Is Kobo Firmware Better Now?

enuddleyarbl · 05-07-2021, 01:02 PM

I just ran across a thread where Kovid referred to this:

https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...-touch-glo-etc

Quote:

The Kobo has very buggy firmware. Connecting to it has been known to fail at random. Certain combinations of motherboard, USB ports/cables/hubs can exacerbate this tendency to fail.

I don't see any date in that reference. Since I'm planning on moving from my Kindle Voyage to the Kobo Forma in the near future, I'm wondering if the Kobo firmware has gotten better on the newest devices (Forma, Libra H2O, Clara HD, Nia)?

4691mls · 05-07-2021, 01:46 PM

My Kobo Clara is stock. I haven't added any patches or other modifications. The only occasional problems I have are:

1. About every second or third time I try to sync the Kobo doesn't find any wifi networks and I have to try again. (No, this is not a problem with my wifi. My other devices don't have this problem. And even if my wifi weren't working, the Kobo should be able to see the numerous other wifi networks in my apartment building!)

2. Sometimes when I swipe a page to turn forward it turns back instead. This doesn't happen in every book, but once it does happen in a particular book it's likely to happen again randomly in that book.

Otherwise the reader works fine.

John F · 05-07-2021, 02:11 PM

I would say, from reports on this forum, you may have problems using a particular cable or port. Once you find a cable and port that work, it is solid. I've had 6 Kobos and didn't have any problems until my latest laptop; one USB port is unreliable, so I a different USB port and don't have any problems.

Calibre always connects reliably for me.

Pjama · 05-07-2021, 02:11 PM

My Libra works perfectly, latest firmware with devmodeon.

DNSB · 05-07-2021, 03:21 PM

That quote is from several years back. 2016-2017?

Personally, I have found that my Kobos have been more sensitive to USB port/USB cable issues but I have a collection of USB cables that work well with my Kobos and know that Kobo and USB 3 ports can be iffy. On my laptop, the always on USB 3 charging port will not connect to a Kobo or Kindle PW ereader but the other USB 3 port is a happy camper with either.

JSWolf · 05-07-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4691mls

My Kobo Clara is stock. I haven't added any patches or other modifications. The only occasional problems I have are:

1. About every second or third time I try to sync the Kobo doesn't find any wifi networks and I have to try again. (No, this is not a problem with my wifi. My other devices don't have this problem. And even if my wifi weren't working, the Kobo should be able to see the numerous other wifi networks in my apartment building!)

2. Sometimes when I swipe a page to turn forward it turns back instead. This doesn't happen in every book, but once it does happen in a particular book it's likely to happen again randomly in that book.

Otherwise the reader works fine.

About the WiFi, when you connect to the WiFi, the Kobo tried to connect to some website and if it fails to connect, the WiFi will drop. There is an option you can add to the config to stop the website connection and just connect to the WiFi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

One thing the device does when connecting to WiFi is to check access to a web page. This is http://www.kobo.com/buildinfo.xml. If it cannot fetch that successfully, it will drop the WiFi connection. But, recent firmware should be prompting if it cannot connect and ask if you want to connect anyway. If that isn't happening, you can try adding the following to the config file:

Code:

[FeatureSettings]
IgnoreCaptivePortal=true

This will tell the firmware to ignore the results of the check and stay connected.

Sirtel · 05-07-2021, 04:17 PM

My Libra has had issues with some cables and could not connect to my USB-C only laptop via adapters, I had to buy a USB-2 hub. Otherwise I have not encountered any particular bugs. No issues with Calibre either. I'd say the Kobo firmware has greatly improved in recent years, going by the reports here.

Dr. Drib · 05-07-2021, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

My Libra has had issues with some cables and could not connect to my USB-C only laptop via adapters, I had to buy a USB-2 hub. Otherwise I have not encountered any particular bugs. No issues with Calibre either. I'd say the Kobo firmware has greatly improved in recent years, going by the reports here.

I also did what you did and the issue was solved on connecting my two Kobo readers to my new MacBook Air M1.

With my two Kindles, there's no problem at all when directly connecting them to the same computer.

Cootey · 05-10-2021, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveLessnau

I just ran across a thread where Kovid referred to this:

https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...-touch-glo-etc

I don't see any date in that reference. Since I'm planning on moving from my Kindle Voyage to the Kobo Forma in the near future, I'm wondering if the Kobo firmware has gotten better on the newest devices (Forma, Libra H2O, Clara HD, Nia)?

That is definitely an older reference. I can’t remember which firmware release it was or when, but there was a USB bug a few years back that they fixed immediately with an update. I have two Clara HDs and neither has issues currently connecting to my Mac or Calibre. Sometimes people will run into odd connection issues due to their unique setups, but I haven’t seen it be any more common than with Kindles on this site. I’ve had to return more Kindles than Kobos tbh.

However, Macs and PCs that have native USB-C ports seem to give recent Kobos trouble. Not everybody runs into this mounting issue, but those who do get around it by using a USB2 hub.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

rashkae · 05-10-2021, 07:03 AM

I had persistent problems with my H20 2 (first edition) connecting with my previous motherboard. Not only would it often fail to connect, but when it did, it completely broke my ability to connect any other usb device until computer was restarted, (unless I disabled USB3 in the bios, or used a usb hub.).. The problem was hardware specific, however. The same firmware did not exhibit any problems with other kobo devices. And the problematic device would work just fine on my Laptop and my new computer. I know this is just an anecdote, and on it's own, really doesn't prove anything.... Hardware incompatibilities of various types are, sadly a fact of life.

minsik · 05-11-2021, 07:16 AM

kobo aura h20 and fW 4.26.16704 is very good, no crashes, fast searching and all features seem to work well. Its just got better and better as far as i can see.
lots of books, epub and some kepubs. A few pdf's too.
Battery life is excellent and even its several years old. I never use power off just sleep.
Of course no mods or other software and its staying that way!

meeera · 05-11-2021, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

That quote is from several years back. 2016-2017?

Given that the question it's answering refers to the Touch and Glo, I'd guess a lot older. The Glo was a 2012 release, the Touch earlier.

JSWolf · 05-11-2021, 05:40 PM

The firmware now compared to the firmware back when that bit about Kobo was written for the Calibre documentation is much better.

davidfor · 05-11-2021, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

Given that the question it's answering refers to the Touch and Glo, I'd guess a lot older. The Glo was a 2012 release, the Touch earlier.

It says "Touch/Glo/etc.." And elements in it are more recent than that. But, it is all still valid. Look at all the problems connecting to recent MACs. And I have posted what is basically that list several times this year.

But, if you scroll up to the question about collections, it has (with my emphasis):

Quote:

Neither the Kindle nor the Nook provide any way to manipulate collections over a USB connection. If you really care about using collections, I would urge you to sell your Kindle/Nook and get a Kobo. Only Kobo seems to understand that life is too short to be entering collections one by one on an e-ink screen 😇

So, it can't be all bad.

compurandom · 05-12-2021, 08:12 AM

The other issue that can cause USB connection issues is bad USB cables.

There are charging cables that don't support data, and cables also wear out over time and can cause issues. Cheap cables wear out faster, but even high quality cables can wear out if they get bent too much.

This affects all devices.

05-07-2021, 02:11 PM	#3
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,925 Karma: 70583139 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	I would say, from reports on this forum, you may have problems using a particular cable or port. Once you find a cable and port that work, it is solid. I've had 6 Kobos and didn't have any problems until my latest laptop; one USB port is unreliable, so I a different USB port and don't have any problems. Calibre always connects reliably for me. Last edited by John F; 05-07-2021 at 02:16 PM.

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05-07-2021, 01:46 PM	#2
4691mls Wizard Posts: 2,776 Karma: 30081762 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1	My Kobo Clara is stock. I haven't added any patches or other modifications. The only occasional problems I have are: 1. About every second or third time I try to sync the Kobo doesn't find any wifi networks and I have to try again. (No, this is not a problem with my wifi. My other devices don't have this problem. And even if my wifi weren't working, the Kobo should be able to see the numerous other wifi networks in my apartment building!) 2. Sometimes when I swipe a page to turn forward it turns back instead. This doesn't happen in every book, but once it does happen in a particular book it's likely to happen again randomly in that book. Otherwise the reader works fine.

05-07-2021, 02:11 PM	#4
Pjama Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 2347200 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: TX Device: Scribe and Libra Colour	My Libra works perfectly, latest firmware with devmodeon.

05-07-2021, 03:21 PM	#5
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,035 Karma: 168961900 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	That quote is from several years back. 2016-2017? Personally, I have found that my Kobos have been more sensitive to USB port/USB cable issues but I have a collection of USB cables that work well with my Kobos and know that Kobo and USB 3 ports can be iffy. On my laptop, the always on USB 3 charging port will not connect to a Kobo or Kindle PW ereader but the other USB 3 port is a happy camper with either.

05-07-2021, 04:17 PM	#7
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,438 Karma: 239219453 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	My Libra has had issues with some cables and could not connect to my USB-C only laptop via adapters, I had to buy a USB-2 hub. Otherwise I have not encountered any particular bugs. No issues with Calibre either. I'd say the Kobo firmware has greatly improved in recent years, going by the reports here.

05-10-2021, 07:03 AM	#10
rashkae Wizard Posts: 1,274 Karma: 5935030 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura HD	I had persistent problems with my H20 2 (first edition) connecting with my previous motherboard. Not only would it often fail to connect, but when it did, it completely broke my ability to connect any other usb device until computer was restarted, (unless I disabled USB3 in the bios, or used a usb hub.).. The problem was hardware specific, however. The same firmware did not exhibit any problems with other kobo devices. And the problematic device would work just fine on my Laptop and my new computer. I know this is just an anecdote, and on it's own, really doesn't prove anything.... Hardware incompatibilities of various types are, sadly a fact of life.

05-11-2021, 07:16 AM	#11
minsik Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Device: Kobo H2O revision 5.	kobo aura h20 and fW 4.26.16704 is very good, no crashes, fast searching and all features seem to work well. Its just got better and better as far as i can see. lots of books, epub and some kepubs. A few pdf's too. Battery life is excellent and even its several years old. I never use power off just sleep. Of course no mods or other software and its staying that way!

05-11-2021, 05:40 PM	#13
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,696 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The firmware now compared to the firmware back when that bit about Kobo was written for the Calibre documentation is much better.

05-12-2021, 08:12 AM	#15
compurandom Wizard Posts: 1,011 Karma: 500000 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: Rocketbook, kobo aura h2o, kobo forma, kobo libra color	The other issue that can cause USB connection issues is bad USB cables. There are charging cables that don't support data, and cables also wear out over time and can cause issues. Cheap cables wear out faster, but even high quality cables can wear out if they get bent too much. This affects all devices.

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