As mentioned within the battery specifications for various Kindles on Amazon, a single charge can last 4 to 10 weeks, depending on the Kindle model and the per day usage.
Most Kindles fully charge in 3 to 5 hours using a 5-watt USB power adapter or a USB cable connected to a laptop. Some newer models, like the Kindle Paperwhite 11th Gen, can also charge a 9-watt power adapter in less than 2.5 hours.
What do you do if your Kindle won’t charge despite adhering to the charging specifications? This article details a few possible solutions. First, rule out a few basic causes like a faulty charging cable, power adapter or socket.
Check the charging equipment
Amazon recommends charging your Kindle by attaching a USB cable to your laptop or using a compatible power adapter and plugging it into an electrical socket. Try changing each of these parameters if your Kindle isn’t charging.
Sometimes, if you have a protective case over your Kindle, it could be blocking the USB cable from fitting into the Kinlde’s USB port. Try charging the device with the case removed.
If your Kindle still won’t charge, it might be because of some of the reasons mentioned in the sections below.
How to tell if your Kindle is charging?
The light next to the charging port will turn amber when plugged in to charge. Upon charging fully, the amber light will turn green. If the Kindle is switched on, the battery icon on the top-right corner of the screen will display a lightning bolt symbol when the device is charging.
Update the Software
Each new Kindle update has fixes to previous bugs and vulnerabilities. The Kindle is set to auto-update but needs a stable internet connection. If your Kindle isn’t updated with the latest software version and firmware update, there could be bugs in the previous version preventing the Kindle from charging optimally. To resolve this, update your Kindle:
Step 1: From the Home Page, tap the three horizontal lines at the top-right corner to open the menu.
Step 2: Tap Settings from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: On the Settings tab, tap the three horizontal lines.
Step 4: Tap Update Your Kindle.
The option will appear greyed out if the software is already up to date.
Restart the Kindle
Some issues with software and temporary issues with internal hardware and software are fixed when the Kindle is restarted. To restart your Kindle:
Step 1: Press the power button until a Power dialogue box appears. Depending on the model and type of your Kindle, the power button can be at the bottom, the top or the side of the device.
To do so, follow the steps to turn off your screen mentioned above until the Power dialogue box appears. Select the Restart option.
To restart your device from the Settings menu, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Go to the Home Page and tap the three lines in the top right corner.
- Step 2: From the drop-down menu, tap Settings.
- Step 3: Tap the three lines in the top right corner of the Settings tab.
- Step 4: From the drop-down menu, tap Restart.
Also read: How to turn off Kindle?
Clean the USB port
Dust particles and lint can collect inside the USB port of the Kindle over time and can prevent it from charging effectively. You can carefully clean the USB port with a gentle, dry, blunt tool. Ensure you clean gently and with utmost care to avoid damaging the charging pins inside the port.
To clean the port, you can take a wooden toothpick, cover the tip with tissue, and insert it into the USB port to pull out lint and clear out dust particles. Do not insert the contraption over a few centimetres into the port to avoid further damage to the hardware component.
Also read: Liquid or debris in USB port in Pixel
Resolve liquid detection issue
If your Kindle has a USB-C port, it is sensitive to liquid and shows a moisture detection alert on the screen if moisture is found in the port. This temporarily disallows the charging of the device with the USB-C cable until the moisture completely evaporates.
If you notice the alert on your device, you can either use a wireless charging dock, if supported by your Kindle or follow these steps advised by Amazon:
- Step 1: To avoid permanent damage, if the device is plugged in for charging, immediately unplug it.
- Step 2: Hold the device so that the USB port faces downward and shake it gently for a few seconds until there is no more visible liquid in the port.
- Step 3: Keep the device on a flat surface in a dry, open space for up to 48 hours so that it dries completely.
Once the port is dry, the moisture alert icon should disappear, upon which you can resume charging the device with a USB-C cable.
Contact customer support
Contact Amazon customer support to identify and fix any other possible issue related to why your Kindle isn’t charging.
If the identified issue is within the device’s hardware, check your Kindle’s warranty. If it has been less than a year since the purchase date, chances are the device is covered under Amazon’s One-Year Limited Warranty, where you can have it repaired, replaced or refunded for certain parts per their terms and conditions.
If it isn’t within warranty, you might have to get it repaired through a third-party vendor or an Amazon-authorised service provider.
Check the Hardware
Opt for the next few steps only if all the steps above fail to resolve the issue because they require taking apart your Kindle or resetting the device, both of which are permanent changes.
Replace the Battery
If your Kindle is over 4 years old, overtime, the battery drains and might need to be replaced. Before you take the Kindle to a repair shop to have the battery replaced, contact Amazon customer support to determine whether there could be any other causes as to why your Kindle won’t charge.
Also read: Is it worth replacing your iPad’s battery?
Fix USB Port
If there is physical damage to your USB port, it could prevent your Kindle from charging. You can get the hardware fixed or replaced at a professional repair shop.
Factory Reset the Kindle
If some of the files on your device are corrupt and are causing harm to the device software, the device can malfunction. This could be why your Kindle isn’t charging. As a last resort to fix the issue, you can perform a factory reset. This will delete all data from your device, deregister linked Amazon accounts and reset all settings to default. To perform a factory reset, follow these steps:
Step 1: On the Homepage, tap the three horizontal lines on the top-right corner of the screen and tap Settings.
Step 2: In the Settings tab, tap the three horizontal lines and select Reset Device.
Step 3: In the Reset device dialogue box, read the message carefully and tap Yes to reset the device.
Also read: Why won’t the Kindle turn on?
