How to Change Alexa’s Wake Word on Amazon’s Echo
If you own an Amazon Echo device, with Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa, you might not be a fan of the default wake word. Here’s how to change it.
If you own an Amazon Echo device with Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa, you might not be a fan of the default wake word. Especially if you have it within hearing distance of a TV, radio, or someone who just wants to cause mischief. It can be annoying when it wakes up when not called upon.
I moved my Echo into another room far away from a TV because it would be falsely triggered when someone said ‘Alexa’. In fact, sometimes it would wake and start telling me news or start playing a random song. Luckily something wasn’t purchased, too.
Change Your Echo Device’s Wake Word
If you’re having similar issues, here’s a look at how to change the Amazon Echo wake word:
- Launch the Amazon Alexa app on your mobile device or a computer by going to alexa.amazon.com. In this example, I am using the Android app, but the steps are virtually the same on iOS or the web.
- Tap the Menu button and go to Settings > the device you want to change the wake word for.
- Scroll down and tap Wake Word.
- From the drop-down menu and choose the name you want to change it to.
By default, you only have three names to choose from; “Alexa”, “Echo”, or “Amazon”.
It’s also worth mentioning that a Reddit user posted that their Echo Dot got a fourth option, “Computer” after a recent firmware update. If you’re a Star Trek fan you’ll appreciate that one.
Keep in mind it will take a few minutes to update Alexa on your device and during that time you won’t be able to use it.
Have you had issues with Alexa launching at odd times and would you like to enter in your own custom name? Leave a comment and let us know.
11 Comments
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L. Aubin
January 18, 2017 at 7:04 am
Yes, I would like the option of using a custom word to wake up Alexa.
Mine keeps going off from the TV, especially their ads.
Rodney carr
February 9, 2017 at 10:21 pm
I would like to have a custom wake word for my Amazon Echo
Penny Thomas
May 11, 2017 at 2:33 pm
yes, I would absolutely like to have a custom wake word.
Lish
July 24, 2017 at 2:50 pm
I would love to be able to change the wake word to something different.
Doug
December 3, 2017 at 9:52 am
I have two echo devices and it’s very confusing when both devices hear me saying ‘Alexa’. The alternate names Amazon, Echo and Computer are far too common in normal conversation to be used effectively. I would very much like to select a custom wake word or at least have a much larger selection of less common words to choose from (e.g. Athena, Minerva, Galadriel). I particularly like the Roman and Greek references to goddesses of wisdom.
Steve Krause
December 3, 2017 at 10:30 am
Yeah – unfortunately they don’t give you that many options. But I agree with you, if your Echo devices are close to each other you need to use different wake words. I normally use Alexa and Echo for my Kitchen and living room devices.
Rick
January 13, 2018 at 1:32 pm
As already posted, the TV turns on the device when the name is said on the tv, and even if I change the name, it will when that name is said. However, you should be able to sit many devices side by side and saying the name Alexa, should only turn on the device the very closest to you.
zen tex
November 3, 2019 at 10:01 am
Absolutely I need to change the name- how come you have not included that already?
major oversight IMO
Shirley sullivan
June 17, 2020 at 9:01 am
Yes I would like to change the wake up to a simple name. My aunt had a stroke and has trouble with her phone, and is much easier to just have alexa make the call by voice, but she has trouble remembering the names listed since her stroke, so a familiar name would make it much easier.
Kelly
April 25, 2021 at 9:37 am
Yes I would like to customize and use my own wake word. We have multiple devices and it would be helpful to be able to customize wake words.
Chris Nelson
May 12, 2021 at 12:33 pm
I WOULD LOVE TO CHANGE THE NAME AS MY DAUGHTER HAS ON IN HER BEDROOM AND WANT TO USE HER NAME AS WELL AS THE BASEMENT
Birdsong
March 26, 2024 at 8:26 pm
I find it very incredible and inconvenient that I can’t give other names to my Alexa devices! I have 3 of them! And I would love to give them names associated with their locations!