Troubleshooting Kindle 3G power slide switch spring

nuke · 09-28-2025, 06:30 PM

Hi.
I'm looking for a replacement power button slide switch spring as the one in my ancient Kindle 3G broke from fatigue.

This is my first of three Kindles and still the one I like the best and use the most.

Is there somewhere that I can buy a replacement spring?

Thanks in advance.

Tarana · 09-29-2025, 12:37 AM

That is what failed on two of my Kindle keyboards. Unable to find a suitable spring.

Quoth · 09-29-2025, 05:57 AM

Make one by straightening a piece of ballpoint pen spring, or maybe out of guitar wire or fishing tackle wire.

nuke · 09-29-2025, 08:48 AM

Bummer.

Thank you @Quoth and @Tarana. I was hoping to avoid fashioning one myself but if that's the only option ... I guess I can give it a whirl.

Thanks for the quick reply.

Quoth · 09-29-2025, 11:10 AM

Cutters, small pliers (maybe 2 pairs) and a screw driver or thin rod to make a turn, if there is one. I've seen it but I forget what it looks like. The PRS-350 switch or a Zoom Handy4N power switch are harder to fix.

I've used ballpoint pen springs to fix all kinds of things, even before the 1985 MacGyver TV series.

vermontcathy · 09-29-2025, 04:36 PM

I've got a K3 with a broken screen and no battery (removed it because it wouldn't charge). I could mail you the spring for like $4. PM me. I'll try removing it. Is it JUST the curved metal you need - not the little vertical part that the spring is attached to on the left?

nuke · 10-25-2025, 10:56 AM

Thank you @vermontcathy for your offer, I've solved the issue.

Thank you @Quoth for your suggestion.

I fashioned a replacement spring from a ballpoint pen spring. I hadn't thought about that option before and while it took 2 attempts but it works surprisingly well. Thanks again.

09-28-2025, 06:30 PM	#1
nuke Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kindle G3, Paperwhite 2021, Scribe 1	Kindle 3G power slide switch spring Hi. I'm looking for a replacement power button slide switch spring as the one in my ancient Kindle 3G broke from fatigue. This is my first of three Kindles and still the one I like the best and use the most. Is there somewhere that I can buy a replacement spring? Thanks in advance. Last edited by nuke; 09-28-2025 at 06:34 PM.

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09-29-2025, 12:37 AM	#2
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,061 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	That is what failed on two of my Kindle keyboards. Unable to find a suitable spring.

09-29-2025, 05:57 AM	#3
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,990 Karma: 111111255 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Make one by straightening a piece of ballpoint pen spring, or maybe out of guitar wire or fishing tackle wire.

09-29-2025, 08:48 AM	#4
nuke Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kindle G3, Paperwhite 2021, Scribe 1	Bummer. Thank you @Quoth and @Tarana. I was hoping to avoid fashioning one myself but if that's the only option ... I guess I can give it a whirl. Thanks for the quick reply.

09-29-2025, 11:10 AM	#5
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,990 Karma: 111111255 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Cutters, small pliers (maybe 2 pairs) and a screw driver or thin rod to make a turn, if there is one. I've seen it but I forget what it looks like. The PRS-350 switch or a Zoom Handy4N power switch are harder to fix. I've used ballpoint pen springs to fix all kinds of things, even before the 1985 MacGyver TV series.

09-29-2025, 04:36 PM	#6
vermontcathy Zealot Posts: 115 Karma: 536510 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: vermont Device: Colorsoft, K3, K4, Oasis	I've got a K3 with a broken screen and no battery (removed it because it wouldn't charge). I could mail you the spring for like $4. PM me. I'll try removing it. Is it JUST the curved metal you need - not the little vertical part that the spring is attached to on the left?

10-25-2025, 10:56 AM	#7
nuke Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kindle G3, Paperwhite 2021, Scribe 1	Thank you @vermontcathy for your offer, I've solved the issue. Thank you @Quoth for your suggestion. I fashioned a replacement spring from a ballpoint pen spring. I hadn't thought about that option before and while it took 2 attempts but it works surprisingly well. Thanks again.

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