Kindle (Paperwhite) Keeps Restarting? Here’s How to Fix

Last Updated: March 16, 2023 / By

The Kindle is undoubtedly a revelation for any book reader, as obtaining and reading a book becomes a highly comfortable process with a Kindle thanks to the many features it brings to the table, ranging from adjustable text sizes to the lighting system that makes the screen easy on the eyes.

That being said, in some scenarios, all the benefits that a Kindle brings over a physical book can quickly be washed away when technical problems, which no electrical device is exempt from, suddenly appear and ruin an otherwise enjoyable book-reading experience, leaving you to wonder what went wrong.

In today’s article, our topic will be a particularly aggravating issue that you can come across while using your Kindle, where the device ends up randomly and repeatedly restarting on its own while you’re trying to read a book, practically becoming impossible to use until the problem is resolved.

So, how can you fix a Kindle that keeps restarting unwarrantedly?

Below, you can find a list of the fixes we recommend applying to resolve the restarting problem that you’re having with your Kindle:

  • Plug your Kindle into your computer with a USB cable.
  • Factory reset your Kindle.
  • Update your Kindle’s software manually.
  • Deregister your Kindle and re-register it.
  • Allow your Kindle’s battery to run out and cold boot it.

In the following sections, we will dive deeper into each of the solutions we have mentioned above and learn more about the factors that can contribute to the occurrence of the restarting issue that you’re facing on your Kindle.

How to Fix a Kindle (Paperwhite) That Keeps Restarting?

While there isn’t a confirmed official solution to the restarting Kindle problem, there are a considerable number of potential fixes that have been successful for various Kindle users and may also help resolve the issue in your case.

Below, you can find the sub-sections we have created for each of the solutions we recommend applying to resolve the restarting Kindle problem, in which you will find explanations about how this solution can help fix the problem and guides that will take you through the solution process.

Plug Your Kindle into Your Computer

Plugging your Kindle into your computer is the first solution we recommend trying to stop a Kindle that keeps restarting, as the Kindle establishing a connection with a computer can sometimes automatically fix such technical problems.

For this solution, all you will need to do is to plug your Kindle into your computer with a regular USB data cable, wait for a minute or two, unplug it, and get back to using your Kindle to see whether the problem still happens.

Additionally, you can also try getting your Kindle out of USB drive mode and using it while it’s still connected to the computer to see if it makes any difference in the occurrence of the restarts.

While it’s rare for this solution to fix the problem, it’s definitely one that’s worth trying due to how simple it is and how it can potentially save you from spending time on the more complex troubleshooting steps.

Factory Reset Your Kindle

Factory resetting your Kindle will bring the software to the same state as when you first purchased it and resolve the majority of software-related problems in the process, which potentially includes the restarting problem you’re having.

To factory reset your Kindle, you can follow the steps we have outlined below:

  1. Press the Menu button (three lines or three dots, located on the top-right) on your Kindle.
  2. Navigate to the Settings section.
  3. Navigate to the Device Options section.
  4. Press the Reset button.
  5. Press the Yes button to confirm the factory reset.

Please note that factory resetting your Kindle will erase all the information on it, including your personal data, the books you have downloaded, and the data you haven’t synced to the cloud.

Additionally, the factory reset process will automatically deregister the Kindle from your Amazon account, meaning that you will need to register it again to be able to use it.

While this solution has a good chance of resolving the issue you’re facing, it may practically be impossible to factory reset your Kindle due to the restarts getting in the way as you’re navigating the menus, at which point we recommend skipping this solution and moving on to the next one.

Manually Update Your Kindle’s Software

As outdated software can sometimes cause technical issues, updating your Kindle’s software will ensure that your device isn’t affected by any of the known bugs and glitches that can contribute to the occurrence of the restarting problem.

Here are the steps we recommend following to update your Kindle’s software manually:

  1. Press the Menu button (three lines or three dots, located on the top-right) on your Kindle.
  2. Navigate to the Settings section through the menu.
  3. Press the Device Options button.
  4. Press the Device Info button.
  5. Note the version number of your Kindle, which is labeled “Firmware Version” on the screen.
  6. Navigate to the official Amazon Kindle Software Update page on your computer.
  7. Find the update file corresponding to your Kindle’s model on the list, and note the version number.
  8. Compare the version number you have noted in step 5 to the version number you have noted in step 7. If the versions match, skip the rest of the steps, as your Kindle is already up-to-date.
  9. Press the “Download Software Update” button to receive the update file.
  10. Connect your Kindle to your computer with a USB data cable.
  11. Transfer the update file you have obtained in step 9 to your Kindle’s root directory.
  12. Eject your Kindle and unplug the USB cable.
  13. Press the Menu button.
  14. Navigate to the Settings section through the menu.
  15. Press the Menu button.
  16. Choose the Update Your Kindle option from the menu.
  17. Press the OK button to confirm the update process.

If your Kindle is already up-to-date (which is highly likely due to the updates taking place automatically as long as your Kindle is connected to the Internet in a reliable manner) or if you can’t go through the update process due to the restarts getting in the way, you can move on to the next solution.

Manually Deregister and Re-Register Your Kindle

Deregistering and re-registering the Kindle is perhaps the most reliable solution on our list when it comes to solving the restarting problem, as it’s possible to apply this solution without having to use the Kindle itself, meaning that the restarts can’t get in the way.

Below, we have outlined the steps we recommend following to deregister and re-register your Kindle as conveniently as possible:

  1. Connect your Kindle to your Wi-Fi network.
  2. Navigate to Amazon’s Manage Your Content and Devices page.
  3. Click the Devices button.
  4. Click the Deregister button that corresponds to your Kindle.
  5. Restart your Kindle.
  6. Press the Register Your Kindle button and follow the on-screen instructions.

Please note that Internet connectivity is essential for this solution to work, as the changes (deregistering) you have made on the website cannot be communicated to your Kindle if it’s not connected to the Internet.

Let Your Kindle’s Battery Drain and Cold Boot

When all else fails, waiting for your Kindle’s battery to drain to make a cold boot possible can be the process that resolves the restarting problem, as this allows all the electrical components of the device to discharge completely and shut down.

For this solution, you won’t have to do anything other than leave your Kindle powered on with the screen on and unplugged, as this process will cause the battery to drain slowly and eventually run out, at which point your Kindle will be powered off, and there won’t be anything on the screen.

As it can take a decent amount of time for your Kindle’s battery to run out completely, especially if you have charged it recently, our recommendation would be to leave the device somewhere you can check once a day and forget about it until it powers off.

What Causes a Kindle (Paperwhite) to Keep Restarting Itself?

Despite it being a widespread issue that has been affecting Kindle devices for a while now, there isn’t a whole lot of talk about the causes behind the occurrence of the restarting problem, both on the side of Amazon and the community.

Based on the fact that some users have been able to fix the issue on their own, the most likely culprit behind the Kindle restarting problem is a software glitch that crashes the operating system and prompts it to restart itself to become functional again, which is a behavior that we can observe on many distinct operating systems.

That being said, considering that the same set of fixes doesn’t seem to work for every single Kindle device, the problem most likely stems from a collection of distinct software-related issues triggering the same response of restarting, which would explain why some users aren’t able to resolve the problem at all.

Conclusion

Even though a fix isn’t guaranteed in the case of the restarting Kindle problem due to the unknown nature of the problem, there is definitely a fair chance that you will be able to get your device back to working condition in the comfort of your home, without the need to send it in.

Below, you can find a summary of the solutions we recommend applying to resolve the restarting issue of your Kindle:

  • Connect your Kindle to your computer and try to use it while it’s connected to see if it makes any difference.
  • Factory reset your Kindle to reinitialize the software.
  • Manually update your Kindle’s software to receive the latest bug fixes.
  • Deregister your Kindle and re-register it as an alternative way of factory resetting without having to use the device itself.
  • Wait for your Kindle’s battery to run out completely for all the components to be discharged and reset.

If the solutions we have mentioned above have not been helpful in resolving the issue you’re facing with your Kindle, we highly recommend contacting Amazon Customer Support and walking them through the solutions you have attempted so far, as your Kindle will most likely require a replacement.