Dropped Kindle Does Not Turn On

By John Lister

The Kindle offers limited troubleshooting options.
i John Sommers II/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Like most electronic devices, dropping a Kindle can cause temporary or permanent damage. Amazon advises several steps for dealing with the problems such damage causes. If these do not work, you may need to purchase a replacement device.

Connect to PC

A good way to check a Kindle for physical damage is to connect it to your computer using a USB cable. If it is still working, you should be able to see the contents of the Kindle in Windows Explorer or any other file management software you use.

Restart

If your Kindle will not switch on, a full restart may solve the problems. As you cannot access the on-screen menu to choose the restart option, you will need to force a restart. Do this with a Kindle e-book reader by sliding the Power button and holding it in place for 20 seconds before releasing. Use a watch, clock or timer to time this rather than guessing or counting. With a Kindle Fire tablet, do the same thing but press the Power button rather than sliding it.

Recharge and Restart

If the restart does not work, the problem may be a low battery rather than physical damage. Charge the Kindle until it is fully charged, shown by the charging light turning from orange to green; on Kindle e-Readers the light is next to the Power button, while on Fire tablets the light is part of the button itself. Once fully charged, restart the Kindle by holding or sliding the Power button for 20 seconds. If the charging light does not light up, the Kindle may have physical damage.

Replacement

If your Kindle won't work after a charge and restart, you may need to replace your it. Amazon offers a one-year limited warranty for Kindles. The precise terms and conditions of the warranty depends on your model. Amazon is not obliged to replace or repair a Kindle damaged from a drop, but may choose to do so.

To arrange a return for your Kindle, either call Amazon's support line (the current number for which will be listed on its website). You can also log in to your account on the Amazon site, click "Returns and Replacements" in the Orders section of the Your Account page and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you get a new Kindle, you will be able to restore any content you have purchased from Amazon once you connect the new Kindle to your Amazon account. This includes books, magazines, music and videos.

Warning

The information in this article applies to the Kindle e-book reader, covering all versions released up to and including October 2012. Instructions and solutions for other versions and devices may vary.

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