How to Reset an Amazon Echo device

Amazon Echo devices are designed to be the trusted hub in your home, which means they hold much sensitive information inside their memory banks. An Echo can receive dozens of requests per day. It contains credit card information, address, and location data. It even keeps logs of every command it ever receives.

No matter how useful your Echo is, there will come a day when it’s time to move on and get a new one. What, then, happens to the old one? If you’re looking to sell or give it away, you probably don’t want to reveal all that identifying information to strangers.

The good news is that a simple factory reset effectively wipes the slate clean and allows the new owner to start from scratch. However, the process varies greatly depending on the type of smart speaker and the generation you own. Here’s how to perform a factory reset on any Echo device.

Echo on Amazon

The Echo’s reset process varies depending on the version you own.

First-generation: Use a paper clip to press and hold the reset button at the device’s base. Wait a few seconds for the light ring on the Dot to turn off and then back on.

Second-generation: Press and hold the mute microphone and the volume down button at the same time. Wait until the light ring on the device turns orange.

Amazon Echo Auto

Press and hold the action button for about 25 seconds until the light turns orange.

Amazon Echo Dot

The process for resetting the Echo Dot varies depending on the version you own.

First-generation: Use a paper clip to press and hold the reset button at the device’s base. Please wait a few seconds for the light ring on the Dot to turn off and then turn it back on.

Second-generation: Press and hold the mute microphone and the volume down button at the same time. Wait until the light ring on the device turns orange.

Third-generation: Press and hold the action button for about 25 seconds.

Amazon Echo Input

Reset Echo Input by pressing and holding the action button for 25 seconds.

Amazon Echo Plus

The process for resetting the Echo Plus varies depending on the version you own.

First-generation: Use a paper clip to press and hold the reset button at the device’s base. Please wait a few seconds for the light ring to turn off and then turn it back on. Reset Echo Plus without losing all smart home connections by using a paper clip to press and quickly release the reset button.

Second generation: Press and hold the microphone mute and volume down buttons. Wait until the light ring on the device turns orange. You can also reset the device without losing all smart home connections by holding the action button for 20 seconds and waiting for the light to turn off and on.

Amazon Echo Show and Spot

Reset the Echo Show and Echo Spot to factory settings by swiping down from the top of the screen and choosing Settings > Device Preferences > Factory Defaults. Reset the device without losing all smart home connections by selecting Settings > Device Preferences > Reset to Factory Defaults, but Keep Smart Home Device Connections.

Amazon Echo Sub

Reset the Echo Sub by pressing and holding the action button for 25 seconds.

How to review and clear your Alexa history

Want to review what you’ve asked Amazon’s Alexa (and clear the more embarrassing questions)? Our guide will show you how to do it by voice, in the Alexa app, and on the web.