Did you just purchase a new Alexa device, and you can’t wait to open the box and start exploring the features of your new device? Then this article is for you. It will guide you through how to connect Alexa to WiFi with or without the App after unboxing your new pack.
Alexa devices like the Echo dot are not wireless devices. Therefore, you need to first ensure that the Alexa device is connected to a power source or outlet. You can’t enjoy the major features of the Alexa device if it’s not connected to WiFi. For your Alexa device to work perfectly, you need to connect it to WiFi or a Hotspot.
After unboxing your new Alexa device, the very first thing you need to do is to connect it to a WiFi network. However, in case you change your WiFi network, or you try using your Alexa device in a different location or region different from what is stored on the device memory, the Alexa won’t work.
Each time you ask Alexa a question or use a voice command, an audio recording is usually sent out to Amazon’s cloud over the connected network. You can see how a WiFi connection is very important because its functionality revolves around the internet. Alexa needs WiFi to access your data and optimize your routines.
Alexa has many interesting features to the extent that it can even tell you a joke if you’re bored. How amazing is that? Every command you give to Alexa verbally is pre-configured into the Amazon cloud for handling, which makes it possible for the Alexa device to say or respond to your command when instructed. This happens within a split of seconds via a WiFi connection.
Hence, connecting your Alexa device to WiFi via the Alexa App or even without the App is important. Here’s the process on how to connect Alexa to WiFi with or without the App.
How to Connect your Amazon Alexa to WiFi With or Without the App
Follow the procedures below to connect your Alexa device to your WiFi with or without the Alexa app.
How to Connect your Alexa to WiFi with the App
The process of how to connect Alexa to a new WiFi network is quite easy. All you need do is open the Alexa app and click on Devices. Then choose Echo & Alexa and select the Alexa device you want to connect to a new WiFi network. Finally, click on change next to WiFi Network and input the WiFi password for that network. Follow the step-by-step guide below:
- Open the Amazon Alexa app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android. Fo Android phones, go to the Google play store and for iPhone, open your Apple apps store. (
- You can log in to your account if needed.
- Click on Devices located at the bottom-right corner of your screen.
- Select Echo & Alexa located at the top-right corner of your screen.
- Select the Alexa device you want to connect to the new WiFi network. (In case you can’t find your device listed, navigate back to the Devices screen and choose All Devices. This is located at the right of Echo & Alexa. If you still can’t find your device, you might have to reset it and set it up as a new device).
- Click Status (This will show you the WiFi network your device is presently connected to).
- Click Change. You will see this next to the WiFi Network and under Wireless.
- Now, press and hold the Alexa action button. The action button is the button with the dot icon at the top of your Echo device.
- Once your device has been set to the mode, click Continue (You will be notified if the device mode is “setup mode” when the ring light on your device turns orange and begin spinning). Your Alexa device will also say, “Now in setup mode, follow the instructions in your Alexa app.”
- Choose your Alexa device from the list displayed.
- Select your new WiFi network (In case you don’t see your WiFi network appear after a few seconds, click Rescan Network near the top of your screen.
- Type your WiFi password and click on the Connect tab.
- Finally, wait for the Alexa device to connect to your new WiFi network successfully.
This process will take about 10 to 20 minutes. Your Alexa device will inform you when it has connected to the new WiFi network.
How to Connect Alexa to WiFi without the App
To connect Alexa to WiFi without the App, simply navigate to alexa.amazon.com and log in. Then tap Settings >> Set up a new device and choose your device. Enable your device in pairing mode and connect to its WiFi network. Finally, select your new network and enter your password.
- Open a web browser and navigate to alexa.amazon.com. Use either of the following browsers; his by using Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or any other browser).
- Sign in to your Amazon account (Enter your Amazon username and password). In case you don’t have an Amazon account, tap the Create a New Amazon Account button at the bottom of the window.
- Tap Settings at the left sidebar of the window (In case you don’t see this option, CLICK on the expand tab to expand or zoom out your browser window or zoom on the page).
- Choose Set up a new device.
- Click on the type of Alexa device you want to connect a new WiFi network to (You will see more options by scrolling down).
- Then Tap Continue.
- Connect the Alexa device to your power outlet.
- After a couple of seconds, the ring light will turn to an orange color. (In case your device’s light doesn’t turn orange, then choose “Don’t see the orange light” You will be directed to the button to tab on your device).
- Connect your Alex device to your WiFi or Hotspot using the format Amazon-XXX. Without closing your browser, navigate to your computer or phone’s WiFi networks. If you are using a Windows 10 computer to set up Alexa, you can click on the WiFi icon to the bottom right of your screen. In case you are using a Mac, you can find the WiFi icon in the upper right area of the screen. If it’s a phone or a tablet you are using, just go to Settings >> WiFi. Then you will see the network listed among all your available WiFi networks.
- Navigate back to your browser and tap Continue. Immediately you are connected to your WiFi network. A new pop-up that “Your computer is connected.”
- Select the WiFi network to connect your Alexa to. If you select a previously saved network, you can skip the next step below.
- Type your WiFi password and tap Connect.
- Then, wait for your Alexa device to connect to the new WiFi network if the WiFi network matches. Alexa can also confirm whether the connection has been established by asking Alexa once you are done. You can say, hi Alexa, what is the traffic situation right now?
Can’t Connect Alexa to WiFi With or Without the App? Try these Fixes!
Are you still having issues finding your Alexa device? Try the following fixes below:
- Restart your Alexa device by unplugging it and plugging it back in. Once it begins back up, set it up like you did when it came out of the box. Even though the device is new, it might still have some latest firmware updates that need to be installed.
- If the Alexa app isn’t available for your smartphone, you can turn to your browser to connect to your WiFi or Hotspot.
- Reboot your router. The router may have a problem establishing a connection with your device, and restarting it might fix the issue.
- Update your Alexa device to confirm whether your Alexa OS is up-to-date.
- If you tried all of the above and still nothing worked, then factory resetting your Amazon Alexa is the last option. Factory resetting means formatting all customizations you have made to your device since you bought it, such as adding your name. Once you have formatted it, you will need to configure your device like you just bought it. Resetting your Alexa device implies that you would have to go through the whole setup process like you first got it.
Although it takes time, this is your last real option to connect Alexa to WiFi with or without the App before contacting Amazon or exchanging the device for a new one.
I hope this article was quite informative, and it has helped you connect Alexa to WiFi with or without the App since the steps are quite straightforward. However, if you encountered any issue while you connected Alexa to WiFi with or without the App, feel free to drop your comment in the section below.