Echo Dot or other device not working? Try these tips. It's not always clear why Alexa won't connect to WiFi. Sometimes the router or modem needs a reboot; other times it is the WiFi signal that is blocked by a physical object. These troubleshooting tips can help you get your Echo Dot or Alexa devices back online and accept your commands.
How to fix when Alexa won't connect to the internet
Follow these steps as needed to get Alexa to work again.
Check your internet connection to make sure it is working properly. If you can't connect to the internet, Alexa can't do its job. If that's okay, the problem may be in your hardware.
Manually restart both the modem and the wireless router, wait five minutes, then connect Alexa to WiFi. Sometimes connectivity problems can be caused by the network hardware, rather than the devices connecting to the network.
Restart the Alexa-enabled device. Turn off or unplug your Echo or Alexa device, turn it back on, then connect to WiFi again. Sometimes this type of physical restart of an Alexa-enabled device can fix the problem.
Confirm that the WiFi password is correct. If the hardware works fine, find another device on your WiFi network, unplug it, then plug it back in using the same password you use to connect Alexa. If the other device recognizes the WiFi network but cannot connect using the same password, it is likely that the password you are using for your Alexa device is incorrect.
This is a common problem because WiFi devices don't indicate why they can't connect to a network.
Look for blocks in your network and move your device closer to the wireless router. WiFi signals cannot travel long distances without degrading. It is possible that your Alexa-enabled device cannot connect to a WiFi network because it is simply out of range.
Try to expand your home's connectivity with a mesh network if that solves the problem. After moving your device, you may need to connect it to the network again.
Check for possible interference. Make sure there are no physical barriers between the router and the Alexa device; things like brick walls, concrete walls, and reinforced doors can block WiFi signals. Also remove or turn off devices that may interfere with the signal, such as FM radio or baby monitors.
Reset the Alexa device to factory settings. When all else fails, resetting the device to factory settings can sometimes fix WiFi problems.
The instructions for resetting an Amazon Echo device depend on the generation of the device.
The third generation Echo Dots have a fabric speaker wrapped around the sides of the device with four control buttons on top. The second generation Dots have a non-woven speaker and four control buttons on the top of the device. The first generation Echos have only two buttons on the top.
The second generation Echos have a fabric speaker wrapped around the sides of the device. The first generation Echoes do not.
Follow Amazon's instructions to reset other Amazon Echo devices (such as Echo Sub or Echo Plus).
Contact technical support. If you are unable to connect your Alexa device after completing all of the above instructions, contact Amazon or your internet service provider.
Further Reading:
- How to remove smart devices from Alexa
- How to disconnect Spotify from Alexa
- Amazon Echo Troubleshooting Guide
- How to change Alexa's voice
- What to do when Alexa isn't working
