The Ultimate Guide to Resetting a Kindle

The Ultimate Guide to Resetting a Kindle

If your Kindle has stopped responding or has frequent problems, you can troubleshoot it with a reset. A regular soft reset fixes most issues, but you can also factory reset the device (hard reset) for a more permanent result. Luckily for any Kindle, there are simple steps you can take to reset it so it works properly again.

Prepare for a reset

Try a simple reboot first.

Sometimes a Kindle can get stuck between on and off states. The screen may freeze quickly or the buttons may not work temporarily. Just turn off your Kindle. Plug it into the outlet to charge it. Turn the Kindle back on. It’s best to try this first, that way you don’t have to go through the trouble of fixing a minor issue.

Choose either a soft or hard reset (factory default).

A soft reset does not erase passwords or digital books. This type of reset is mainly for making your Kindle run faster or to reset a frozen screen. A hard reset will erase all data and reset your Kindle to factory settings. This is a last resort and is intended for when your Kindle has major glitches or internal damage such as keeps freezing etc. If you’ve tried a soft reset multiple times, you may need to try a hard reset. Amazon also offers great customer service, which can help if you’re not sure which option is best for you. If you accidentally dropped your Kindle or submerged it, it may be best to leave it to an expert. Amazon offers a free replacement if you’re still under warranty. If you’re out of warranty, they can send you a refurbished Kindle at a discounted rate.

Charge your Kindle.

This is important for both a soft reset and a hard reset. Plug your Kindle into a power outlet using the included charging cable. Make sure the battery is completely full at the top of your home screen. When the battery is charged, unplug the cable from the Kindle. Your Kindle needs at least 40% battery charge before you can perform a hard reset.

Back up all important passwords and files.

If you erase the data on your Kindle, you will lose everything you have stored on it. Content purchased through Amazon remains associated with your account and can be downloaded again. However, e-books and third-party apps must be stored separately. You can do this by connecting your Kindle to your laptop with a USB cable. Click and drag everything to a special folder in your Downloads section.

Perform a soft reset

Soft reset your first generation Kindle.

First, set the power button to the “OFF” position. Open the back cover of your Kindle and remove the battery. Wait a minute before putting it back in. Replace the cover and set the switch to “ON”. Use your fingernails or a small pointed object like a pen to pry the battery out of your Kindle. Do not use scissors or knives, which could potentially damage the battery. Make sure the cover snaps into place when you put it back on. You should hear a “snap” when it’s tight.

Reset your second generation Kindle and/or newer.

First press the on/off button for 20 seconds. Slide the switch and hold it in that position for 20 to 30 seconds before releasing it. This tells your device to restart instead of just turning off. The reboot screen (all black) should appear as soon as you release the switch.

Give your Kindle time to restart.

The Kindle boots up within a minute or two. Be patient and give your device enough time to complete the reset. When the reboot is finished, the Kindle will turn on automatically. If it doesn’t turn back on within 10 minutes, manually turn on the power button. There is a chance that your Kindle will freeze during the restart. This can happen if your Kindle remains frozen on the restart screen for more than ten minutes.

Charge your Kindle.

If the device freezes during the reboot or doesn’t respond to the reset at all, plug in the charger and charge your Kindle for 30 minutes or more. Make sure your Kindle has enough time to fully charge. If you unplug the Kindle too soon, you may need to repeat the previous steps.

Press the power button again.

When you’re done charging your Kindle, slide and hold the power button for another 20 seconds. The restart screen should reappear. Give the device a minute or two to restart before checking again. This should complete the reset.

Check your Kindle’s features.

Scroll through the pages of a selected book using the arrow tabs on the side of your Kindle. Press the buttons on the bottom of your Kindle to see if they work properly. Turn your Kindle off and on again to see if it turns off and on properly. Play around and experiment with your Kindle until you’re sure it’s working now. If not, you may want to repeat the previous steps or continue with a hard reset.

Factory reset your Kindle

Factory reset your first generation Kindle.

First, slide the power button to ON. Open the back cover with your finger or a small pointed object. Find the tiny hole; this is the reset button. Use a sharp-tipped pen or toothpick to press the button for 30 seconds or until your Kindle turns off. Wait for your Kindle to restart on its own. <

Reset your second generation Kindle.

Slide and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Immediately after that, press and hold the home button. Do this until your Kindle’s screen lights up. Then wait for your Kindle to restart on its own.

Factory reset your Kindle Keyboard.

Press and hold the power button for 15 to 30 seconds. After that, wait for the Kindle to restart by itself. This will reset your Kindle to its original settings. If this doesn’t work, you can always retry and try again. Make sure your Kindle is fully charged.

Reset your Kindle DX.

Just press the power button for at least 20 seconds. The Kindle should turn off and go black. Then wait for the Kindle to restart. If this doesn’t work, you can always try again. Make sure your Kindle has at least 40% battery remaining; this is necessary to perform a hard reset.

Troubleshooting your Kindle Touch.

First press the home button. Then click “Menu” on the screen. A bar will appear and you should click on “Settings”. Then click on “Menu” again and then on “Factory data reset”. Then all you have to do is wait for your Kindle to restart.

Reboot and reset your Kindle 5-way controller.

This includes both fourth and fifth generation Kindles. Navigate your Kindle to the “Menu” page. Select “Settings” and then “Menu” again. Finally, click on “Factory data reset”. Wait for your Kindle to restart.

Reset your Kindle Paperwhite.

First, tap on “Menu” on the home screen. A screen will appear where you click on “Settings”. After that, go back to “Menu”, scroll down on the new screen and click on “Reset device”. A warning will appear allowing you to finish resetting your Kindle. If you select “Yes” here, your Kindle will be reset to factory settings.

Clean up your Kindle Fire and Fire HD.

Slide down the top menu and click “More…”. Click on “Settings” and look for “Device” here; click this option. Finally, click on “Factory data reset” at the very bottom. Now just wait for your Kindle to restart. If this doesn’t work, you can always try again. Make sure your battery is charged before trying again.

Tips

If resetting your Kindle does not resolve the issue, contact Amazon. You could also call Amazon Kindle Support at 1-866-321-8851 or the international number at 1-206-266-0927. Keep trying. Sometimes the Kindle doesn’t respond to a restart. It might take a reboot or two. Take breaks between attempts. It’s never good to restart your Kindle multiple times in a row. Give your Kindle a rest. You can also charge it in the meantime.

Warnings

If you’re concerned that something really serious is wrong with your Kindle, take it to a professional. Don’t try to tinker with the electronics yourself. Always create backups for your e-books and passwords. Even if you do a soft reset, you could potentially lose data.