How to Reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen Alexa Speaker

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

Here, we demo how to reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen speaker. So why would you ever do this? Well, you may decide to sell or give your Dot 3 to another person. Or link it to a different Amazon account. Or connect it to a different WiFi network. In all these cases, resetting is the best way to clean out all old account data from the Dot. Resetting gets it ready to use on a new account and / or Wi-Fi network.

To unlink the Echo Dot 3rd Generation from its current Amazon Alexa account, perform the routine below.

Note that if you’re just trying to fix erratic behavior of the Echo Dot Gen 3, you may not need a complete factory default reset. So, before resetting, try powering off the Dot 3 for fifteen seconds. Do this by disconnecting its power cable either from the wall outlet, or from the speaker itself. Then, wait for a quarter minute, and then plug it back in. Rebooting often restores proper operation. But if not, read on for the proper hard reset procedure.

Once reset, you’ll no longer be able to control the Echo Dot 3 from the account where you controlled it from before. To regain control via the previous account, run through the setup procedure again. There, relink the Dot 3 to that account again via the Alexa app.

How to Reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen

1. Connect Wall Power Cable

First, plug in the Dot 3rd Gen speaker to its 12-volt power adapter AC cord, as shown next.

Amazon Echo Dot gen 3 speaker AC power adapter, plugged into speaker back. Reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen.

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

See this as shown next.

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

Then, wait for the Echo Dot to complete powering up. It’s finished when either the light ring goes completely dark, or 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 3rd Gen Dot announces that it is entering setup mode. On this Dot, the Action button also functions as the Reset button, and is pointed at by the green arrow in the next picture.

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

4. Finally, What Happens After Echo Dot 3rd Gen Reset?

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

Amazon Alexa Echo Dot 3rd Gen speaker, shown in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning. Reset Echo Dot 3rd Gen.

Pack Up 3rd Gen Echo Dot or Set it Up Again

You may now give your 3rd Gen Echo Dot to another without 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 transferring to another person, we suggest that you pack the Dot in its original carton if you have it, for safest transport through the mail, as shown in the next picture.

Echo Dot 3rd Gen speaker box, front view.