How to change WiFi on your Alexa device
To change the WiFi network your Alexa device connects to, open the Alexa app on your phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Devices, choose Echo & Alexa, tap the device you want to change, scroll down and tap WiFi Network, then select Change. The app will walk you through connecting to your new network — you'll need to enter the network password if it's password-protected.
The whole process takes about two minutes. Your device will disconnect from the old network and reconnect to the new one. During that time, Alexa won't respond to voice commands, but this is normal and temporary.
Key Takeaways
- You change WiFi through the Alexa app on your phone, not through voice commands or the device itself.
- The app will ask you to select your new network from a list and enter the password if required.
- Your device will be offline for a minute or two while it switches networks — this is expected.
- If your device doesn't find your network, move it closer to your router or restart both the device and router.
- Changing networks does not erase your settings, routines, or smart home connections.
Step-by-step process using the Alexa app
Start by opening the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. Tap the menu icon in the bottom right corner (it looks like three horizontal lines). From the menu, select Devices.
Once you're in the Devices section, tap Echo & Alexa to see all your Alexa devices. Find the device whose WiFi you want to change and tap it. Scroll down until you see the WiFi Network option, then tap Change. The app will now search for available networks in range of your device.
A list of networks will appear. Select the network you want to connect to. If the network is password-protected (most are), you'll be prompted to enter the password. Type it carefully — passwords are case-sensitive. Once you've entered the password, tap Connect. The app will confirm when the connection is successful.
What to do if your device can't find your network
If your WiFi network doesn't appear in the list, the most common reason is that your device is too far from the router. Move your Alexa device closer to the router — even temporarily — and try again. You should be within about 30 feet for the device to detect the network reliably.
If moving the device doesn't help, restart both your router and your Alexa device. Unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart (usually one to two minutes). Then unplug your Alexa device, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Once both are fully restarted, open the app and try changing the network again.
If your network still doesn't appear, check that your router is actually broadcasting the network name (called the SSID). Some routers have a setting to hide the network name. If yours is hidden, you can usually enter the network name manually in the Alexa app instead of selecting it from the list.
Changing WiFi on devices without the Alexa app
If you don't have access to the Alexa app, you can use the Alexa website at alexa.amazon.com. Log in with your Amazon account, go to Devices, select Echo & Alexa, choose your device, and follow the same steps to change the WiFi network.
Some older Alexa devices have a physical reset button on the bottom or back. If you can't access the app or website, you can press and hold this button for about 15 seconds until the light ring turns orange. This puts the device into setup mode, and you can then set it up on your new network using the app as if it were brand new. Your settings and routines will be lost, so this should be your last resort.
What happens to your settings and routines
Changing your WiFi network does not erase any of your Alexa settings, routines, shopping lists, or smart home connections. Everything stays exactly as it was — your device straightforward connects through a different network. Once it reconnects, all your routines will work the same way they did before.
If you have multiple Alexa devices in your home and you're changing them all to a new network (for example, if you got a new router), you can change them one at a time. There's no need to do them all at once, and doing them separately actually makes it easier to test that each one is working before you move to the next.
Troubleshooting a device that won't stay connected
If your Alexa device keeps disconnecting from your new network, the problem is usually either distance from the router or interference from other devices. Try moving the Alexa device a few feet away from the router — this sounds backwards, but sometimes being too close causes interference. Also move it away from microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors, which can interfere with WiFi signals.
If the device is in a part of your home with weak signal, you might need a WiFi extender or mesh network system to strengthen the signal in that area. Before buying anything, try the device in a different room closer to the router to confirm that distance is the problem.
If the device connects but drops off after a few minutes, restart your router. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. If the problem continues, check your router's settings to make sure it's not set to disconnect devices that are idle. Some routers have this feature turned on by default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to unplug my Alexa device before changing the WiFi?
No. You can change the WiFi while the device is plugged in and powered on. The device will handle the switch automatically. You only need to unplug it if you're doing a full reset, which you should avoid unless you can't access the app or website.
Will changing WiFi erase my Alexa routines and smart home devices?
No. Changing the WiFi network keeps all your routines, shopping lists, and smart home connections intact. Your device will reconnect to all your smart home devices once it's back online.
What if I forgot my new WiFi password?
You'll need to find your password before you can complete the change. Check your router's label (the password is often printed on the back or bottom), or log into your router's settings page from a computer or phone connected to that network. If you still can't find it, you may need to reset your router to factory settings, which will erase all your router settings.
Can I change WiFi using only voice commands?
No. Alexa doesn't have a voice command to change WiFi networks. You must use the Alexa app or the Alexa website. This is a security feature — it prevents someone from changing your device's network without physical access to your phone or computer.
How long does it take for Alexa to reconnect after changing WiFi?
Usually one to three minutes. During this time, the device won't respond to voice commands. The light ring will show different colors as it connects — typically orange while searching, then blue when it's connected. Once the light is solid blue, the device is ready to use.