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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf your Kindle Paperwhite won’t connect to Wi-Fi, first check Airplane Mode, the network name and password, and whether other devices can connect. Then check whether your Paperwhite supports the router’s Wi-Fi band and security settings. Restart the Kindle and network equipment, test another network, and save a factory reset for last.
Check the Wi-Fi settings and network
- Turn off Airplane Mode. On the Kindle, open Settings and make sure Airplane Mode is off.
- Select the right Wi-Fi network and re-enter its password. Check that you are choosing the intended network and using its current password.
- Check another device. Try connecting a phone or computer to the same Wi-Fi. If it also fails, the issue may be with the network rather than the Paperwhite.
- Move close to the router and scan again. If your Kindle can’t find your Wi-Fi network, a weak signal may be the cause. A hidden network will not appear in the detected list; choose Other in the Wi-Fi list and enter the network name and password manually. See Amazon’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance.
For a hotel, café, or other public hotspot
Some public networks require a welcome-page login, PIN, voucher, or one-time password. If the sign-in page does not appear automatically, open a simple webpage in the Kindle browser to prompt it, then follow the provider’s instructions.
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Check Paperwhite compatibility with the router
A router can work with newer devices but still use settings an older Kindle cannot connect to. Amazon’s Kindle Wi-Fi guidance states: “Kindle devices don’t support 6 GHz Wi-Fi bands. Kindle devices released before 2021 also don’t support 5 GHz and WPA3 encryption.”
- If your Paperwhite was released before 2021, try a 2.4 GHz network with security supported by that model.
- For a newer Paperwhite, 5 GHz may work, but Amazon says Kindle devices do not support 6 GHz.
Check the Paperwhite generation before changing router settings. Router menus vary, so there is no universal path for changing bands or security. Only change settings with the network owner’s permission, and restore secure settings after testing.
#1 Best Overall
- Kindle Paperwhite – 7“ Paperwhite display with high contrast ratio and fast page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Improve the signal and restart the Kindle and network
Move the Kindle closer to the router and away from potential sources of wireless interference, such as microwaves and baby monitors. Amazon also suggests disconnecting other devices to free bandwidth.
- Restart the Kindle. Hold the power button for 40 seconds, release it, and let the device reboot, following Amazon’s restart instructions.
- Restart the modem and router. Unplug both for several minutes. Reconnect the modem first and wait for it to reconnect to internet service; then plug in the router. Follow Amazon’s network restart guidance.
- Try the Kindle again. Once the network is back, restart the Paperwhite and reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Check the Kindle software and try another network
Compare the software version for your exact generation
On the Paperwhite, check the software version in Settings. Compare it with Amazon’s Kindle software updates page for your exact generation. Version numbers change and differ by model, so use the live listing rather than relying on a version number quoted elsewhere.
Rank #2
- Kindle Paperwhite – 7“ Paperwhite display with high contrast ratio and fast page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Test a phone hotspot or another known-working Wi-Fi network
Try connecting to a smartphone personal hotspot or another network that you know works. If the Kindle connects there but not at home, the original network or its compatibility settings are the more likely source of the problem. The hotspot is a diagnostic test, not necessarily a permanent solution.
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Use these two checks together to narrow down the fault:
Rank #3
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
- If multiple devices cannot connect to your home network, contact your internet service provider.
- If other devices connect at home but the Paperwhite does not, compare its generation with the router’s band and security settings, then test another network.
- If the Paperwhite fails on multiple known-working networks after these checks, contact Amazon device support.
Use a factory reset only as a last resort
If the earlier steps fail, Amazon lists a factory reset as a next Kindle-side step. A reset is disruptive and may require you to set up and register the Kindle again. Review Amazon’s factory-reset instructions for your model and understand the consequences before proceeding.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.
- Effortless reading in any light - Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books - Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
- Take your library with you – 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.
Rank #4
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Upgrade your reading experience – The Signature Edition features an auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB storage.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Adapts to your surroundings – The auto-adjusting front light lets you read in the brightest sunlight or late into the night.
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