Blink Doorbell Not Ringing On Alexa? [What Might Be Happening, and How To Fix It]

Imagine this: You’ve just installed your brand-new Blink Doorbell, and you’re excited about how it integrates with your Alexa-enabled devices. Your smart home system is almost perfect, yet you notice something odd—your Blink Doorbell isn’t ringing through your Alexa. It’s a hiccup that disrupts the whole point of a seamless smart home ecosystem.

In the realm of smart homes, efficiency and seamlessness are not just buzzwords; they’re necessities. This is especially true for security features like a doorbell. When someone rings the doorbell, you want to be notified immediately, no matter where you are in your home. If a component of this system isn’t functioning as it should, it can undermine not just the utility but also the security of your entire setup.

You’re not alone, and you’re certainly not without solutions. This article aims to be your comprehensive guide to identifying why your Blink Doorbell is not ringing on your Alexa-enabled devices and how to fix this issue, step by step. Let’s dig in and resolve this so you can get back to enjoying the convenience and security of your integrated smart home system.

Why Is This Happening?

Now that you understand the gravity of the issue, it’s time to delve into why this might be happening. There are several factors to consider, and we’ll break them down one by one.

Software Glitches

In a world run by software, glitches are inevitable. No smart device is immune to the occasional hiccup that can derail its operations. Your Blink Doorbell and Alexa devices are sophisticated pieces of equipment, and their software is continuously being updated for better performance and new features. However, sometimes these updates—or lack thereof—can introduce glitches that disrupt normal functioning.

What to Do: Stay updated with the latest software versions for both your Blink Doorbell and Alexa devices. Manufacturers often release patches to fix known bugs. If you’ve recently updated and are experiencing issues, consider rolling back to a previous version until a new fix is released.

Incompatibility Issues

While the Blink Doorbell is designed to work seamlessly with Alexa, not all Alexa devices are created equal. Some older models might not support all the features offered by the Blink Doorbell, such as real-time video or two-way audio.

What to Do: Check the compatibility list on the Blink and Alexa websites to ensure your devices can work together as expected. If your Alexa device is outdated, you might have to update to a newer model to get the full range of functionalities.

Network Connectivity

Believe it or not, your Wi-Fi network can be a major culprit in the saga of “Why isn’t my Blink Doorbell ringing on Alexa?” Connectivity issues can range from poor signal strength to temporary outages, and either can interrupt the communication between your Blink Doorbell and Alexa devices.

What to Do: Ensure that both your Blink Doorbell and Alexa devices are within a strong Wi-Fi range. If you’re experiencing frequent drops, consider investing in a Wi-Fi mesh system for better coverage. Also, make sure that both devices are connected to the same network for optimal performance.

By understanding these key factors, you can start narrowing down the list of potential culprits behind the disconnect between your Blink Doorbell and Alexa devices. Stay tuned as we dig deeper into how to troubleshoot these issues step-by-step in the following sections.

Preliminary Checks

Before diving into more complex troubleshooting steps, there are a few preliminary checks that you can perform. These are often the low-hanging fruit of the troubleshooting world—simple yet effective solutions that might save you a lot of time and hassle.

Update the Software

Keeping your devices updated is essential for seamless performance and enhanced security. Here’s how you can update the software for both your Blink Doorbell and Alexa devices.

For Blink Doorbell:

Open the Blink app on your smartphone.
Go to the ‘Settings’ menu.
Select ‘Device Settings’ and then choose your Blink Doorbell from the list.
Look for an ‘Update Software’ option. If available, tap to initiate the update.
Wait for the update to complete, and then restart your Blink Doorbell.

For Alexa Devices:

Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
Navigate to ‘Devices’ and select your Alexa device.
Tap on ‘Settings,’ then scroll down to find the ‘Software Update’ option.
If an update is available, tap to initiate the process.
Wait for the update to complete, and your Alexa device will automatically restart.

Check Network Connection

A common reason behind the Blink Doorbell not ringing on Alexa is that they are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Here’s how to check:

Open the settings menu on your Blink Doorbell through the Blink app.
Note down the name of the Wi-Fi network it’s connected to.
Do the same for your Alexa device by navigating to its settings in the Alexa app.
Compare the two. If they are not on the same network, change one of the devices to match the other.

Verify Device Linking

A straightforward but critical step—ensure that your Blink Doorbell is correctly linked to your Alexa app.

Open the Alexa app and navigate to the ‘Devices’ tab.
Check if your Blink Doorbell is listed under ‘All Devices.’
If not, you’ll need to add it by tapping the ‘+’ symbol usually located at the top right corner.
Follow the on-screen instructions to link your Blink Doorbell to Alexa.

By completing these preliminary checks, you are laying the foundation for a trouble-free experience with your Blink Doorbell and Alexa devices. Next, we’ll get into some more advanced troubleshooting techniques to ensure that everything works like a well-oiled machine.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

If you’ve performed the preliminary checks and your Blink Doorbell is still not ringing on your Alexa devices, it’s time to venture into advanced troubleshooting. These steps are designed to resolve deeper issues that may be causing the disconnect.

Re-linking Devices

Sometimes, the best way to fix a glitch in the system is by starting afresh. Re-linking your Blink Doorbell with Alexa can often resolve any lingering connectivity or compatibility issues.

Steps to Unlink:

Open the Alexa app and go to the ‘Devices’ section.
Locate your Blink Doorbell and tap on it.
Scroll down and find the ‘Unlink Device’ option; tap it and confirm.

Steps to Re-link:

In the Alexa app, go to ‘Devices’ and tap the ‘+’ symbol.
Choose ‘Add Device’ and follow the prompts to select ‘Blink Doorbell.’
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the linking process.

Checking Device Settings in the Alexa App

Sometimes, the devil is in the details. Your Blink Doorbell might be perfectly linked and updated but still not ring on Alexa due to some settings within the Alexa app.

Open the Alexa app and navigate to ‘Devices.’
Tap on your Blink Doorbell device.
Locate the ‘Doorbell Announcement’ setting. Ensure this is turned on.
If you have specific Alexa devices where you want the doorbell to ring, make sure they are selected under the ‘Announce On’ option.

Rebooting Devices

When in doubt, reboot. Turning your devices off and back on can resolve a surprising number of issues, including software glitches, temporary hiccups in connectivity, and caching issues.

Rebooting Blink Doorbell:

Disconnect the power source from the Blink Doorbell.
Wait for 30 seconds to a minute.
Reconnect the power source and allow the device to restart.

Rebooting Alexa-Enabled Devices:

Unplug your Alexa device from the power outlet.
Wait for about 30 seconds.
Plug it back in, and the device will automatically restart.

Now that you’ve gone through these advanced troubleshooting steps, your Blink Doorbell should ideally be ringing through your Alexa devices as intended. In the next sections, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions and provide potential workarounds for challenges you might still encounter.

Potential Challenges and Workarounds

Even with all the steps we’ve outlined, you might still encounter a few bumps along the road. Here are some potential challenges and their workarounds:

Firmware Mismatch

Sometimes, the firmware versions between the Blink Doorbell and Alexa devices may not be compatible.

Solution: Check for the specific firmware versions that are compatible with each other, usually listed on the manufacturer’s website or user forums.

Multiple User Accounts

Having multiple user accounts on either the Blink or Alexa app can sometimes interfere with device linking.

Solution: Make sure you are using a single account across all your smart home devices for seamless connectivity.

Geolocation Issues

If you’re using Alexa features that depend on location, inaccurate geolocation settings can create a disconnect.

Solution: Update the location settings in both the Blink and Alexa apps to ensure they are consistent.

Support Options If All Else Fails

In the event that all troubleshooting steps have failed, your best recourse may be to contact customer support.

Blink Support: Available via email, chat, or phone. They can remotely diagnose issues and even push updates if needed.
Alexa Support: Similar to Blink, Alexa offers a range of support options. They can provide specialized assistance that might be beyond common troubleshooting steps.

Conclusion

We’ve traversed a full spectrum of steps to ensure that your Blink Doorbell and Alexa-enabled devices work in harmony—from preliminary checks to advanced troubleshooting methods. Remember, troubleshooting is a normal part of the smart home experience and nothing to be intimidated by.

Troubleshooting is an integral part of owning and operating a smart home system. You are essentially running a mini-network right in your home, and challenges will arise. But as we’ve outlined, with the right steps, most issues are solvable, putting you back in control of your smart, secure, and efficient living space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Alexa not discovering my Blink Doorbell?

If Alexa is not discovering your Blink Doorbell, it’s often a connectivity issue or a glitch in device detection during the setup process.

Solution:

Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Double-check if your Blink Doorbell is powered on and functioning.
Restart your Alexa device and then attempt to re-link it using the Alexa app.

Can Wi-Fi extenders cause connectivity issues?

Wi-Fi extenders can sometimes introduce latency or reduce the bandwidth available to each connected device, which may cause connectivity issues.

Possible Solutions:

Make sure your Blink Doorbell and Alexa device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, not different bands (e.g., one to 2.4GHz and the other to 5GHz) created by the extender.
Try connecting your devices directly to the main router to see if the issue persists.
Update the firmware of your Wi-Fi extender to the latest version, as manufacturers frequently release updates to improve performance and compatibility.

Does the Alexa ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode affect doorbell notifications?

Yes, enabling ‘Do Not Disturb’ on your Alexa device will suppress all notifications, including those from your Blink Doorbell.

How to Toggle Settings:

Open the Alexa app and navigate to ‘Devices.’
Select your Alexa device and go into ‘Settings.’
Scroll down to the ‘Do Not Disturb’ option.
Toggle it off to start receiving notifications from your Blink Doorbell again.