Kindle Won't Connect To WiFi: How To Fix [2023]

Whether on a Kindle Paperwhite or the flagship Kindle Scribe, you can't afford any compromises when it comes to internet connectivity. Without a stable network connection, most features fail to work.

If your Kindle won't connect to WiFi, check for network issues and make sure the airplane mode is turned off. Next, reboot the Router/Modem and Kindle. If the issue persists, switch the network bands on your Kindle and manually update the device to its latest version. If none of these works, factory reset your Kindle.

Let's now look at the different troubleshooting steps that will help you fix WiFi connectivity issues on your Kindle.

Kindle Airplane Mode

Check and Disable Airplane Mode on Kindle

Before we get on with the heavy hitters, let's check the basics.

As you may already know, Airplane Mode disables internet connectivity on your device.

And if you happen to try to connect to a network with Airplane Mode enabled, your effort surely will turn out to be futile.

And It might surprise you how often users fall for this seemingly simple error.

Enabling Airplane Mode has its own merits as well. The most obvious one would be that with Airplane Mode enabled, you can conserve battery by reading your Kindle Offline.

And so, the first and often the most rudimentary check that should be done is to disable Airplane Mode if it happens to be enabled on your Kindle.

Here's how to do so:

Kindle Quick Access

1. From the Home screen of your Kindle, swipe down to access the Quick Actions menu.

Kindle Airplane Mode

2. Tap on the Airplane Mode icon if it happens to be highlighted (enabled).

You could also disable Airplane Mode by accessing Settings> Airplane Mode.

Now, try connecting your Kindle to a network.

Switch to Another Network on your Kindle

Switch to Another Network on your Kindle

Now, let's start the troubleshooting procedure by first checking for issues with internet connectivity on the Kindle.

And what better way to check for the same than to switch the active network connection to another network on your Kindle?

Doing so will help you narrow down the exact cause of the issue - with the Kindle or the Network.

And in the absence of a proper network connection, several issues are bound to strike your device, such as Kindle Book stuck on opening or even a fatal Kindle application error.

With that said, here's how to switch the network connection on your Kindle:

1. Open the Quick Actions tab of your device.

Kindle All Settings tab

2. Tap open the Settings/All Settings menu.

3. Select WiFi & Bluetooth/Wireless.

Kindle WiFi Change

4. Tap on a network you haven't yet connected your Kindle to.

5. Enter the WiFi credentials.

6. Tap on Connect to complete the setup.

If the Kindle successfully connected to the new network, the fault may be with your previous network.

Conversely, if you couldn't get the Kindle to connect to a different network, the issue may be with your device.

Let's now look at the many fixes that could come to your aid in fixing issues with the network.

When connecting to a network on your Kindle, do not connect to a 6 GHz band. Also, Kindle devices released before 2021 do not support the 5 GHz band either.

Check for Issues with the Network

Check for Issues with the Network

A stable network connection forms the crust of most operations on a Kindle device. Failing to satisfy this crucial requirement may land in a heap of trouble.

Issues such as 'Update Your Kindle' option grayed out or Kindle Unlimited not working can be cited as examples of what may entail under unstable networking conditions.

And so, when in doubt, you could always run a speed test on your network to check and ensure its optimal working.

Ookla.com and fast.com are some of the best when it comes to speed-testing your network.

Once you run the test, you get a real-time account of the status of the various networking parameters, such as the network speed, signal strength, and latency.

If you find a noticeable disparity in any of these values, it's high time you take appropriate measures to fix such inconsistencies.

Let's start by power cycling the Router/Modem:

Power Cycle the Router/Modem

Router unplugged

It's quite common for modern gadgets to show signs of slowing down and other associated errors with time.

And in most cases, a quick system reboot should get them up and running on their feet in no time.

A power cycle test is, in many ways, a system refresh, with the added advantage of bleeding out any piled-up static charges.

Doing so may also come in handy for issues like when Kindle Paperwhite becomes slow.

Here's how to power cycle your Router/modem:

1. Unplug the Router/Modem from the power supply.

2. Leave it idle for a few seconds.

3. Press and hold the power button on your Router for a couple of seconds. Repeat this step a couple of times.

4. Plug back in the power supply and power ON the device.

Run the speed test once again in the network. If everything seems stable enough, try connecting the Kindle to the network.

You could also check for connectivity-based issues on your network by connecting another device to it. If you're successful in doing so, the fault may be with your Kindle.

Switch the Network Channels on your Router/Modem

This step is a bit more complex than most other steps in this article.

It is through the networking channels that your Router communicates with the ISP and enables data transfer to and from your devices.

Now, each bandwidth comes with a fair bit of networking channels. But not all of them may be considered good for your network.

Some Channels are riddled with interference resulting from adjacent channels. And as the traffic increases on such channels, the performance takes a hit.

Hence, when facing connectivity-based issues on your Kindle, it's best to check and switch the channels on your network.

Here's how to do so:

1. Connect your Router to a PC via an Ethernet or a USB cable.

2. Open a Browser and enter the IP address of your Router, which can be found beneath the ROuter, onto the search field.

3. Enter the portal login credentials to open the Router portal.

4. Search and open the Wireless Settings. (Can be found under Advanced Settings)

5. Choose the Wireless network. (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz)

6. Select Channels and choose either of these options:

For 2.4 GHz - 1st, 6th, or 11th Channel.

For 5 GHz - 36, 40, 44, 48.

7. Save the changes and exit the Portal.

8. GIve your Router a much-needed reboot and power ON the device.

Check for the issue now.

Check for Interference and Move the Kindle Closer to the Router/Modem

Check for Interference and Move the Kindle Closer to the Router/Modem

Proximity, too, plays a crucial role in getting a good signal strength on your Kindle.

If you use the Kindle far away from the Router/Modem, the signal strength will diminish by a fair amount.

And without a strong enough signal strength, the network connection on your Kindle is bound to experience issues.

Ideally, the closer the two devices are to each other, the better.

Not to mention the various other elements that will affect the network strength on your device.

Interference, to be more precise, is a fiend you'll have to take care of when experiencing network-based issues.

But what induces interference on your network connection? The sources can be plenty, and at times, unassailable.

Usual sources of interference include - Smart Fridges, bulbs, TVs, gaming consoles, Bluetooth devices, etc. Pretty much everything that works a wireless mode of connection can induce interference.

And so, it's better to turn such devices OFF if you're experiencing issues with the network connectivity.

Manually Update your Kindle

Manually Update your Kindle

Updates are vital for the optimal working of your Kindle.

Updates help ward off bugs and errors while at the same time enhancing the system with newer features and attributes.

And so, there is no doubt that you've to look into updating your Kindle as soon as something feels a bit off with the device.

But, given our current circumstances, we cannot update the Kindle via the UI.

Fortunately, we can update the system manually by sideloading newer or older firmware versions through a PC.

Here's how to do so:

1. Download your Kindle's latest or previous stable update from Amazon's Kindle Update section page.

2. Power ON your Kindle and plug it into the PC using the supplied charging USB cable.

3. Open the File Explorer tab and access the downloaded file.

4. Drag and drop the file into the Kindle's drive tab.

5. Safely Eject your Kindle from the PC.

6. Open the Menu tab on your Kindle and select Settings.

7. Tap the Menu icon and choose 'Update Your Kindle'.

8. Select OK to initiate the update.

Let the Kindle restart. Check for the issue.

Factory Reset the Kindle

Finally, if none of the fixes we have covered here hasn't helped your cause, as a last resort, factory reset your Kindle.

Proven to be an effective fix for issues like when Kindle Paperwhite keeps restarting or when you encounter issues while switching profiles on your Kindle, a factory reset may be your way out of this issue.

Factory resetting will revert all the system settings, along with all user-set data to their factory defaults.

Effectively, you get a clean slate to start over again, free of issues.

Here's how to factory reset your Kindle:

1. Access the Quick Actions tab on your Kindle.

Kindle All Settings tab

2. Select All Settings/Settings.

3. Tap on Device Options/Menu.

Kindle Reset option

4. Select Reset and then Reset Device (older devices).

5. Confirm the selection by tapping Yes.

Wait for the device to complete the reset. Set it up like new. Check for the issue now.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, a complete and comprehensive guide on how to fix the Kindle not connecting to the WiFi issue.

If you still can't get over the issue even after trying out all of the steps \mentioned above, consider the chances of hardware damage on your Kindle.

If that's the case, it's best if you contact the customer services of Amazon for further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I manually connect my Kindle to Wi-Fi?

To manually connect your Kindle to a WiFi network, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings tab and navigate to WiFi and Bluetooth.

2. Tap on Other.

3. Enter the SSID of your network and then the password.

Select Connect to establish a connection.

Can I still use my old Kindle?

Kindle devices launched before 2012 won't be able to connect to the Store, buy or borrow books. Although, you can still read already bought or stored books on these devices.

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About Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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