Can't Get Your D-Link Camera to Work with Alexa?
Connecting your D-Link camera to Amazon Alexa allows you to use voice commands to view a live feed on your Echo Show, Echo Spot, or Fire TV. It's a convenient way to quickly check in on your home. However, the setup process can sometimes hit a snag, leaving you with an unresponsive or undiscovered device.
This troubleshooting guide will walk you through the most common reasons why your D-Link camera might not be working with Alexa and show you how to resolve them.
Pre-Requisites for Alexa Integration
Before you start troubleshooting, make sure you have the following in place:
- A compatible D-Link camera. Most modern cameras that work with the mydlink app are compatible. Very old models may not be.
- The camera must be fully set up and operational within the mydlink app.
- An Amazon Alexa device, like an Echo Show or a Fire TV Stick.
- The Amazon Alexa app installed on your smartphone.
- Both your D-Link camera and your Alexa device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
How to Fix D-Link and Alexa Compatibility Issues
Follow these steps in order to get your camera and smart assistant communicating properly.
1. Enable and Link the mydlink Alexa Skill
The most common reason for failure is that the connection, or "skill," between the two services hasn't been activated correctly.
- Open the Amazon Alexa app on your phone.
- Tap on More in the bottom right corner, then select Skills & Games.
- Tap the search icon and type in mydlink.
- Select the mydlink skill from the results and tap Enable to Use.
- You will be redirected to a D-Link login page. Enter your mydlink account email and password (the same ones you use for the app) and authorise the connection.
- If the skill was already enabled, it's good practice to Disable it and then Re-enable it to force a fresh connection.
2. Discover Your D-Link Camera in the Alexa App
Once the skill is enabled, you need to prompt Alexa to find your camera.
- After linking the skill, the Alexa app should automatically start searching for new devices.
- If it doesn't, you can say the voice command, "Alexa, discover my devices."
- Alternatively, in the Alexa app, go to the Devices tab, tap the + icon, select Add Device, choose Camera, and then follow the on-screen instructions to scan for new devices.
3. Troubleshoot a "Device Unresponsive" Error
Sometimes Alexa finds the camera, but you get an "unresponsive" or "live view not available" error when you try to view the feed.
- Check Network Strength: A weak Wi-Fi signal to your D-Link camera is a primary cause of this issue. In the mydlink app, check the camera's signal strength. If it's low, try moving the camera closer to your router or vice versa.
- Power Cycle Everything: A simple reboot can fix many temporary glitches.
- Unplug your D-Link camera from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
- Reboot your Alexa device (e.g., Echo Show).
- Reboot your Wi-Fi router.
- Check Camera Firmware: Ensure your D-Link camera has the latest firmware installed. You can check for updates within the mydlink app under the device's settings.
4. Ensure Correct Naming
- Give your camera a simple and easy-to-pronounce name in the mydlink app, like "Living Room Camera" or "Porch Camera."
- Avoid using complex names or special characters.
- When you give a voice command, use the exact name. For example, "Alexa, show me the Living Room Camera."
By methodically working through these steps, you can resolve the vast majority of issues preventing your D-Link camera from working with Alexa. A fresh start by disabling and re-enabling the mydlink skill is often the most effective solution.