How to Fix Alexa App Stuck on Setup

There is nothing more discouraging and annoying like having your Alexa app stuck during the setup process of the Alexa devices. These devices may include Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo spot and any other Alexa enabled devices. As much as these devices play a crucial role in our daily lives, you might face many troubles while setting up one. For you to complete the setup process, you will need to have an Amazon Alexa app or use the website.

Alexa app stuck on setup

You might find that your Alexa app gets stuck on a white screen or the ring light might get stuck in blue when it needs to change to orange. Consequently, this will prevent you from completing the setup process. Moreover, the Alexa app may fail to connect with the devices such as Amazon Echo due to the stuck problem. Therefore, there is much need to fix this problem in order to allow you to complete the setup process successfully.

What causes the Alexa app Stuck on Setup problem?

After receiving numerous reports from multiple users, we decided to investigate the issue and came up with a set of solutions which solved the problem for most of our users. Also, we looked into the reasons due to which Alexa app gets stuck on setup and listed them below.

  • Compatibility issue: This issue arises when your phone is not compatible with the Amazon Alexa app. Hence, the app may get stuck during the setup and fail to work because of the incompatibility. You have to check the standard requirements for Alexa app before proceeding to set up.
  • Incorrect date and time: Your Alexa app might have issues during the setup process due to incorrect date and time on your phone. Be sure to set the correct date and time to avoid the problem.
  • Smart network switch: When the Smart Network Swatch is on in your phone, chances are that the Alexa app may have problems while setting it up. Therefore, you should consider turning this feature off.
  • VPNs and AD guards: If you find out that your Alexa-enabled device has installed AD guards or VPN, you should consider disabling them. This is because they interfere with the set-up process, thus, creating the Alexa app stuck problem.
  • Outdated Android system: Alexa app may get stuck during the set-up process due to the use of outdated apps. You should, therefore, consider updating the Android system web view from the Google Play Store to get rid of the problem.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the nature of the issue we will move on towards the solutions. Make sure to implement these in the specific order in which they are listed to prevent any conflicts.

Solution 1: Check device compatibility with Alexa app

First of all, you will have to check the minimum standard requirements for Alexa app before proceeding with the setup process. Ensure that your phone is compatible with the Amazon Alexa app first before setting it up. Amazon Alexa app is compatible with devices having Android version 4.4 or higher, iOS 8.0 or higher and Fire OS 3.0 or higher.

If your phone does not meet this requirement then that could be the issue why Alexa app gets stuck on setup. However, if it does meet the requirements but still have the stuck problem, proceed to the next solution below. To check the iOS version of your phone, you need to follow the steps below:

  1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Select General.
  3. Click on About.
  4. On the About screen, check the Version of your iPhone.
Checking the iOS Version of your iPhone

Solution 2: Reboot your Phone

You may also need to restart your phone as the stuck problem could be caused by a minor issue. Rebooting will help you get rid of the random temporary configurations that prevent your phone from performing tasks effectively. It will also help improve the performance of the phone and allow apps to run more smoothly.

Rebooting your phone

Therefore, before going any further into the solutions, you should consider restarting your phone with the aim of solving the Alexa app stuck problem. Try setting up the Alexa app again and if the problem persists, move to the next solution below.

Solution 3: Change the date and time

Alexa app gets stuck during the setup process due to the conflict in date and time on your phone. If the date and time are not correct, you are likely to have troubles during your setup procedure. Hence, you should set your date and time to automatic in order to avoid the conflict.

Turning on the automatic date and time to achieve this, you need to follow the following steps:

  1. Navigate through the Settings app on your phone and click on it.
  2. Next, scroll down and select Date and Time
  3. Then toggle the switch next to Automatic Date and Time to turn it on.
Switching the Automatic Date and Time on

Solution 4: Disable Smart Network switch

When the Smart Network Switch is on, the Alexa app might experience a stuck problem during the set-up. So, disabling this feature can help solve the problem. This feature is available on some brands of devices like Samsung.

You need to leave the app and follow the steps outlined below:

  1. Go to phone settings and click on Wi-Fi.
  2. Under it, you will be able to see the Smart network switch. Uncheck the box to turn it off.
  3. You may now go back to the Alexa app and retry to see whether the problem has been solved.
Turning the Smart network switch off

Solution 5: Disable AD guards and VPNs

Disabling the AD guards and VPN in your Alexa enabled device like the Amazon Echo will help you achieve a successful setup process. The AD guards and VPN installed in your device may prevent Alexa app from completing the setup process. Ensure that you disable them and then try again to complete the setup process with your Alexa app.

Solution 6: Update Android system

It is evident that updating of apps and system is likely to solve many major software issues in any device. The same applies when facing problems like Alexa app stuck on the setup process. You will need to ensure that you are running on an updated system and all the apps are up to date

Therefore, to achieve this you will have to update the Android system web view by following the steps below:

  1. Go to the Google Play Store on your phone.
  2. Search for Android System WebView.
    Updating the Android System WebView
  3. Click on update if it is available.
  4. After updating the system, you can try to set up the Alexa app once again.

Solution 7: Uninstall Alexa app from your phone

If none of the above solutions worked, you should then consider uninstalling the Amazon Alexa app from your phone. This will get rid of the entire app, therefore, getting rid of all the issues related to the app. Once you finish the uninstallation process, you should then consider downloading Alexa app from a reliable source and reinstall it in your phone. This is going to start afresh and possibly getting rid of the stuck problem again. To uninstall the Amazon Alexa app:

  1. Go to the Google Play Store on your Phone.
  2. Select the installed apps section.
  3. Click on Amazon Alexa and then tap on Uninstall.
Uninstalling Amazon Alexa app

Solution 8: Set up Alexa from the website

You may also consider setting up Alexa from a web browser if the problem persists on your phone. If the above solutions did not fix the problem then you have to try this last step. All you need to do is to open the Alexa website and log in to your Amazon account. Ensure you enter the right credentials for your Amazon account for you to sign in.

Setting up Alexa from the website

After signing in to your Amazon account, a user interface similar to that on your phone will appear. Click on the settings menu and then set up a device and follow the steps carefully to complete the set-up process. Finally, if you finish this, you can now use the Alexa app normally.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.