Connect Alexa to your home network during setup

When you first turn on an Alexa device, it enters setup mode and broadcasts its own temporary Wi-Fi network. You connect your phone to that network, then tell the Alexa app which home Wi-Fi network you want the device to join. The device remembers that network and connects automatically each time it powers on. This takes about five minutes and happens only once.

If your device is already set up but lost its connection, or if you want to switch to a different Wi-Fi network, you can reconnect it through the Alexa app without starting over from scratch. The steps are slightly different depending on whether the device still has power and is responding.

Key Takeaways

  • New Alexa devices enter setup mode automatically and create a temporary Wi-Fi network you join from your phone to complete the connection.
  • You need the Alexa app on your phone, your home Wi-Fi network name, and your Wi-Fi password to complete the setup.
  • If your device loses connection later, you can reconnect it through the app without repeating the full setup process.
  • Alexa devices work on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks; most modern routers broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and you may need to connect to the 2.4 GHz band specifically.

What you need before you start

Have the Alexa app installed on your phone before you unbox the device. Download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, depending on your phone type. You will also need your Wi-Fi network name (the name that appears when you search for networks on your phone) and the password for that network.

Check whether your router broadcasts a separate 2.4 GHz network. Many modern routers combine 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz into a single network name, but Alexa devices connect only to 2.4 GHz. If your router combines both frequencies, you may need to split them in your router settings so the 2.4 GHz band has its own name, or you can proceed with the combined network and the device will connect to the 2.4 GHz portion automatically.

Steps to connect a new Alexa device

Plug in the device and wait for the light ring to turn orange or blue, which means it is in setup mode. This usually takes 20 to 30 seconds. Open the Alexa app on your phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, and select Add Device. Choose the type of device you are setting up — Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, or whatever model you have.

The app will ask you to connect your phone to the device's temporary Wi-Fi network. Go to your phone's Wi-Fi settings, find the network name that matches your device type (for example, "Amazon-ABC123"), and connect to it. You do not need a password for this temporary network. Return to the Alexa app and tap Connect.

The app will now show a list of your home Wi-Fi networks. Select the network you want the device to join, enter your Wi-Fi password, and tap Connect. The device will disconnect from its temporary network and join your home network. The light ring will turn blue when the connection is complete, which takes one to two minutes. The app will confirm the connection and ask you to name the device and assign it to a room in your home.

Reconnecting an Alexa device to Wi-Fi

If your device loses Wi-Fi connection but still has power, open the Alexa app, go to Devices in the bottom right, select Echo & Alexa, and tap the device that is offline. Scroll down and tap Change Wi-Fi Network. The device will enter pairing mode and broadcast its temporary network again. Follow the same steps as above: connect your phone to the temporary network, return to the app, select your home network, and enter your password.

If the device is completely unplugged or unresponsive, plug it in and wait for the light ring to turn orange or blue. Then proceed with the steps above. If the device does not enter setup mode after 30 seconds, press and hold the reset button (usually a small dot on the back or bottom of the device) for 15 seconds until the light ring flashes orange.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If the device connects but then disconnects repeatedly, move it closer to your router or remove obstacles between them. Alexa devices have shorter range than phones and can struggle with walls, metal, or dense furniture in the way. If moving the device is not possible, consider a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network system to strengthen the signal in that area.

If the app cannot find your Wi-Fi network, make sure your router is broadcasting the network name (called SSID broadcast). Some routers have this disabled by default. Check your router settings through its admin page or app to turn SSID broadcast on. If your network name contains special characters or spaces, try creating a new network with a simpler name and connecting the device to that instead.

If you see an error message during setup, restart your phone's Wi-Fi, restart the Alexa device by unplugging it for 30 seconds, and try again. If the problem persists, reset the device by holding the reset button for 15 seconds and start the setup process from the beginning.

Moving an Alexa device to a different Wi-Fi network

If you change internet providers, upgrade your router, or want to move the device to a guest network, use the Change Wi-Fi Network option in the app. Open the Alexa app, go to Devices, select Echo & Alexa, tap the device, scroll down, and tap Change Wi-Fi Network. The device will enter pairing mode and you can select a new network and enter its password.

You do not need to reset the device or start setup over. The device keeps its name, room assignment, and all your routines and settings. Only the Wi-Fi network information changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect Alexa to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network?

No. Alexa devices connect only to 2.4 GHz networks. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under the same network name, the device will automatically connect to the 2.4 GHz band. If your router broadcasts only 5 GHz, you will need to enable the 2.4 GHz band in your router settings.

What if I forgot my Wi-Fi password?

You can reset your Wi-Fi password through your router's admin page or through your internet provider's app. Most routers have a reset button on the back, but pressing it will erase all your settings. Instead, log into your router's settings page (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser) and change the password there. Once you have the new password, use the Change Wi-Fi Network option in the Alexa app to reconnect the device.

Do I need to set up Alexa on the same Wi-Fi network I want it to join?

Yes. Your phone must be able to see and connect to your home Wi-Fi network during setup. If you are setting up the device at a location where you do not have Wi-Fi access, you can set it up on a mobile hotspot from your phone, but the device will only work on that hotspot until you change the network later.

Why does my Alexa device keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

Repeated disconnections usually mean the device is too far from the router or the signal is weak. Move the device closer to the router, remove obstacles, or check your router's settings to make sure it is not dropping idle devices. Some routers have a feature that disconnects devices that have not used data recently. You can also try restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Can I connect Alexa to a hidden Wi-Fi network?

Yes, but it requires an extra step. During setup, when the app shows your available networks, scroll to the bottom and select Add a Network. Type the network name manually and enter the password. The device will then connect to that hidden network.