Reset Echo Dot (4th and 5th Gen)
- Press and hold the Action button (the button with a dot) for 20 to 25 seconds.
- The light ring turns orange, indicating the device is resetting.
- Wait for the light ring to turn off and back on in blue. The Echo Dot is now in setup mode.
- Set it up again using the Alexa app, or leave it for the next owner.
This erases all your settings, linked accounts, and personal data from the device. Your Amazon account itself is not affected – only the device’s connection to your account is removed.
Reset Echo Dot (3rd Gen and Earlier)
- Find the Reset button (a small pinhole on the base of the device).
- Press and hold the Reset button with a paperclip for 20 seconds.
- The light ring turns orange, then the device restarts into setup mode.
Reset Echo Pop
- Press and hold the Action button for 20 seconds.
- The LED on top pulses orange.
- Release the button and wait for the device to restart into setup mode.
Reset Echo Show (All Models)
- Say “Alexa, go to settings” or swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Settings.
- Tap “Device Options.”
- Tap “Reset to Factory Defaults.”
- Confirm the reset. The Echo Show erases all data and restarts to the setup screen.
Alternatively, hold the Mute button and Volume Down button simultaneously for 15 seconds until the screen shows the Amazon logo. This is the hardware reset method for when the screen is unresponsive.
Reset Echo Studio
- Press and hold the Action button for 20 seconds.
- The light ring turns orange.
- Release and wait for the device to enter setup mode.
Reset by Model
| Device | Reset Method | How Long to Hold |
|---|---|---|
| Echo Dot (4th/5th gen) | Action button | 20 seconds |
| Echo Dot (3rd gen) | Pinhole Reset button | 20 seconds |
| Echo Pop | Action button | 20 seconds |
| Echo (4th/5th gen) | Action button | 20 seconds |
| Echo Show (all) | Settings or Mute + Vol Down | 15 seconds (button method) |
| Echo Studio | Action button | 20 seconds |
| Echo Flex | Action button | 20 seconds |
Deregister Alexa From Your Account
If you’re giving away or selling your Echo device, deregister it from your Amazon account to remove your personal data.
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Tap Devices, then “Echo & Alexa.”
- Select the device you want to remove.
- Scroll down and tap “Deregister.”
- Confirm the deregistration.
You can also deregister from Amazon’s website: go to amazon.com/mycd, click the “Devices” tab, find your Echo, and click “Deregister.”
Deregistering removes the device from your account and erases your voice history, smart home connections, and personal settings from it. Always deregister before giving an Echo to someone else.
For more on this, take a look at our how to set up Amazon Alexa guide.
Soft Restart (Without Losing Settings)
If your Echo is acting up but you don’t want to lose your settings, try a soft restart first.
- Unplug the Echo from power.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in.
- Wait 1 to 2 minutes for it to fully boot up (the light ring turns blue then off).
This fixes most temporary issues like Alexa not responding, slow responses, or WiFi connectivity glitches without erasing your settings, routines, or smart home connections.
Set Up Echo Again After Reset
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Tap Devices, then the “+” button, then “Add Device.”
- Select “Amazon Echo” and choose your model.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the Echo to your WiFi network.
- Sign in with your Amazon account.
- The Echo reconnects and you can reconfigure your settings, routines, and smart home devices.
Smart home devices (lights, plugs, thermostats) that were linked through skills remain connected to those skills in your Alexa account. After setting up the Echo, say “Alexa, discover devices” and most of your smart home devices reconnect automatically.
Troubleshooting
Echo won’t reset. Make sure you’re holding the correct button for long enough (a full 20 seconds). Count slowly. If the button doesn’t seem to work, try unplugging the Echo, waiting 30 seconds, plugging it back in, then trying the reset as soon as the light ring appears. For Echo Show, use the on-screen settings method instead of buttons.
Echo stuck on orange light after reset. The Echo is in setup mode waiting to connect to WiFi. Open the Alexa app and follow the setup prompts. If the app can’t find the device, unplug the Echo, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and try again.
On a similar note, our smart bulbs for Alexa article has more practical tips.
Reset Echo but it still shows my account. A factory reset should remove your account. If it doesn’t, deregister the device through the Alexa app or amazon.com/mycd. Then reset the device again. This double approach ensures all personal data is removed.
Will resetting delete my Alexa routines and skills?
Resetting a specific Echo device removes its settings and WiFi connection, but your Alexa account keeps all your routines, skills, smart home configurations, shopping lists, and voice history. When you set up the same or a new Echo on the same account, everything is still there. To delete routines and skills, you need to remove them individually in the Alexa app.
How do I delete my voice recordings?
Go to the Alexa app, tap More, then Settings, then “Alexa Privacy,” then “Review Voice History.” You can delete individual recordings, all recordings from a date range, or all recordings ever. You can also say “Alexa, delete everything I said today” for quick daily deletion. Enable auto-deletion in privacy settings to automatically delete recordings older than 3 or 18 months.
Can I reset Alexa without the app?
Yes. The physical button reset works without the Alexa app or even a phone. Press and hold the Action button for 20 seconds (or use the appropriate reset method for your model). The device resets independently. You only need the app to set it up again afterward.
Sources
Amazon – Reset Echo Device | Amazon – Deregister Device
