How to Fix It When Alexa Won't Connect to Wi-Fi

Echo Dot or other device not working? Try these tips

It's not always clear why Alexa won't connect to Wi-Fi. Sometimes the router or modem needs a restart; other times it's the Wi-Fi signal is being blocked by a physical object. These troubleshooting tips can help you get your Echo Dot or Alexa-enabled devices back online and taking your commands.

How to Fix It When Alexa Is Not Connecting to the Internet

Follow these steps as needed to get Alexa up and running again.

  1. Check your internet connection to be sure it's working properly. If you can't connect to the internet, Alexa can't do her job. If that's okay, the problem could be in your hardware.

  2. Manually restart both the modem and wireless router, wait five minutes, then connect Alexa to Wi-Fi. Connectivity problems can sometimes be caused by network hardware, rather than the devices that connect to the network.

  3. Restart the Alexa-enabled device. Power off or unplug the Echo or Alexa-enabled device, turn it back on, then connect to Wi-Fi again. Sometimes this kind of physical reboot of an Alexa-enabled device can fix the problem.

    Illustration of a person entering a dark room with an Alexa device not connected
    Jo Zhou / Lifewire 
  4. Confirm that the Wi-Fi password is correct. If the hardware is working properly, find another device on your Wi-Fi network, disconnect it, then reconnect it using the same password you use to connect Alexa. If the other device recognizes the Wi-Fi network but cannot connect using the same password, then the password you're using for your Alexa device is likely incorrect.

    This is a common issue because Wi-Fi devices don't state the reason why they cannot connect to a network.

  5. Look for blocks in your network and move your device closer to the wireless router. Wi-Fi signals cannot travel long distances without degrading. It may be that your Alexa-enabled device cannot connect to a Wi-Fi network because it's simply out of range.

    Look into expanding your home's connectivity with a mesh network if this fixed the problem. Once you've moved your device, you might need to connect it to the network again.

  6. Check for possible interference. Make sure there aren't any physical barriers between your router and the Alexa device; things like brick walls, concrete walls, and reinforced doors can block Wi-Fi signals. Also remove or turn off devices that can interfere with the signal, like FM radios or baby monitors.

  7. Reset the Alexa device to factory settings. When all else fails, resetting the device to its factory settings can sometimes fix Wi-Fi problems.

    The instructions for resetting an Amazon Echo devices depend on the generation of the device.

    Third-generation Echo Dots have a fabric speaker wrapped around the sides of the device with four control buttons on top. Second-generation Dots have a non-fabric speaker and four control buttons on the top of the device. First-generation Dots have only two buttons on top.

    Second-generation Echos have a fabric speaker wrapped around the sides of the device. First-generation Echos do not.

    Follow Amazon's instruction to reset other Amazon Echo devices (like the Echo Sub or Echo Plus).

  8. Contact technical support. If you're unable to connect your Alexa device after completing all of the above instructions, contact Amazon or your internet service provider.

FAQ
  • How do you connect Alexa to Wi-Fi?

    Open the Alexa app and select Devices > Echo & Alexa > [your device] > Settings. Then, under Wireless, select Wi-Fi network and follow the on-screen instructions to set up a connection to your home network.

  • How do you connect Alexa to Wi-Fi without the app?

    Go to the Amazon Alexa website and sign in, then select Settings > Set up a new device. Choose your device from the list and select Continue, then put your Alexa into pairing mode. Open Wi-Fi settings on your computer or phone and choose the Amazon network that appears, then return to the Alexa website and choose the Wi-Fi network you want to connect your Alexa device to.

  • How do you use Alexa without Wi-Fi?

    Most of Alexa's features won't work without a Wi-Fi connection. You can still use your Alexa device as a Bluetooth speaker to listen to music, but you won't be able to talk to the Alexa voice assistant or get information about the weather, the news, etc. Previously set alarms should still work without a Wi-Fi connection but you won't be able to set up any new ones.

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