Trouble setting up an Echo Dot

JohnJSal

Active Member
Hi all. I've had an Echo (1st Generation) for a few years, but I just bought myself an Echo Dot (3rd Gen.), and I'm having trouble setting it up. I thought it would be a pretty easy process, but it's not working properly.

I followed the instructions to use the Alexa app while the orange light ring was on the device, and I connected to my WiFi network. As far as I know, the device did connect because the process appeared to complete successfully. But when I talk to the Dot, nothing happens. Sometimes the light is even red as if there is no internet connection.

Then it started working for a bit, and I had it play the radio. Then the light was red again when I tried another command. In the Alexa app it shows "offline" for that device, but I'm not sure why it's online sometimes and offline others. The other Echo device, as well as the internet I'm using right now, is working fine, so I don't think I have a WiFi problem.

Anyone know what else I can try?

Thanks,
John

Edit: A quick update on what it's doing: I just tried talking to my Dot again. The light ring turns blue like it's listening, but it does nothing in response. It did this twice, then on the third attempt the light ring turned red and it said "I'm having trouble connecting right now" (or something like that). So I have no idea what's going on. Meanwhile, the other Echo works normally.
 
Last edited:

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
Its probably an issue with that specific echo. Is there a way to update firmware on it?
 

JohnJSal

Active Member
Hmm, it seems to be working now. I think it may have been an internet issue after all, because even my other Echo turned red later when I tried it again. Now they seem to be working. If you'll recall, I have satellite internet ( ::barf:: ) and it was raining earlier, so perhaps that caused an issue.

Thanks for the reply!

::sigh:: And as I post this, it's doing it again. The main one this time. Must be an internet issue still. I'll just try again when the weather clears more.
 

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
Satellite internet can be a pain especially is inclement weather. When we had Dish Network, the tv would go out every time it rained or dark clouds overhead. I'll never go back to it unless I really have to.
 

porterjw

Spaminator
Staff member
@johnb35 there's no way to manually update them, everything is handled via a push from Amazon.

Definitely sounds like an intermittent network issue. I have constant issues with my Echo down stairs when on the 5ghz bandwidth, but on 2.4 it works flawlessly. Is it possible to move it to a better area where signal may be stronger?
 

JohnJSal

Active Member
@johnb35 there's no way to manually update them, everything is handled via a push from Amazon.

Definitely sounds like an intermittent network issue. I have constant issues with my Echo down stairs when on the 5ghz bandwidth, but on 2.4 it works flawlessly. Is it possible to move it to a better area where signal may be stronger?

Yes, I could move it. It's not in its final place anyway. I was just testing it. But I'm using my 2.4 network, not 5, so I don't think it's that.

My new month of internet data allotment starts today, so hopefully it was just an issue with the speed being slow. Even my normal Echo that never has issues was cutting in and out, so I'll see.
 
Top