I like how you’re tackling LED control on the M5Stack Atom Echo using M5Unified + FastLED. The core problem of the LED staying white when switching to Unified is something others have run into too. For a similar discussion on controlling Atom Matrix LEDs using FastLED, you can check out https://community.m5stack.com/topic/visit site2230/controlling-atom-matrix-leds.

That sounds frustrating have you tried updating the firmware on your M5Stack? Sometimes these kinds of issues pop up because the modules or UI libraries are out of sync. Also, double-check your power supply and wiring; a weak or unstable source can cause odd behavior in modules.

A stronger IR LED or a small IR amplifier module usually does the trick if you need more range. The built-in IR on M5Stack devices is quite limited, so adding an external high-power emitter and driving it with a proper transistor or driver board can noticeably increase distance. Just make sure the angle and alignment are good, because IR range often depends as much on direction as on power.