If you want to reset your Echo Dot, it's easy to do in just a few steps. These vary depending on the version.
Reset the Echo Dot: How to proceed for the different generations
There are situations in which it is necessary or desirable to reset the Amazon Echo Dot speaker to factory settings. There are no general instructions for all models. Depending on the model, you will have to proceed slightly differently.
- Important: If you reset the Echo Dot, you will delete all Alexa settings. You should take this into account if you want to reset the device due to technical problems. However, if you want to sell the Amazon speaker, it is always advisable to delete all personal data.
- Echo-Dot 3., 4. or5th generation: To reset, press the action button, i.e. the button with the dot, for 25 seconds.
- Echo-Dot 2. Generation: You can reset this model to factory settings by pressing the “Microphone off” and “Volume down” buttons at the same time.
- Echo 1. Generation: This is where it gets a little trickier. You'll need a paper clip to press the reset button in the hole on the bottom.
- The reset has been completed when the Echo Dot is back in setup mode. You can tell this because the light ring has turned off and then on again.
Reset other Echo devices
If you have a different Echo device, the factory reset process will work differently depending on the type and version.
- Echo-Plus 2. Generation: To reset, press the Volume Up and Mute buttons simultaneously for 20 seconds.
- Echo-Plus 1. Generation: Here, too, you need a paper clip. Insert this into the hole of the reset button on the bottom and press it for at least eight seconds.
- Echo devices with screen: If you have an Echo device with a screen, first tell Alexa to “Go to Settings.” Then go to the device options and then “Factory reset.”
- Echo-Sub: For this device, press and hold the action button for 25 seconds.
- Echo-Input: Here too, the action button is held down for 25 seconds.
- If you have a Echo Plus device you can use a so-called Soft-Reset This is a reset without disconnecting the device from the smart home devices. To do this, press the action button for 20 seconds on the 2nd generation. On the 1st generation, press the reset button briefly with a paper clip.
- At Echo devices with screen choose for the Soft Reset in the settings “Reset to factory settings but keep Smart Home device connections”.
Don’t reset Alexa too quickly
You shouldn't always reset the Echo Dot and other Echo devices – and therefore Alexa – right away. There are situations in which this process is impractical.
- If your device crashes, there can be various reasons for this, such as the Amazon network being overloaded. Resetting the Echo Dot immediately won't help. All Alexa data will then be lost and you may still not be able to use the device.
- Therefore, it is advisable to unplug the device from the power supply before resetting it – for at least 30 seconds. Then switch the Echo device back on. You should also check whether your WiFi is working and whether the Echo Dot is connected to the network.