How to Factory Reset the Amazon Echo Dot

If your Amazon Echo Dot devices start behaving weirdly, do not worry. You have nothing to fear. A simple factory reset will bring the Echo Dot back to its former glory. Doing so, however, may not be all that straightforward.

To give you a helping hand, here is how to perform the factory reset on your Amazon Echo Dot device.

Deregister the Echo Dot Using the Alexa App

The entire Echo Dot interface is the Alexa app. This app is installed on your phone/tablet device and is used to issue commands and navigate the device. So, rather than doing a factory reset, we’ll show you how to deregister your device.

Ultimately, deregistering your Echo device does the same thing as a factory reset on other devices. If you’re planning on selling or gifting an Echo device, you should deregister it from your account first.

Here is how you can deregister any of your Alexa devices:

1. Open the Alexa app and tap on Devices at the bottom of the home page.
   
2. Tap on Echo & Alexa.
   
3. Tap on the device you’d like to deregister.
   
4. Tap on the Settings gear in the upper right corner.
   
5. Scroll down the page and tap Deregister to remove the device from your account.
   

Using the Buttons

In some instances, there may be an error stopping you from communicating with your Echo Dot device. You won’t be able to use the Alexa app to perform a factory reset in this instance. Fortunately, the Echo devices can reset to factory settings using buttons on the device itself. Amazon Echo Dot is no exception here.

However, the reset pattern depends on the generation of your Dot device. We’ll review each Dot so you can perform the reset efficiently.

The first-gen Echo Dot has a reset button. Using a paper clip, press and hold the reset button located on the back of the device for 5 seconds. If you’ve done this correctly the light will turn off then come back on again.

The second-gen Echo Dot requires you to press and hold the Volume Down and Microphone Off buttons simultaneously. You need to do this for about 20 seconds. Release when the light ring starts glowing orange.

The third-gen Echo Dot devices require you to press and hold the Action button. Do this for about 25 seconds, and the device should factory reset.

Before You Reset

Although the factory reset is a surefire way to make sure that your problem is fixed (unless the device is completely unresponsive), it will delete all personalized settings you’ve made over time.

Although setting things up again isn’t that complicated, you might want to try restarting the device regularly before performing the factory reset.

For example, if the device is simply unresponsive, you don’t have to hold the buttons and switch to factory settings immediately. Maybe all you need to do is unplug the device from the power source, wait a couple of seconds, and plug it in again.

If this doesn’t fix it, unplug it, leave it for a couple of hours, and try again. If this doesn’t work either, proceed to the factory reset.

What If It Doesn’t Work?

There’s an off-chance that the factory reset won’t help. Maybe it’s an internal error that needs expert attention. In any case, refer to Amazon’s official site and contact tech support. They’ll guide you through the process. Make sure that you mention you’ve tried unplugging the device from the power source, and performed the factory reset.

In any case, once the issue is resolved, don’t expect your personal settings to stay. You’re probably going to have to customize things from the ground up.

After the Reset

Whether you’ve successfully performed the reset to factory settings on your own or with the help of an Amazon employee, you’re going to need to activate your Amazon Echo Dot like you did the day it first arrived at your home. This means registering to an Amazon account and tweaking the settings again.

Troubleshooting the Echo Dot

If you’re having issues connecting to your dot or have lights that won’t turn off, you may try a few simple troubleshooting steps before performing the factory reset. Common Echo Dot issues and fixes are:

Connectivity to Bluetooth or wifi

• First, ask Alexa for a software update. Performing an update can fix any connection issues.
• Second, move your device away from any microwaves, baby monitors, or wireless devices.
• Third, perform the factory reset

Also, try different wifi options to see if the error corrects itself.

Green or Yellow Light won’t turn off

• The green light means you have an incoming call if it’s stuck try saying “Alexa, hang up the call.” If this doesn’t work, turn the dot off and back on again.
• The yellow light means that you have pending notifications. Close these by asking Alexa to tell you your notifications. If that doesn’t work power cycle the device.

These are the most common issues, but you may also have problems with Alexa understanding you. Whether it’s your accent or there’s too much noise, she’s fairly responsive and accurate for most people. If you’re concerned Alexa is broken, try asking something simple like, “Alexa, can you hear me?” If she responds, you may have another issue. If the problem is persistent, certainly try a factory reset and set Alexa back up.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Echo Dot is a fantastic little device that helps us with so many tasks throughout the day. If you’re left with questions, keep reading.

Do I need to factory reset my Echo Dot before giving it away?

The Echo Dot is registered to your account. If you’re planning on selling or gifting an Echo device, you do need to deregister it from your account by following the steps above.

Performing the Factory Reset on Amazon Echo Dot

Before you perform the factory reset, consider trying restarting the device by unplugging it from the power source. If you’re having trouble doing the factory reset, feel free to contact Amazon’s support.

The Echo Dot can do so many things it’s no wonder you’d want it working properly as soon as possible. A factory reset, although not something anyone enjoys doing, is likely to fix any problems your Dot is having.