If your Alexa device isn’t connected to the internet via WiFi, it won’t function properly as a home assistant.
Connecting Alexa to WiFi can sometimes pose challenges, causing issues with its functionality.
Mobile Wireless Trends previously provided guidance on “How to Connect Alexa to WiFi,” but now, let’s focus on troubleshooting steps to fix Alexa when it’s having trouble connecting to WiFi.
Why Isn’t My Alexa Connecting to WiFi?
Your Alexa is not connecting to WiFi because it has connectivity issues that prevent the process from completing from scratch.
This means that the most common reason why your Alexa Echo Dot is not connecting to WiFi is utterly related to an intrinsic problem on your connection and not on Alexa, but what does this mean exactly?
1. Echo Device Can’t Connect to Wi-Fi During Setup
If you recently got a new Alexa speaker and you cannot connect it to WiFi during the setup, this means that you either have an outdated Alexa app, or the wireless router is just too far away from the device.
In practice, Alexa should easily connect to all nearby networks if the credentials are correct, but if there’s interference or outdated firmware, then the process will not be completed at all.
2. Outdated WiFi Set Up
Are you trying to connect Alexa with outdated credentials instead of modern ones? Perhaps you changed your WiFi password, or maybe you moved to a new place, and the connection can’t be established.
In this case, you would need to restart the settings and totally reset the network in order to start over.
3. Problems With Your Home Network Connection
Maybe your own Internet is failing, which is a matter of your Internet Service Provider. If your home connection is not working, then you won’t be able to use any device that requires a stable Internet connection.
Remember that the Alexa App is Free to Use, so it’s not necessary to pay extra after you get your Alexa home assistant.
How to Fix Alexa Not Connecting to WiFi
Alexa not connecting to WiFi will show an intermittent orange light that indicates to you that there’s a network issue between the Alexa ecosystem and your connection.
Therefore, if your Alexa device displays this light, then do the following. It can also happen that no light shows up, and still, your device cannot understand a word you say because there isn’t an active Wi-Fi connection on it.
1. Power Cycle Your Router and Alexa
Power cycling both your router and Alexa will tell you whether we are talking about just a small bug or not.
You just need to turn off Alexa and your router, and unplug them from the power outlet on the wall for one or two minutes. Wait for two minutes to pass, and then plug the devices back in.
If after power cycling the devices, the problems are gone, then you were just experiencing a minor issue – nothing to worry about!
2. Check Your Network Status and Credentials
Confirm that your Internet connection is working by using the WiFi signal on your mobile device. Likewise, if you have recently changed the password of your network, you need to update it on Alexa.
Open the Alexa App, go to Devices, select your Echo Dot, Connection, and tap on Change WiFi Password.
This would be enough! Check if Alexa lights work now. Also, updating the Alexa App is imperative, so don’t skip on it.
3. Reset Network Settings On Alexa
If WiFi was working okay on Alexa a while ago, but now it’s not working, and you haven’t changed anything, then let’s entirely restart the network settings on your Alexa device.
Open the Alexa App, select Devices, Echo Dot, and press on the cog icon. Here, forget the WiFi network, and input the details again.
This will give Alexa a fresh start, so it is a great way to solve small bugs.
4. Factory Reset Alexa Unit
Factory Resetting Alexa will simply delete all the information that Alexa has gathered while you have used her. Although this is not the best solution for all people, it can work if other fixes don’t help you.
Just go to the Alexa Application, look for the Echo Dot, select Settings, and scroll until you find the Factory Reset button. Then, get Alexa back online and input the WiFi credentials from the beginning.
5. Get an Alexa Replacement
If nothing has worked for you so far, then there’s a rare but possible hardware problem with Alexa. This is highly unlikely to happen, but it can happen nonetheless.
Just ask for a replacement if all the previously outlined fixes didn’t work. Otherwise, you might be changing your beloved Alexa over a simple bug, which is not advisable.
Tech Recap: Why is My Alexa Not Connecting to WiFi
Sometimes, Alexa might run into minor bugs, but the good news is that resolving them is usually pretty easy. By following the steps and fixes shared by Mobile Wireless Trends, you can have Alexa back online in no time at all.
Techies Also Ask
Why Has Alexa Stopped Working?
This happens due to three main things: firstly, the Internet connection has been interrupted and you need to re-establish it by following the steps in this post. Secondly, perhaps the Alexa app is not up to date, which can cause problems with the smart speaker. And finally, maybe your Alexa hardware is now broken – this can be fixed by Amazon with One-Year Limited Warranty (learn more about Amazon Warranty here).