Echo Dot Stops Talking

I've been staring at a dead (or so I thought) Amazon Echo Dot for about a year now.  Alexa had a case of locked-in syndrome.  She understood everything I was saying...but she just couldn't answer.  I felt bad for her...so I didn't throw the Dot away.  I messed with all the crap that Amazon and their forums suggested; until tonight. 

I'd finally had enough and was either going to figure it out...or put Alexa out of her misery.  Armed with my Kobalt screwdriver kit...I ripped into the Dot and got intimate with Alexa's insides.  Before you run screaming...I FIXED HER.

HERE IS THE FIX THAT NO POST OR FORUM SEEMS WILLING TO TELL YOU.  UNPLUG YOUR DEVICE SO YOU DON'T DIE.  I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOU, YOUR ECHO, OR ANY OTHER PROPERTY IF YOU MOVE FORWARD.

You will see, when you dissect, there are two little spring loaded contacts that touch the speaker contacts.  Take something small and jiggle them.  Move them around every so gently...make sure they're springy and move easily.  Then take a knife and gently scratch the top of those contacts.  Gently scrape the contacts on the speaker to make them shiny again.  Mine were very dull and almost dirty looking.

I put it back together...even managing to save the rubber bottom...plugged it back in and the Dot spring to life.  Moments later I asked my "are you alive" go to question..."Alexa, what time is it?"  SHE RESPONDED!

Give it a whirl if you are savvy...if you are not...take it to someone who is and give it a shot.  Worst case...it already doesnt work...right?

Derek