Picture of the Amazon Echo Dot 3 speaker, muted, showing its light ring and Mic Off On button glowing red.

How to Factory Reset Echo Dot 3

Here, we demo how to factory reset the Echo Dot 3 talking speaker. Factory resetting restores the 3rd Gen smart speaker back to default, fresh-from-the-factory operation.  So why would anyone want to do this?  You might want to sell the speaker on eBay or give it to another for Christmas.  Factory resetting also allows you to link the Echo Dot 3 to a different Amazon account.  Or set it up on a different wireless network.  In all these cases, factory resetting works best to clear no longer valid account data from the speaker.  It also prepares the speaker for setup on a new account and / or WiFi network.

To detach the Echo Dot 3 from its current Amazon account, run the routine below.

Now if you’re just trying to get rid of unusual behavior of the Echo Dot 3, you may not need a complete factory reset. So, before factory resetting, try powering off the smart speaker for fifteen seconds.  Turn it off by unplugging its power cord either from the AC outlet, or from the unit itself.  Then, wait ten to fifteen seconds. Then plug it back in. Rebooting often restores normal operation. But if not, read on for the factory reset procedure to follow.

Once reset, you’ll no longer have control of the Echo Dot 3 from the account where you controlled it from before.  To control it again through the previous account, run through the setup procedure again.

How to Factory Reset Echo Dot 3

1. Connect the Power Cable

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

Picture of the Echo Dot 3 AC power adapter, plugged into speaker back.
Echo Dot 3 speaker AC power adapter, plugged into speaker back.

2. Next, Plug the Adapter End into a Working AC Outlet

See this as shown next.

Picture of the speaker powering up, showing its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.
The speaker powering up, showing its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.

Then, wait for the Echo Dot 3 to complete booting.  That’s done when either the light ring goes dark, or it starts flashing orange, red, or purple.





3. Next, Press and Hold the Action Button for Five Seconds

Hold in the Action button until the light ring turns orange, and the Dot 3 says that it is entering Setup mode.  On this 3rd gen of the Echo Dot line, the Action button also works as the Factory Reset button.  Find it pointed at by the green arrow in the next picture.

Picture of the Action button.
The Action button.

4. Finally, What Happens After Factory Reset?

Your Echo Dot 3rd Generation smart speaker has now been returned to its factory state, and has entered setup mode, as shown next.

Picture of the Amazon 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.




Pack it Up or Set it Up Again

You may now give your Echo Dot to another without worry that they’ll have access to the account information and settings on your Amazon account. Or, you can set it up again on your existing account. If selling though, we recommend that you pack the speaker in its original box if you still have it.  This maximizes the chances for safest transport through mail or other delivery service, as shown in the next picture.

Picture of the third generation Echo Dot speaker box, front view. Factory reset Echo Dot 3.
Echo Dot 3rd Gen speaker box, front view. Factory reset Echo Dot 3.

Other Posts About the Echo Dot 3 Speaker

    1. Echo Dot 3 Setup Instructions
    2. Dot 3 Echo Buttons Guide, Layout, Purpose, How to Use
    3. Echo Dot 3 Power Adapter Specs
    4. How to Hard Reset Echo Dot

Related Posts to How to Factory Reset Echo Dot 3

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    3. Factory Reset Amazon Echo Instructions
    4. How to Factory Reset Chromecast Audio
    5. How to Factory Reset Echo Studio Smart Speaker

References for How to Factory Reset Echo Dot 3

    1. What is Amazon Echo? on Wikipedia
    2. All-new Echo Dot 3 – Smart speaker with Alexa, on Amazon.com

Revision History

  • 2020-04-07: Added some more tags.
  • 2019-04-15: Shortened post URL and tweaked the targeting.
  • 2018-12-22: First published.