The basic steps to reconnect your Alexa device

To connect your Alexa device to a new WiFi network, you need to put the device into setup mode, then use the Alexa app on your phone to find it and enter your new network password. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you are moving to a new home, changing internet providers, or just switching to a different router.

Start by unplugging your Alexa device for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for the light ring on top to turn orange or yellow — this means the device is in setup mode and looking for a network to join. If the light does not change after a minute, hold the setup button (usually a small dot on the back or bottom) for three seconds until the light turns orange.

Open the Alexa app on your phone. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then tap "Add Device" or the plus sign. Select "Amazon Echo" or the name of your specific device type. The app will search for nearby Alexa devices and should find yours within 30 seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Put your Alexa device into setup mode by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in, or by holding the setup button until the light turns orange.
  • Use the Alexa app on your phone to find the device and select your new WiFi network from the list that appears.
  • Enter your WiFi password exactly as it is — Alexa is case-sensitive and will not connect if even one letter is wrong.
  • If your WiFi network name contains special characters or spaces, the connection may take longer or fail; try removing those characters from your network name if you have router access.
  • Once connected, your Alexa device will keep all your routines, smart home settings, and shopping lists — you only need to reconnect to the network, not set up the device from scratch.

Entering your WiFi password correctly

When the app finds your device, it will show you a list of WiFi networks in range. Tap your network name. The app will then ask you to enter your WiFi password. Type it exactly as it is — capitals, numbers, and special characters all matter. If your password is "MyPassword123!" and you type "mypassword123!", the connection will fail.

If you are not sure of your password, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router, or log into your router's settings page on a computer. Most routers have a default address like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in the address bar, and you can find the password in the wireless settings section.

After you enter the password, tap "Connect" and wait. The light ring on your Alexa device will cycle through colors — this is normal. Connection usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. Once the light turns blue and stops moving, your device is connected.

What to do if the connection fails

If the light stays orange or turns red, the device did not connect. The most common reason is an incorrect password. Go back to the Alexa app and try entering your password again, checking each character carefully. If you are still unsure, reset your WiFi password in your router settings and then try Alexa again with the new password.

Some routers broadcast two networks at once — one for 2.4 GHz and one for 5 GHz. Alexa devices work on 2.4 GHz only, so if your router is set to 5 GHz only, Alexa will not see it. Check your router settings and make sure the 2.4 GHz network is turned on. If both networks have the same name, Alexa should still find the 2.4 GHz version automatically.

If your WiFi network name contains spaces or special characters like hyphens or underscores, try simplifying it to letters and numbers only. Some Alexa devices have trouble with certain characters. You can change your network name in your router settings — it usually takes a few minutes for all devices to see the new name.

Reconnecting after a router restart

If you restart your router (by unplugging it and plugging it back in), your Alexa device may lose connection temporarily. Wait five minutes for the router to fully restart, then check the Alexa app. Most of the time, the device will reconnect on its own without you doing anything.

If it does not reconnect after 10 minutes, repeat the setup process: put Alexa into setup mode, use the app to find it, and enter your password again. Your device will remember all your settings and routines — you are only reconnecting to the network.

What happens to your data and settings

When you connect your Alexa device to a new WiFi network, nothing on the device changes except the network it is using. Your shopping lists, routines, smart home automations, and voice history all stay exactly as they were. You do not need to set up the device again or re-add any smart home devices you have connected to it.

The only exception is if you factory reset the device — which you should not do unless the connection fails after multiple attempts and you want to start completely fresh. A factory reset erases everything and makes the device act like it just came out of the box.

Connecting multiple Alexa devices to the same network

If you have more than one Alexa device, you can connect them all to the same new WiFi network. Put each device into setup mode one at a time, and use the app to connect each one. The app will ask you to name each device so you can tell them apart — for example, "Kitchen Echo" and "Bedroom Echo".

Once all devices are on the same network, they can talk to each other and work together in routines. For example, you can say "Alexa, good morning" and have one device turn on lights while another plays music.

Security and privacy when changing networks

When you connect to a new WiFi network, your Alexa device sends encrypted data to Amazon's servers — the same way it did on your old network. Changing networks does not change what information Alexa collects or how it uses that information. If you want to review what data Amazon has about you, you can visit your Alexa privacy settings in the app under "Alexa Account" and then "Alexa Privacy".

If you are connecting to a public or shared WiFi network (like at work or in an apartment building), be aware that anyone with access to that network can see that an Alexa device is connected to it, though they cannot hear what you say to it or access your account. If privacy is a concern, use a private home network instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unplug my Alexa device to connect it to a new network?

Unplugging for 30 seconds is the easiest way to put it into setup mode, but you can also hold the setup button on the back for three seconds. Either method works — unplugging is just faster and more reliable.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

Check the sticker on your router, or log into your router's settings page from a computer using the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1). If you cannot find it, you can reset your router to factory settings, but that will erase all your router settings and you will have to set it up again from scratch.

Can I connect Alexa to a 5 GHz WiFi network?

No. Alexa devices only work on 2.4 GHz networks. If your router has both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, make sure the 2.4 GHz network is turned on. If both networks have the same name, Alexa will automatically connect to the 2.4 GHz version.

Will I lose my routines and shopping lists if I change networks?

No. Your routines, shopping lists, smart home settings, and all other data stay on your Amazon account and sync to the device once it connects to the new network. You only need to reconnect to WiFi — you do not need to set up the device again.

How long does it take for Alexa to connect to a new network?

Usually 30 to 60 seconds from the time you enter your password. If it takes longer than two minutes, the connection probably failed and you should try entering your password again.