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Kindle Not Turning On (How to Fix/Reset)

Kindles are great devices that make it easy to read books, but from time to time they can have technical issues, for example they won’t turn on, or one of the books won’t open.In this article I will explain how to fix/reset a Kindle when it’s not turning on.

As a general rule, start by checking your Kindle is receiving power from the wall outlet. Next check the charger is working by plugging it into a different device, a Kindle charger uses a micro-USB port. If neither of these fixes work then refer to additional steps below.

Holding black kindle while reading

There are also a range of specific issues that can occur when a Kindle won’t turn on such as a flashing orange or green light. I will also explain these more specific faults and step by step instructions on how to fix it.

Kindle Not Turning On (How to Fix/Reset)

It’s not possible to know ahead of time why a Kindle won’t turn on. So, you need to try a few different troubleshooting steps to identify and fix the issue. The fixes and resets are easy to do yourself, below is how to fix/reset the Kindle when it is not turning on.

In general, start by checking that the wall outlet is supplying power to the Kindle. Next plug the charger into a different device that also uses a micro-USB port to see if the charger is working. If these two fixes don’t work check the display and power button are working, explained below.

These are the easiest steps to try first, and can commonly be the cause of the issue. However, there are also more specific issues that can occur that can cause your Kindle to not turn on such as a flashing orange light. Below are step by step instructions based on these more specific issues, and additional steps once you have verified that the wall outlet and charger are working.

5 Reasons Why Kindle Not Turning On

Holding black kindle while reading

There are a number of reasons why a Kindle won’t turn on. Below is a list of the 5 top reasons why a Kindle won’t turn on.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 4, 2022.

As a whole, the wall charger isn’t working (flashing orange), the battery has no charge, the battery is damaged, the software needs to be updated, or the charging cable is faulty (flashing green). If it’s none of these, then an internal component has failed, and it needs to be repaired by a technician.

The above 5 reasons are why a Kindle wont charge and are relatively simple to fix. I will cover the above problems and how to fix them in step by step details below.

Kindle Not Turning On With Orange Light (What Does It Mean)

Black kindle on the table

When your Kindle is not turning on there can also be an orange light that flashes, this tells you more specifically what the issue is. The orange flashing light is a fault which will cause your Kindle to not turn on, here is what it means if your Kindle won’t turn on and has an orange light.

In general, there is no power going to the charger. Either, the wall charger is faulty or the wall outlet is not supplying power. First, ensure the wall outlet is supplying power by plugging a different device into the same wall outlet. If it’s still not turning on and has a flashing orange light the charger, or Kindle is faulty.

Try another micro-USB charging cable if you have one. You will notice an orange light when it is charging correctly, but it won’t be flashing. The light will switch to green once the battery is more than 90% charged.

Kindle Not Turning on Green Light on or Flashing (What Does It Mean)

Black kindle on the table

A flashing green light on the Kindle when it’s not turning on can be frustrating. There is one main reason why this occurs. Here is what a green light means on a Kindle, and what to do if the green LED light is flashing or solid, and your Kindle won’t turn on.

In general, there is either a software or charging cable/port issue. Firstly use a different micro-USB charging cable. The other issue is your Kindle needs to be rebooted. To restart a kindle, hold the power button for about 30 seconds.

According to the Kindle owners manuals, a green light means that your Kindle is fully charged. As you hold the power button, it will turn off and not look like it’s doing anything. Wait about 10 seconds or so and your Kindle will restart itself.

The above two solutions should resolve the issue however there is no official information regarding the flashing green light in the owner’s manual. If the above two options do not work it’s recommended to contact Kindle support.

Kindle Not Turning On With Low Battery (What Does It Mean)

Holding black kindle while reading

Like many portable electronic devices a Kindle needs some charge of the battery to turn on. If the battery is low you will notice a low battery icon displayed on the screen or a blank darkened screen. Provided your Kindle has at least some battery here is why it wont turn on.

As a general rule, charge it for at least 30 minutes then try turning it on. However, if you charge it for 30 minutes and it still doesn’t turn on there is a problem with either the charger or an internal component such as the battery. If that happens refer to the troubleshooting steps below.

If the Kindle does not turn on by itself after around 30 minutes of charging, you can perform a soft reset by holding the power button for 30 seconds and it should turn on. Provided you have done both of these steps and it still isn’t turning on you will need to contact Kindle support.

Kindle Not Turning On After Dead Battery (What Does It Mean)

Black kindle on the table

An issue that can cause your Kindle to not turn on is that the battery is dead. A Kindle requires battery charge in order to turn on, a dead battery is a simple solution which can be resolved quite easily. Here is how you can fix it.

In general, first charge your Kindle for a minimum of 30 minutes. After that if it’s still not working try different wall sockets and micro-USB charging cables. If the Kindle still isn’t charging contact Kindle support or take it to the store you purchased. It will need to be repaired by a technician.

You can test if the charger is working by plugging it into another device and see if it is charging. If the battery continues to remain dead after changing the cables and wall outlets it is likely that you need a new battery or charging port. A technician will need to check a few of the different components to identify what parts need repairing or replacing.

How to Fix Kindle Not Turning On

Black kindle on the table

There are a number of reasons why a Kindle will not turn on, the main issue is the battery. Other causes are related to the charging accessories. But, can also be caused by one of the components inside your Kindle, or an issue with the software on your Kindle. Below are the most common causes and how to resolve them.

Overall, first charge the Kindle for 30 minutes and turn it on. Next, try a different charger, because the charger may not be working. You should also try a different wall outlet. Lastly, do a soft reset by holding down the power button, or sliding the power button and holding it for 30 seconds.

If you notice the light is flashing orange or green throughout these fixes refer to the solutions above. If Kindle still doesnt turn on after all the above it is likely to have a damaged battery, power button or internal component. You will need to have a professional Kindle repairer take a look at it.

How to do a hard reset (factory reset) on your Kindle

It’s possible to do a hard reset on a Kindle. According to Kindle owners manuals it’s only possible to do one if your Kindle turns on. Instructions for how to reset your Kindle are explained on this page of the official Amazon website.

It requires going into the menu on your Kindle and selecting some settings. However, it will delete all the books on your Kindle, and you will need to sign in again so that it downloads all the books in your collection.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 4, 2022.

As a general rule, ensure your Kindle has enough charge by plugging it in. The wall outlet may not be supplying power, or the wall charger is faulty. Try charging it on a different wall outlet, and using a different charger, or USB to micro USB cable. Below are additional steps to do after that.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 4, 2022.

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