5 Steps To Change WiFi On Alexa (Updated 2023 Guide)

I bought a new router last week. 

And it wasn’t surprising that all my Alexa devices went offline after the installation. 

After fixing this efficiently, I thought…

I should write a guide on how to change the WiFi on Alexa. 

If you’re in the same place I was at…

Continue reading to learn:

• 5 steps to change the WiFi on your Alexa device.
• Whether changing the WiFi is different for other Echo gen models.
• What your best solutions are if Alexa won’t connect to your new WiFi.
• How to determine the cause of why Alexa doesn’t recognize your new WiFi.
• And so much more…

How to change WiFi on Alexa?

You can change the WiFi on your Alexa device simply by using your smartphone. First, you’ll need to open the Alexa app and access your WiFi network. Select the Change option in your Alexa app. Then, Alexa will guide you through a series of on-screen instructions on how to change your WiFi.

---

5 steps to change WiFi on Alexa

---

#1: Open the Alexa app

Before I start, know that changing the WiFi on your Alexa device works for all Echo gen models. 

So, if you have an Echo Dot 3rd gen, Echo 4th gen, Echo 3rd gen, etc., the steps here apply to all models. 

Finally, you can perform all the steps using your iPhone or Android phone. And of course, your Echo device. 

Now, here’s what you need to do for this step:

1. Open your Alexa app.
2. Plug your Alexa device into your wall outlet/power source.
3. Tap on Devices (located in the bottom part of your screen; has a Home icon).

#2: Prepare your Alexa device to change WiFi 

Here’s how:

1. In your Devices menu, tap on Echo and Alexa.
2. You’ll see a list of Alexa devices. 
3. Look for your Amazon Echo device. 
4. Tap on your Alexa device.
5. At the very bottom, you’ll see Status.  
6. Your Status will display your WiFi Network and Bluetooth status.
7. Tap on Status.
8. Under Wireless, you should see “WiFi Network” and your WiFi name under it.
9. Tap on Change (located to the right of your WiFi network).

After you’ve tapped on “Change,” Alexa will guide you from here on out. So, follow what Alexa tells you accordingly.

#3: Follow the on-screen instructions

At this point, your screen should say “Press and hold the action button.” And that’s exactly what you should do. Then…

1. Press and hold the action button for 15 seconds.
2. You’ll hear Alexa say you’re in setup mode.
3. Tap on Continue.

#4: Wait for Alexa to find your device

Alexa should be able to find your device easily. For that to happen, make sure your WiFi router is in close proximity to your Alexa device. 

After, follow the steps below:

1. Wait for Alexa to search for your device.
2. Alexa will say “Searching for Device.”
3. Once Alexa finds your device, your screen should say “Select your Amazon Echo.”
4. Under Available Devices, you’ll see your Alexa device.
5. Tap your device.

#5: Change WiFi on your Alexa device

The last and final step is mostly just waiting. Waiting for Alexa to find your new WiFi network. Once Alexa is able to locate your WiFi network, simply click on your new WiFi and that’s it!

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Alexa will search for your WiFi network.
2. Once Alexa located your new WiFi, your screen should say “Select your WiFi network”.
3. Choose the new WiFi network you want to connect your Alexa device with.
4. Tap your new WiFi network.
5. Enter your password.
6. Tap Continue.
7. You finished changing the WiFi on your Alexa device.

Simple, right? 

But what if Alexa doesn’t recognize your new WiFi? Or Alexa says you used the wrong password but you’re 100% sure Alexa’s wrong?

There are a few reasons why Alexa is acting up. Below, I’ll guide you through what you can do when this happens. 

---

Alexa won’t connect to new WiFi: 5 causes & fixes

---

#1: You’re connected to the 5GHz band of your WiFi

It’s highly likely your WiFi network has two network frequencies: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. 

If you open your available WiFI networks, you should see it in your WiFi network list. Let’s say, for instance, your WiFi network name is Andrew’sHome WiFi Network. 

When you check your list of WiFi networks, you should see: 

• Andrew’sHome WiFi Network. 
• Andrew’sHome WiFi Network 5.0.

The network name with the 5.0 is another network frequency under the same WiFi router. Now, why do you have two? 

Put it this way. Connecting to a 2.4GHz WiFi network means your WiFi signal can reach farther places. 

A 5GHz network frequency can reach nearer places only. However, a 5GHz network frequency has a stronger signal or faster WiFi connection. 

Why does this matter with your Alexa device?

Let’s say your WiFi router is in the living room using a 5GHz frequency. You’re in the kitchen setting up your Alexa device. 

With 5GHz frequency, the signal isn’t as strong when you’re in the kitchen. Why? Because the router is in a separate room.

As a result, your Alexa device might not be able to pick up the WiFi signal of your router.

What to do about it:

If your Alexa device is in a separate room as your router, it’s better to use 2.4GHz frequency. 

Now, there are two ways to solve this problem:

1. Move your WiFi router closer to your Alexa device.
2. Switch your WiFi network to the 2.4GHZ network frequency.

#2: Your router has a hardware problem

Wait – there’s something you need to do first. 

Grab your smartphone and try accessing Google Chrome. If the web pages load, it’s your router that’s the problem. 

It could be a hardware issue or server downtime. Either way, the best approach for this is to restart your router.

What to do about it:

1. Turn off your WiFi router. 
2. Unplug your router from the wall outlet.
3. Wait 5 to 10 seconds.
4. Plug your router back into the wall outlet.
5. Try connecting your Alexa device and see if Alexa recognizes your WiFi.

Then proceed to the next fix down below. 

#3: Your Echo device has a minor glitch or the placement is wrong

Alexa devices do get glitches from time to time. And they’re not exempted from the same bugs you get when your phone app lags, glitches, or crashes. 

In times like these, all you have to do is give your Alexa device a soft reboot. Here’s how. 

What to do about it:

1. Turn off your Alexa device.
2. Unplug your Alexa device from the wall outlet.
3. Wait 15 seconds. 
4. Plug your Alexa device back into the wall outlet. 
5. Check if Alexa recognizes your new WiFi.

Now, hold on just a minute. 

There’s something I want to ask too. 

Are you positioning your Echo device in the right place? 

You didn’t put Alexa near the toilet, did you? Or under your TV? Maybe even near the microwave? 

Because those are all bad places that interfere with Alexa’s signal. Worse – placing Alexa in the wrong places could damage your Alexa device. 

If you don’t take good care of Alexa, it’s likely you’ll experience glitches and malfunctions over time.

#4: You entered the wrong password

Trust me, it happens. 

Sometimes, out of the excitement we have to try out Alexa, we might make a tiny mistake. Or, we simply forgot the symbol “*” that was part of the WiFi password. 

Again, it happens. 

So what can you do to solve this problem?

What to do about it:

There is one way to solve your issue. 

And it’s to re-do the process of changing your WiFi. 

Run through the 5 steps as mentioned above. And make sure you input the right password. 

All good? 

But what if Alexa still says your password is incorrect? That’s what the last fix is for. 

#5: Your Alexa device is malfunctioning

You’ve done everything you can to fix your issue. But from the looks of it, you’re looking at two problems:

1. Your Alexa device is malfunctioning. 
2. Your Alexa insists your password is wrong. Even if you’re 110% sure it’s the right password.

What to do about it:

Normally, this is the part where you might expect that you need to do a factory reset. 

Not necessarily. 

In fact, here’s what you can do instead: Deregister your Alexa device then register it again.

To deregister your Alexa device, here’s a short video on how to do so. 

After you’ve deregistered your Alexa device, don’t exit the Alexa app. Instead, you can register your device again through your Alexa app. 

Now, if deregistering and registering your Alexa device doesn’t work, do a factory reset: 

1. Open your Alexa app.
2. Tap on Devices (located in the bottom part of your screen).
3. Tap Echo & Alexa.
4. Choose which Echo device you want to perform a factory reset on.
5. Scroll down and tap Factory Reset.