Amazon Echo generation 1 will no longer connect to Wi-Fi.

[Vii]

Amazon Echo Generation 1 will no longer connect to WiFi.

Echo has not had any problems for years, until after it was disconnected from power the other day it now no longer connects to WiFi.  My Amazon Echo dot and other none Amazon devices connect to WiFi OK.

About a week ago I tried;

Checked WiFi security is not set to mixed mode WPA + WPA2.
Turn off all WiFi extenders, reset echo = failed to connect to WiFi.
With the WiFi extenders off reset the router = failed to connect to WiFi.
Went through diagnostics with Amazon support who couldn't resolve the issue and advised this is a large problem affecting a large number of multiple EE customers.  EE are aware of the issue.  Amazon advised they are adding my problem to the parent ticket they have open for multiple EE customers.  This parent ticket has a priority of 2(However Amazon could not tell me what the SLA is on a priority 2 or when they expect the issue to be resolved).

Can anyone confirm, are EE aware of this issue affecting multiple EE customers?

Thanks.

[Vii]

My WiFi details; 

Router: Brightbox 2.
Security: WPA2.
Visibilty: Hidden.

NOTE: I made Amazon support aware the WiFi network is hidden, has been for years and I would like to keep it that way.

The issue seems to be that Amazon Echo Generation 1 cannot connect to a hidden WiFi network even if you correctly enter the WiFi network details for SSID, password and security during Echo setup.  I found with all the WiFi extenders off then Echo would connect but only if I made the WiFi network visible.  However after Echo is connected to WiFi and functioning with the WiFi extenders still powered off, if I then made the WiFi network invisible again, Echo will lose it's WiFi connection again and will not reconnect to WiFi

Using WiFi extenders, I was able to workaround the issue having Echo connected to WiFi and have WiFi invisible as outlined below;

1) In the WiFi extender settings make the WiFi network visible.
2) Re-enable wireless on the router (with one of the Wifi extenders near to and connected directly to the router by a CAT 5 cable the recommendation is to have wireless switched off on the router so it does not interfere with the wireless network created by the WiFi extenders).
3) Make the WiFi network visible on the router.
4) Turn off all WiFi extenders.
5) Reset Echo = Connected to WiFi and confirmed it's working.
6) Turn on all WiFi extenders.
7) Verified Echo is connected to WiFi and functioning.
😎 Make the WiFi network invisible on the router.
9) Verified Echo is connected to WiFi and functioning.
10) Disable wireless on the router.
11) Verified Echo is connected to WiFi and functioning.
12) In the WiFi extender settings make the WiFi network invisible.
13) Verified Echo is connected to WiFi and is functioning.

I'm not sure how I connected the Echo originally as it was years ago. 

I would however like to know if EE are aware of this issue that Amazon advised is affecting a large number of EE customers.

Thanks.

[XRaySpeX · Accepted solution]

Hiding SSIDs has no real advantage.

1. An SSID is a network name, not a password.
2. Wireless SSIDs Were Never Designed to Be Hidden.
3. Finding Hidden SSIDs Is a Trivial Task .
4. Hiding the Network Leads to Potential Connection Problems, just as you are experiencing.