What you need before you start
Connecting Alexa to the internet requires three things: the Alexa device itself (an Echo speaker, Echo Show, or Echo Dot), a WiFi network with a password, and the Alexa app on your phone or tablet. Alexa cannot connect to the internet through a wired ethernet cable — it only works over WiFi. If you do not have the Alexa app yet, read it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store before you begin.
Make sure your WiFi network is working and you know the password. If you share a home WiFi network with others, you may need to ask whoever set it up for the password. Some people write it on a label under their router, or you can sometimes find it in your router's settings if you have admin access.
The connection process takes about five minutes. Alexa will guide you through most of it, but knowing the steps ahead of time prevents confusion if the app behaves differently than expected.
Key Takeaways
- Alexa connects only through WiFi, not through a phone's data connection or a wired cable, so you must have a working WiFi network and its password.
- The Alexa app on your phone does the setup work — it tells the device which network to join and stores your Amazon account information.
- If setup fails, the most common causes are a typo in the WiFi password, the device being too far from the router, or the router not broadcasting its name publicly.
- Once connected, Alexa stays connected automatically when you are home, but you may need to reconnect it if you change your WiFi password or move to a new network.
Setting up Alexa with the app on your phone
Open the Alexa app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Devices, then tap the plus sign in the top right. Choose Add 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, or whatever model you own).
The app will ask you to confirm that the Alexa device is plugged in and the light ring is glowing. Plug in the device if you have not already. Wait about 30 seconds for it to power up fully. The light should glow orange or yellow at first, which means it is ready to connect.
Tap Continue in the app. The app will search for nearby Alexa devices. When it finds yours, it will show the device name (usually something like "Echo-XXXX" with numbers at the end). Tap on it to select it.
Entering your WiFi network and password
The app will now show a list of WiFi networks it can see. Find your network name in the list and tap it. If you do not see your network, scroll down — sometimes it takes a moment for all networks to appear. If your network still does not show up, see the troubleshooting section below.
When you tap your network, a box will appear asking for the password. Type the password exactly as it is — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters and lowercase letters are different. If you are not sure about the password, ask whoever manages your WiFi or check the label on your router.
Tap Connect. The app will send the network information to the Alexa device. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. You will see a loading screen while the device connects.
Signing in with your Amazon account
Once the device connects to WiFi, the app will ask you to sign in with your Amazon account. Use the same email address and password you use to shop on Amazon. If you do not have an Amazon account, you will need to create one before Alexa can work — the device cannot function without one.
After you sign in, the app may ask you to confirm your location (your country and time zone). Select the correct location. This helps Alexa give you accurate weather, news, and other location-based information.
The app will then ask about device settings — things like the device name, which room it is in, and whether you want to use voice purchasing. You can change all of these later, so do not worry about getting them perfect now. Tap through these screens to finish setup.
Confirming the connection worked
When setup is complete, the Alexa app will show a confirmation screen. The device's light ring should now glow blue, which means it is connected and listening. Try saying "Alexa, what time is it?" If the device responds, the connection is working.
If the light is still orange or yellow, or if Alexa does not respond, the connection did not complete. Go back to the app and check that you entered the WiFi password correctly — a single wrong letter will cause the connection to fail. If the password is correct, try the troubleshooting steps in the next section.
Fixing connection problems
If Alexa cannot find your WiFi network, the device may be too far from the router. Move the device closer to the router — within 20 to 30 feet is usually enough — and try again. Walls and metal objects can block the signal, so moving the device to a more open location sometimes helps.
If your WiFi network does not appear in the list at all, your router may not be broadcasting its name publicly. This is a security setting on the router itself. You can still connect Alexa by tapping Other Network at the bottom of the network list and typing your network name and password manually. If you are not sure how to change this setting on your router, contact your internet provider or the person who set up your WiFi.
If the password keeps being rejected, double-check that you are typing it correctly. Passwords with special characters (like &, !, or @) are straightforward to mistype. If you are still stuck, try resetting the password on your router and then connecting Alexa with the new password.
If Alexa connects but then disconnects after a few minutes, your router may be dropping the connection. Try moving the device closer to the router, or restart both the device and the router by unplugging them for 30 seconds and plugging them back in.
Reconnecting after a WiFi change
If you change your WiFi password or move to a new WiFi network, Alexa will lose its connection. Open the Alexa app, go to Devices, find your Alexa device, and tap it. Tap WiFi or Network (the exact name depends on which device you have). Tap Change WiFi Network and follow the same steps as the first setup — select your network, enter the password, and wait for it to connect.
If you are moving to a completely new home with a different WiFi network, the process is the same. Alexa will forget the old network automatically and connect to the new one once you tell it the new password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect Alexa to my phone's hotspot instead of WiFi?
Yes, Alexa can connect to a mobile hotspot from your phone or tablet. The process is the same — select the hotspot network name from the list and enter the password. Keep in mind that Alexa will use your phone's data plan, so if you have limited data, this is not ideal for everyday use.
Why does the Alexa app say it cannot find my device?
The app searches for devices on the same WiFi network as your phone. Make sure your phone is connected to the same network you want Alexa to join. If your phone is on a different network or on cellular data, the app will not see the Alexa device. Also check that the Alexa device is plugged in and the light is glowing.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
You can reset your WiFi password through your router's settings page or by calling your internet provider. If you do not know how to access your router, check the label on the bottom or back of the router — it usually has instructions. Once you reset the password, reconnect Alexa using the new password through the Alexa app.
Does Alexa need to stay connected to WiFi all the time?
Yes, Alexa needs an active internet connection to work. Without WiFi, it cannot respond to voice commands, play music, control smart home devices, or access information like weather or news. If your WiFi goes down, Alexa will not function until the connection is restored.
Can I connect one Alexa device to multiple WiFi networks?
No, each Alexa device connects to only one WiFi network at a time. If you want to use Alexa in multiple locations with different networks, you would need a separate device for each location, or you would need to manually switch the device to a different network each time you move it.