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Echo Dot Not Turning On: 6 Causes & Ways To Fix It (2023)

Echo Dot Not Turning On

“My Echo Dot doesn’t turn on! What should I do?”

Echo Dot not turning on can really be a nuisance.

Knowing that it doesn’t have a power button,

Some people may easily assume that troubleshooting the device is hard.

But like any other Amazon speaker devices, 

There are simple ways you can get your Echo Dot back to running.

Read on to learn:

  • 6 ways to get Echo Dot back to running.
  • How to force update the speaker device.
  • How to reset each generation of the device.
  • 6 common causes of Echo Dot not turning on.
  • And a lot more…

Why is my Echo Dot not turning on?

Echo Dot can fail to turn on if it has power or internet connectivity issues. It won’t power on if the power adapter, power outlet, or speaker power port is faulty in any way. Having outdated firmware and defective circuit board or motherboard can also be an issue and cause its system not to run.


Echo Dot not turning on – 6 causes & fixes


#1: Broken power adapter

Echo Dot doesn’t have a power button.

The only way you can turn it on and off is by plugging and unplugging its cord.

Unlike other devices, Echo Dot uses a power adapter to connect to any power source.

And when this power adapter gets broken, your device won’t obviously work.

This is especially common in households that have pet dogs or cats. As pets often mistake power cords for strings that they can play with.

Consider your Echo Dot power adapter broken if:

  • The wire is cut into two.
  • There are exposed wirings.
  • The plug prong is badly bent.

#2: Faulty power outlet

“My power adapter is perfectly fine. What should I check next?

The next thing you should check is the wall socket your device is plugged into.

Echo Dot is not rechargeable. Meaning it has to be plugged in all the time.

So, when the wall socket doesn’t transmit any power, your device won’t turn on.

Your power outlet transmits less or no charge at all if it has:

  • Burnt or melted plugs.
  • Loose or worn-out wirings.

Try to plug in other devices into the same outlet. If it doesn’t turn on as well, then the power outlet is definitely faulty.

You can also use a voltmeter or an outlet tester to check if it has a charge.

#3: Dirty speaker power port

A dirty speaker power port can also cause your device to not turn on.

Accumulated dirt and dust on the power port can prevent the device from receiving sufficient electrical power.

Causing the device to not turn on at all.

This can only happen for Echo Dot devices that haven’t been used for a long time.

If you have stored it with an unplugged power adapter, dirt and dust can easily clog the power port.

So, if you’ve tried using your Echo Dot after a long time and it doesn’t power on…

Then, this must be the reason.

#4: Outdated firmware

Most of Amazon’s Alexa devices update themselves automatically. 

But it can sometimes fail if the device has run into some software bugs.

If your Echo Dot suddenly doesn’t turn on after unplugging, then its firmware is most likely outdated.

“How does an outdated firmware affect the device not turning on?”

Developers updated firmware to enhance the device’s features and functions. 

Aside from that, updating firmware also protects the users from any security risks.

Most often, developers remove or replace system codes and features when updating firmware.

That said, there’s one possible thing that can happen if a new update has arrived while your device is unplugged:

Your Echo Dot may not turn on.

As the new updates may not be compatible with the previous one it has.

You may also wonder: Can Alexa be hacked?

#5: Defective circuit board

Echo Dot Defective Circuit Board

Another possible cause of Echo Dot not turning on is a defective circuit board.

Circuit board is a small piece of board with traces located inside the speaker.

Its main function is to connect all electronic components of the device.

Basically, electricity flows through it.

So, when its circuit board gets defective, electricity won’t flow throughout the device’s system.

Causing your Echo Dot to not turn on.

Loose or broken wirings are the common reason why a circuit board often fails to work.

“But all the cables of my speaker are in good condition…”

Have you accidentally spilled water on your Echo Dot?

If yes, then that’s the reason why.

As circuit boards are not supposed to get in contact with any type of liquid.

Reading recommendation: Is the Google Home Mini Waterproof? 7 Things To Know

#6: Defective motherboard

If not the circuit board, then the device’s motherboard might be defective.

A motherboard is the main circuit board of your device. It homes the most important components of your Echo Dot smart speaker.

Think of it as the backbone of your device.

It holds the circuit board, hard drive, CPU, RAM, and other important computer chips that your device needs to be able to work correctly.

If any of its parts gets defective, your device will malfunction.

Many things can cause the motherboard to fail, including:

  • Overheating and power surges.
  • The device getting dropped frequently.
  • Accumulated dirt and dust on the board.
  • Wear and tear due to overuse or old age.

How to fix it:


#1: Change the power adapter

If your Echo Dot power adapter is broken, change it immediately.

Fixing the chewed cables may help you save costs. But it can’t guarantee long use.

Aside from that, broken wirings may also cause your device’s circuit board to get broken.

As any electrical issues can damage the board and cause your device to not turn on.

To prevent this from happening again, make sure to put cables away from the floor. 

If you can tape it on a wall or put it inside a wire organizer box, that would be great!

Buying tip: To ensure product quality, buy power adapter replacement directly from Amazon.

#2: Plug into another power outlet

If you know how to fix a faulty power outlet, go ahead and fix it. So, you won’t have to change your Echo Dot speaker’s location.

If not, ask a licensed electrician to do the job.

As an immediate or temporary solution, you can plug your device in another power socket instead.

Sure, it may cause some inconvenience.

But at least you won’t have to store your device unplugged while your power outlet is getting fixed.

Another thing that you can do is to use a wire extension. 

That way you can still place and use your Echo Dot in the same location.

#3: Dust off speaker power port

Is it your first time using your Echo Dot after a long time?

Then, make sure to clean the device first.

Especially the power port. As dirt and dust can easily accumulate on it.

The speaker power port receives the electrical charge from the power outlet. So, you must be really careful in cleaning it.

Blowing air into the port would work.

If there’s any dirt stuck inside, you can remove it using a toothpick or any similar item.

Cleaning its power port shouldn’t cause any more problems. As long as you didn’t damage anything on it.

#4: Soft reset the device

“What should I do if my Echo Dot doesn’t turn on due to having outdated firmware?”

For this case, you might need to soft reset or restart your device first.

Soft resetting or rebooting is basically freeing up the RAM of your Echo Dot. In addition, this allows your device to receive update notifications.

To soft reset your Echo Dot:

  1. Unplug the power adapter from the wall socket.
  2. Leave it off for a few minutes. Or at least 30 seconds.
  3. Then, plug it back in.

Doing this should turn on your Echo Dot. And fix software bugs, if there’s any.

Once your device has turned on, Echo Dot should update itself automatically.

If it doesn’t, you can force it to update.

As a general rule, you shouldn’t use your Echo Dot speaker for it to update. Since the device only updates itself during off-hours.

What you can do is mute the device by turning the microphone off. 

Leave it for at least 15 minutes. Then, it should work again properly.

You’ll know when your Echo Dot is ready to install an update if it’s flashing a pulsing blue light.

#5: Factory reset the device

If simply restarting your Echo Dot doesn’t work, then factory reset it.

Warning: Factory reset will return your Echo Dot settings to default. And you’ll have to set up and reconnect devices again. So, only do this if the above instructions don’t work.

There are two ways you can factory reset your Echo Dot. 

Either through the Alexa app or through the device itself.

Factory resetting through the Alexa App

If you want to make sure that you’re doing the right process, then factory reset your device through the Alexa app.

This is very simple. And you only have to navigate the app setting.

To factory reset Echo Dot through the Alexa app:

  1. Open your Alexa app.
  2. Go to “Devices.”
  3. Click the “Echo & Alexa” icon.
  4. Select preferred device.
  5. Scroll down to the bottom.
  6. Tap “Factory Reset.”
  7. And press “Confirm” to start factory resetting.

Factory resetting Echo Dot through the device itself

You can also factory reset your device by pressing certain buttons on the device itself.

Note: Factory resetting your Echo Dot should depend on its generation. Read the instructions carefully to know which applies to your device.

For 1st generation

Get a paper clip or any similar object to press and hold the reset button for about 5 seconds. Continue to hold it until the light ring turns on and off once.

Here’s a quick video guide on how to factory reset 1st generation Echo Dot:

For 2nd generation

Press and hold the “Microphone off” and “Volume down” buttons for about 20 seconds. Continue to hold it until a light orange color illuminates.

For 3rd and 4th generation

Press and hold the “Action” button for about 25 seconds. Continue to hold it until a light orange color illuminates.

Editor’s pick: Echo Dot Won’t Reset: 6 Ways To Fix In 30 Sec.

#6: Replace circuit board or motherboard

If the circuit board or motherboard of your Echo Dot is the problem, there’s only one thing that you should do.

Get replacement parts.

There are no tricks in fixing a defective circuit board or motherboard unless you’re a technician.

So, make sure to have it replaced in a service center.

Replacing these parts will save you more money than getting a new Echo Dot smart speaker.