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How to reset your Amazon Echo: What to do if your Alexa device is unresponsive

If things go wrong, you may need to reset your Amazon Echo speaker to get things back on track.

Giving Alexa a factory reset shouldn’t happen too often. Still, if the intelligent assistant has backed itself into a corner, or you simply want to give your device to someone to start from scratch, it’s good to know how to reset your Echo hard.

The problem is that there are different reset processes, whether you have a standard Amazon Echo, an Echo Show with scree, or the ever-popular Echo Dot.

Below, we’ll be going through each type of Echo device – including the Echo Dot and screened Echo models – and giving you the lowdown on how to reset Alexa.

It’s all very straightforward stuff, luckily, and it could be just the ticket you need to get your Echo back on track.

Types of Amazon Echo / Alexa reset

First, be sure you know what type of reset you want to do. If it just appears to be unresponsive, your first call should always be to turn the power off. Simply pull the power adapter out of the back, give it a few seconds, and then plug it back in.

Sometimes the colour light your Echo speaker is shining can be a clue as to what might have gone wrong.

If your Alexa speaker isn’t working after power down, you’ll want to do a factory reset.

You’ll also want to factory reset your Echo speaker if you’re selling it, or giving it to someone else.

Factory reset using the Alexa app

You can reset your Echo device using the Alexa app on your iOS or Android smartphone.

1) Go to Devices.

2) Tap the Echo & Alexa icon at the top.

3) Choose the speaker you want to factory reset.

4) Scroll down to Factory Reset and tap it.

5) Confirm you want to reset.

Factory reset buttons on the Echo speaker

How to reset Amazon Echo Dot (2nd-gen, 3rd-gen, 4th-gen)

Resetting an Amazon Echo varies depending on the device type – and that’s even true for the different generations of the same model.

  • To reset the Amazon Echo Dot second generation, press and hold the Microphone Off and Volume down buttons simultaneously. Wait until the light ring turns orange, which should take about 20 seconds.
  • To reset the Amazon Echo Dot third generation, fourth generation or Echo Dot with Clock (both generations), press and hold the Action button for 25 seconds – that’s the button on the right of the top panel.

How to reset Amazon Echo (1st-gen, 2nd-gen, 3rd-gen, 4th-gen)

As with the Echo Dot, resetting your standard Echo devices varies depending on whether you have the original or second generation sitting in your home.

  • To reset your first-generation Echo device, use a paper clip (or something similar) to press and hold the Reset button. Wait for the light ring to turn off and on again.
  • To reset your second-generation device, press and hold the Microphone Off and Volume down buttons simultaneously. Wait until the light ring turns orange, which should take around 20 seconds.
  • To reset a 4th-gen Echo or 3rd-gen Echo, hold down the action button for 25 seconds. The light ring will pulse orange, then turn off. It will then come back on, go blue, and then orange again. It’s now ready for setup..

How to reset Amazon Echo Plus (1st-gen, 2nd-gen)

The rebooting process will be different if you’re working from a different generation of Echo devices. That’s the case for the two kinds of Echo Plus models. Also, know that you won’t lose your smart home device connections if you do decide to reset.

  • To reset your first generation Echo Plus, press the Reset button once and quickly release a paper clip (or something similar). Wait for the light ring to turn off and on again.
  • To reset your second-generation Echo Plus, press and hold the Action button for 20 seconds. Wait for the light ring to turn off and on again.

How to reset Amazon Echo Show, Amazon Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, Echo Show 15 or Echo Spot (all generations)

If you have an Echo speaker with a screen, whether you have an Echo Spot, one of the two generations of the Echo Show, the Echo Show 5 or 8, things change slightly. If you have a second-generation Echo Show, you can use the built-in Zigbee chip to connect to your external smart home devices – and how you reset affects those connections.

  • To reset your second-generation Echo Show without losing your smart home device connections, say, “Alexa, go to settings,” or swipe down from the top of the screen and select Settings. Select Device Options, then Reset to Factory Defaults but retain Smart Home Device Connections. Follow the same steps for the Echo Show 5, Show 8 or Show 10.
  • To reset your first generation Echo Show or Echo Spot to its factory settings, say, “Alexa, go to settings,” or swipe down from the top of the screen and select Settings. Then, select Device Options, and then Reset to Factory Defaults. This erases all your personal information and settings on the device.
  • You can also use the following method to reset your Echo Show: Press and hold the mute and volume down buttons for 15 seconds until the Amazon logo flash on display.

How to reset Amazon Echo Sub

One of the latest additions to the Amazon Echo family is the Echo Sub – and, yes, this is very much an optional add-on to your Echo setup. Given this requires some extra configuration to get right, and it’ll need to sync with your Echo, Echo Plus or Echo, there’s a chance you’ll need to reset the Sub every now and again.

  • To reset the Echo Sub, press and hold the Action button located just above the power cord for 25 seconds.
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