To reset an Echo Show that has frozen or stopped responding, unplug it for 10 seconds first, since a simple power cycle clears most freezes without touching your settings. If the screen stays black or unresponsive after that, hold the volume down and microphone off buttons together for about 20 seconds until you see a reset confirmation on the display, or use the touchscreen Settings menu if the screen is still responding at all.
Restart vs Factory Reset: Which One Your Echo Show Needs
A restart reboots the device without erasing anything. A factory reset wipes your WiFi credentials, routines, and smart home links, then puts the Echo Show back into out-of-box setup mode.
Start with a restart every time. Reserve the factory reset for a screen frozen through multiple power cycles, a device stuck on the Amazon logo, or one you are selling. Got a regular Echo Dot instead of a screen device? This Echo Dot troubleshooting reset covers that button layout instead.
How to Restart a Frozen Echo Show (Power Cycle)
Unplug the power adapter from the wall or the back of the device, not just an outlet strip switch. Wait a full 10 seconds before plugging it back in, since a shorter gap sometimes fails to clear the freeze.
Give the screen one to two minutes to boot. You will see the Amazon logo, then the home screen. If it stays black past three minutes, the power adapter or outlet is likely the real problem, not the software.
How to Factory Reset an Echo Show From the Touchscreen
If the display still responds to touch, swipe down from the top to open the quick settings panel, tap the gear icon for Settings, then Device Options.
Scroll to Reset to Factory Defaults and confirm. The screen goes dark, then walks through the reset animation before landing on the setup screen, ready for a new WiFi connection and account sign-in.
How to Factory Reset an Echo Show With the Buttons (Screen Won’t Respond)
When touch input does nothing, the physical buttons are your only route to a factory reset. Press and hold volume down and microphone off at the same time for roughly 20 seconds.
You should see a message confirming the reset is starting, even if the rest of the touchscreen still ignores taps. The device then reboots into setup mode on its own within two to three minutes.
If nothing changes after 30 seconds of holding both buttons, the display itself may have failed, and a reset will not help.
After the Reset: Getting Your Echo Show Back Online
A factory reset erases your WiFi password and account link, so the device needs full setup again. The steps for reconnecting Alexa to a new WiFi network apply here too, since an Echo Show joins WiFi the same way any other Echo device does.
Your routines, connected devices, and voice purchase history stay tied to your Amazon account and reappear once you sign back in. If you manage several Echo devices, the general Alexa factory reset guide covers speaker-only models without a screen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resetting an Echo Show
Why is my Echo Show frozen on the Amazon logo?
Usually a failed software update or a power interruption during boot. Unplug for 10 seconds and plug back in. If it freezes on the logo again after two attempts, run the button factory reset.
Does resetting an Echo Show delete photos and widgets?
Yes. A factory reset removes any photo albums, widgets, and display settings you configured, along with WiFi credentials and smart home links. Your actual photos stay safe in whatever cloud service stored them originally.
Can I reset an Echo Show if the touchscreen is completely black?
Yes, the button method does not require a working touchscreen. Hold volume down and microphone off together for 20 seconds. If the screen never lights up at all, try a different power outlet before assuming the reset failed.
