Dual Band Router Required For Echo Dot

9 years ago

A couple of years back I got a new router to replace my old Linksys one. It didn't cost much but I felt it was OK for the time. My current system is a Win7 desktop and TP-Link Wi-Fi router. With it I get a sufficient wireless signal to use an iPad in my family room.

Out of curiosity I just bought an Echo Dot. And, yes, I should have "read up". I don't have a smart phone or any full time signal anywhere. With my regular computer/router turned on Echo Dot isn't getting a wireless signal. Apparently my current router is only a single band and I need a dual band. Is that right?

I turn off my computer/router at night. If I get a dual band Wi-Fi will the Echo Dot come alive when it's turned back on? Or does the Echo Dot need 24 hour wifi signal to operate? It seems I'll likely pass it along to the grandkids. Any help appreciated. Ron

Featured Answer

Mike C

9 years ago

I don't think the Echo requires dual-band, but try not turning off router at night. Echo has to have a wireless signal. If Echo worked prior to turning router off and then later back on, you probably need to power off the Echo and then turn it back on. When a wireless device is powered up, it requests an IP address from the router. The router provides it. When you power down the router and not the Echo; the Echo will keep its assigned IP address. When you power the router back up and don't cycle power on the Echo, the Echo won't have the right IP address.

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Comments (18)

azinoh
9 years ago
My experience with the Dot was this: you MUST HAVE a smart phone AND the Amazon app to get it set up. Despite what the book said, I could find no way to do it with the computer only. Once you do have it set up, you can use their web page to manage the Dot and explore what it can do. I do not have a dual-band router and it works just fine. Once it is set up, it should not need anything else unless you:

push the reset button

connect to a different Amazon account

connect to a different wireless network

If there is a way to set it up without a phone & the app...I don't know what it is. I have turned my router off several times and the Dot continues to work after the router is turned back on. As with all things...YMMV.
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mikie_gw
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Echo Dot is designed to be connected with the amazon Alexa app, which needs to be logged into your amazon account. So you really need a smartphone or most any android tablet so you can install the Alexa to talk to Echo Dot to setup almost automatically its wifi connection.

But, before giving up completely... go to this webpage if you can... give page a few moments to connect to see if there is a way to use your iPad browser to set it up; (or go to your ipad app store and download the amazon alexa app.)

http://alexa.amazon.com/
Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Just as far as the router is concerned (I have no Echo experience) If you're using WPA2-PSK(AES) encryption, your wifi signal can be considered adequately secure and there should be no reason to turn it off at day's end. The reason to not turn it off is that the off/on/off cycling may stress the components and result in a shorter life.
kudzu9
9 years ago
1. Where do you have the Echo Dot located? It may simply be in a weak signal area if it's a ways away from the router.

2. You will need a smartphone or wifi tablet and the app to set it up. This is a one-time thing, so borrow such a device from a friend if you don't have one.

3. If you are still having a problem, call Amazon Customer Service (1-866-216-1072) and get connected to the free tech support office for the Echo products.

4. If you do succeed in getting it working, and you leave the Echo Dot on, it will not function if the router is turned off, but should reconnect whenever it is turned on without you having to do anything special.
jane__ny
9 years ago
You can use your iPad. Just go to the app store and download the Alexa app (its free). Once you do that you will get the Dot to work. I have one and it was very easy to set up.

I wouldn't turn off the router, not sure why you do that.

I enjoy the Dot. Quite interesting and helpful. Great for quick news updates, music, questions and I now use it to turn on/off lights in my house. It works flawlessly unlike Siri.

Jane
candler
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, everyone. You've given me enough encouragement that at least for now I will keep messing with the Echo Dot. I'm old, old and lacking in needed patience. I have an additional question, if you don't mind. Does Echo Dot require "streaming" to be able to use it? I've never had it. It seems if wish to take advantage of Echo Dot abilities I certainly need have a continuous Wi-Fi signal. The grandkids will be here for a few days at the end of March. I'll meet them at the door with my computer, and Echo Dot, like a TV commercial I've seen. Regards.
azinoh
9 years ago
If you do not have a continuous wi-fi signal, then what you have is a $50 door stop. I suppose if you cut the cord off, it could be a substitute hockey puck.
kudzu9
9 years ago
It can't function if it does not have a connection to the Internet. "Streaming" is not quite the right word. When you have it set up, it sits there in a "ready" mode. When you tell it to do something, it fetches the information from the Internet. That could be something that takes as little as a few seconds, like telling you the time, or hours if you tell it to play music or a radio station. You would typically not turn it off or your router, because that would mean it would take up to several minutes for it to get back in ready mode any time you wanted even the simplest response from it.
jane__ny
9 years ago
Not streaming. Just Internet connection.

Im old too!!

When visiting my grand kids they each had one. My daughter had one to control her lights, inside and out. My grandkids use it to help with their homework ( dd I'd not thrilled with that aspect).

When I got home, I ordered myself one and love it. I keep it in the kitchen, use it as a timer, shopping list, "Alexa add milk to my list". I bought light bulbs (not cheap), and control my lights, "Alexa, turn on the living room lights". I ask her the latest news and use Amazons free music. I tell her, "Alexa, play some John Denver." Alexa, play soft rock. Any artist works or theme 'play some dance music'.

i also use it for weather updates, traffic etc. it has never misunderstood me or anyone else who asks her things, unlike Siri which is a pain to use and only works through iTunes and never seems to understand me.

i think you'll enjoy using the Dot. Let the grands hook it up and stop shutting off your router.

Jane
dadoes
9 years ago
Streaming is not the same thing as keeping WiFi active continuously, although active WiFi is necessary to stream with a wireless device. Streaming refers to playing media content while it downloads, as opposed to finishing the download completely before playback begins.
kudzu9
9 years ago
With the Dot, it could be considered to be streaming when you ask it to play, say, jazz or oldies or a specific singer. Here is a useful explanation of what streaming is: https://soundsupport.biz/2012/02/13/what-is-streaming-and-what-does-it-mean/
dadoes
9 years ago
Of course ... playing music "live" via internet is streaming.
kudzu9
9 years ago
Of course...but just thought a little additional adult education might be useful here :-)
candler
Original Author
9 years ago
Well, some of my grandkids came up. Kathryn is 12 and a computer whiz. The Echo Dot is up and running. It did not require the need for a new router. It came alive the next morning even after I had powered the Wi-Fi signal down overnight. I feel the need to apologize to Amazon, Echo, and all of the fine folks on this Computer Help site. Guess I should have read more instructions.

When I got my newest router (TP-Link) a year or so ago I felt no need other than hook it to its respective connections. It had an okay wireless signal to operate the iPad I keep at my recliner. I didn't know and still don't know if it is a single band or dual band. My grand daughter said my router ID needed to be associated with the Wi Fi signal. She downloaded an App entered the router number.

That's it. Echo Dot is very interesting. The grand kids have been using it. They seem to enjoy it. Rather than giving it to them I'll just have one sent to them. Thanks again for your help.
candler
Original Author
8 years ago
Funny or not? I again contacted Amazon for Echo Dot support due, AGAIN, to having a brief power outage. My Echo Dot started saying I wasn't connected with Wifi.

I told the fellow I have a desktop with Windows 7, Charter Cable, and TP Link wifi. I did mention I had an Apple Ipad back in the family room that maybe I turned on once week or so to play a game.

He said to repair the Echo Dot problem I must turn the iPad on. I told him I didn't know why I could not do what was needed at my desktop. He said I couldn't repair the Echo Dot from my desktop and it had to be done from the iPad.

I didn't remember the iPad previously being involved in fixing the Echo Dot. But, apparently my granddaughter used it when she was here. My patience are thin. I hung up. Don't think it's funny right now. Maybe later. Not a happy Amazon camper. Regards.
kudzu9
8 years ago
candler-

When my Echo occasionally has said it's not connected to the Internet, I unplug it, plug it back in, and it reconnects.
candler
Original Author
8 years ago
Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Every time I came across something a bit different on Google that I had not tried I gave it a try. You name it. I have tried it. I'm out of trying. Back in March I bought one and had it sent to some of my grandchildren. Hmmmm? I wonder if they want another one. Regards.

Dual Band Router Required For Echo Dot

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