Moving to a new home or switching internet providers? One of the first things you’ll need to do is get your smart home devices back online. If you’re an Amazon Alexa user, this means reconnecting your Echo devices to your new WiFi network. Don’t worry, it’s a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through exactly how to reconnect your Alexa devices to a new WiFi network, ensuring you can get back to enjoying voice control, music streaming, and smart home management in no time.
Whether you’ve changed your WiFi password, updated your router, or relocated, reconnecting your Alexa to WiFi is essential for it to function properly. This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to make the process seamless.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reconnecting Your Alexa Device to a New WiFi Network
The easiest way to update your Alexa device’s WiFi connection is by using the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. Here’s how to do it:
- Launch the Alexa App: The first step is to open the Amazon Alexa app on your mobile device. If you don’t have it installed, you can download it from the Apple App Store for iOS devices or the Google Play Store for Android. Ensure it’s the official app by AMZN Mobile LLC.
Alt: Alexa app icon on a smartphone screen, ready to tap to open.
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Navigate to the Devices Menu: Once the app is open, look at the bottom menu bar. You’ll see several icons; tap on the one labeled Devices. It’s represented by a light bulb icon. This section is where you manage all your connected smart devices.
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Select Device Type to Filter: On the Devices screen, you’ll see options to filter by device type. Locate and select Device Type. This helps to narrow down the list and quickly find your Alexa device, especially if you have numerous smart home gadgets.
Alt: Screenshot of the Alexa app showing the ‘Device Type’ option highlighted.
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Choose Echo & Alexa: From the Device Type menu, select Echo & Alexa. This filters the list to display only your Amazon Echo devices and other Alexa-enabled devices, making it easier to find the specific device you want to reconnect to WiFi.
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Apply the Filter: After selecting “Echo & Alexa,” tap Apply. This action confirms your filter and updates the device list to show only your Alexa devices.
Alt: The ‘Apply’ button in the Alexa app, used to confirm device type selection.
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Select Your Alexa Device: Now, you’ll see a list of your Alexa devices. Scroll through and choose the specific Alexa device you want to connect to the new WiFi network. If you have multiple devices, ensure you select the correct one.
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Access Device Settings: Once you’ve selected your device, you’ll be taken to its settings page. Look for a gear icon in the top-right corner of the screen and tap it. This icon universally represents settings and is your gateway to changing the WiFi network.
Alt: Gear icon highlighted in the top right corner of the Alexa app device settings screen.
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Change WiFi Network: Within the device settings, find the WiFi Network option. Next to it, you should see a Change link or button. Tap on Change to proceed with updating the WiFi connection.
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Join a New Network: You’ll now see the current WiFi network your device is connected to (if any). Below that, select Join another WiFi Network. This option initiates the process of connecting your Alexa to a different wireless network.
Alt: The ‘Join another Wifi network’ option shown within the WiFi settings of the Alexa app.
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Put Your Alexa Device into Setup Mode: To allow your Alexa device to connect to a new network, it needs to be in setup mode. The most common way to do this is to press and hold the ‘Action’ button on your Alexa device for about 15 seconds. This button is usually a small dot or button on the top of your device. If you don’t see an Action button, try pressing and holding the ‘Volume Up’ and ‘Volume Down’ buttons simultaneously for 15 seconds. Putting the device into setup mode makes it discoverable for network configuration.
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Confirm Setup Mode in the App: Once you’ve held the button(s), your Alexa device will enter setup mode. You’ll typically see an orange ring light spinning on your device, and Alexa might announce, “Now in setup mode. Follow the instructions in your Alexa app.” In the app, tap Continue and then Yes to confirm that your device is in setup mode.
Alt: Alexa app screen prompting user to confirm device is in setup mode with ‘Continue’ and ‘Yes’ buttons.
- Select Your Alexa Device in the App: The Alexa app will now search for devices in setup mode. You should see your Alexa device appear in the list. Select your device to continue the WiFi setup process. If your device doesn’t appear, tap Device not listed for further troubleshooting options.
Alt: List of Alexa devices shown in the app, prompting the user to select their device.
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Choose Your New WiFi Network: The app will now display a list of available WiFi networks. Select your new WiFi network from the list. If you don’t see your network, tap Rescan Network to refresh the list of available networks.
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Enter WiFi Password and Connect: Enter the password for your new WiFi network when prompted. Then, tap Connect. If you’ve previously saved WiFi passwords to your Amazon account, Alexa might automatically connect if it recognizes the network.
Alt: Screenshot of the Alexa app asking for WiFi password with a ‘Connect’ button.
- Wait for Connection and Setup: Your Alexa device will now attempt to connect to the new WiFi network. This may take a few moments. Once connected, you might be guided through a brief setup process in the Alexa app, such as choosing your language, confirming your address, and setting up voice ID. You can usually skip these steps if you prefer by tapping the “X” icon or “Skip”.
Alt: Loading screen in the Alexa app indicating the device is connecting to the new WiFi network.
Post-Connection Setup (Optional)
After successfully reconnecting your Alexa to your new WiFi, you may be prompted to complete some optional setup steps. These can include:
- Language Selection: Verify or choose your preferred language for Alexa.
- Address Confirmation: Ensure your address is correct for location-based services.
- Room Selection: Specify the room where your Alexa device is located for better smart home integration.
- Voice ID Setup: Set up or update your voice ID for personalized experiences.
- Amazon Sidewalk: Choose whether to enable or disable Amazon Sidewalk, a shared network feature.
Alt: Optional setup screens in the Alexa app after connecting to WiFi, showing language, address, and room selection.
These steps are generally optional and can be skipped if you want to get straight to using your Alexa device.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter issues while reconnecting your Alexa to WiFi, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- Proximity: Ensure your smartphone or tablet is within 10 feet of your Alexa device during the setup process.
- Power: Double-check that your Alexa device is properly plugged in and powered on.
- Router Restart: If you’re having network issues, try restarting your WiFi router.
- App Update: Make sure you are using the latest version of the Alexa app.
- Factory Reset: As a last resort, you can factory reset your Alexa device and then try the setup process again. (Refer to Amazon’s help documentation for specific factory reset instructions for your device model).
By following these steps, you should be able to easily reconnect your Alexa devices to your new WiFi network and continue enjoying all of Alexa’s features.
