How to Set Up Intruder Alert on Alexa? – Guide

Are you trying to land on a guide that’ll teach you how to set up Intruder Alert on Alexa? Can’t you find a tutorial that’ll walk you through the process of how you can do so?

Fret not, because, in this guide, that’s what we’ll be focusing on!

Our guide will be so comprehensive to the extent that we’ll not just focus on the process; instead, we will also enumerate some of the reasons why you should set up Intruder Alerts on your Alexa device!

To set an Intruder Alert feature on Alexa, you’ll need to set a new routine on the mobile app. Then, you’ll have to write a voice-activated phrase to trigger Alexa in case an intruder is in the house. As an add-on, you can get Alexa to perform actions or commands via its connection to smart home devices to scare the intruder/s off. 

While this may sound simple, it’s more complex than you think. It’s not as easy as setting up a feature that’ll give you this ability.

Before we get to that, though, what are the reasons why you should set up Intruder Alerts on your Alexa app?

Why Set Up Intruder Alerts?

Simple – for you and your family’s safety. You may have a wide range of home security devices, but would that suffice?

Most of the time, we deem that our security measures are not enough to help us with our dilemmas.

With Alexa’s Intruder Alerts, you get a hassle-free and cost-effective solution to the problem!

Once you learn and understand how it works, you’ll find it easy and simple – you might even set it up on other Alexa-enabled devices around your home!

How to Set Up Intruder Alert on Alexa? – Complete Steps

When learning how to set up Intruder Alert on Alexa, there are eight simple steps you will need to follow.

We will divide the steps into two different sections. The first one would be the routine addition and the second one would be the action addition.

First Part: Adding the Routine

As such, the first four steps you’ll need to adhere to include:

1. Open the Alexa mobile app and head over to Menu.
2. Now, click on the “Routines” section
3. Then, add a new routine by clicking on the “+” button and selecting “When This Happens.”
4. Then lastly, select “Voice” and write in a phrase that will be triggered based on the routine you chose.

For example, you can write, “Intruder Alert” or “Who is in my home?”

NOTE: It’ll be helpful to add a phrase that you would naturally say when an intruder comes in.

These are the first (4) four steps you want to go through to set up Intruder Alerts on Alexa.

Second Part: Adding the Command/Action

Using the voice function will help trigger the Alexa device to notice if something is wrong.

Once that’s done, the next steps you need to do are:

1. On the app, navigate and select Add Action.
2. Now go to Smart Home and add the command you want your Smart Home features to do.
3. When done, click Apply Changes or Save to make sure that they’re set.

NOTE: Depending on the Smart Home devices you have, you can add certain actions like turning the lights off, sounding alarms, dialing 911, etc.

Once you’ve finished this, then you’re all set! That is all there is to it – simple, right?

These are the eight basic steps you’ll need to follow to set up Intruder Alerts through your Alexa system.

Alexa Guard Mode May Keep Your Home Safe

Apart from Intruder Alerts, you also may want to consider using Alexa Guard Mode.

This is an excellent way to keep your home safe from trespassers, robbers, thieves, etc.

You can consider it as a backup home security device that you can use in the event that criminals get past your security system.

How to Activate Alexa Guard Mode?

All you need to do is activate the mode in Alexa by pressing the “Guard Mode” button.

For this particular option, though, you’ll need to have an Amazon Echo.

This is because it needs to recognize strange sounds in the home, such as glass breaking, footsteps in the middle of the night when everyone is asleep, etc.

If you connect Amazon Echo to your smartphone, then it can be a great security system for your home.

You’ll get an update sent to your smartphone if something goes wrong, and then you can call the police.

You can have all sorts of things monitored, such as steps when you’re not home or broken windows.

But, what if Alexa’s Intruder Alert malfunctions that you aren’t able to establish? What do you need to do if it doesn’t work when you try to set it up?

Alexa Intruder Alert is Not Working, What Should I Do?

There would really be times when you find that the Alexa Intruder Alert function doesn’t work.

It could be anything from no response, inability to set it up, etc.

If Alexa is not responding or there are some sort of glitches going on, you’ll need to follow the steps below to try to fix the problem.

The most common solutions to an Alexa device that is not working or responding include:

• Cables are loose or not fastened properly
• You are having internet connection problems
• You have entered the wrong WiFi password
• The Amazon Echo tool is positioned far away from the router
• Signal-interference from other devices and appliances

Solution #1: Check Your Cables

If your Alexa device isn’t responding, the first thing you should do is check your cables.

What you want to do is to make sure that they are all well connected and attached to their respective ports.

You’ll need to disconnect the cables first. Then, connect them to the outlets respectively.

NOTE: Make sure no cables are loose and detached.

Solution #2: Put Your Echo Device Near Your Router

If your Amazon Echo device is positioned much too far away from your router, then the Alexa device won’t work well.

You need to make sure that you’ll put and position the Echo device close to your router.

In addition, if you notice that it is still not working well, you may have wireless appliances that are interfering with your WiFi signal.

Should this be the case, remove devices that could cause it. These could include:

• Headsets
• Baby monitors
• Landline phones
• Microwave ovens
• Speakers
• Wireless keyboards

Solution #3: Turn WiFi Off and On Again

Lastly, you want to ensure that your WiFi connection is stable. There would really be times where it may act up, causing Alexa to malfunction.

In this case, you’d want to turn your WiFi network off and back on again – also known as network cycling.

Furthermore, your Amazon Echo device or your Alexa system won’t work if you enter the wrong WiFi password on these tools.

When turning on your WiFi network again, make sure to enter the correct WiFi password on these devices carefully.

Now that you know how to fix your Alexa Intruder Alert features if your Alexa device isn’t working, it’s a good idea to review how you can set up these Intruder Alerts on Alexa, to begin with.

To establish or set up Intruder Alert, first, you need to set up another routine on the Alexa app. After that, you have to enter a voice-activated expression or phrase to prompt Alexa in case a stranger enters your home.

Furthermore, you can have Alexa execute an action or connect to your smart home to frighten away the intruder.

Read Next: How To Add Contacts to Echo Show Easily?

Last Thoughts

If you want to keep your home safe from intruders, then you’ll need to understand how to set up Intruder Alerts on Alexa devices.

And with our guide, setting it up again in the future will be a no-brainer!

Our tutorial should have taught you exactly what you need to do. So, when Intruder Alerts on your Alexa system are turned on, you shall never worry about home security and protection.

If your Alexa device is having issues with these alerts after you’ve followed the basic set-up steps, you can check your cables, fix your WiFi network, or position the key devices closer to the router to solve the problem.

We hope these tips will help you! Should the problem persist, contact Amazon’s customer service immediately.