Paperwhite: how to turn of backlight completely?

Jackie7 · 02-08-2013, 04:35 PM

Hi,

I have recently bought a brand new Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon, abd despite my old Kindle 4, it is impossible to completely turn of the background illumination, i.e. even if I set it to zero, the backlight will still be visible in dark light. This will eat up my battery.

The question is: is that normal, or a bug? What can I do about it?

sparklemotion · 02-08-2013, 04:47 PM

It's normal behavior. The light is always on.

Jackie7 · 02-08-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

It's normal behavior. The light is always on.

But why is it not possible to turn it of? The other kindles don't have that light, and therefore much longer battery life. Why did Amazon sacrifice that?

pidgeon92 · 02-08-2013, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackie7

But why is it not possible to turn it of? The other kindles don't have that light, and therefore much longer battery life. Why did Amazon sacrifice that?

If you turn it all the way down to 1, the light uses virtually no power. I adjusted my habits from keeping the light at 12 to using it at 3 in the dark, and I now get several more days before I need to charge it.

Ephemerality · 02-08-2013, 05:26 PM

If you do want it off completely, there's a thread about it in Developer Corner

Penforhire · 02-08-2013, 05:28 PM

I am sure the reason is the amount of battery consumed at the lowest setting just isn't significant. I remain amazed at my PW battery life and I keep mine set around 14.

VaultBoy · 02-08-2013, 06:53 PM

Without "hacking?" You don't.

Blossom · 02-08-2013, 09:43 PM

I use my light on around 10-8 and in the dark 5-3 and the battery life outshines my other Kindles.

DuckieTigger · 02-08-2013, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackie7

Hi,

I have recently bought a brand new Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon, abd despite my old Kindle 4, it is impossible to completely turn of the background illumination, i.e. even if I set it to zero, the backlight will still be visible in dark light. This will eat up my battery.

The question is: is that normal, or a bug? What can I do about it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ephemerality

If you do want it off completely, there's a thread about it in Developer Corner

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaultBoy

Without "hacking?" You don't.

That depends on your definition of "hacking". In above mentioned thread I did post a light toggle switch for KUAL (see here) which adds a button to KUAL (jailbreaking still required for it). This version does not modify any system files any more - unlike posts #1, #6, #63 in said thread. All those other 3 methods require some altering by yourself of system files.

You will also find: Turn Off Frontlight W/O Jailbreak in that thread, which lets you turn the light off w/o requiring jailbreak.

And I apologize for this shameless self-advertisement - 3 of those above mentioned and linked posts are done by me.

Me! · 02-09-2013, 03:27 AM

You can do it with a magnet cover

http://www.actualidadkd.com/como-apa...le-paperwhite/

To turn the light off to do a quick and short at the top of the cover out, as if you tried to open the lid, but not.

kacir · 02-09-2013, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackie7

The question is: is that normal, or a bug? What can I do about it?

As other posters said, it is normal.
No it will not eat your battery.

If you are still concenred, you can install KUAL and a program for switching the light completely off.

My preffered solution is the installation of the Coolreader3 from Crazy Coder. In the Coolreader you can switch the light completely off. It also supports many formats, it supports hierarchical directories and many more options.

To install KUAL and program to switch off the light or Coolreader you need to jailbreak your KPW. To jailbreak it, you might need to downgrade the formware.

You can also install Duokan. Duokan is the alternative Chinese firmware that completely takes over the Kindle. After installation you can restart the Kindle in the original firmware if you wish. Installation of Duokan is not for the faint of heart, because after installation it is set to Chinese, and you have to set it to English interface using picture How-To.

Dubstepper · 02-09-2013, 07:14 AM

Yea the light is always on. Even on the lowest setting is should use very minimal power.

haydnfan · 02-09-2013, 08:36 AM

+1 to Me. Use a magnet, it is much simpler than software solutions.

HarryT · 02-09-2013, 09:44 AM

Why bother? The power drain of the lighting LEDs on minimum brightness is completely negligible.

DuckieTigger · 02-09-2013, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why bother? The power drain of the lighting LEDs on minimum brightness is completely negligible.

Harry, I completely agree with that. Turning off the light to save battery drain is useless and silly. It is arguably not visible on lowest setting either (unless in the dark when you need it).

02-08-2013, 04:47 PM	#2
sparklemotion dangerous when cornered Posts: 963 Karma: 20198767 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: K3, K5, KFire, KPW	It's normal behavior. The light is always on. __________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~ Dr. Seuss

02-08-2013, 06:53 PM	#7
VaultBoy Addict Posts: 206 Karma: 1683142 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle of many shapes, PIPBoy 3000	Without "hacking?" You don't. __________________ Revolutionizing safety for an uncertain future.

02-09-2013, 09:44 AM	#14
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 55,142 Karma: 27556397 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Touch, PW, Fire HD, iPad 3, iPhone 4, Samsung Tab 2 7 + More	Why bother? The power drain of the lighting LEDs on minimum brightness is completely negligible. __________________ Harry Currently proofreading The Poison Belt, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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02-08-2013, 04:35 PM	#1
Jackie7 Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Kindle 3	Paperwhite: how to turn of backlight completely? Hi, I have recently bought a brand new Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon, abd despite my old Kindle 4, it is impossible to completely turn of the background illumination, i.e. even if I set it to zero, the backlight will still be visible in dark light. This will eat up my battery. The question is: is that normal, or a bug? What can I do about it?

02-08-2013, 05:26 PM	#5
Ephemerality Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 601065 Join Date: Feb 2013 Device: PW	If you do want it off completely, there's a thread about it in Developer Corner

02-08-2013, 05:28 PM	#6
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 1,861 Karma: 5706076 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle PW, PRS-650, iPhone 4, iPad 4	I am sure the reason is the amount of battery consumed at the lowest setting just isn't significant. I remain amazed at my PW battery life and I keep mine set around 14.

02-08-2013, 09:43 PM	#8
Blossom Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,003 Karma: 4552989 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Eastern TN Device: PW/K4B/K4S/K3+3G KFire/SGP 5.0/LG Vortex	I use my light on around 10-8 and in the dark 5-3 and the battery life outshines my other Kindles.

02-09-2013, 03:27 AM	#10
Me! Member Posts: 13 Karma: 485274 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: K4	You can do it with a magnet cover http://www.actualidadkd.com/como-apa...le-paperwhite/ To turn the light off to do a quick and short at the top of the cover out, as if you tried to open the lid, but not.

02-09-2013, 07:14 AM	#12
Dubstepper Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2013 Device: Fire, K3 3G	Yea the light is always on. Even on the lowest setting is should use very minimal power.

02-09-2013, 08:36 AM	#13
haydnfan Addict Posts: 213 Karma: 1226382 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 4B, iPad Mini	+1 to Me. Use a magnet, it is much simpler than software solutions.


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