If you own an Alexa device, you will eventually have to factory reset it.
Here are a few situations where you should reset your Alexa device:
- Upgrading your Echo Dot?
- Reset your old device before returning or donating.
- Need to change the Amazon Account?
- Reset your Echo to restart the setup process.
- Having issues that won’t stop?
- Try unplugging the device first and then factory reset it if necessary.
Rebooting vs. Resetting Your Alexa Device
If you are having issues with your Echo device, then you have two primary options to get Alexa working again.
- Rebooting – This is the first action you should take. Most issues can be resolved by unplugging your Echo, waiting a few minutes and then plugging it back in.
- Resetting – If rebooting doesn’t fix your issue, then you should try factory resetting the device. This will erase the settings and restore the product to its original state. You can then start a clean setup process with the device.
There are two ways to factory reset your Alexa device. The first is through the Alexa app and the second is using physical buttons on the device. The remainder of this guide walks you through those steps.
How to Reset Alexa with the App
You can reset Alexa using either the phone app or the web app found at: https://alexa.amazon.com
1. Select “Devices” then “Echo & Alexa”
Select “Devices” in the bottom right corner of the Alexa app. Then select “Echo & Alexa” in the menu on the top left of the screen. This will give you a list of all your Alexa devices.
2. Select the Alexa Device to Reset
Find the Alexa device you need to reset in the list of devices and select it.
3. Select “Deregister” or “Factory Reset” at the bottom on the menu.
Depending on the device, you will find two names to reset the device. For Alexa screen devices, you will see “Factory Reset” at the bottom of the menu. For all other Alexa devices, you will see an option to “Deregister” the device. Both of these options perform the same action to reset your Echo.
4. Confirm that you want to Reset or Deregister your device
Confirm that you want to reset your device by selecting “Factory Reset” or “Deregister”. If you don’t want to reset the device, then select “Cancel”.
How to Reset Alexa by Device
A second option is to reset your Alexa device using physical buttons. This process is different depending on the device. Some Echo devices use a pin style reset button and other devices use a combination of other buttons on the Echo.
How to Reset Echo Dot or Echo
Follow the directions below to reset your Echo or Echo Dot devices. The process is different depending on the generation of device. However, the process is the same for an Echo or Echo Dot of the same generation.
Reset Echo Dot or Echo 1st Generation
Use a paper clip to press the reset button found on the bottom of the device. Hold the reset button for 5 seconds and wait for the ring light to turn off and then on again. When the ring light flashes yellow, then you can start the setup in the Alexa app or you can unplug the device to sell, donate or give to another user.
Reset Echo Dot or Echo 2nd Generation
Press and hold the microphone off and the volume down button at the same time. You have to hold both buttons down for around 20 seconds. During this time the Alexa light will turn orange and then blue. Keep waiting until the light ring turns off and then on again. The light ring will then turn orange. After that, you can start the setup in the Alexa app or you can unplug the device to sell, donate or give to another user.
Reset Echo Dot or Echo 3rd or 4th Generation
Press the action button and hold for around 25 seconds. The action button is the one with the dot that is generally used to activate Alexa to listen for a command. After 25 seconds, the light ring will pulse orange and then it will turn off. The light ring will then turn back on and turn blue before finally turning orange again when it is in setup mode. Then, you can start the setup in the Alexa app or you can unplug the device to sell, donate or give to another user.
How to Reset Echo Plus
There are two ways to reset your Echo Plus devices: 1) by erasing all settings and factory resetting the device or 2) by erasing your personal information but keeping the smart device connections.
Reset Echo Plus 1st Generation
Option 1 – Erase All Data and Connections
Completely reset your device by using a paper clip to press and hold the button on the bottom of the device for 8 seconds. The light ring will turn orange and then blue before shutting off. The light ring will then turn on again and flash yellow when it is in setup mode. After that, you can start the setup process or unplug it to sell, donate or give to another user.
Option 2 – Erase Personal Information and Keep Smart Device Connections
The process is similar if you want to erase your personal information but keep the smart device settings. Use a paper clip to press and quickly release the reset button on the bottom of the device. The light ring will start flashing orange and is now in setup mode. You can then open the Alexa app to start the setup process again.
See Echo Plus 1st Gen Video Guide
Reset Echo Plus 2nd Generation
Option 1 – Erase All Data and Connections
Press and hold the volume down and mute button at the same time. You have to hold both buttons down for around 20 seconds. The light ring will turn off and then on again. Then, you can start the setup in the Alexa app or you can unplug the device to sell, donate or give to another user.
Option 2 – Erase Personal Information and Keep Smart Device Connections
The process is similar if you want to erase your personal information but keep the smart device settings. Press and hold the action button for 20 seconds. The action button is the button with the round dot that is normally used to manually wake Alexa for a command. After 20 seconds, the light ring will turn off and then back on. The device is now in setup mode. You can restart the setup process in the Alexa app and you will still have your smart device connections.
See Echo Plus 2nd Gen Video Guide
How to Reset Echo Show
Option 1 – Erase All Data and Connections
Reset the Echo Show by holding the mute and volume down buttons at the same time for 15 seconds. Make sure you hold the buttons down until you see the Amazon logo on the screen. You can then unplug the device to sell, donate or give to another user or you can follow the onscreen prompts to start the setup process again.
Option 2 – Erase Personal Information and Keep Smart Device Connections
If you want to keep your smart device connections, then you need to reset the Echo Show using the Reset Alexa by App instructions above. Just make sure you choose the option to retain current smart home device connections.
How to Reset Echo Sub
Press and hold the action button on the back of the Echo Sub for 25 seconds. You can then open the Alexa app to start the setup process again or your Echo sub is ready to sell or donate.
How to Reset Echo Studio
Press the volume down and microphone off button for around 20 seconds. The light ring will turn off and then back on again. After that, you can open the Alexa App to start the setup process again or you can sell or donate the device.
How to Reset Echo Input
Press and hold the action button for around 25 seconds. The action button is the button with the dot that is typically used to manually activate Alexa for voice commands. After 25 seconds, the LED will turn orange and then blue. Then the LED will turn off and back on before changing to orange. When the LED is orange, the device can be sold or you can start the setup process again in your Alexa app.
Best Devices for Alexa
Check out these other settings to make Alexa better:
- Reset Alexa – Some times you have to reset Alexa to get rid of an error.
- Change Alexa’s Name – You don’t have to use the word “Alexa” to activate your Echo.
- Change Alexa’s Voice – Alexa can speak in many different languages and voices.
- Can Alexa Call 911 – Can Alexa help you in an emergency?
P.S. Please leave a comment below to ask a question, help someone else or share your experiences. Thanks!