Alexa Says "I'm Having Trouble Connecting to the Internet." What Do I Do?

 

Like any Wi-Fi device, Alexa can experience connectivity issues.  A user generally discovers the Echo or Dot has lost connectivity when they issue a command, and Alexa responds with "I'm having trouble connecting to the Internet right now."  Additionally, the light ring will flash red rather than blue.  Despite the fact my Dot is the closest device to my router, it seems to experience connectivity problems more often than my other Alexa-enabled devices.

 

Sometimes, connectivity issues are caused by a blip in the Wi-Fi. This blip might be caused by interference from a microwave, a cordless phone, a back-up beeper, or any number of things that can cause Wi-Fi "noise."  I find often, if I wait a few seconds and reissue my command, the connectivity issue resolves itself.  If it doesn't, the next step is to reboot the malfunctioning Alexa device.  You may use the power button on the top to reboot Alexa, however, I often find it easier to yank the power adapter, wait about 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.  That way, I do not inadvertently turn off the microphone by mistake.  Like with most electronic devices, rebooting can clear about 80% of issues.

 

If Alexa is still having connectivity issues, it's time to reboot your modem and router. Remember, if you have separate boxes, you need to reboot the modem FIRST and wait until all the lights have come back on, including the Wi-Fi light, before powering on your router.  Order is paramount here.  Again, if you cannot locate the on/off switch, you can yank the power adapter out or simply unplug and re-plug the device.  And it is always best to turn your modem and router off, then wait at least 3 minutes before turning your modem back on.  Then wait another 3-5 minutes before switching on your router.  

If Alexa fails to connect after rebooting your modem and router, try rebooting the Alexa device again.  If that fails, try updating the Wi-Fi settings. If you found AlexaSlow to Respond, Then We Should Restart Your Router.

·                     In the Alexa app, open the Menu, and then select Settings.

·                     Select your device and then select Update Wi-Fi. 

·                     On your Echo Dot device, press and hold the Action button until the light ring changes to orange. The app will connect to your Echo, and a list of available Wi-Fi networks will appear.

·                     Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the network password (if needed). If you don't see your Wi-Fi network, scroll down and select Add a Network (for hidden networks) or Rescan.

·                     Select Connect. Once connected, a confirmation message appears in the app.

This should get your Echo Device working again.  And the nice thing is you can say "Alexa, are you connected to the Internet?" to determine if the connectivity issue is resolved.  If all is well, Alexa will respond "Yes, I am connected."

 

If your Wi-Fi is down, Alexa will not be able to control anything.  She will not set new alarms or timers either, but timers and alarms set prior to the outage will continue to function.  Alexa should come back automatically once your Internet has been restored. If she doesn't, reboot her and follow the troubleshooting steps outlined above.