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

How to Restart Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation

Here, we show how to restart the Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation smart speaker, and put it back to factory default settings.  So why would you ever want to restart it?  Well, you may wish to sell or give it to another person.  Or link it to a new Amazon account.  Or connect it to a new WiFi network.  In all these cases, restarting is the best way to clean out all old account data from this Alexa speaker.  Restart gets it ready to use on a new account and / or WiFi network.

To restart Amazon Echo Dot 3rd generation and unlink it from its current Amazon account, run through the routine below.

Do not always restart as a first step for fixing weird speaker behavior. Before restarting, try turning the speaker off 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. This rebooting often restores proper working. But if not, read on for the proper restart procedure.





Once you restart Amazon Echo Dot 3rd generation 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, relink the speaker to that account again via the Alexa app.

How to Restart Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation

1. Attach Wall Power Cable

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

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

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

See this as shown next.

Showing the smart speaker powering up, with its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.
Showing the smart speaker powering up, with its AC adapter plugged into standard wall outlet.

Then, wait for the speaker to finish booting.  Booting is done 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 Restart Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation

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   Restart   button, and is pointed at by the green arrow in the next picture.

Top view of the speaker, showing the Action button highlighted.
Top view of the speaker, showing the Action button highlighted.




4. Finally, What Happens After Restart ?

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

Showing the speaker in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning.
Showing the speaker in Setup mode, light ring orange and spinning.

Pack it Up or Set it Up Again

You may now give your Echo Dot Amazon 3rd Generation 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 transport through the mail, as shown in the next picture.  Then, pack this box in another outer box for further safety.

Picture of the Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation speaker box, front view.
The Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation speaker box, front view.

Other Posts About the Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation

  1. How to Setup Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation Speaker
  2. How to Reset Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation

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References for How to Restart Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation

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

Revision History

  • 2020-07-01: First published.