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

Amazon Echo Dot Factory Reset

The Amazon Echo Dot assistant speakers need a factory 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 this is the Amazon Echo Dot reset procedure for the first three generations of these little smart speakers.

Amazon Echo Dot 1 Factory Reset: Step by Step

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

1. Power Up the Amazon Echo Dot 1

Connect the 1st Gen Amazon 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 Amazon Echo Dot Factory Reset

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 Amazon Echo Dot 1st Gen speaker to its factory default state. The unit enters Setup mode after that.

Amazon Echo Dot 2 Factory Reset: Step by Step

Picture of the 2nd gen Dot out of box, with protective plastic removed.
The 2nd gen Dot out of box, with protective plastic removed.

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

2. Press the Dot 2 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 2nd gen Amazon 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 Amazon Echo Dot Factory Reset

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 Amazon Echo Dot 2 speaker and returned it to its factory default settings.

Then, it enters   Setup   mode.

5. Done!

Amazon Echo Dot 3 Factory Reset: Step by Step

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 Amazon Echo Dot gen 3 speaker AC power adapter, plugged into speaker back.
Amazon 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 Amazon Echo Dot Gen 3 smart speaker powering up, showing its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.
Amazon Echo Dot Gen 3 smart speaker powering up, showing its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.

Then, wait for the Amazon 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

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

4. Finally, What Happens After Reset?

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

Picture of the Dot 3rd Generation speaker, shown in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning.
The 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 Amazon 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 Amazon Echo Dot will not work until set up and linked to the internet.

Other Posts About Amazon Echo Dot

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

References for Amazon Echo Dot Factory Reset

  1. Alexa Official Home Page
  2. Where to Buy an Amazon Echo Dot

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