This post gives Alexa WiFi setup instructions. We list the steps to follow to complete Alexa set up on a wireless network. We demonstrate this using the Alexa series 3rd generation speaker, that came out in 2019. Further, these directions work for brand new speakers as well as used Alexa models.
Alexa WiFi Setup Instructions: Preparations
You need to establish the following before proceeding.
1. A WiFi Internet Connection
None of the Alexa WiFi speakers that we are aware of come with an RJ45 Ethernet inlet. So, you may only set them up through a WiFi network, and that network must have internet access.
2. A Smart Mobile Device
You’ll need to run the Alexa app on a mobile phone or tablet computer that can run it. For this demo, we’re using an iPad tablet.
3. The Alexa App
Obtain the Alexa app in the Google Play (Android) store, or the App Store (iOS). Download and install the right version for your device, and then log into it with your Amazon account credentials. If you just made a new account, be sure to use those credentials.
4. An Alexa Account
If you do not already have an Amazon Alexa account for your speaker, get one at https://amazon.com/ . Follow the prompts there to set one up.
Or, perhaps you run the Alexa app in Step 2 under the Alexa WiFi Setup Instructions, Step-by-Step below. But you’ve never signed in, If that is the case, then Alexa will ask you to sign in.
There, the app lets you make a new account if you don’t already have one. If you do not, then press the Create a New Amazon Account button. Find it in the lower center part of the login screen.
Then, the app walks you through that account setup routine. Note that you must have an account to run the following steps.
5. Bluetooth
Turn on Bluetooth on your mobile device. Why? Because the Alexa app uses Bluetooth to find nearby Amazon speakers in some situations. Speaker setup requires this.
Alexa WiFi Setup Instructions: Step by Step
1. Plug your Alexa into Main Power
2. Run the Alexa App
Then find the Alexa app on your mobile device.
So tap the Alexa app icon to run it. If this is your first time starting the app, it will prompt you for your Amazon Alexa account and password. Again, if you just set up a new account above, log into the app with those account credentials.
Plus, if this is your first speaker, the app will ask you to set up a new device.
3. Enter Account Id and Password to Continue with Alexa WiFi Setup Instructions
Then should the app prompt, enter your account details. Doing this will sign you in. Then, the app memorizes your account details for the next time you run it. That way, you won’t have to punch in this data every time.
4. If You Get No Prompt to Set Up a New Device…
So if this Alexa WiFi speaker assistant is not your first device, the app displays its Home screen. We got the Home screen right away, since we have other devices on our Echo account.
5. Tap the Menu (Hamburger) Button
Hitting the menu button then brings up the app’s main menu.
6. Go to the Settings Screen
Visit the Settings page by tapping the Settings menu item (left side of screen).
7. Visit the Device Settings Page to Continue with Alexa WiFi Setup Instructions
Then get to the Device Settings page by tapping the Device Settings menu item. Find it on the left side of the Settings screen, near the top.
Tapping Device Settings brings up the All Devices screen, which lists all your currently registered Echo speakers and devices.
8. Go to the Set Up New Device Menu
So bring up the Set Up New Device menu. Do this by tapping the Plus button in the top right corner of the All Devices page.
The Set Up New Device menu then pops up.
9. Tap the Add Device Option
Touching the Add Device option brings up the Setup->What type of device are you setting up? screen.
10. Tap the Amazon Echo Device Type
Then tapping the Amazon Echo item brings up the first Setup screen for Echo devices. Here you pick which model of the Echo Alexa to add. In this case, we want to setup and Alexa Echo.
11. Tap the Echo Device Type Item to Continue with Alexa WiFi Setup Instructions
Touching the Echo device brings up the Echo Set Up screen.
12. Now Put your Alexa WiFi Speaker into Setup Mode
So your speaker is probably displaying its orange light ring. If so, then skip ahead to Step 13. Or if not, then work through this step.
If this is a brand new speaker, then just plug it into AC power. Then after a a about fifteen seconds, it automatically enters Setup mode and speaks this.
But if this is not a new Alexa, it may not go into Setup mode right away. So in that case, you must reset it. In brief, to reset the unit, press and hold the Action button until the unit starts resetting. After reset, the speaker then enters Setup mode.
No matter how you get it into Setup, once it is there, go on to the next step.
13. Tap the Speaker in the List that Matches the One you’re Setting Up
Next. pick up your mobile device again and go back to the Alexa app. You should see the screen pictured in Step 11 above.
Tap the blue Yes bar.
This starts the Alexa app scanning for new devices to set up.
Now at this point, the app is waiting to hear from the speaker you’re setting up. It will hear it then, when you place your Alexa WiFi speaker into Setup mode.
If your unit is indeed in Setup, then after a brief pause, the app should list your new speaker. Indeed ours did, in its found-devices list.
If Alexa does not find your speaker, then check that Bluetooth is ON in your mobile device. Furthermore, check again that your speaker is still flashing orange.
Note that Alexa WiFi smart speakers only remain in Setup mode for several minutes. Then, they time out. If that happens, then unplug the speaker from power for a few seconds and plug it back in. This should restart Setup mode.
14. Tap the Listed Amazon Echo to Set Up to Continue with Alexa WiFi Setup Instructions
In this demo, we tap the Echo-50U speaker, pointed at by the green arrow in the last picture above.
This brings up the Select your Wi-Fi Network page.
Just prior to the app showing this screen, it runs a WiFi scan from the speaker you chose. It looks for in-range WiFi networks that are in range of the speaker. Then, it’s this list that the app displays.
15. Choose the WiFi Network To Setup your WiFi Alexa Speaker With
Tap the WiFi network you want your speaker to sign into. In our case, we’re picking the 937T681J4059H_2G_Guests network.
16. Enter the Password for That WiFi Network
Tapping a WiFi network may ask you to enter the password for that network. Skip to Step 17 if you don’t see this prompt.
The app may not prompt you, if you’ve previously saved this network’s information to your Alexa account. This is true for us in this scenario. So Alexa did not ask us for the password.
But if a password entry screen does appear, type in the right WiFi password for the WiFi network you chose. Then move ahead to the next step.
17. Next, Wait for your Speaker to Connect to your WiFi Network
Now your Alexa speaker tries to set itself up on the WiFi network you chose above. And while that’s going on, the app shows the Connecting your Echo to Wi-Fi screen.
After some seconds, and if all goes well, you see the following screen. This shows that the speaker successfully setup on your WiFi network.
Also, the smart speaker then makes a sound, and announces that it’s ready for use.
But if it does not setup correctly, and you get errors, follow any instructions that the app puts up. If you entered the wrong WiFi password, the app prompts you to re-enter it.
Now if the problem is network related, you may have figure out the issue on your router. In that case, once you’ve fixed the problem, try rerunning this routine again. We advise that you close the Alexa app and start it again first. Then, be sure that your Alexa WiFi speaker is in Setup mode before doing the setup routine again.
18. Choose the Room Where you will Put your Speaker
When the speaker sets up successfully, the app then takes you to the Where is your Echo screen. So this screen lets you pick the location in your home where the speaker will be.
19. Tap your Desired Location for your Speaker, to Continue with Alexa WiFi Setup Instructions
Then pick the name of the location you want from the list. In this demo, we tapped Bedroom, as seen in the last photo. Note the check mark that appears when you tap your preferred choice.
The system then prompts for the street address where you’ll be using your speaker.
Review this address, and if correct, move on to the next step. If the address is not the one you want, then tap the Enter a new address link on this screen. Then follow the directions to type in the street address you want.
Then once you do that, the system returns you to this screen. But now, the correct street address for your speaker should appear.
20. Tap the Listed Street Address to Set it as the Alexa WiFi Speaker’s Default Address
When you touch the address you want, a check mark appears to the right of it.
Move on to the next step once you’ve marked the correct street address for your speaker.
21. Tap the Blue Continue Bar
So once you bump the Continue strip, your Alexa WiFi is now setup, and ready to answer voice commands.
Then, the Alexa app takes you back to its Home screen.
You may now close the Alexa app if you wish.
22. Check Out your Speaker
Your WiFi Alexa speaker is now ready to respond to spoken commands and questions. So try asking it some questions like:
-
- What’s the weather?
- What time is it?
- Give me my flash briefing.
- How are you today?
- Sing happy birthday.
- Tell me a joke.
… and so on. Of course, be sure to precede each question with your the right wake word. The default is Alexa. Or it could be Computer, Amazon, or Echo if you changed it.
23. Done with Alexa WiFi Setup Instructions !
Enjoy this wireless speaker. It’s a truly great sounding mid-sized speaker, with its improved bass and volume.