug the Fire TV Stick into your TV’s HDMI port and connect its power adapter.
2. On your TV, go to the settings menu and enable HDMI-CEC. It might be called “Anynet+,� “Bravia Sync,� “Simplink,� or “VIERA Link� depending on the brand.
3. On your Echo Show, open the Alexa app on your phone (or the Show’s settings). Go to Devices > Add Device > Fire TV, and follow the prompts to link your Fire TV to your Amazon account.
4. Say “Alexa, turn on the TV.� The Echo Show will send a command to the Fire TV Stick, which will wake the TV via CEC. To turn it off, say “Alexa, turn off the TV.�
5. If the TV doesn’t respond, check that the Fire TV Stick’s power adapter is plugged into a wall outlet, not the TV’s USB port—some TV USB ports don’t provide enough power for CEC to work.

Using an IR Blaster Hub (for Non-Fire TV TVs)

If you have a regular TV without a streaming stick, an IR hub is your best bet. The setup varies by brand, but the general process is:

1. Connect the IR hub to your Wi-Fi network using its companion app (e.g., Broadlink’s app, or the Harmony app).
2. In the app, add your TV as a device and follow the steps to “learn� the IR codes from your TV’s original remote. Point the remote at the hub and press the power button when prompted.
3. Once the hub can control the TV, open the Alexa app. Go to Devices > Add Device > Other, and select the hub’s brand. Link your hub’s account to Alexa.
4. Alexa will discover the TV as a device. You can then create a routine: say “Alexa, turn on the TV� and set the action to “Power on� for the TV device.

How to Set Up Voice Routines for More Control

Routines let you combine multiple actions into one phrase. For example, you can say “Alexa, movie time� and have it turn on the TV, dim the lights, and set the thermostat. To create one:

1. Open the Alexa app and tap the menu (hamburger icon) > Routines.
2. Tap the + to create a new routine. Name it something like “Movie Time.�
3. Under “When this happens,� choose Voice and type your phrase.
4. Under “Add action,� select Smart Home and choose your TV (or the Fire TV). Then select Power On.
5. Add any other actions you want, then save. Now saying that phrase will trigger everything at once.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

If the Echo Show says “TV is not responding,� or nothing happens, try these fixes in order:

• Check CEC: On your TV, confirm that HDMI-CEC is enabled. If it was already on, turn it off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This resets the handshake between the TV and the Fire TV Stick.
• Restart devices: Unplug the Echo Show, the Fire TV Stick, and the TV for 30 seconds, then plug them back in. This often clears glitches.
• Check the IR hub’s line of sight: IR blasters need a clear path to the TV’s IR receiver (usually a small dark window near the bottom). Move the hub closer or use a wired IR emitter that sticks to the TV.
• Update firmware: Make sure the Echo Show, Fire TV Stick, and IR hub are all running the latest software. Outdated firmware can break integrations.
• Re-link the device: In the Alexa app, remove the TV or Fire TV device and add it again. This refreshes the connection.

Echo Show Models and Their Built-in Smart Hub

Some Echo Show models have a built-in Zigbee hub, which lets them directly control Zigbee smart devices (like certain plugs and sensors) without an extra bridge. However, Zigbee is not used by TVs, so this doesn’t help with TV control. The Echo Show 15 has a built-in Fire TV experience, meaning it can stream video, but it still cannot control an external TV without a Fire TV Stick or IR blaster. The Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) and Echo Show 8 (2nd gen) support Alexa’s “Local Voice Control,� which processes some commands on-device, but that doesn’t change the need for a separate TV-controlling device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Echo Show as a TV remote?

Yes, to an extent. If you have a Fire TV Stick, the Echo Show can display a remote control interface on its screen. Swipe down from the top of the Echo Show screen, tap “Remote,� and you’ll get a virtual remote with navigation buttons. You can also use voice commands to play, pause, or search for content. For a regular TV, you’ll need an IR hub, and the Echo Show won’t show a visual remote—only voice control.

Why does my Echo Show say “TV is not responding�?

This usually means the Echo Show cannot reach the device that controls the TV. Check that the Fire TV Stick or IR hub is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Echo Show. Also, ensure the TV’s CEC setting is still enabled—some TVs turn CEC off after a firmware update or power surge.

Will this work with any TV brand?

Yes, as long as you use the right method. Fire TV Stick requires HDMI-CEC, which is available on most TVs from Sony, Samsung, LG, Vizio, and others, but the setting may be named differently. If your TV doesn’t support CEC, use an IR blaster hub—it works with any TV that has a standard IR receiver, which is virtually all of them.

Can I turn on the TV with just my voice, without touching the Echo Show?

Yes, that’s the whole point. Once set up, you just say “Alexa, turn on the TV� from anywhere in the room. The Echo Show’s far-field microphones can hear you from across the room, even with music playing. You don’t need to be near the device.

Is there a way to turn on the TV by time of day?

Yes, you can use a routine. In the Alexa app, create a routine with “Schedule� as the trigger, set the time (e.g., 6:00 PM), and add the action to turn on the TV. This works with Fire TV Stick or IR hub, as long as the controlling device is powered on.

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