Kindle Paperwhite not connecting to Desktop

sandaleen · 11-26-2019, 05:14 PM

Hi there

I've tried:

- different cable
- different laptop
- restarting the kindle

But I still cannot see the device in Explorer!

Any suggestions for things that I might have missed?

I'm not a computer wizz, but I have a reading addiction...so I would do basically anything to get this fixed!

BookCat · 11-26-2019, 05:42 PM

Is this a new Paperwhite? Did you buy it from Amazon? If so, get in touch with their customer service. If it's one which has previously worked fine, have you changed anything, for example bought a new computer?

More information needed.

JSWolf · 11-26-2019, 05:52 PM

Can you charge your Kindle? If not, the USB port is shot.

BookCat · 11-26-2019, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Can you charge your Kindle? If not, the USB port is shot.

Or could just be dirty. Try another USB port. Sounds more to me like this is a dud kindle, maybe from ebay. But I'm guessing until the OP returns with more information.

JSWolf · 11-26-2019, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

Or could just be dirty. Try another USB port. Sounds more to me like this is a dud kindle, maybe from ebay. But I'm guessing until the OP returns with more information.

I'm not talking the USB port on the computer. I'm talking the USB port on the Kindle.

sandaleen · 11-27-2019, 03:37 PM

Thanks for your replies!

I bought it from Amazon in 2018.
Nothing changed - same laptop, same cables etc. I don't have the savvy to jailbreak it or something like that...
I can still charge it as always.
I'll look into cleaning the USB port - thanks for the suggestion!

sandaleen · 11-27-2019, 05:45 PM

I forgot to add that the kindle charges when connected to the PC, the light next to the button is on but it stays on the homescreen and doesn't change to the page that says disconnect your Kindle if you want it to change while connected to the laptop.

And just as Murphy likes it - My return window closed in September...so I'm stuck with it!

BookCat · 11-27-2019, 11:03 PM

Regardless of your return window, get in touch with Amazon Customer Support, using their 'Chat' option. If the person you first chat with isn't helpful, ask to chat with a technical advisor.

Although the Kindle is no longer under guarantee, it should still do the job you bought it for and should last for longer than a year. Your statutory rights take precedence over Amazon's returns policy.

sandaleen · 11-28-2019, 12:11 AM

Thanks!! I didn’t know that!!

shalym · 11-28-2019, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

Regardless of your return window, get in touch with Amazon Customer Support, using their 'Chat' option. If the person you first chat with isn't helpful, ask to chat with a technical advisor.

Although the Kindle is no longer under guarantee, it should still do the job you bought it for and should last for longer than a year. Your statutory rights take precedence over Amazon's returns policy.

Actually, while that may be true where you live, it definitely isn't true everywhere.

Shari

Paperbackstash · 11-29-2019, 01:09 AM

I have this problem with all my kindles - they connect and "charge" but won't show on the computer. I have found that if I find the cord they come with, they then will be read by the PC. Since I see no difference between the cables in comparison to the other cables, it doesn't make sense, but it always makes the difference. I can still charge with other USB cables I have laying around. Odd but true. You may want to try finding the USB the kindle came with if you haven't already. And yes, I've switched out several different cords but to no avail other than the one the Kindle came with.

This isn't a consistent problem, as sometimes any cord will pick up the cord for the PC, then they randomly act up again.

stumped · 11-29-2019, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paperbackstash

I have this problem with all my kindles - they connect and "charge" but won't show on the computer. I have found that if I find the cord they come with, they then will be read by the PC. Since I see no difference between the cables in comparison to the other cables
.

charge uses a pair of pins in the connection,. " see me" and transfer data uses different pins. so it is logical that one may work and the other not if the relevant pins are not engaging properly

I doubt that Amazon have changed the industry standard of what pins do what, so any cable should work. but mechanical issues are sadly common, part of the moulding is too short, or too long , or the cable is loose in the socket....

JSWolf · 11-29-2019, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumped

charge uses a pair of pins in the connection,. " see me" and transfer data uses different pins. so it is logical that one may work and the other not if the relevant pins are not engaging properly

I doubt that Amazon have changed the industry standard of what pins do what, so any cable should work. but mechanical issues are sadly common, part of the moulding is too short, or too long , or the cable is loose in the socket....

I've never had a problem connecting a Kindle to any of my computers USB ports. I've also never used the cable that came with the Kindle.

patrickt · 11-30-2019, 08:16 AM

I have a dozen cables I could use that wouldn't connect my Kindle to my computer. I have marked a couple of my original Kindle cables and that's why I always used to download firmware updates.

I would not suspect a port problem if the Kindle was charging from the computer but no making a data connection.

ilovejedd · 11-30-2019, 11:17 AM

There are USB cables that are power only with no data connection. I've received a couple of those with some of my flip phones.

11-26-2019, 05:14 PM	#1
sandaleen Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 3 Wifi 3G, Kindle Paperwhite	Kindle Paperwhite not connecting to Desktop Hi there I've tried: - different cable - different laptop - restarting the kindle But I still cannot see the device in Explorer! Any suggestions for things that I might have missed? I'm not a computer wizz, but I have a reading addiction...so I would do basically anything to get this fixed!

11-27-2019, 03:37 PM	#6
sandaleen Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 3 Wifi 3G, Kindle Paperwhite	Thanks for your replies! I bought it from Amazon in 2018. Nothing changed - same laptop, same cables etc. I don't have the savvy to jailbreak it or something like that... I can still charge it as always. I'll look into cleaning the USB port - thanks for the suggestion! Last edited by sandaleen; 11-27-2019 at 03:41 PM.

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11-26-2019, 05:42 PM	#2
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Is this a new Paperwhite? Did you buy it from Amazon? If so, get in touch with their customer service. If it's one which has previously worked fine, have you changed anything, for example bought a new computer? More information needed.

11-26-2019, 05:52 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,294 Karma: 145488788 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Can you charge your Kindle? If not, the USB port is shot.

11-27-2019, 05:45 PM	#7
sandaleen Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 3 Wifi 3G, Kindle Paperwhite	I forgot to add that the kindle charges when connected to the PC, the light next to the button is on but it stays on the homescreen and doesn't change to the page that says disconnect your Kindle if you want it to change while connected to the laptop. And just as Murphy likes it - My return window closed in September...so I'm stuck with it!

11-27-2019, 11:03 PM	#8
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Regardless of your return window, get in touch with Amazon Customer Support, using their 'Chat' option. If the person you first chat with isn't helpful, ask to chat with a technical advisor. Although the Kindle is no longer under guarantee, it should still do the job you bought it for and should last for longer than a year. Your statutory rights take precedence over Amazon's returns policy.

11-28-2019, 12:11 AM	#9
sandaleen Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 3 Wifi 3G, Kindle Paperwhite	Thanks!! I didn’t know that!!

11-29-2019, 01:09 AM	#11
Paperbackstash Wizard Posts: 1,653 Karma: 20102554 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Central Florida Device: Oasis 3, PW 3 & 5, Fire HD 8 & 10	I have this problem with all my kindles - they connect and "charge" but won't show on the computer. I have found that if I find the cord they come with, they then will be read by the PC. Since I see no difference between the cables in comparison to the other cables, it doesn't make sense, but it always makes the difference. I can still charge with other USB cables I have laying around. Odd but true. You may want to try finding the USB the kindle came with if you haven't already. And yes, I've switched out several different cords but to no avail other than the one the Kindle came with. This isn't a consistent problem, as sometimes any cord will pick up the cord for the PC, then they randomly act up again.

11-30-2019, 08:16 AM	#14
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	I have a dozen cables I could use that wouldn't connect my Kindle to my computer. I have marked a couple of my original Kindle cables and that's why I always used to download firmware updates. I would not suspect a port problem if the Kindle was charging from the computer but no making a data connection.

11-30-2019, 11:17 AM	#15
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,110 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	There are USB cables that are power only with no data connection. I've received a couple of those with some of my flip phones.

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