How to Connect Alexa to Denon Receiver In Easy Steps?

Before I knew how to connect Alexa to Denon receiver, I had trouble going the long route.

To be blunt, it becomes hectic to connect and control several speakers from your Denon AVR.

But ever since I learned how to connect my Denon receiver to Alexa, I can avoid the hassle and save time.

Understandably, Alexa allows you to control your home theater system with your voice. Things get even better if you have wireless speakers.

The steps for connecting Alexa to Denon receiver are pretty simple and fast. You need to download the HEOS app and sign in to your account or create one. Next, open your Alexa app, add HEOS Skill, then enable it. Ask Alexa to discover your devices, then connect the Denon receiver.

Now that you have a nice hint of what we’ll be doing, let’s jump right into the details.

Only HEOS Based Denon Receivers Can Use Alexa

Before I explain the steps for connecting Alexa to your Denon receiver, I’ll explain the platform called HEOS.

Connecting your Denon receiver to Alexa requires you to use the platform, which is short for Home Entertainment Operating System.

It’s a wireless audio platform from Denon that allows you to connect your audio devices in multiple rooms. In effect, this allows you to control them through Alexa.

The HEOS platform is compatible with selected amplifiers, wireless speakers, and soundbars from Marantz and Denon.

Luckily, all HEOS-based Denon receivers can work with Alexa Cast.

Here’s a list of Denon receivers you can connect with Alexa:

• AVR-S940H
• AVR-S730H
• AVR-640H
• AVR-950H
• AVR-S940H
• AVR-S740H

Steps for How to Connect Alexa to Denon Receiver

You can connect your Denon ACR to Alexa in 5 easy steps as follows:

Step #1: Set Up Your Speakers

Connect your Denon AVR and speakers to the power supply, then turn them on.

In the case of Bluetooth speakers, make them discoverable and pair them with the Denon receiver.

If you’re using the Amazon Echo Dot, or some other Echo device, connect it to Denon AVR via Bluetooth.

After that, finish setting it up on the Alexa app. You can also hook it up to the receiver’s analog audio jack using a 3.5 mm jack.

While setting up other HEOS-enabled speakers, use names that Alexa can easily recognize, such as:

• Patio
• Loft
• Bedroom 1
• Dining
• Living Room
• Guest Wing

Note: In case you have other smart devices with similar names to the ones above, you can tweak them creatively.

For example, you can set up the name of a device as “Bedroom 1 TV”, “Theater Speaker”, and “Gym Amp” on the HEOS app.

You can then tell Alexa to rediscover your devices so you can set them up accordingly.

Step #2: Download HEOS & Set Up Your Account

You can download the HEOS app on your phone or tablet if you’re setting it up for the first time.

It works on iPhone, iPod, and iPad as long as they run on iOS 7 or higher.

You can also download it on your Android smartphone or tablet.

If you already have a HEOS account, just sign in and skip these steps. But if you don’t have an account, don’t worry.

You only need to enter an email address, set up a password, confirm it, and you’re all in.

Here’s how to download HEOS and set up your account:

1. Download and install the HEOS app from Google Playstore or App Store.
2. Connect your phone and Denon receiver to the same WiFi network.
3. Open HEOS and click the “Music icon” at the center of the screen.
4. Click the “Settings” icon at the top left corner of the screen.
5. Under Settings, click “HEOS Account”, then create an account.

Once you’re logged in, you’ll see your email address to the right of the “HEOS Account” label.

That’s it for setting up HEOS. Next, you need to enable HEOS on your Alexa app.

Steps to Connect Denon AVR to WiFi

If you don’t know how to connect your Denon AVR to the same WiFi as stated in step 2, here’s how you’ll do it:

• Press the Setup button on your Denon remote control.
• Choose “Network” from the menu that pops up.
• Go to “Scan Network” from the menu options.
• Choose your WiFi network from the list, then follow the prompts to connect.

Step #3: Download and Install Alexa

Alexa makes connecting and controlling your smart home devices simple and convenient.

If you already have it installed, you can keep these steps. However, ensure you update your Alexa app to the latest version.

Here’s how to set up Alexa on your device:

• Go to Google Play Store (on Android) or App Store for iOS users.
• Search Alexa, select it, then click install.
• Open Alexa and sign in with an Amazon account.

Tip: You can optionally install and customize Alexa widgets.

In my experience, widgets enable quick access to Alexa from the home screen. Provided you’ve signed in to Alexa, you’ll see the widgets on your device’s home screen.

You can also add widgets by touching and holding the home screen for three seconds.

Step #4: Add Denon AVR to Your HEOS App

You first need to add HEOS on your Alexa app before connecting the Denon receiver.

Open the HEOS app on your device’s home screen. Click the “Home” icon on the lower-left corner of the interface.

Check all devices connected to your network. Select your Denon AVR from the list of devices, and then exit HEOS.

Step #5: Discover & Connect Denon AVR

This is the final step, and you’ll complete the setup on your Alexa app. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Open the hamburger menu at the top left corner of your screen.
3. Select “Skills”, search “HEOS Home Entertainment”, and then enable it.
4. Log in to your HEOS account.

Once you’re logged in, you can now ask Alexa to discover your devices. This could take up to 20 seconds. You can then control them easily.

If you’ve successfully paired the Amazon Echo Dot speaker to your Denon receiver, you can try a simple command like:

“Alexa, play Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton on Guest Wing.”

It will then play that song on the speaker you’ve named “Guest Wing.”

You can also enjoy more hands-free control with other voice commands like, “Alexa, volume down on Guest Wing.”

Tip: Once you’ve added the HEOS Home Entertainment Skill on your Alexa App, you can also play music directly from the Amazon Music app.

How to Restore Lost Denon Connection with Alexa

If Alexa has lost connection with your Denon receiver, follow these steps:

1. Go to Skills and Games on your Alexa app, select Your Skills > Disable HEOS Home Entertainment Skill.
2. Remove your Denon AVR from the list of devices.
3. Restart your Denon AVR and power cycle your speakers.
4. Open your HEOS app, log in and rediscover your devices.
5. Open Alexa and enable the HEOS Home Entertainment Skill once more.
6. Log in to your HEOS account and connect your Denon receiver.

You can ask Alexa to play music again on any of your speakers through the Denon AVR.

It should work just as smoothly as before. If it doesn’t, confirm that your HEOS-enabled wireless speakers have enough battery charge.

Quick Recap:

Connecting Alexa to your Denon receiver is simple if you follow the correct steps. You need to download the HEOS app and sign in to your account or create one. Next, add the HEOS Home Entertainment Skill on your Alexa app and enable it. Ask Alexa to discover your devices, then connect the Denon receiver.

Read Next: Denon Receiver Subwoofer Not Working?

Bottom Line

I hope this guide has given you a solution for how to connect Alexa to Denon receiver. If you’ve tried everything we’ve discussed, but nothing happens, don’t worry.

You can still contact Amazon and Denon Customer Support for more professional assistance.