How to reset Alexa devices: Echo, Echo Dot, and more

Are you having trouble with one of Amazon’s Alexa-based speakers or displays? Or are you upgrading to a newer model? Either way, you’ll want to know how to reset an Alexa device, especially if you plan to sell it or otherwise hand it off to a new owner.

The exact method for a physical reset depends on the Alexa device in question, though it’s often possible to handle it right from the assistant’s Android and iPhone apps.

More: The Alexa commands you’ll need to know | The best Echo and Echo Dot accessories

How to reset Echo and Echo Dot (1st gen models)

The original Echo and Echo Dot models are straightforward to reset, albeit with a tool.

• Locate a small hole near the base of the product. This is the Reset button.
• Take a paper clip, SIM tool, or something similar, and hold the Reset button with it until the Echo’s light ring turns orange, then blue.
• Once the light ring has turned off and on, it should be orange, which means it’s now in setup mode.
• That’s it — you’ve reset. If you want to add the Echo back to your network (if, say, you reset it as a troubleshooting step), open the Alexa app and follow the steps to connect it to a Wi-Fi network.

See also: The best Echo speakers

How to reset Echo and Echo Dot (2nd gen models)

The steps for resetting an Echo or Echo Dot are a little different for the second generation.

• Press and hold the Microphone Off and Volume Down buttons on your 2nd gen Echo device for 20 seconds until the light ring turns orange and then briefly blue.
• Once the light ring has turned off and on again, it should now be orange, which indicates it’s in setup mode.
• That’s it. As with the first-generation model, if you want to add it back to your network, open the Alexa app and follow steps to connect it to a Wi-Fi network.

How to reset Echo and Echo Dot (3rd, 4th, and 5th gen models)

Got a third-, fourth-, or fifth-generation Echo or Echo Dot speaker? Here’s what you need to do.

• Press and hold the Action button (found on top) for around 25 seconds. The light ring will turn orange and then briefly blue.
• Wait until the light ring has turned on and off again. It should now be orange, meaning it’s reset and in setup mode.
• If you want to add it back to your network, open the Alexa app and follow the steps to connect it to a Wi-Fi network.

How to factory reset an Echo Show

If you have an Echo Show, the reset process is simple and consistent across models, even the Echo Show 15.

• Press and hold the Mute and Volume Down buttons. Once you see the Amazon logo (after roughly 15 seconds), you can let go of them.
• The display will now offer instructions to help you add it to a new or existing network.

See also: The best Alexa-compatible devices

How to factory reset an Echo Studio

If you’re lucky enough to own an Echo Studio, here are the steps to wipe it.

• Press and hold the Mute and Volume Down buttons for 20 seconds.
• The light ring will turn off and on.
• Your device is reset. If you want to add it back to your network, open the Alexa app and follow the steps to connect it to a Wi-Fi network.

How to reset Alexa devices from the Amazon Alexa app

If you have a third-party Alexa device or you want to avoid physical steps, it’s possible to reset some Alexa devices right from the app. In fact if you’ve performed a physical reset and you want to hand a device to someone else, you’ll still want to follow the steps below, which are necessary to completely erase settings and unlink a product from your Amazon account.

• Open the Alexa app and select the Devices tab.
• Tap Echo & Alexa, then the specific device you want to reset.
• Tap the gear icon in the upper right to go to Device Settings.
• Locate where it says Registered To and tap Deregister. Confirm your selection by choosing Deregister again in the next window that pops up.
• You’ve reset the Echo or Alexa device, at least as far as Amazon’s end is concerned. Multi-assistant devices (like a Sonos speaker) may require more steps for a full reset.
• Follow these steps if you want to reconnect a speaker or display.

Continue: How to use Amazon Alexa