Screenshot of the Alexa app on iOS, displaying its -Choose Echo Dot Version to Set Up- page, with the -3rd Generation- option highlighted.

Alexa Echo Dot Reset Instructions

The Alexa Echo Dot assistant speakers need a reset every now and again. This restores them to out-of-box, factory default state. Alexa resetting also fixes many bizarre behaviors they sometimes act out.  Furthermore, resetting prepares the speaker assistants for sale or gifting. So here, we offer these Alexa Echo Dot reset instructions for the three current generations of these little smart speakers.

Reset Alexa Echo Dot 1 Instructions

Picture of the Echo Dot 1, showing its front top view.
The Echo Dot 1, showing its front top view.

1. Power Up the Alexa Echo Dot 1

Connect the 1st Gen Echo Dot to its USB power cord.

The light ring then lights up blue for a bit, and then goes out once the Dot finishes booting.

2. Press the Dot 1 Reset Button

Once the light ring goes black, press in and hold the Reset button with a sharp object like a paper clip or pen tip. Press for five to ten seconds.

Then, release when the light ring turns orange, and then blue.

3. Wait for Alexa Reset to Finish to Continue with Alexa Echo Dot Reset Instructions

After a several-seconds pause, the light ring goes black for a short time.

Then it turns orange.

4. Reset Now Done

You have now restored your Echo Dot 1st Gen speaker to its factory default state. The unit enters Setup mode after that.





Alexa Echo Dot 2 Reset Instructions

Picture of the Echo Dot 2nd Gen speaker, out of box, with protective plastic removed. Ready for reset.
Showing the 2nd gen Echo Dot speaker, out of box, with protective plastic removed. Ready for reset.

1. Connect your Dot 2 to Power

Plug the Alexa Dot 2 into its USB power adapter, and then the adapter into a wall outlet.

The light ring glows blue for a time, and then goes dark. This means good boot up.

Picture of the Amazon Echo Dot 2nd Generation Smart Speaker, Top View
The Alexa Echo Dot 2nd Generation smart speaker top view.

2. Press the Dot 2 Reset Button Combo

See our  Where is the Alexa Echo Dot Reset Button  post, for details on how to find the  Reset  button on the 2nd gen Echo Dot. At any rate, once the light ring goes black, press and hold the   Mic Mute   and   Volume Down   buttons. Press these at the same time for the same amount of time.

3. Wait for Alexa Reset to Finish to Continue with Alexa Echo Dot Reset Instructions

After a several-seconds pause, the light ring again goes black for a brief pause, and then glows orange.





4. Dot 2 Reset Now Done

You have now reset your Alexa Echo Dot 2 speaker and returned it to its factory default settings.

Then, it enters   Setup   mode.

5. Done!

Alexa Echo Dot Reset 3rd Generation Speaker

1. Attach Wall Power Cable

First, connect the Dot 3rd Gen speaker to its 12-volt power cord, as shown next.

Picture of the Amazon Echo Dot gen 3 speaker AC power adapter, plugged into speaker back.
Alexa Echo Dot Gen 3 speaker AC power adapter, plugged into speaker back.

2. Next, Plug the Power Pack into a Working Wall Outlet

See this as shown next.

Picture of the Amazon Alexa Echo Dot Gen 3 smart speaker powering up, showing its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.
Echo Dot Gen 3 smart speaker powering up, showing its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.

Then, wait for the Echo Dot to finish powering up.  It’s done when either the light ring goes completely dark, or it begins flashing orange, red, or purple.

3. Then, Press and Hold the  Action  Button for 5 to 10 Seconds to Continue with Alexa Echo Dot Reset Instructions

Depress the  Action button until the light ring turns orange, and the smart speaker says that it is going into   Setup mode.  On this model, the   Action  button doubles as the   Reset   button, and is pointed at by the green arrow in the next picture.

Picture of the Amazon Echo Dot 3 speaker, top view, showing the Action button highlighted.
The Echo Dot 3 speaker, top view, showing the Action button highlighted.

4. Finally, What Happens After Alexa Echo Dot Reset?

You have now restored your Echo Dot 3 assistant speaker to factory default settings.  It then enters   Setup   mode afterwards, as shown next.

Picture of the Amazon Alexa Echo Dot 3rd Generation speaker, shown in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning.
The Alexa Echo Dot 3rd Generation speaker, shown in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning.




Set Up Again or Give, Sell It

You may now unplug, pack, and give your Alexa Echo Dot to someone else. Have no fear that they’ll see your account settings on your personal Amazon account. Those values have now left the the speaker.

Or, you can set it up once again on your account and WiFi. Once the light ring turns orange, the unit stays in   Setup   mode until set up again. The Alexa Echo Dot will not work until set up and linked to the internet.

Related Posts 

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  4. Resetting Google Home Mini Speaker Instructions
  5. Amazon Dot 2 Reset Instructions

Other Posts About Echo Dot Speakers

  1. Echo Dot 3 Setup Instructions for Amazon Alexa 3rd Generation Dot
  2. Amazon Dot WiFi Setup Instructions
  3. Alexa Echo Dot Spotify Instructions, Setup, Play
  4. Restart Echo Dot, How To Restart Amazon Dot
  5. Connect JBL Speaker to Echo Dot, How To

References for Alexa Echo Dot Reset Instructions

  1. Reset your Alexa Echo Device, from Amazon Help

Revision History

  • 2020-04-06: Added tags.
  • 2019-03-04: First published.