Book covers won't show up on Kindle Paperwhite?

amyeds · 04-08-2020, 02:29 PM

Hi all. I just got a new kindle paperwhite, after my last one came to an unfortunate end. I used to be able to add covers to epub files in Calibre, and then have the covers appear on the Kindle. However, I can't seem to get it to work anymore: I'm not sure if it's the new Calibre update, or if it's the new Kindle.

Has anyone else had any problems doing this recently?

Thanks

kovidgoyal · 04-08-2020, 10:44 PM

You need to transfer books to the paperwhite using the USB connection, then calibre will place the cover thumbnails on the device when transferring the files and so the covers will show up.

amyeds · 04-09-2020, 02:17 AM

Do you mean with the "send to device" or "send to folder" options? That is what I used and it did not work

Barbara1955 · 04-09-2020, 02:28 AM

Transfer via USB use the MOBI Format. Other Amazon Formats even coming direct from Amazon seems to leave off the covers.

JSWolf · 04-09-2020, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbara1955

Transfer via USB use the MOBI Format. Other Amazon Formats even coming direct from Amazon seems to leave off the covers.

Don't use Mobi. Use KF8. Why would you side load Mobi when you can side load KF8? With Mobi, you don't get your choice of user installed fonts and you cannot up the weight. Plus if there is any formatting that Mobi cannot handle, that gets messed up.

Brett Merkey · 04-09-2020, 09:28 AM

@amyeds
One thing to try: Use the Polish tool on a book before transferring to the reader. Make sure the Polish settings have "update cover in the book filrs" checked.

stumped · 04-09-2020, 10:49 AM

i have said before, Kindles use a "Goldilocks" principle for covers. the sideloaded cover needs to be not too big, not too small, but just as they like it.
and the acceptable range is not documented. I settled on 600 x 900 by trial and error.
larger may well be acceptable for newer Kindles, but I don't stare at covers much so I aint fussed about hi-res.
if covers are still missing even with sensible sizing , then its some other issue, but you should not need to revert to .mobi.
if i sideload a .azw file from calibre, to PW3, cover shows up ok
teh " send to kindle" route may be less tolerant.... I know I can't "send" azw, I have to send .mobi and it has to be the right flavour of .mobi or nothing shows up.

it used to be that amazon sold a lot of low priced / free books with no covers at all, just the generic Kindle thing. I don't shop enough to know if that is still a widespread issue or not.

kovidgoyal · 04-09-2020, 11:05 AM

sideloading books via usb shows up covers on my paperwhite just fine. Try resetting yours.

amyeds · 04-15-2020, 04:00 PM

I've tried changing the size, and I've tried both .mobi and azw3 files.

I am using the "save to disk" option, selecting my kindle as the disk, since it doesn't seem to want to automatically pick up the kindle as a device: should I be doing it some other way?

I'm not seeing the polish option: where can I find that?

Thanks!

BetterRed · 04-15-2020, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyeds

I'm not seeing the polish option: where can I find that?

Press 'P' or add to a toolbar or menu via Preferences.

BR

amyeds · 04-15-2020, 04:35 PM

Update: Polishing didn't work, BUT uninstalling and reinstalling Calibre did! So maybe it was just an issue with my download.

Thanks for the help everyone!

04-08-2020, 02:29 PM	#1
amyeds Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Book covers won't show up on Kindle Paperwhite? Hi all. I just got a new kindle paperwhite, after my last one came to an unfortunate end. I used to be able to add covers to epub files in Calibre, and then have the covers appear on the Kindle. However, I can't seem to get it to work anymore: I'm not sure if it's the new Calibre update, or if it's the new Kindle. Has anyone else had any problems doing this recently? Thanks

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04-08-2020, 10:44 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,345 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	You need to transfer books to the paperwhite using the USB connection, then calibre will place the cover thumbnails on the device when transferring the files and so the covers will show up.

04-09-2020, 02:17 AM	#3
amyeds Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Do you mean with the "send to device" or "send to folder" options? That is what I used and it did not work

04-09-2020, 02:28 AM	#4
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,455 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	Transfer via USB use the MOBI Format. Other Amazon Formats even coming direct from Amazon seems to leave off the covers.

04-09-2020, 09:28 AM	#6
Brett Merkey Not Quite Dead Posts: 195 Karma: 654170 Join Date: Jul 2015 Device: Paperwhite 4; Galaxy Tab	@amyeds One thing to try: Use the Polish tool on a book before transferring to the reader. Make sure the Polish settings have "update cover in the book filrs" checked.

04-09-2020, 10:49 AM	#7
stumped Wizard Posts: 3,305 Karma: 10259306 Join Date: May 2016 Device: kobo forma, Kobo Libra, Huawei media Tab, fire HD10, PW3 HDX8.9,	i have said before, Kindles use a "Goldilocks" principle for covers. the sideloaded cover needs to be not too big, not too small, but just as they like it. and the acceptable range is not documented. I settled on 600 x 900 by trial and error. larger may well be acceptable for newer Kindles, but I don't stare at covers much so I aint fussed about hi-res. if covers are still missing even with sensible sizing , then its some other issue, but you should not need to revert to .mobi. if i sideload a .azw file from calibre, to PW3, cover shows up ok teh " send to kindle" route may be less tolerant.... I know I can't "send" azw, I have to send .mobi and it has to be the right flavour of .mobi or nothing shows up. it used to be that amazon sold a lot of low priced / free books with no covers at all, just the generic Kindle thing. I don't shop enough to know if that is still a widespread issue or not.

04-09-2020, 11:05 AM	#8
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,345 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	sideloading books via usb shows up covers on my paperwhite just fine. Try resetting yours.

04-15-2020, 04:00 PM	#9
amyeds Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I've tried changing the size, and I've tried both .mobi and azw3 files. I am using the "save to disk" option, selecting my kindle as the disk, since it doesn't seem to want to automatically pick up the kindle as a device: should I be doing it some other way? I'm not seeing the polish option: where can I find that? Thanks!

04-15-2020, 04:35 PM	#11
amyeds Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Update: Polishing didn't work, BUT uninstalling and reinstalling Calibre did! So maybe it was just an issue with my download. Thanks for the help everyone!

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