The basic steps to reconnect your Alexa device
To connect Alexa to a new WiFi network, you need to put the device into setup mode, then use the Alexa app on your phone to select your new network and enter the password. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes. Alexa devices forget old networks when you move them to a new location or change your router, so you will need to walk through setup again rather than just entering a password.
The exact steps depend slightly on which Alexa device you own — an Echo Dot works differently from an Echo Show — but the principle is the same for all of them. You are telling the device which WiFi network to join and giving it the password to connect.
Key Takeaways
- You need the Alexa app on your phone and your new WiFi network name and password before you start.
- Most Alexa devices enter setup mode when you hold down the Action button (usually on top) for about 15 seconds until the light ring turns orange.
- The Alexa app will search for nearby devices in setup mode and let you choose your new network from a list.
- If your device does not connect after three attempts, restart your router and try again, because connection problems are usually router-related rather than device-related.
What you need before you start
Gather these things first so you do not have to hunt for them mid-setup: your phone with the Alexa app installed and logged in, the name of your new WiFi network (also called the SSID), and the password for that network. If you do not know your network name or password, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router, or log into your router's settings page through a web browser on your computer.
Make sure your phone is connected to the new WiFi network before you start the setup process. The Alexa app needs to be on the same network as the device you are setting up, or the app will not be able to find it.
How to put your Alexa device into setup mode
The Action button is usually located on the top of the device. On an Echo Dot or Echo Show, it looks like a dot or circle. On a larger Echo speaker, it may be labeled or sit among other buttons on the top. Hold this button down for about 15 seconds without releasing it. You will see the light ring (the colored lights around the device) start to pulse orange. Once it turns orange and stays that way, the device is in setup mode and ready to be discovered.
If you cannot find the Action button or your device does not have one, unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Some older or specialized Alexa devices enter setup mode automatically when they lose their WiFi connection and are powered on again. The light ring will turn orange when this happens.
Using the Alexa app to connect to your new network
Open the Alexa app on your phone and tap the Devices icon (usually at the bottom right). Tap the plus sign to add a new device. The app will ask you what kind of device you are setting up — select the type that matches what you have (Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, etc.). The app will then search for devices in setup mode nearby.
When your device appears in the list, tap it to select it. The app will then show you a list of WiFi networks it can detect. Find your new network name in that list and tap it. Enter your WiFi password in the field that appears. The app will attempt to connect your device to the network. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. Once the connection is successful, the light ring will turn blue and the app will confirm that setup is complete.
What to do if the connection fails
If the app says the connection failed after you entered your password, the most common cause is that your router is not broadcasting your network name, or your password was entered incorrectly. Double-check that you typed the password exactly as it appears — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". If you are unsure, check the router sticker again or reset your password through your router's settings page.
If the password is correct but the device still will not connect, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Wait for all the lights on the router to stabilize (usually two to three minutes), then try the setup process again. If the device still fails to connect after a second attempt, move the Alexa device closer to the router — WiFi range and interference from walls or other devices can prevent connection, especially on 5GHz networks.
Connecting to 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz networks
Most home routers broadcast two WiFi networks at the same time: one at 2.4GHz and one at 5GHz. Alexa devices work on both, but they connect more reliably to 2.4GHz networks. If your router broadcasts both networks under the same name (a setup called "band steering"), your device will usually pick 2.4GHz automatically. If your router broadcasts them under different names — for example, "MyNetwork" and "MyNetwork-5G" — select the 2.4GHz version (the one without "-5G" in the name) during setup.
Once your device is connected and working, you can move it to the 5GHz network later if you want faster speeds, but starting with 2.4GHz makes the initial connection more likely to succeed. You can change networks by going into the device settings in the Alexa app and selecting a different network from the WiFi menu.
Reconnecting multiple Alexa devices to the same new network
If you have more than one Alexa device, you can set them up one at a time using the same steps. Put the first device into setup mode, connect it through the app, then repeat the process for the second device. You do not need to do anything special — each device will connect independently to the same network. Once all your devices are connected, they will be able to communicate with each other and work together in routines or groups that you set up in the Alexa app.
If you have many devices, set them up in the same room first so they are all close to the router. Once they are all connected and working, you can move them to their final locations. Devices that are already connected to your network will stay connected even if you move them, as long as they stay within WiFi range of your router.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to delete the old WiFi network from my Alexa device first?
No. When you put the device into setup mode, it forgets all previous networks automatically. You do not need to manually delete anything. Just hold the Action button until the light turns orange, and the device is ready to connect to a new network.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — it usually has the network name and password printed on it. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can reset your password by logging into your router's settings page through a web browser on your computer. Search for "[your router brand] how to reset WiFi password" if you are unsure how to access the settings.
Can I use a guest network for my Alexa device?
Yes, Alexa devices work on guest networks. However, some guest networks are set up to block devices from communicating with each other, which means your Alexa device will not be able to control smart home devices on the main network. If you use a guest network, make sure your router allows guest devices to communicate with devices on the main network, or connect your Alexa device to the main network instead.
Why does my Alexa device keep disconnecting from WiFi?
Frequent disconnections are usually caused by WiFi interference, distance from the router, or router settings that drop idle devices. Try moving the device closer to the router, restarting the router, or checking whether your router has a setting that disconnects devices after a period of inactivity. If disconnections happen only at certain times of day, interference from other devices (microwaves, cordless phones) may be the cause.
Do I need to set up my Alexa device again if I change my WiFi password?
Yes. When you change your WiFi password, your Alexa device will lose its connection because it still has the old password stored. Put the device into setup mode again and reconnect it using the new password. The process is the same as connecting to a new network.