Picture of the Echo Dot 3rd Gen speaker box, front view.

How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi

This piece shows how to connect Echo Dot 3rd generation to a WiFi network.  It lists what you’ll need to get your speaker up and running on the internet.  You need to do this when you first set up a brand new Dot, when someone gives you a used one, or when you change settings on your WiFi router, such as network SSID name or its password.

Top view of an Echo Dot 3rd generation speaker, showing all its buttons. How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi.
Top view of an Echo Dot 3rd generation speaker, showing all its buttons.

Before you Start on How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi

Make sure you have the following…

1. An Available WiFi Connection

None of the Echo Dots built up to now has an Ethernet RJ45 port.  So, you may only connect them to Amazon via an in-range WiFi network.  Plus, that WiFi must have internet access.





2. An Amazon Account

If you do not already have an Amazon account, create a new one at https://amazon.com/ .  Follow the prompts there to set one up.

Or, when you run the Alexa app in Step 2 under How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi, Step-by-Step   below, and you’ve never signed into the app with a valid account, the app will ask you to sign in, as shown next.

Screenshot of the Amazon Alexa app on iOS, displaying its Login prompt.
Amazon Alexa app on iOS, displaying its Login prompt.

There, Amazon allows you to create a new account if you need one.  If you do, then press the  Create a New Amazon Account button in the lower center portion of the login screen.  Then, the app walks you through that account setup screen prompts.  At any rate, be sure you have a working Amazon account before proceeding.

3. A Compatible Mobile Device

You must run the Alexa app on a compatible smart phone or tablet computer.  For this demo, we run it on an iPad Air tablet.

4. The Alexa App

Download this app from the Google Play (Android) store, or the App Store (iOS), depending on what type of mobile device you have.  Download and install the appropriate version on your tablet, and log into it with your Amazon account credentials.

5. Bluetooth

Don’t forget to turn Bluetooth on on your mobile device.  Why?  Because the app uses Bluetooth to discover nearby Echo Dot speakers.  So, switch on Bluetooth on this device on to connect an Echo Dot to WiFi.





How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi, Step-by-Step

1. Unpack your Speaker

Skip ahead to the next step if you already unboxed your Echo Dot 3rd generation speaker.

Picture of a typical Echo Dot speaker box, front view.
Typical Echo Dot speaker box, front view.

Now all of the Echo Dot speakers come in a small blue box, as shown in the last shot above. For new Dots, the box itself arrives in a clear plastic bag.  Remove that outer bag, and slit the tape securing the box top closed with a sharp knife.

Open the box lid, take out all contents and spread them on a floor or table.  You should have the speaker, the power adapter, and some info pamphlets.

Remove any clear plastic protectors on the speaker from the side and top.  This exposes the DC power input and audio output (headphone) cable ports (side).  It also allows access to the volume up-down, mic mute, and wake buttons (top).

Then, unpack the AC adapter and cable.

Picture of an Echo Dot 3rd generation speaker along with its AC wall adapter.
An Echo Dot 3rd generation speaker along with its AC wall adapter.

2. Connect your 3rd Generation Echo Dot to AC Power

Picture of an Echo Dot 3rd generation speaker, with its AC power adapter plugged into the back.
The Echo Dot 3rd generation speaker with the AC power adapter plugged into the back.

 

Picture of the speaker powering up, showing its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.
The speaker powering up, showing its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.

3. Run the Alexa App

Find this app on your mobile device, as we did on our iPad Air tablet, as shown in the next picture.

Screenshot of the iOS home screen, showing the Amazon Alexa app Icon highlighted. How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi.
iOS home screen, showing the Amazon Alexa app Icon highlighted.

Tap the Alexa app icon to run it. If this is your first time running the app, it will prompt you for your Amazon account and password.

Furthermore, if this is your first Echo Dot device, the app will prompt you to set up a new device.





4.Enter Amazon Account Id and Password to Continue with How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi

Should the app prompt, enter your Amazon account credentials.  Follow the instructions above to create a new Amazon account if you don’t already have one.  Then  you’ll be signed in via the app.  The app then remembers your Amazon account info the next time you run it.  This way, you won’t have to enter this data every time.

5. If you are Not Prompted to Connect a New Device… 

If this speaker is not that first device connected via your Amazon account, the app displays its Home screen.

Picture of the Amazon Alexa app Home screen on iOS, with the main menu button highlighted.
Amazon Alexa app Home screen on iOS, with the main menu button highlighted.

6. Tap the Menu (Hamburger) Button

Find this called out by the green arrow in the last picture.

Hitting the menu button brings up the main menu, as shown next.

Picture of the Amazon Alexa app on iOS, showing its main menu, with the Settings option highlighted.
Amazon Alexa app on iOS, showing its main menu, with the -Settings- option highlighted.

7. Go to the Settings Screen  

Visit the Settings page by tapping the Settings menu item (left side of screen), highlighted by the green arrow in the last picture.

The Settings the screen shows as follows.

Picture of the Alexa App on iOS, showing its Settings screen, with the Device Settings option highlighted. How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi.
Alexa App on iOS, showing its -Settings- screen, with the -Device Settings- option highlighted.

8. Visit the Device Settings Page to Continue with How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi

Get to the Device Settings page by tapping the Device Settings menu item (left side of the Settings screen, near the top), highlighted by the green arrow in the last screenshot.

Tapping Device Settings brings up the All Devices screen, which lists all your currently registered speakers and other devices. Shown next.

Picture of the Alexa App on iOS, displaying its -All Devices- page, with the -Add New Device (Plus)- button highlighted.
Alexa App on iOS, displaying its -All Devices- page, with the -Add New Device (Plus)- button highlighted.

9. Go to the Set Up New Device Menu  

Bring up the  Set Up New Device  menu by tapping the  Plus  button in the top right corner of the  All Devices  page, as highlighted by the green arrow in the last photo above.





The  Set Up New Device  menu then pops up as shown in the next screenshot.

Screenshot of the Alexa App on iOS, showing its -Set Up New Device- menu, with the -Add Device- option highlighted.
Alexa App on iOS, showing its -Set Up New Device- menu, with the -Add Device- option highlighted.

10. Tap the  Add Device   Option

Touching the  Add Device  option brings up the   Setup->What type of device are you setting up?  screen, as shown next.

Picture of the Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -What Type of Device are you Setting Up- page, with the -Echo- device type highlighted. How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi.
Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -What Type of Device are you Setting Up- page, with the -Echo- device type highlighted.

11. Tap the Amazon Echo Device Type to Continue with How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi

Tapping the Amazon Echo item brings up the first Setup screen for Echo devices, as shown next, where you pick which model of the Echo you’re connecting.  Here, we connect an Echo Dot to WiFi.  So, we’ve pointed out the Echo Dot option with a green arrow in the next screen shot.

Picture of the Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -Choose a device to set up- page, with the -Echo Dot- choice highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -Choose a device to set up- page, with the -Echo Dot- choice highlighted.

12. Tap the Echo Dot Device 

Touching the Echo Dot device brings up the Which Echo Dot are you setting up?  screen, as shown next.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -Choose Echo Dot Version to Set Up- page, with the -3rd Generation- option highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -Choose Echo Dot Version to Set Up- page, with the -3rd Generation- option highlighted.

13. Get your Dot into Setup Mode

If your Echo Dot 3rd generation is powered up, as it should be if you did Step 2 above, it’s probably showing its orange light ring.  If so, then skip ahead to Step 14. Or if not, then run through this step.

Picture of the speaker, shown in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning.
The speaker, shown in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning.

If this is a brand new speaker, just plug it into AC power.  Then after ten to fifteen seconds, it automatically enters Setup mode and says this.

But, if this is not a new one, it may not instantly go into Setup mode.  For that case, you need to factory reset it.  See our  Factory Reset Echo Dot 3rd Generation Instructions, How To   post.  That piece shows how to reset a Dot. In short, to reset, press and hold the Action button until the unit starts resetting.  After a hard reset, the Echo Dot automatically enters Setup mode.

In short, how ever you get there, once you have your speaker in Setup mode, move on to the next step.





14. Tap the Speaker that Matches the One you’re Connecting 

Next. pick up your tablet / phone again and go back to the Alexa app.  You should see the screen shown in Step 12 above.

Since we’re connecting an Echo Dot speaker here, we touch the topmost speaker in the displayed list of Dot versions shown there.

This starts the app scanning for new devices to connect, as shown next.

Screenshot of the Alexa App on iOS, showing its -Select Amazon Echo- page while it searches for Echo devices to connect.
Alexa App on iOS, showing its -Select Amazon Echo- page while it searches for Echo devices to connect.

Now at this point, the app waits to hear from the speaker you’re connecting.  It will hear it when you place your Echo into Setup mode, it is when captured in the next picture.

If your speaker is indeed in Setup mode, then after a brief pause, the app should find it, as ours did, shown next.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS displaying its -Select your Amazon Echo- screen, with a Dot 3 that it found highlighted. How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi.
Alexa app on iOS displaying its -Select your Amazon Echo- screen, with an Amazon Dot that it found highlighted.

If the app does not find your speaker, check that you have Bluetooth turned on on your mobile device that’s running the Alexa app.  Check also that your Dot is flashing its light ring in orange.  Note that the Echo Dot only stays in Setup mode for several minutes, and times out after that.  If timeout happens, then unplug the speaker from power for a few seconds and plug it back in.  This should re start Setup mode.  If not, then hard reset it.

15. Tap the Listed Echo Dot 3rd Generation to Connect to WiFi

This brings up the  Select your Wi-Fi Network   page, as shown next.

Just prior to showing this screen, the app runs a WiFi scan from your selected speaker, for in-range WiFi networks that your Dot sees.  Then, it’s this list that the app displays for you.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS showing its -Select Your WiFi Network- screen, with the network we want highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS showing its -Select Your WiFi Network- screen, with the network we want highlighted.

16. Choose the New WiFi Network To Connect your Echo Dot With 

Tap the new WiFi network you want your speaker to log into.  In our case, we’re choosing the 937T681J4059H_2G_Guests network.  That one is pointed out by the green arrow in the last picture.

We call this a new WiFi network, because its login data is not currently saved to Amazon.  If we had connected any speakers to this network before, and opted at that time to save the login credentials, then later Echo Dot models like the 3rd generation one would automatically connect to it, without us having to manually enter the network info.

17. Enter the Password for the New WiFi Network Chosen

Tapping a WiFi network may prompt you to enter the password for that network.  Skip to Step 18 if you don’t see this prompt.

Should a password entry screen pop up, type in the correct WiFi password for the network you picked. Then move on to the next step.

18. Wait for your Speaker to Connect 

While your speaker makes a connection to the WiFi network you selected in Step 15 above, the app shows the Connecting your Echo Dot to Wi-Fi screen, as pictured next.

Screenshot of the app displaying its -Connecting your Echo Dot to WiFi- page. How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi.
The app displaying its -Connecting your Echo Dot to WiFi- page.

After some seconds, and if all goes as hoped, you see the following screen.  This shows that the Echo Dot successfully connected to your WiFi.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -WiFi Connect Success- page, with the -Continue- button highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -WiFi Connect Success- page, with the -Continue- button highlighted.

Also, the speaker then makes a rising chime sound, and says that it’s ready for use.

But if yours does not connect and you get errors, follow any directions the app displays.  If you typed in the wrong password, the system prompts you to re-enter it.  But if the problem connecting is network related, you may have to look into that, and resolve on your router.

In that case, once you’ve fixed that issue, try rerunning this WiFi connection procedure again.  We suggest that you close the Alexa app and start it fresh, first.  Then, be sure that your Echo Dot  is in Setup mode before doing the routine again.





19. Tap the Blue Continue Bar

Hitting the Continue strip then invites you to choose which speaker your Echo Dot 3rd generation will play through, as shown next.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -Chose External Speaker- page, with the -Use Echo Built In Speaker- option highlighted. How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi.
Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -Chose External Speaker- page, with the -Use Echo Built In Speaker- option highlighted.

20. Choose a Default Speaker to Continue with How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi

In our demo, we chose the internal speaker.

Then, tapping this choice takes you to the  Where is your Echo Dot  screen, as pictured next.  This screen allows you to name the location in your home where you will place your Dot.

Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -Where is your Echo Dot- page, with the -Bedroom- choice highlighted.
Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -Where is your Echo Dot- page, with the -Bedroom- choice highlighted.

21. Tap your Desired Location for the Speaker

Pick the name of your desired location from the list displayed, as shown in the last picture.  Here, we tapped Bedroom, as shown in the last photo. Note the check mark that appears when you make a choice, as pointed at by the green arrow in the next shot.

Screenshot of the Alexa App on iOS, showing its -Where is your Echo Dot- screen, with the -Bedroom- option checked and highlighted. How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi.
Alexa App on iOS, showing its -Where is your Echo Dot- screen, with the -Bedroom- option checked and highlighted.

22. Tap the Blue Continue Bar

Once you bump the Continue strip, your Echo Dot 3rd generation has successfully connected to the WiFi network, and is now ready to answer voice commands.

Then, the app takes you back to its  Home  screen, as shown next.

Picture of the Alexa App on iOS, displaying its -Home- page.
Alexa App on iOS, displaying its -Home- page.

You may now close the app if you wish.

23. Test Out your Smart Speaker

With your 3rd generation Echo Dot now connected to a WiFi network, try asking it some queries 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, precede each question with your wake word.  The default is Alexa.  Or it could be Computer, Amazon, or Echo if you changed it.

24 Done With How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi !

You have now managed to connect Echo Dot to WiFi.  Congratulations!

Other Posts About Echo Dot Smart Speakers

  1. Echo Dot 3rd Generation Reset Instructions
  2. How to Restart Echo Dot 3rd Generation
  3. Echo Dot 3rd Generation Charger Specs & Details
  4. How to Set Up Echo Dot 3rd Generation

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References for How to Connect Echo Dot 3rd Generation to WiFi

  1. Amazon Alexa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  2. Amazon Echo Help Pages

Revision History

  • 2021-08-25: Revised the internal links and tags lists.
  • 2020-08-03: First time posted.