kindle paperwhite won't connect to wifi

When your Kindle Paperwhite won’t connect to WiFi, simple troubleshooting typically helps.

However, the real hurdle becomes when the WiFi issue is persistent so keep reading because in this guide we’re about to review the best-working solutions!

If your Kindle Paperwhite refuses to pair with a WiFi network, make sure the WiFi is compatible (2.4GHz) and reboot the e-reader.

Also, ensure that there is no outage with your home network and test by connecting the Kindle to your phone mobile’s hotspot!

Let’s learn more!

Why Won’t My Kindle Paperwhite Connect to WiFi?

why won’t my kindle paperwhite connect to wifi
  1. A problem with the Kindle Paperwhite’s WiFi chip
  2. An issue with your home WiFi network/router
  3. Restricted Kindle Paperwhite WiFi access
  4. Incompatible WiFi network to Kindle Paperwhite
  5. Outdated firmware version of Kindle Paperwhite
  6. Software issues with your Kindle e-reader device
  7. Temporal ISP issues/outages with your network

Keep reading to learn the solutions that are most effective against this problem!

Kindle Paperwhite Won’t Connect to WiFi Anymore – Best Fix!

Tip: Follow our steps and solutions in consecutive order!

1. Connect with an Appropriate WiFi

connect with an appropriate wifi

Kindle Paperwhite devices have set preferences towards what WiFi networks they could connect with.

A Kindle Paperwhite e-reader cannot connect to a 5GHz network and hence, the only way to pair your Kindle with WiFi is through a 2.4GHz WiFi thread!

Does My Router Have 2.4GHz WiFi?

Whilst all WiFi routers have and support 2.4GHz WiFi, the 5GHz is only available to dual-band network devices with larger coverage that also come at a greater price.

If you have the simplest type of router available, it will surely only have a 2.4GHz WiFi, compatible with your Kindle!

Tip: You will be able to check the frequency of your WiFi network in the router settings!

How to Connect Kindle Paperwhite to 2.4GHz:

  1. From the home screen, go to Quick Actions > Menu.
  2. Select “All Settings” from the menu page of your Kindle.
  3. Head into the “Wi-Fi & Bluetooth or Wireless” tab.
  4. Select “Wi-Fi Networks” and select your 2.4GHz WiFi.
  5. Insert your password and hit “Connect”.
Info: The status of your Kindle Paperwhite’s connection should update soon!

2. Discharge your Kindle Paperwhite

discharge your kindle paperwhite

Perhaps, the connectivity issue with your Kindle is only temporary and a simple restart will resolve the problem.

There’s a clever way to reboot your Kindle by also discharging the device from current electricity, which furthermore helps with functionality and hardware issues!

Here’s how to discharge your Kindle Paperwhite:

  1. Hold the power button on your Kindle for 30 seconds.
  2. Keep holding the power button for an extra 15 seconds.
  3. Let go of the button and let your Kindle idle for 60 seconds.
  4. Press the power button again to relaunch your Kindle device.
Note: Once your Kindle Paperwhite has started up, test the device by attempting to pair it with the same WiFi.

3. Inspect your Network & WiFi Router

inspect your network & wifi router

If the problem is on your WiFi router’s end, your Kindle Paperwhite will be unable to connect to the network.

There are a couple of methods to target issues with your network and router all at once and get your Kindle reconnected.

Notice: WiFi or network issues may also have an impact on the connectivity of other devices!

Here’s how to fix issues with your network, WiFi, and router:

✅ Reboot your WiFi router, by unplugging it from the power for 60 seconds

✅ Reconnect the service cable, of your router and keep it unplugged for 30 seconds

✅Reduce bandwidth usage, by unpairing unused devices from your WiFi 

Tip: Contact the internet service provider if you’re having connectivity issues on other devices!

4. Re-Add your Router’s WiFi Network

re-add your router’s wifi network

When the Kindle Paperwhite won’t connect to WiFi, a quick solution to the problem is to forget and re-add the problematic WiFi network.

If your Kindle Paperwhite refuses to connect only with your home or phone’s WiFi, it is possible that there’s an issue with the WiFi profile.

Here’s how to re-add WiFi networks on your Kindle Paperwhite:

  1. Access the Menu page on your Kindle Paperwhite.
  2. Head into the Settings tab from the menu pane.
  3. Press on the “WiFi Networks” button next.
  4. Locate and tap the network with a tick next to it.
  5. Scroll down and press on “Forget”.
  6. Lastly, reconnect with your WiFi network.
Note: Once the WiFi network has been forgotten, you will be able to reconnect with it from the “WiFi Networks” tab on your Kindle Paperwhite.

5. Check for Kindle Network Restrictions

check for kindle network restrictions

It is possible that your Kindle Paperwhite’s connection has been restricted by the WiFi network.

It is often where the security utilization of your network may forbid devices with unproven hostnames to connect with the WiFi, and your Kindle may be on the “black list” too!

How to Lower Network Restrictions/Security?

For this purpose, you need access to the GUI (configuration) of your network router.

Accessing the GUI is only possible after acquiring the default gateway of the network, necessary for accessing the web settings of the router.

  • To acquire the default gateway, check the sticker on the bottom of your router!

How to Access Router GUI (Controls)?

  1. Open a web browser on your PC/laptop.
  2. Paste the default gateway on the search field.
  3. Tip: use “admin” and “password” for credentials.
  4. Press “Enter” and log in to your router. 

How to Unrestrict Kindle Paperwhite?

  1. Navigate into the “Security” tab within the GUI.
  2. Go to “Forbidden Devices” or “Limited Devices”.
  3. Check if your Kindle Paperwhite’s hostname is there.
  4. Press on the settings slider and select “Unforbid”.
Info: Your Kindle Paperwhite’s network name will remain visible in the “Blocked/Forbidden Devices” list within your network.

6. Test via Mobile Hotspot

test via mobile hotspot

If you’re only experiencing WiFi issues on your Kindle Paperwhite when connecting to your home network, enable your phone’s hotspot and try pairing the e-reader.

Your phone’s mobile hotspot supports cellular connection which could be more stable at times compared to the WiFi.

  1. Launch your phone settings.
  2. Go to “Cellular” or “Mobile Data”.
  3. Press on “Mobile Hotspot” next.
  4. Tap the activation slider once.
Note: Type down your hotspot’s hostname as you will have to find it in your Kindle’s WiFi settings afterward.

Check the password for your hotspot as well (randomly generated.

How to Pair Kindle Paperwhite to Hotspot:

  1. Go to “Quick Actions” from the home screen of the e-reader.
  2. Select “All Settings” > “Wi-Fi & Bluetooth”.
  3. Locate your phone’s hotspot network.
  4. Select the network and type down the password.
  5. Press “Connect” and wait for your Kindle to pair.

If your Kindle does not connect to the hotspot either, then the problem is software-related!

7. Update Kindle Paperwhite Version Manually

update kindle paperwhite version manually

If by any means your Kindle Paperwhite failed to upload the latest update by itself, there is a way to upload the latest software version into your device manually!

How to Compare Kindle Firmware Versions?

To compare the current version of your Kindle Paperwhite, it’s necessary to check the latest available version on Amazon’s website!

✅ On your Kindle, go to Settings > “Three Dot Icon” > Device Info and note down the firmware version of the device

✅ On your PC/laptop, head to Kindle’ Software Page and check the latest released firmware version

Note: If the latest firmware in the website matches your Kindle’s, there is no need for update!

How to Update Kindle Firmware Manually:

  1. Connect your Kindle to your PC/laptop using the charging cable.
  2. Open the Kindle drive from the “This PC” tab on your computer.
  3. Download the latest available firmware for your Kindle.,
  4. Move the downloaded file into the Kindle drive.
  5. On your Kindle, go to Settings > Menu > Update your Kindle.
  6. Tap “OK” to start the firmware update process.
Info: Do not interfere with your Kindle while it is still updating!

8. Factory Reset your Kindle e-Reader!

factory reset your kindle e-reader!

Our last solution is to perform a total factory reset on your Kindle Paperwhite.

If none of our steps worked so far, perhaps it’s best to erase the software, setup your e-reader from scratch, and try to connect the device to WiFi cleanly!

  • All content, settings, and data from your Kindle Paperwhite will be erased!

Here’s how to factory reset a Kindle Paperwhite:

  1. Tap the “All Settings” icon.
  2. Head into “Device Options”.
  3. Tap “Reset” at the bottom.
  4. Confirm the reset process.
Alert: Once the e-reader starts the reset, stop interacting with the device until it restarts.

Quick Recap:

We’ve learned that when the Kindle Paperwhite won’t connect to WiFi, the best solution is to restart the device first and check if the WiFi is 2.4GHz.

If the issue persists, update the firmware of your Kindle manually and perform a factory restoration process.

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