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 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 Alexa’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 (first-gen models)

The original Echo and Echo Dot models are straightforward to reset.

• 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 and register it to your Amazon account.

See also: The best Echo speakers

How to reset Echo and Echo Dot (second-gen models)

The steps for resetting an Echo or Echo Dot are a little different from 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 the steps to connect it to a Wi-Fi network and register it to your Amazon account.

See also: Here’s how to set up your Amazon Echo

How to reset Echo and Echo Dot (third- and fourth-gen models)

Do you have a third- or fourth-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 and register it to your Amazon account.

See also: The best Alexa speakers — there’s more than just Echo

How to factory reset Alexa smart displays like the Echo Show

Do you have an Echo Show or another Alexa smart display? The reset process is pretty simple, even for 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

Have you got 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 and register it to your Amazon account.

How to reset Alexa devices from the Amazon Alexa app

If, for some reason, none of the above methods work, you have a third-party Alexa device, or you want to avoid the physical steps, it’s possible to reset Alexa devices right from the app.

• Open the Alexa app and press the Devices button in the lower right corner.
• Select Echo & Alexa, and then the specific device you wish 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 pressing Deregister 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.

See also: How to use Amazon Alexa