Kindle Paperwhite Not Responding? (Don’t Panic, Easy Fix!)

If your Kindle Paperwhite not responding, don’t worry as this guide will help you fix this!

There are multiple different factors that could influence the responsiveness of your Kindle Paperwhite, and make it crash. The primary suspects are the battery or a firmware fault.

We’ve uncovered multiple different methods that could be helpful:

To find an in-depth explanation of each method, keep reading!

How to Fix When a Kindle Paperwhite Not Responding?

Note: Have you checked if the Kindle Paperwhite’s “Battery” status lamp comes on?

1. Charge & Jump-Start Kindle’s Battery

Not using the Kindle for a prolonged time period may degrade the battery or cause it to enter a type of “hibernation” state.

So, pressing the “Power” button on your e-reader is rarely enough to restart the battery, but there’s a proven solution to re-enter Kindle Paperwhite’s functional state.

Follow these steps to recharge and jump-start the battery of your Kindle:

1. Connect the Kindle’s charging cable to the micro-USB port.
2. Plug the power adapter of the charging cable into an outlet.
3. Hold the “Power” button of the Kindle for about 30 seconds.
4. Check if the e-reader’s display will light up and start a reboot.

Amazon has also suggested holding the “Power” button on the Paperwhite for more than 300 seconds as this tends to jump-start the battery.

So, if the traditional method for hard rebooting does not work, try the long-press while the Kindle is connected to a charger.

Info: 300 seconds equals 5 minutes!

2. Connect Kindle to your PC or Laptop

A standard solution is to connect your Kindle Paperwhite to the interface of a computer or laptop as this reboots the device’s software.

Well, for this solution to work, you must be certain that the Kindle Paperwhite battery is charged to an operational level and the “Battery” status lamp is on.

Here’s how to connect the Kindle Paperwhite to a computer or a laptop:

1. Connect your micro-USB adapter to the port on your Kindle.
2. Plug the other end of the cable into a USB port on your PC.
3. Provide Kindle with access to your device’s system and data.
4. Hold the “Power” button on the Kindle for up to 15 seconds.
5. Next, check if the Kindle gets past the startup screen and test.

Based on whether you’ve provided Kindle with access to your computer’s system, the e-reader may start charging instead. 

Note: Wait for at least 15–20 minutes before unplugging the Kindle.

3. Free Up Some of the Kindle’s Memory

Another reason why the Kindle Paperwhite screen not responding to touch is because of an overfilled storage that leads to repeated crashing. 

Fortunately, you can manage the Kindle’s book storage through the Amazon application or website, without having to interact with the e-reader.

Here’s how to free up memory on your Kindle Paperwhite e-reader:

1. Access the Amazon website or launch the Amazon app.
2. Click the three horizontal lines on the upper-right edge.
3. Scroll down to the “Kindle Apps & Resources” section.
4. Click the “Manage Your Content and Devices” option tile.
5. Click the checkbox next to at least 4 or 5 different books.
6. Click “Delete” at the top of the screen to free up the space.

Only uninstall books that you’ve already read or do not intend to read in the foreseen future.

It’s recommended to remove books that have the largest occupation on your Kindle e-reader drive.

4. Diagnose Charging Issues with Kindle

The most common cause for your Kindle’s abrupt unresponsiveness is a charging issue.

Well, several different factors could result in obstructed charging, including an equipment fault, power insufficiency, or a bad outlet.

Here’s how to verify that your Kindle Paperwhite is receiving proper charge:

• Verify the Kindle’s charger is securely plugged on both ends.
• Test with an alternative charging cable or A/C power adapter.
• Charge the Kindle Paperwhite through a different A/C outlet.
• Remove third-party charging equipment from Kindle’s setup.

Upon connecting the Kindle with a functional charger, the “Battery” status lamp right next to the charging port should light up in orange. 

So, if the Paperwhite shows no signs of charging, there’s either a charging equipment fault or a malfunction in the internal device’s battery.

5. Check if the Power Button is Stuck

A stuck power button could lead to Kindle Paperwhite not responding to touch.

While there’s no easy way to check if the button is stuck, a general cleanup should account for dust or debris accumulation or other particles in the button’s mechanism.

5.1 How to Check if Power Button is Stuck?

First, try pressing the button more firmly than usual and listen for cracking or clicking noises.

A defective mechanism could even rupture the surface of the power button and cause it to fall off eventually.

Additionally, thoroughly inspect if there’s dust or debris stuck in the button socket.

5.2 How to Clean the Kindle Power Button?

To clean the button, use a toothpick and a soft brush to collect all dust and debris in or around the button recess.

If you feel like the button is smudgy or sticky, moisten the button socket and wait until it’s fully dry before testing.

6. Completely Drain the Kindle’s Battery

Perhaps, a battery-related problem isn’t allowing your Kindle to get past the startup screen or load up the firmware.

One of the most popular and effective solutions is draining the battery.

• Draining the e-reader’s battery takes anywhere between 30 minutes up to 12 hours based on how much battery there is left.

It’s also recommended to take out the e-reader’s battery while waiting for it to discharge, but leaving the Kindle just as it is should work as well. 

Needless to mention, the Paperwhite must not be connected to any chargers or other devices that can potentially refill the e-reader’s battery.

What to Do After the Battery is Drained?

Once you’re certain that the battery has been completely drained, connect the Kindle to a charger for 15 minutes and hold the “Power” button for around 20 seconds continuously.

7. Re-insert the Paperwhite’s Battery (Advanced)

Removing your Kindle Paperwhite’s battery may sound complicated, but in reality, it takes less than 3 minutes and has substantial odds to eliminate the responsiveness issue.

All you need is a compact prying tool and a star screwdriver to access your Kindle Paperwhite’s hardware.

Follow these detailed instructions to reinsert Kindle Paperwhite’s battery:

1. Undo all 10 screws from the faceplate of your Kindle e-reader.
2. Next, carefully lift off the faceplate from the Kindle Paperwhite.
3. Separate the back casing from the e-reader with the prying tool.
4. Turn the Kindle over to expose the battery pack in the hardware.
5. Use the screwdriver to loosen the latches on the Kindle battery.
6. Take off the battery and hold the “Power” button on your Kindle.
7. After 25–30 seconds, re-insert your battery and screw it tightly.
8. Attempt to start up the Kindle unit, before reinstalling the casing.

Warning: Disassembling the Kindle Paperwhite will void the device’s warranty!

Kindle is Still Not Responding?

Now that you know how easy it is to remove your Kindle’s battery, you might as well replace the battery unit.

All Kindle Paperwhite models use an OEM BL-45B1F battery, using 3.85V at 3000 mAh. However, ensure the replacement covers all of these characteristics before purchasing it.