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Kindle won’t turn on – possible causes and how to fix

Last Updated on January 10, 2024
Kindle won't turn on - troubleshooting assistance for Kindle devices that fail to power on.
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If your Kindle won’t turn on, then you have landed on the right page. We have listed some troubleshooting how-tos that you can try.

Usually, a Kindle not turning on is caused by a dead battery. It is highly likely that your Kindle has run out of battery and doesn’t have enough power to turn on. Thankfully, this is not a major issue and is easily solvable. However, if charging the device doesn’t work, then it might mean that your Kindle has suffered hardware damage or is having a software glitch. 

In any case, we have listed some easy, actionable solutions that should work on most Kindle models, like Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis.


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Why my Kindle won’t turn on

Here’s why your Kindle may not be turning on –

  • Dead battery
  • A faulty power adapter or damaged cable
  • Hardware damage
  • Software glitch

How to fix the Amazon Kindle won’t turn on issue

Step

1

Charge your Kindle

Most probably, your Kindle is out of battery and needs some power to turn it back on. To ensure that this is indeed the root cause of the problem, plug your Amazon Kindle and let it charge uninterrupted for 30 minutes to an hour. We recommend that you use the genuine (the “official”) power adapter and cable that came with the device. After your Kindle has sufficient battery power, you should be able to turn it on and use it.

Step

2

Check if the power adapter is functioning

If you have connected your Kindle to the charger and it doesn’t seem to be working, then you should check if the power adapter is functioning properly. To do this, you can try some of these methods –

  • Connect another compatible device to the charger and see if the device charges
  • Or you can plug the Kindle into another power source (like a power bank) and see if it charges
  • Plug the adapter into another power outlet
  • If the cable seems damaged or frayed, try changing the cable

Step

3

Try using a laptop to charge your Kindle

If charging with the genuine power adapter doesn’t seem to work, you can try connecting your Kindle to a laptop. This way, the Kindle will enter into the USB mode and might wake up. If you see that your Kindle is charging, leave it plugged in until it has enough power to turn on.

Step

4

Press and hold the power button

If you think charging might not be an issue, then your Kindle might be “stuck.” Kindle devices are notorious for having slow processors, so if you press too many buttons at once, it causes the device to “not respond.” 

Mostly, these hiccups can be solved with a restart. All you have to do is press and hold the power button for a few seconds (at least 40 seconds if you don’t see the power menu). If the Kindle wakes up and you see the power menu, choose the “restart” option. 

Step

5

See if there’s any hardware damage

If your Kindle has recently fallen somewhere, then the impact might have damaged one or more of the internal components. While you shouldn’t try to open the tablet yourself, you can have a good look on the outside to see if there’s any visible damage – 

  • See if the screen is cracked
  • Check if all the buttons seem to be clicking and working
  • Look for any visible cracks or dents

Step

6

Contact Amazon customer support

If your Kindle won’t turn on even after charging, then you should get in touch with Amazon’s customer support. Check if you have a valid warranty, as it might be helpful during repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Kindle won’t turn on even when plugged in?

If you have connected your Kindle to a functional power adapter and it doesn’t seem to be turning on, then it’s possible that the device doesn’t have enough power. Most probably, you should be able to turn your Kindle on when it has sufficient power. 

However, you should check if the power adapter and cable are functioning properly. You can also try connecting your Kindle to an alternate power source like a power bank or a laptop.

Conclusion

To sum up, your Kindle not turning on is likely due to battery issues, and you should be able to turn it on after charging. To ensure that your device is charging properly, check if the power adapter, cable, and power outlet are functioning. You can also try alternate power sources, such as a power bank or a laptop. However, if nothing seems to be working, then you should contact Amazon support. On the same note, if you want to upgrade your Kindle, then you can check out some of the best tablets for reading or the best e-ink tablets.

Nitisha is a content writer and editor and she has over 3 years of experience in writing about video games and tech.