Troubleshooting Is it normal that the Paperwhite's screen pulses?

Boros · 01-23-2015, 09:29 AM

I've noticed my screen isn't as completely stable as it was, or, as I assumed it was. It pulses. The issue isn't noticeable at all when I'm focused on reading, but if I stared to the blank places on the screen really hard, once in awhile the light dims and resumes normal.

I've only noticed this after changing the light setting recently, and because it's so subtle a thing, I'm not sure if it's even suppose to be an issue, maybe it's been like this since I got it, and the issue only becomes noticeable after I paid attention.

Is the pulsing normal?

Anthem · 01-23-2015, 01:32 PM

The light modulating up and down or somehow appearing to shift levels or be somewhat inconsistent is definitely possible and probably undesirable, I would think. I don't know if this means that the light is going out or anything like that. Maybe someone else will.

Boros · 01-23-2015, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthem

The light modulating up and down or somehow appearing to shift levels or be somewhat inconsistent is definitely possible and probably undesirable, I would think. I don't know if this means that the light is going out or anything like that. Maybe someone else will.

Now it's noticeable even if I'm not paying attention to it. The effect hasn't escalated, it's just unavoidable for me to notice it now my mind is fixated.

Note, this only becomes noticeable if the room is perfectly dark.

Anthem · 01-26-2015, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boros

Now it's noticeable even if I'm not paying attention to it. The effect hasn't escalated, it's just unavoidable for me to notice it now my mind is fixated.

Note, this only becomes noticeable if the room is perfectly dark.

Well, I had two Paperwhites and neither one did this, even in pitch black rooms in the middle of the night, so it definitely isn't a standard thing. If it is still under warranty you might want to check with Amazon and see what they can do for you.

(I also had a Nook Glowlight and the light on that didn't do this either.)

Barty · 01-26-2015, 02:24 PM

It sounds like yours has a defect.

alansplace · 01-27-2015, 12:20 AM

No it isn't normal. I have 2 PW's and neither of them has ever behaved as you describe. Contact Customer Service, Amazon should replace it free of charge.

David S CLarke · 01-27-2015, 12:04 PM

I agree with alansplace. I own several Paperwhites and have never experienced this problem.

Mailman48 · 02-20-2016, 12:09 PM

I just bought the 7th Gen of this e reader and noticed last night in my dark bedroom that I too have this pulsation of the front light. Mine is more of a constant up and down of the light intensity. I contacted Amazon this AM and they are replacing the device. They never even questioned my complaint - I got the feeling this might be an issue that has surfaced before. At first I thought it was just me. Am I glad I found this forum! I even had my wife check it out and she sees the same thing. It's something that I could probably just get used to and overlook, but if it's a hardware issue, I want it replaced now while the paper-white is still under warranty.

01-23-2015, 09:29 AM	#1
Boros Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2015 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Is it normal that the Paperwhite's screen pulses? I've noticed my screen isn't as completely stable as it was, or, as I assumed it was. It pulses. The issue isn't noticeable at all when I'm focused on reading, but if I stared to the blank places on the screen really hard, once in awhile the light dims and resumes normal. I've only noticed this after changing the light setting recently, and because it's so subtle a thing, I'm not sure if it's even suppose to be an issue, maybe it's been like this since I got it, and the issue only becomes noticeable after I paid attention. Is the pulsing normal?

01-27-2015, 12:20 AM	#6
alansplace Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,895 Karma: 464403178 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: 33.9388° N, 117.2716° W Device: Kindles K-2, K-KB, PW 1 & 2, Voyage, Fire 2, 5 & HD 8, Surface 3, iPad	Is it normal that the Paperwhite's screen pulses? No it isn't normal. I have 2 PW's and neither of them has ever behaved as you describe. Contact Customer Service, Amazon should replace it free of charge.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How much ghosting on new paperwhite is normal?	Jocini	Amazon Kindle	7	12-03-2014 02:55 PM
New Paperwhite Screen	graypal	Amazon Kindle	2	12-07-2012 01:59 PM
PRS-600 Is This Normal? (RE: Touch Screen issue)	NightLad	Sony Reader	3	05-04-2010 05:16 PM
Menu Image Retension - normal? or bad screen?	cancelx	Astak EZReader	3	04-07-2010 12:54 AM
Screen renders differently in direct sunlight vs. normal light?	majaka	iRex	13	03-03-2009 11:44 AM

01-23-2015, 01:32 PM	#2
Anthem Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 1622328 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle Oasis, OnePlus Nord	The light modulating up and down or somehow appearing to shift levels or be somewhat inconsistent is definitely possible and probably undesirable, I would think. I don't know if this means that the light is going out or anything like that. Maybe someone else will.

01-26-2015, 02:24 PM	#5
Barty doofus Posts: 2,543 Karma: 13089041 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Voyage	It sounds like yours has a defect.

01-27-2015, 12:04 PM	#7
David S CLarke Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Michigan Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I agree with alansplace. I own several Paperwhites and have never experienced this problem.

02-20-2016, 12:09 PM	#8
Mailman48 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2016 Device: Kindle PaperWhite Gen 7	I just bought the 7th Gen of this e reader and noticed last night in my dark bedroom that I too have this pulsation of the front light. Mine is more of a constant up and down of the light intensity. I contacted Amazon this AM and they are replacing the device. They never even questioned my complaint - I got the feeling this might be an issue that has surfaced before. At first I thought it was just me. Am I glad I found this forum! I even had my wife check it out and she sees the same thing. It's something that I could probably just get used to and overlook, but if it's a hardware issue, I want it replaced now while the paper-white is still under warranty.

Advert

Advert