How to Reset an Echo Dot Without the App

Last Updated: January 25, 2022

Whether you're reselling your Dot, you want to erase all your device settings, or it's unresponsive, resetting your Dot to factory settings is easy. This wikiHow article will teach you how to reset your Echo Dot without using your phone or tablet.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

1st Generation

1
Get a paperclip. If your paperclip has a coating, peel that coating back so it's a thin metal piece. In case you don't have a paperclip handy, you can use anything that's thin (like a pin or blunt needle) and can fit into the hole on the back of your Dot.
- A 1st Generation Dot has a rotating volume ring, two buttons on the top, and only comes in black.
2
Use the paperclip to press and hold the "Reset" button. It's inside a hole on the bottom of your Dot. During this time, the lights on your Dot will turn off and on again (they will be blue). After a few seconds, the light will finally turn orange and enter setup mode.

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3
Connect your Amazon account to your Dot (optional). Once the light is orange, your Dot is in setup mode. It's wiped clean right now, so if you're selling it to someone, don't set it up with your account.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

2nd Generation

1
Press and hold the "Microphone off" and "Volume Down" buttons simultaneously. The "Microphone off" button has an icon of a microphone with a line over it and the "Volume Down" button has a minus sign icon on it. Hold these down at the same time.
- The light on the Dot will change to orange and blue. Finally, the light ring will turn off and on again. When it does turn on again, it will remain orange (and in setup mode).
- You'll know you have a 2nd Generation Dot if it has a rotating volume ring, four buttons on top, and is either white or black.
2
Release the buttons when the Dot is in setup mode. Since you need to wait until the lights turn on again and remain orange, this process takes about 20 seconds.
3
Connect your Amazon account to your Dot (optional). Once the light is orange, your Dot is in setup mode. It's wiped clean right now, so if you're selling it to someone, don't set it up with your account.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

3rd or 4th Generation

1
Press and hold the "Action" button for 25 seconds. The button you're looking for generally has an icon of a dot on it.
- During this, the light ring around your Dot will pulse orange, then turn off. Wait for the light ring to turn back on and turn blue. It'll turn orange again and enter setup mode.
- You have a 3rd Generation Dot if it features fabric speaker covers, or is a variety of colors. If you have the Echo Dot with a clockface, it's 3rd generation and is only available in sandstone.^{[3]
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2
Release the button when the light ring turns on again and turns orange. An orange light means it's in setup mode.
3
Connect your Amazon account to your Dot (optional). Once the light is orange, your Dot is in setup mode. It's wiped clean right now, so if you're selling it to someone, don't set it up with your account.^{[4]
X
Research source}