Connect your Alexa to WiFi in three steps
To connect an Alexa device to WiFi, you need the Alexa app on your phone, your WiFi network name and password, and the Alexa device itself powered on. The process takes about five minutes and happens entirely through the app — you do not need to touch the device after plugging it in. Most connection problems come from entering the WiFi password wrong or trying to connect to a 5 GHz network when your device only supports 2.4 GHz.
The steps are the same whether you own an Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Studio, or any other Alexa speaker. If you are setting up a device for the first time, the app will walk you through WiFi connection as part of the initial setup. If you are reconnecting an existing device or switching networks, you can change the WiFi settings from the device settings menu.
Key Takeaways
- Download the Alexa app to your phone before you start, and make sure you know your WiFi network name and password.
- Plug in the Alexa device and wait for the light ring to turn orange or yellow, which signals it is ready to connect.
- Open the Alexa app, tap the menu icon, select your device, and choose the WiFi network from the list shown on your phone.
- If your device only supports 2.4 GHz WiFi, you cannot connect it to a 5 GHz network, even if both bands share the same name.
What you need before you start
Have the Alexa app installed on your phone or tablet before you plug in the device. You can download it free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You will also need to sign in with an Amazon account — if you do not have one, you can create it during setup.
Write down your WiFi network name (the name you see when you look for available networks on your phone) and your WiFi password. If you do not know your password, you can find it in your router's settings or contact your internet provider. You will need the exact password, including capital letters and special characters, so copy it carefully.
Make sure the Alexa device is within range of your WiFi router — ideally in the same room or the next room over. Walls and distance weaken the signal, so if you are far from the router, move closer during setup and move the device to its permanent location after it connects.
The setup process step by step
Plug the Alexa device into a power outlet. Wait 30 seconds to one minute for it to start up. The light ring on top of the device will turn orange or yellow when it is ready. This means the device is in setup mode and looking for a connection.
Open the Alexa app on your phone. If this is your first time setting up a device, tap the plus icon in the top left corner and select "Add Device." If you are reconnecting an existing device, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, select "Devices," find your device in the list, and tap it.
The app will show you a list of WiFi networks it can see. Find your network name in the list and tap it. Enter your WiFi password exactly as it appears — uppercase and lowercase letters matter. Tap "Connect" and wait. The app will show a progress screen while the device connects.
When the connection is complete, the light ring will turn blue and the app will confirm that setup is done. This usually takes one to three minutes. If the light ring stays orange or the app shows an error, go to the troubleshooting section below.
Reconnecting to a different WiFi network
If you are moving your Alexa to a new location with different WiFi, or if your home network password changed, you can update the connection without starting over. Open the Alexa app, tap the menu icon, select "Devices," and find your device in the list.
Tap the device name to open its settings. Scroll down and tap "WiFi Network." The app will show your current network and a button to change it. Tap "Change Network," select your new network from the list, enter the password, and tap "Connect." The device will reconnect within a few minutes.
Why your device will not connect
Wrong password: The most common reason for connection failure is a typo in the WiFi password. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword." If you are not sure, go to your router settings or contact your internet provider to confirm the password, then try again.
5 GHz network: Older Alexa devices and some current models only work on 2.4 GHz WiFi networks. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on the same network name, the device may try to connect to the 5 GHz band and fail. Check your router settings to see if you can turn off 5 GHz temporarily, or create a separate 2.4 GHz network name. Newer Echo devices like the Echo (5th generation) and Echo Show 15 support 5 GHz, but most older models do not.
Too far from the router: If the device is more than one or two rooms away from your router, the signal may be too weak to connect. Move the device closer to the router during setup, then move it to where you want it after it connects successfully.
Router not broadcasting the network name: Some routers have a setting to hide the network name. If you do not see your network in the app's list, go to your router settings and turn on "Broadcast SSID" or "Show Network Name." Then restart the Alexa device and try again.
Device is not in setup mode: If the light ring is not orange or yellow, the device may already be connected to a network or may need to be reset. Unplug the device, wait 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to turn orange before opening the app.
What to do if setup still fails
If you have tried the steps above and the device still will not connect, try a factory reset. Unplug the device, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. While it is starting up, press and hold the reset button (usually on the bottom or back of the device) for 10 to 15 seconds until the light ring turns orange. Then start the setup process again from the beginning.
If the device connects to WiFi but does not respond to voice commands, the problem may be with your internet connection rather than the WiFi setup. Check that other devices on your network can reach the internet. If your internet is working but Alexa still does not respond, restart the device by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect my Alexa to a guest WiFi network?
Yes, Alexa can connect to most guest networks. Some guest networks require you to accept terms and conditions through a web browser before connecting — if that is the case, connect another device to the guest network first, open a web browser, and complete the login. Then try connecting Alexa. A few guest networks block devices that are not phones or computers, so if Alexa still will not connect, ask your network administrator if they can allow it.
Do I need to reconnect my Alexa every time I restart my router?
No. Once Alexa connects to your WiFi network, it remembers the password and will reconnect automatically when the router restarts. You only need to set it up once. If your router restarts and Alexa does not reconnect within a few minutes, restart the Alexa device by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
You can find your WiFi password in your router's settings. Log in to your router by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser on a computer connected to the network. If you do not know the router's login password, contact your internet provider — they can reset it or tell you the default password for your router model.
Can I connect one Alexa device to multiple WiFi networks?
No. Each Alexa device can only connect to one WiFi network at a time. If you want to use the same device on different networks (for example, at home and at a cabin), you will need to change the WiFi settings each time you move it. The process takes a few minutes and is described in the "Reconnecting to a different WiFi network" section above.
Why does my Alexa keep disconnecting from WiFi?
Frequent disconnections usually mean the device is too far from the router or the signal is weak. Try moving the device closer to the router, or move the router to a more central location in your home. If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If only your Alexa disconnects while other devices stay connected, try a factory reset of the Alexa device and set it up again.