Picture of the Amazon Echo Dot gen 3 smart speaker along with its AC wall adapter.

How to Hard Reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen

Here, we show how to hard reset the Echo Dot 3rd gen speaker back to factory default settings.  So why would you ever do this?  Well, you may wish to sell or give your speaker to another person.  Or link it to a new Amazon account.  Or connect it to a new WiFi network.  In all these cases, hard resetting is the best way to clean out all old account data from the speaker. So a hard reset gets it ready to use on a new account and / or WiFi network. To hard reset the Echo Dot 3rd gen and unlink it from its current Alexa account, run through the routine below.

Do not always reset as a first step for fixing strange speaker behavior. Before hard resetting, try turning off the speaker for fifteen seconds.  Do this by unplugging its power cable either from the wall outlet, or from the speaker itself.  Then, wait for a quarter minute. Then plug it back in. Rebooting often restores proper working. But if not, read on for the proper hard reset procedure.

Once you hard reset Echo Dot 3rd gen, you’ll no longer be able to control the speaker from your Amazon account.  To get control of it back, run through the setup procedure again.  There, re link the unit to that account again via the Alexa app.

How to Hard Reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen 

1. Attach Wall Power Cable

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

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

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

See this as shown next.

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

Then, wait for the unit to finish booting.  It’s done booting when either the light ring goes dark, or it begins flashing orange, red, or purple.





3. Next, Press and Hold the Action Button for 5 to 10 Seconds to Continue with How to Hard Reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen

Press the   Action   button until the light ring turns orange.  You should also hear the speaker announce that it is entering Setup mode.  On this speaker, the  Action  button doubles as the   Reset   button, and is pointed at by the green arrow in the next picture.

Top view of the 3rd gen Echo Dot speaker, showing the Action button highlighted.
Top view of the 3rd gen Echo Dot speaker, showing the -Action- button highlighted.

4. Finally, What Happens After Hard Reset?

Your Echo Dot 3rd Gen is now restored to its factory default settings.  It also has entered   Setup   mode, as shown next.

Picture of the speaker, shown in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning.
The speaker, shown in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning.

5. Done with How to Hard Reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen ! 





Pack it Up or Set it Up Again

You may now give your 3rd gen Echo Dot to another now.  Don’t fear that they’ll have access to the Alexa settings on your Amazon account. Or, you can set it up again on your existing account. But if selling, we suggest that you pack the speaker in its original carton. Do this for safest shipping, as shown in the next picture.  Then, pack the Echo box in another outer box for further safety.

Front view of the Echo Dot 3rd Generation speaker box.
Front view of the Echo Dot 3rd Gen speaker box.

Other Posts About the Echo Dot 3rd Gen

  1. Echo Dot 3rd Gen Charger Specs
  2. Echo Dot 3rd Gen Power Cord Specs, Replacement

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  5. Reset Echo 2nd Generation Factory Settings, How To Hard Reset

References for How to Hard Reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen

  1. All-new Echo Dot (3rd Gen) – Smart speaker with Alexa, on Amazon.com

Revision History

  • 2020-07-14: First published.