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

Factory Reset Alexa Echo Dot Instructions

The Alexa Echo Dot talking speakers need a factory reset every now and then. This restores them to out-of-box, factory default parameters. Factory resetting Alexa smart speakers like the Echo Dot models, also fixes many bizarre  behaviors they sometimes act out. So here thus, we give Factory Reset Alexa Echo Dot Instructions.  We think they’ll be useful because with new versions of these speakers coming out annually, people will likely sell their older models in large numbers.  So they’ll want to know how to completely wipe any personal data out of the Echo Dots before they get rid of them.   Factory resetting does just that.  It prepares the speakers for resale to another person.  We cover all three current models of the Alexa Echo Dot speakers in this piece.

Here, we give the reset procedures for all three models of the Echo Dot, with the latest model (the Echo Dot 3rd generation speaker) listed first, then the older generation 2 model, and finally, the oldest generation 1 Echo Dot.

Factory Reset Alexa Echo Dot Instructions:  The Gen 3 Dot

1. Attach Wall Power Cable

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

Picture of the Amazon Echo Dot gen 3 speaker AC power adapter, plugged into speaker back.
The Echo Dot 3rd generation smart speaker AC power adapter, plugged into speaker back.

2. Next, Plug the Power Adapter 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.
Our Alexa Echo Dot Gen 3 smart speaker powering up, showing its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.

Then, wait for the AlexaEcho Dot to finish booting.  It’s done when either the light ring goes all the way dark, or it flashes orange, red, or purple.

3. Next, Press and Hold the Action Button for 5 to 10 Seconds

Depress the Action button until the light ring turns orange, and the smart speaker announces that it is entering setup mode.  On this Alexa speaker, 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.
AOur Echo Dot generation 3 speaker, top view, showing the Action button highlighted.

4. Finally, What Happens After Reset?

Your Alexa Echo Dot 3rd Generation speaker is now restored to its factory default settings, and has entered setup mode, as shown next.

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

Factory Reset Alexa Echo Dot Instructions: The Gen 2 Dot

Power up the unit before resetting.

How to factory reset Amazon Echo Dot. 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 Echo Dot 2 to Power

Connect the Amazon Echo Dot 2 to its USB power adapter. The light ring glows blue for a time, and then goes dark. This means good boot up.

2. Press the Echo Dot 2 Factory Reset Button Combo

See our Where is the Amazon Echo Dot Reset Button post, for details on how to find the reset button on the 1st and 2nd gen Echo Dot devices. 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 Factory Reset to Finish

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

4. Echo Dot 2 Factory Reset Now Done

You have now factory reset your Amazon Echo Dot 2 speaker and restored its factory default settings. It has now entered setup mode.

5. Done!

Factory Reset Alexa Echo Dot Instructions: The Gen 1 Dot

How to factory reset Amazon Echo Dot. PPicture of the Amazon Echo Dot 1st generation speaker, front top view.
Showing the 1st Generation Echo Dot smart speaker, front top view.

1. Power Up the Alexa Echo Dot 1

Connect the 1st Gen Amazon Echo Dot to its USB power supply. The light ring will light up blue for a bit, and then go off once the Dot completes booting.

2. Press the Echo Dot 1 Factory Reset Button

Once the light ring goes black, use a paper clip end to press in and hold the Reset button. Keep pressing for five to ten seconds. Then, let it go when the light ring turns orange, and then blue.

3. Wait for the Alexa Factory Reset to Finish

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

4. Factory Reset Now Done

You have now restored your Alexa Echo Dot 1st Gen speaker to its factory default state. The speaker enters setup mode after a factory reset.

Set Up Again, or Pack Up

You may now give your Alexa Echo Dot to a loved one or buyer. Don’t fret that they’ll learn your speaker settings in your Alexa Amazon account. Factory reset erases those data from your Amazon Echo Dot.  You might decide to set it up once again on your existing account.

Once the light ring turns orange, the unit remains in setup mode until someone runs a fresh setup procedure. The Alexa Echo Dot won’t function until set up and linked to an Amazon account again.

Other Posts About the Alexa Echo Dot

    1. Change Echo Dot Wake Word, How To
    2. How to Connect Alexa to WiFi Internet
    3. How to Safely Reboot Alexa Echo Dot Smart Speakers
    4. Buttons Meaning

References for Factory Reset Alexa Echo Dot Instructions

    1. Reset your Echo Device, from Amazon Help
    2. Where to Buy an Alexa Echo Dot