Picture of the iOS Settings WiFi Screen, showing successful connection with the AMAZON-XXX network.

How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi Network

How to connect Alexa to new WiFi network? For that you must put that Alexa speaker into Setup mode first.  There, you choose the WiFi network you’d like to have the speaker log into. You can set a new WiFi network that Alexa uses on either your desktop computer or mobile device.  Now below, we walk you through this routine with an Alexa Echo Dot 2 speaker.  But these instructions are almost the same for connecting the other Alexa speakers. These include the Dot 1 and 3, the Echo 1 and Echo 2, the Tap, and the Spot.  We ran this demo on our aging iPad Air iOS-based tablet.

If you’ve linked this Alexa speaker to your Amazon account before, you can keep some of its settings when connecting to a new WiFi network.  Indeed, you need not completely erase these account settings for that speaker if  you’re just switching to a new WiFi network.

We’ll cover both cases here.  Case one is where you connect the speaker to new WiFi for the first time on your Amazon account. The second is where you’ve previously connected the speaker on your account. But now, you simply wish the speaker to connect to new WiFi.

With your tablet and the Alexa app, changing to new WiFi networks that your Alexa smart speaker logs into is painless.

To prepare, please link the Alexa App to your Amazon account first. Note also that though we took the screen shots below from an Apple iPad Air, you can get a similar Alexa app for Android devices from the Google Play store.





Connect Alexa to New WiFi Instructions

1. Connect your Alexa Speaker to Power

If not already running, plug your speaker into a power source.  You must power on the speaker first.  Why?  Because you’ll need to access the network parameters stored in its memory, as discussed below.

Picture of the unboxed Amazon Echo Dot 2nd Gen Speaker, plugged in and booting. Powering up. How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi.
Our Echo Dot 2nd Gen Speaker, plugged in and booting. Powering up.

2. Run the Alexa App on your Tablet

Start by running this app on your tablet.  The Alexa app lets you access your Alexa devices and settings. The app Home screen then shows, as pictured next.

Picture of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its Home screen, with the hamburger (Main) menu button highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its Home screen, with the hamburger (Main) menu button highlighted.

3. Tap the Hamburger Shaped Menu Control

Find this item pointed at by the blue arrow in the last picture.

Tapping this control once brings up the main menu, as shown next.

Picture of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its main menu, with the -Settings- item Highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its main menu, with the -Settings- item Highlighted.

4. Tap the Settings Menu Item to Continue with How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi

We’ve circled the Settings item in   blue   in the last picture, found in the black-background menu at left-screen.





The  Settings screen then appears as shown next.

Picture of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Settings- screen, with the -Set Up A New Device- button highlighted. How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Settings- screen, with the -Set Up A New Device- button highlighted.

5. Look for your Alexa Smart Speaker in the List 

Note on the  Settings  screen shown above, that the app lists all of the Alexa devices previously set up in your Amazon account.  These are the speakers that the Amazon account currently knows about.

If the speaker you’re connecting to new WiFi shows on your  Settings  screen, then tap that entry. Then jump down to step 6 below. There, you update the saved WiFi network to a new one.  This skips some of the early steps needed to do a full setup of a brand new speaker.

But if your speaker is not on the list, then you’ll need to get it into setup mode next.  This readies the speaker to connect to new WiFi first. This is just as you would do if you were adding a new Alexa speaker to your Amazon account.  In that case, continue on with the next step (Step 5a) to do that.

5a. Tap the   Set Up a New Device   Button

Find this button pointed at by the blue arrow in the last picture.

The Alexa app then displays the   Set Up a New Device   screen, as shown in the next picture.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Set Up A New Device- screen, with the -Echo Dot- choice highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Set Up A New Device- screen, with the -Echo Dot- choice highlighted.

5b. Choose the Device Type you’re Setting Up

Pick this from the list of available speakers and accessories displayed in the last screenshot.

The Alexa app then shows the   Choose Language   screen, as displayed next.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Choose Language- screen, with the -Continue- button highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Choose Language- screen, with the -Continue- button highlighted.

5c. Choose the Language for the New Alexa Speaker

In our case, the English language choice already appears in blue in the last picture.  But if you need to change this, tap on this link.  A list of available language options then appears, with the current language choice checked.  There, tap on your preferred language.  The blue link then reappears, showing the language you selected.  Once the language you want shows, tap the blue   Continue   button.  Alexa then displays the  Begin Echo Dot Setup   screen, as shown in the next step.





6. Observe the   Begin Echo Dot Setup   Screen

This screen appears next.

Note that setting up a new speaker, or simply changing to a WiFi new network, both wind up at this screen.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Begin Echo Dot Setup- screen, with the -Connect To Wi-Fi- button highlighted. How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Begin Echo Dot Setup- screen, with the -Connect To Wi-Fi- button highlighted.

7. Tap the   Connect to Wi-Fi   Button to Continue with How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi

The  Setup->Wait for the Orange Light Ring   screen then displays, as shown next.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Setup-Wait For Orange Light- screen, with the -Continue- button highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Setup-Wait For Orange Light- screen, with the -Continue- button highlighted.

Wait for a minute or so for your Alexa speaker light ring to glow in a spinning orange-yellow pattern.

If the orange light ring does not come on after a few minutes, find the  Action  button on your speaker. Then press and gently hold it in for roughly five seconds. The Action button has the small white circle on the Dot 2.  This forces the Alexa speaker to enter new WiFi setup mode. The speaker then says, “Now in setup mode. Follow the instructions in the Alexa app.”

A spinning orange blip then starts running around on the light ring, as pictured next. But do not go on to the next step until you hear this and see the orange glow.

Warning

Do not place the speaker into new WiFi setup mode until the screen above shows on your tablet. If you start setup on the speaker too early, and then advance the Alexa app to this point, sometimes this can confuse the app. Then, you might have to set up the speaker as a brand new device.   But this may not be what you wanted.  So be cautious!  Do not turn on setup on the speaker until you get the app to the screen shown above.

Picture of the Amazon Echo Dot Gen 2 in Setup Mode, showing Light Ring with orange blip circling.
Amazon Echo Dot Gen 2 in Setup Mode, showing Light Ring with orange blip circling.

8. Tap the   Continue   Button   

Find this button back in the Alexa app.

This brings up the Echo Dot Setup->Connect your iPad to Echo Dot   screen, as shown next.  This screen stays up until you connect your mobile device to the Amazon-xxx WiFi network. The speaker creates this network for setup purposes.





Continue on with the next step to link your iPad locally to the speaker.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Echo Dot Setup-Connect Your iPad To Echo Dot- screen. How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Echo Dot Setup-Connect Your iPad To Echo Dot- screen.

9. Go into your Tablet’s / Phone’s Settings Page

Press the Home button on your mobile device. This collapses the Alexa app, revealing the Home screen.

Next, find your mobile device’s  Settings   app and tap it.  On our iPad, we find the   Settings   app on the second home page as shown below. Note though, that you may see this app elsewhere on your phone / tablet.

Picture of an iPad Home screen, with the Settings app highlighted by an arrow.
iOS Home screen with Settings App Highlighted.

10. Tap the Wi-Fi Settings Item 

This begins a scan for in-range WiFi networks by your tablet. A partial list of networks that our iPad found appears next.

Note that it found the Amazon-E9W wireless network. This WiFi SSID comes from our Echo Dot 2 speaker in Setup mode.  The Dot is in Setup when light ring glows orange.

If you do not see the Amazon-XXX network, move your tablet closer to your speaker. Then, wait some seconds for it to appear.  You may also not see it if your speaker has timed out and left setup mode.

Reboot your speaker if the Amazon-XXX WiFi network still does not show up. Then, once the light ring goes out, repeat from step 5 above. The orange ring must appear as explained in that step. To see the Amazon-XXX network, the speaker must display the orange ring.  That is, it must be in Setup mode. This network is not discoverable unless the speaker is indeed in Setup.

Picture of the iOS Settings WiFi Screen, showing the available AMAZON-XXX Network Highlighted though not yet connected.
iOS Settings WiFi Screen, showing the available AMAZON-XXX Network Highlighted though not yet connected.

11. Tap the Amazon-XXX Network to Continue with How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi

The connection should link right away.  No password prompt appears for this unsecured ad hoc WiFi network.

Once connected, your WiFi settings screen on your mobile device should appear something like the next picture. In our case, this shows that we’ve now connected to Amazon-E9W.

Picture of the iOS Settings WiFi Screen, showing successful connection with the AMAZON-XXX network. How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi.
iOS Settings WiFi Screen, showing successful connection with the AMAZON-XXX network.

Your speaker should also speak a message similar to: “You’ve connected to Echo Dot. Go ahead and finish the setup in the Alexa app.”





12. Go Back to the Alexa App

Press the   Home   button on your tablet to return to the Home page. Find the Alexa app.  Ours is on Home Page 3, as shown below. Tap the Alexa app then.

Screenshot of the iOS 11 home screen, showing the Amazon Alexa app Icon highlighted.
iOS 11 home screen, showing the Amazon Alexa app Icon highlighted.

The following screen then appears. It shows the tablet now connected to your Alexa speaker.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Connected To Echo Dot- screen, with the -Continue- button highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Connected To Echo Dot- screen, with the -Continue- button highlighted.

13. Press the Blue  Continue  Button 

Find this in the lower right corner on the screen pictured above.

This starts a scan by your smart speaker, for available WiFi networks from its viewpoint.

Once the scan finishes, the  Choose Your Wi-Fi Network  screen appears, as shown next. This screen shows a list of the in-range networks found by your speaker during the scan.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Setup-Select Your Wi-Fi Network- screen, with the desired network circled. How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Setup-Select Your Wi-Fi Network- screen, with the desired network circled.

14. Tap your Desired WiFi Network

Pick the new WiFi network you’d like your speaker to connect to, on the   Choose Your Wi-Fi Network   screen above.  In our case, we picked the 937T681J4059H_2G_Guest network.

Maybe you’ve never connected with this WiFi before in your current Amazon account.  In that case, the Alexa app prompts for this network’s password, as shown next.  Indeed, the screen you see may differ slightly. But the password prompt function will indeed be the same.

Picture of the Amazon Alexa App, prompting for WiFi password.
Amazon Alexa App, prompting for WiFi password, and virtual keyboard displaying too.

15. Enter the WiFi Password if Requested, to Connect Alexa to New WiFi

Use that virtual keyboard to tap in your Wi-Fi network’s password. When finished, hide the keyboard. You should then see a screen like the following, showing the password entered.

Picture of the Amazon Alexa App, displaying the WiFi Password Entry screen.
Amazon Alexa App, displaying the WiFi Password Entry screen.

16. Press the Continue Button

This begins attempts by your Alexa speaker to connect to the WiFi network you chose in step 13.  During this connection process, the   Preparing your Echo Dot  screen appears, displaying an advancing progress bar, as shown next.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Setup-Preparing Your Echo Dot- screen. How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Setup-Preparing Your Echo Dot- screen.

If all goes well, the   Setup Complete   screen appears, as shown next. Your speaker has successfully connected to your chosen new WiFi network.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Setup Complete- screen, with the -Continue- button highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Setup Complete- screen, with the -Continue- button highlighted.

Finally, your Alexa speaker should say something like, “Your Echo Dot is now ready.”





17. Press the Continue Button

This takes you out of the   Setup Complete  screen and back to the Alexa App Home screen, as shown next.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Home- screen.
Alexa app on iOS in 2018, displaying its -Home- screen.

18. Test your Alexa Speaker

Ask, “Alexa, what time is it?” or “Alexa, what’s the weather?” If she answers with the right answers, then the speaker is ready for use.

Run this procedure any time you wish to connect Alexa to new WiFi.

Qualifiers for How To Connect Alexa to New WiFi

    • This post pertains to the following software and hardware versions of the components referenced herein:
      • iOS 11.2.5
      • Alexa App: Client Version 1.24.4244.0; Bridge version 2.2.2471.0
      • Amazon Echo Dot, 2nd Generation, running device software version 599473420.

Related Posts to How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi

    1. How to Pair JBL Speaker to Alexa
    2. Changing Alexa WiFi Connection
    3. How to Connect Sony SRS XB10 to Alexa
    4. How to Connect JBL Bluetooth Speaker to Alexa
    5. Connecting a Honeywell Thermostat to Alexa

Other Posts About Alexa

    1. How to Pair JBL Speaker to Alexa
    2. Changing the Alexa WiFi Connection
    3. How to Update Alexa WiFi Connection and Password
    4. Action Button on Alexa, What it Is and How to Use It
    5. How to Connect Sony SRS XB10 to Alexa

References for How to Connect Alexa to New WiFi

    1. What is Amazon Alexa? on Wikipedia

Revision History

    • 2021-09-10: Added the Suggested Reading section.
    • 2020-09-08: Revised the text and tags list to further optimize targeting.
    • 2019-05-06: Revised the tags list. Tuned the targeting for ‘Connect Alexa to new WiFi’.
    • 2019-01-16: First released.