
Give your echo speaker a factory reset with this handy guide
If things don’t work, you may need to reset your Amazon Echo speakers and get them back on track. Giving Alexa a factory reset doesn’t happen often, but it’s good to know how to hard reset the echo if your smart assistant brings itself back to the corner, or if you just want to provide someone with a device to start from scratch.
The problem is that there will be a different reset process depending on whether you have a standard Amazon Echo, an Echo Show, or an echo hub with a screen, a new echo spot, or a popular echo dot.
Below we provide a lowering on how to reset Alexa using each type of echo device, including echo dots and screened echo models. Luckily, it’s all very simple and maybe just the ticket you need to get the echo back on track.
Amazon Echo and Alexa Reset Types
First, you’ll want to know which type of reset you want. If the echo appears to be unresponsive, the first call is always to power off. To do this, pull the power adapter out of the back, give it for a few seconds, then refill the plug.
The color light on which the echo speaker shines can be a clue as to what was wrong.
If the Alexa speaker is still not working after turning it on and rising again, you will need to perform a factory reset. You can also give it to someone else if you sell factory speakers.
How to reset factory echo using the Alexa app
Factory steps to reset Echo speakers via the Alexa app have changed over the years, so it depends on the version of Alexa you are running and what the echo is.
Many of us have automatic app updates on, so we’ve listed the latest ones. So it’s quite possible that your Alexa app and Echo devices are running the latest software.
What you need
- Amazon Echo Devices
- You are a smartphone
- Alexa App
Short version
Follow these steps to reset your Echo device using the Alexa app on your iOS or Android smartphone. Perform a physical hard reset using the methods listed under these steps for a specific echo smart speaker.
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Step 1.
Open the Alexa app and head to your device

You’ll probably want to open the Alexa app first. From here, tap the central (Device) tab at the bottom of the screen. This will display a list of all Alexa and Echo devices.
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Step 2.
Heading to factory echo device settings

From the list of devices, select the echo device you are considering a factory reset. Tap to display the Settings Cog. You can tap on it to open Settings and access the options you want.
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Step 3.
Please select your subscriber

If you are running the latest version of the Alexa app, scroll down the (Settings) menu and you will see the option to “register” your echo device. Previously, this option was called “Factory Reset” and may appear depending on the software version you are running. Either way, you will need to confirm your unsubscribe or reset.
Echo Speaker Factory Reset Button
Once you have registered your Echo device via the Alexa app, you will also need to check for a hard reset. surely. We have listed the different ways to do it below, depending on the echo device you have.

How to reset Amazon Echodot (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th generation)
Resetting your Amazon Echo depends on the type of device. This applies to different generations of the same model.
- To reset Amazon Echo Dot Second Generationturn off the microphone and volume the button. Wait until the light ring turns orange. This takes about 20 seconds.
- To reset Amazon Echo Dot (3rd, 4th, 5th generation) or Echo Dot with Watchhold the action button for 25 seconds.

How to reset Amazon Echo (1st generation, 2nd generation, 3rd generation, 4th generation)
Similar to Echo Dot, resetting a standard echo device depends on whether you have your own original or another generation at home.
- I’ll reset Echo (1st generation)use a paper clip (or something similar), and press and hold the reset button. Wait for the light ring to turn off again.
- I’ll reset Echo (2nd generation)turn off the microphone and volume the button. Wait until the light ring turns orange. This takes about 20 seconds.
- To reset Echo (3rd generation, 4th generation)hold the action button for 25 seconds. The light ring pulsates orange and turns off. Then it comes back, turns blue, and then orange again. Now you’re ready to set up.

How to reset Amazon Echo Plus (1st generation, 2nd generation)
If you are working with echo devices of different generations, the reboot process will be different. This is for two Echo Plus models. If you decide to reset, you will not lose your smart home device’s connection.
- I’ll reset First generation Echo Plususe a paper clip (or similar), press the reset button once to release it quickly. Wait for the light ring to turn off again.
- I’ll reset Second generation Echo Plushold the action button for 20 seconds. Wait for the light ring to turn off again.

Amazon Echo Show, Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, Echo Show 15, Echo Show 21, Echo Hub, How to reset the echo spot
Whether you have one of the Echo Show models such as the Echo Show 15, Show 21, or Echo Hub, if you have an Echo speaker on your screen, one of the Echo Show models changes things slightly.
If you have a second generation echo show or something new, of course you can connect to an external smart home device using the built-in Zigbee chip. The method of reset affects those connections.
- I’ll reset Second generation echo show Without losing the connection of your smart home device, for example “Alexa, go to the setting.” Alternatively, swipe from the top of the screen and select (Settings). From there, select “Device Options” and “Reset to Factory Defaults” but retain “Smart Home Device Connection”. Follow the same procedure Echo Show 5, Show 8, Show 10, Echo Show 15 and Echo hub.
- I’ll reset First generation echo show or Echo Spot For example, in the factory settings “Alexa, go to the setting.” Alternatively, swipe from the top of the screen and select (Settings). Next, select Device Options and select Factory Defaults. This will erase all your personal information and settings on your device.
- You can also reset using the following methods Echo Show: Press and hold the mute and volume down button for 15 seconds until the Amazon logo flashes on the display (you may even notice that it says “factory reset mode” in the bottom corner).
- To rest Echo hub Use the button to hold the mute button for 5-10 seconds until the device restarts.

How to reset your Amazon Echo Sub
Given that the Echo Sub needs additional setup to get it right and that it needs to be synced with Echo, Echo Plus or Echo, you might need to reset the sub from time to time.
- To reset Echo subhold the action button just above the power cord for 25 seconds.
