Why your Kindle won't wake up—and how to fix it

⚡ Fast fix

• Lose the cover. A misaligned magnetic case can keep a Kindle acting like it's still asleep.
• Give it a real charge. Leave it plugged in for at least 30 minutes before trying again.
• Hold, don't tap. A frozen Kindle may need the Power button held for about 40 seconds.
• Still won't wake up?
  Get 24/7 expert support for the tech you rely on.

You pick up your Kindle expecting to get right back to your book, press the power button, and the screen doesn't budge. Press it again. Maybe hold it a little longer. At some point, it becomes clear your Kindle is taking “sleep mode” a bit too seriously.

At Asurion, our experts have the know-how to tell a temporary freeze from a power or screen problem that needs more attention. Here's what we'd try to get your Kindle awake and back to your book.

Give it a moment before assuming it's frozen

Kindle e-readers use an E Ink display, which behaves differently from a phone or tablet screen. The screen can continue showing an image even when the device isn't actively running, so seeing a book cover or screensaver doesn't necessarily mean the Kindle has power.

Press the power button once and wait several seconds. If nothing changes, try it again before moving on.

Plug the Kindle in

A battery that's deeply discharged can look a lot like a Kindle that won't wake up. Connect it to a working charger and wall outlet, then leave it alone for a while before trying the power button again.

Look for a charging indicator if your Kindle model has one. If there's no sign that it's charging, try another compatible cable, adapter, or outlet before blaming the e-reader.

Force restart a Kindle that won't respond

If charging doesn't change anything, a forced restart is the next move we'd make.

Press and hold the Power button for about 40 seconds, then release it. The screen may flash or go blank while the Kindle restarts, so give it time to finish before pressing anything else.

A forced restart doesn't erase your books or account. It's simply a way to reboot a Kindle that isn't responding normally.

Take the case off

This one's worth a quick test if you use a magnetic cover, especially if the problem started after getting a new case.

Kindle covers can automatically wake and sleep compatible models using magnets. A case that's misaligned or interfering with that feature can cause unexpected sleep behavior.

Remove the cover completely, then press the power button and see whether the Kindle wakes normally. If it suddenly behaves itself, the case deserves more suspicion than the Kindle.

Pay attention to what's actually on the screen

A Kindle that displays a normal screensaver but ignores the power button is different from one showing lines, blotches, cracks, or a partially refreshed image.

Visible distortion after a drop or pressure on the screen can point to physical display damage. In that situation, repeatedly restarting the Kindle isn't likely to bring the screen back. If the display looks normal but never changes, we'd stay focused on charging and restarting before assuming it's damaged.

Once it wakes, check for updates

If the Kindle eventually comes back but keeps freezing after sleep, make sure its software is current while it's working.

Connect to Wi-Fi and check the device settings for an available Kindle software update. Keeping the software current is especially worth doing when the problem comes and goes rather than happening once.

When it may be more than sleep mode

If the Kindle still won't respond after a long charge and forced restart, we'd start looking beyond a simple sleep problem. A device with no charging response may have a battery, charging port, cable, or power issue. A Kindle that appears to power on but has a visibly damaged or permanently frozen display may instead have a screen problem.

At that point, more button combinations probably aren't going to tell you much. The next step is having it diagnosed by a Kindle repair expert.

FAQ

Why won't my Kindle wake up when I press the power button?

The Kindle may be frozen or its battery may be deeply discharged. Charge it first, then try a forced restart if it still doesn't respond.

How do I force restart a Kindle that won't wake up?

Press and hold the Power button for about 40 seconds, then release it and give the Kindle time to restart.

Can a Kindle case keep it stuck in sleep mode?

A magnetic cover can affect automatic sleep and wake behavior on compatible Kindles. Remove the case and test the Kindle without it.

Why does my Kindle screen still show a picture when it won't turn on?

E Ink displays can keep showing the last image without continuously using power. The picture on the screen doesn't necessarily mean the Kindle is currently powered on.