How to set up the Amazon Echo correctly

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By Rita Deutschbein and Marlene Polywka | Jan 27, 2023 12:05 p.m

Amazon’s digital language assistant goes by the name Alexa. We explain how to set up the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Co. correctly so that the voice service can be used to its full extent.

Amazon now offers a fairly wide range of its smart speakers – from the large Echo and Echo Studio to the smaller Echo Dot and models with the Echo Show display. The language assistant Amazon Alexa is integrated in all of them. In order for users to be able to play music and also communicate with Alexa, the Amazon Echo must be set up correctly. TECHBOOK explains exactly how this works.

Requirements for setting up the Amazon Echo

The manufacturer makes it very easy for users to set up the Amazon Echo or Echo Dot. In principle, everything works via the Alexa app. However, there are a few important steps you should take into account.

You don’t need much to set up Alexa comprehensively:

  • Amazon Echo (or an alternative Alexa-compatible speaker; for example from Medion or Sonos)
  • WiFi with sufficient signal on site
  • Amazon app or website (app is free; for those who don’t want to or can’t, there’s the website)
  • Amazon account

Set up Amazon Echo with app

In the video we explain the setup of the Amazon Echo step by step.

  1. First of all, the Alexa app has to be loaded onto the mobile phone. They are there for free Android and iOS. The Amazon Echo is then prepared for setup.
  2. Connect the Amazon Echo to the power socket and set up the device as freely as possible in the room. Make sure there is sufficient distance to insulating furniture and at least 15 centimeters distance to the wall.
  3. Open the Alexa app and go to the “More” menu item at the bottom. The item “Add device” now appears at the top. Click on it and then select the appropriate device. Now users are guided step by step through the further setup of the Amazon Echo.
  4. Turn on the Amazon Echo and make sure WiFi is active. The glowing ring on top should turn from blue to orange. If this does not happen automatically after switching on, press the action button for about five seconds and thus trigger the calibration direction mode, which is indicated by the orange light ring.
  5. The app searches for the new model and displays it in a list. Select the appropriate Echo device.
  6. Now users just need to connect their Amazon Echo to the internet. To do this, select the appropriate network from the list and enter the access data.

The Amazon Echo is already set up and can be used. In the app, however, users have other options for optimizing the device. For example, you can change its name, create stereo pairs, enable drop-in, or set an alternate wake word.

Tip: If the connection does not work, it often helps to briefly remove the power cable and thus force a restart of the device. In addition, restarting the WLAN or resetting the device to factory settings can also help in this case.

Also interesting: This is what the ring colors on Amazon Alexa mean

Set up Amazon Echo without an app

Of course, you can also set up and control Alexa without the smartphone app. In this case, the setup is carried out via the Alexa website from Amazon. After successful setup, you can also install skills and change settings in this way.

  1. Open the relevant website: amazon.de
  2. Sign in to your Amazon account and go to Settings.
  3. Under the “Devices” tab, you will now find the compatible products that have been recognized in the vicinity, as with the app. Select your device; a connection will be established automatically.

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