Echo Show photo frame not updating

⚡ Fast fix

• Check Amazon Photos first. If new pictures aren't in the album, the Echo Show™ can't display them.
• Confirm the right album. Photo Frame may still be pulling from an older collection.
• Restart the Echo Show. A reboot can refresh a display that's stuck showing the same photos.
• Still staring at last year's vacation?
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Adding new photos to an Echo Show® photo frame is supposed to be the easy part. So when the same old pictures keep cycling through while the new ones are nowhere to be found, it's fair to wonder whether the Echo Show missed the memo.

Asurion Experts help people get more out of their connected devices every day. Here's what we'd check when Photo Frame stops refreshing.

Make sure the new photos actually made it to Amazon Photos

If you've just uploaded pictures, start at the source rather than changing Echo Show settings. Open Amazon Photos and make sure the missing images appear in the account and album you're expecting.

This matters even more in households with multiple Amazon accounts. A perfectly synced photo sitting in one person's account won't do much for an Echo Show that's registered somewhere else.

Check which photos your Echo Show is using

Once you know the pictures are in Amazon Photos, make sure the Echo Show is looking at the right collection.

Photo settings can vary somewhat by Echo Show model and software version, but you'll generally want to open the device's Settings and look under Home & Clock or its photo/display options. Check that the Amazon Photos album or collection you want is still selected.

If you recently created a new album, don't assume the Echo Show automatically switched to it. Select it manually, then start Photo Frame again.

Give the photos a little time to sync

A new upload doesn't always appear on the Echo Show the second it reaches Amazon Photos. The display relies on an internet connection to pull in updated content, so we'd give newly added photos a little time before assuming something is broken.

If hours have passed and you're still seeing the same rotation, that's when we'd move on.

Restart the Echo Show

When the right album is selected but Photo Frame seems stuck on an old rotation, restart the Echo Show and let it reconnect before opening Photo Frame again.

Unplug the device for about 30 seconds, reconnect it, and give Alexa time to come back online. Amazon also recommends restarting an Echo as an early troubleshooting step when it has connectivity problems.

Make sure the Echo Show is staying online

Photos that never refresh can be one symptom of a connection problem. If Alexa is also slow to answer, other home-screen content isn't updating, or the device keeps dropping offline, we'd focus on Wi-Fi rather than Photo Frame.

Amazon recommends checking the router with another device, keeping the Echo reasonably close to it, and restarting the network when connectivity is intermittent. If Alexa is having broader connection trouble, our guide to fixing Alexa when it won't connect to Wi-Fi can help with the next checks.

Check for an Echo Show software update

If Amazon Photos is current, the connection looks good, and Photo Frame still won't refresh, make sure the Echo Show hasn't fallen behind on software.

Say, "Alexa, check for software updates," and leave the device connected to power and Wi-Fi while it checks. Echo devices depend on current firmware for device features, and Amazon specifically calls for current firmware during Echo setup. If that doesn't work, check out our guide to updating Alexa software.

Still seeing the wrong photos?

If Photo Frame works but keeps showing pictures you don't want, that's different from a sync problem. Go back to the selected Amazon Photos albums and make sure an older album or collection isn't still included.

FAQ

How long does it take Amazon Photos to update on Echo Show?

New photos may not appear immediately. Give the device some time to sync before restarting or changing settings.

Why does my Echo Show keep showing the same photos?

Check which Amazon Photos album is selected. If that's correct, restart the Echo Show to refresh the rotation.

Does Echo Show need Wi-Fi to update photos?

Yes. The Echo Show needs an internet connection to retrieve updated photo content and other online information.

Should I factory reset an Echo Show if Photo Frame isn't updating?

Usually not. Check Amazon Photos, the selected album, Wi-Fi, and software updates first.