Cannot connect to wi-fi or 3G

NLight95 · 02-22-2011, 05:01 PM

I just purchased a Kindle 3G. Do I need to register my Kindle 3G in order to connect to wi-fi or 3G? I'm thinking it's supposed to connect right out of the box, according to the Kindle Quick Start Guide.

The problem is that it won't connect to wi-fi or 3G. It attempts to with "EDGE" showing up in the top part of the display but it always fails with the message, "A Wi-Fi connection is required to complete this task. Connect to a Wi-Fi network or try again later." Rescanning the network repeaets the same error. None of the bars are solid in the Whipsernet status indicator.

I have no connection problems with my cell phone (an LG TracFone). All the connection bars show up full on it.

I live in area code 04736. According to the link on Amazon for 3G coverage I live in a 3G network area.

http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=1

Any clues?

susan_cassidy · 02-22-2011, 05:13 PM

What network is your cell phone on? Kindle is on AT&T. Does the EDGE connection give you more than one bar? Maybe it isn't getting a strong enough signal. There are always dead spots in cell coverage, even if the map thinks you have coverage.

The Kindle connects in order to register (if it isn't registered already).

DreamWriter · 02-22-2011, 05:38 PM

I have the Kindle 3G+wifi. When I first received my Kindle in early December, 3G reception was very poor, despite being in a good coverage area according to the maps. I was extremely disappointed, since I don't have wifi at home.

I called Amazon's Customer Service and talked to them about the problem. The CS agent had me retrieve some information from my Kindle, which he then relayed to one of their technicians. Several days later, all was well and I've had great 3G reception ever since!

I'm not sure what they tweaked, but sometimes they can do magic from their end. It may be worth a call. The Kindle Customer Support numbers I have are:

U.S. customers (toll free): 1-866-321-8851
Outside the U.S. (charges will apply): 1-206-266-0927

NLight95 · 02-22-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

What network is your cell phone on? Kindle is on AT&T. Does the EDGE connection give you more than one bar? Maybe it isn't getting a strong enough signal. There are always dead spots in cell coverage, even if the map thinks you have coverage.

The Kindle connects in order to register (if it isn't registered already).

The EDGE connection shows no full bars either. I'm not sure what network my TracFone uses. It was issued to me by SafeLink Wireless. From what I understand they use several different carriers. I *think* they use Verizon, US Cellular or perhaps Alltel, but I'm not exactly sure.

As an experiment I drove around town to several locations, parking at each one then rescanning for networks on the Kindle. Only once did a network show up, called "DQ2QD," and it prompted me for a password (I suppose it was some private network).

So I'm not sure whether to keep the Kindle or just return it. I'm leaning more towards the latter.

NLight95 · 02-22-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

I have the Kindle 3G+wifi. When I first received my Kindle in early December, 3G reception was very poor, despite being in a good coverage area according to the maps. I was extremely disappointed, since I don't have wifi at home.

I called Amazon's Customer Service and talked to them about the problem. The CS agent had me retrieve some information from my Kindle, which he then relayed to one of their technicians. Several days later, all was well and I've had great 3G reception ever since!

I'm not sure what they tweaked, but sometimes they can do magic from their end. It may be worth a call. The Kindle Customer Support numbers I have are:

U.S. customers (toll free): 1-866-321-8851
Outside the U.S. (charges will apply): 1-206-266-0927

My problem is that there's no reception at all. Not once did the Whispernet status indicator go above "zero."

I would like this problem fixed *before* I register the device. So I'm hesitant to contact CS. I'd like to try the Kindle out before I decide to keep it (if I do keep it).

sababili · 02-22-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLight95

I just purchased a Kindle 3G. Do I need to register my Kindle 3G in order to connect to wi-fi or 3G? I'm thinking it's supposed to connect right out of the box, according to the Kindle Quick Start Guide.

The problem is that it won't connect to wi-fi or 3G. It attempts to with "EDGE" showing up in the top part of the display but it always fails with the message, "A Wi-Fi connection is required to complete this task. Connect to a Wi-Fi network or try again later." Rescanning the network repeaets the same error. None of the bars are solid in the Whipsernet status indicator.

I have no connection problems with my cell phone (an LG TracFone). All the connection bars show up full on it.

I live in area code 04736. According to the link on Amazon for 3G coverage I live in a 3G network area.

http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=1

Any clues?

I had a good experience with customer service at 1-866-321-8851 (toll free). jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj jjjjjjjjjjjjj

susan_cassidy · 02-22-2011, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLight95

The EDGE connection shows no full bars either. I'm not sure what network my TracFone uses. It was issued to me by SafeLink Wireless. From what I understand they use several different carriers. I *think* they use Verizon, US Cellular or perhaps Alltel, but I'm not exactly sure.

As an experiment I drove around town to several locations, parking at each one then rescanning for networks on the Kindle. Only once did a network show up, called "DQ2QD," and it prompted me for a password (I suppose it was some private network).

It sounds like your cell phone is not using the same cell phone network as the Kindle.

The networks you are seeing are wi-fi, not 3G. If wi-fi is not available, and 3G is, it should connect via 3G, assuming that your 3G modem is working.

EDGE is the slower version of 3G. If you have no bars, either you have no signal, or your 3G modem is not working. It can't hurt to call Kindle Support, and see if they can help. It is not unheard of for the modem to not work.

Put a free book from mobileread or Smashwords or something on the Kindle, and see how you like reading on it, if you aren't sure you are going to keep it.

NLight95 · 02-22-2011, 07:31 PM

I called Amazon's CS and the rep (Christine V) said there is very week or no signal strength in my area for 3G access. She mentioned that I could use wireless but then I'll have to buy a router, which I may do anyway. Since there's no use in me having the Kindle 3G she emailed me a label to return it. Oh well, better luck next time.

DreamWriter · 02-22-2011, 07:46 PM

Sorry that it isn't working out for you.

I'm not sure where you live, but one thing you might consider is that there is free wifi access on the Kindle at AT&T wireless hotspots throughout the U.S. (at places like McDonalds, Starbucks, etc.). You could go there to download books onto the Kindle and then read them anywhere. My town's library has free wireless too. I used that until Amazon got my 3G set up properly.

NLight95 · 02-23-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

Sorry that it isn't working out for you.

I'm not sure where you live, but one thing you might consider is that there is free wifi access on the Kindle at AT&T wireless hotspots throughout the U.S. (at places like McDonalds, Starbucks, etc.). You could go there to download books onto the Kindle and then read them anywhere. My town's library has free wireless too. I used that until Amazon got my 3G set up properly.

I returned the Kindle 3G today (about $14 for shipping+ins+deliv conf). I'm disappointed that Amazon's 3G coverage map is very misleading--in fact, it's erroneous. The rep told me there was nothing that they could do about the coverage. The map was the reason I opted for the 3G model instead of the wi-fi unit.

Aside from my ranting

, I appreciate your suggestions but I would rather download purchased books from home. I wanted the 3G for when I was not at home and wanted to access Wikipedia and the web.

So now I'm looking at some other readers but I'm keeping the wi-fi Kindle in mind because it certainly has a very attractive price. Decisions, decisions...

DreamWriter · 02-23-2011, 09:46 PM

I want to be able to download books to the Kindle while at home too, so I understand. I was so relieved when Amazon was able to get my 3G operating properly since I don't have wifi at home. Until that point, I was thinking that I may have to return it!

I hope that you do find an eReader that works for you. I've never used any other than the Kindle, but I love it!

02-22-2011, 05:01 PM	#1
NLight95 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 670 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none	Cannot connect to wi-fi or 3G I just purchased a Kindle 3G. Do I need to register my Kindle 3G in order to connect to wi-fi or 3G? I'm thinking it's supposed to connect right out of the box, according to the Kindle Quick Start Guide. The problem is that it won't connect to wi-fi or 3G. It attempts to with "EDGE" showing up in the top part of the display but it always fails with the message, "A Wi-Fi connection is required to complete this task. Connect to a Wi-Fi network or try again later." Rescanning the network repeaets the same error. None of the bars are solid in the Whipsernet status indicator. I have no connection problems with my cell phone (an LG TracFone). All the connection bars show up full on it. I live in area code 04736. According to the link on Amazon for 3G coverage I live in a 3G network area. http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=1 Any clues?

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02-22-2011, 05:13 PM	#2
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	What network is your cell phone on? Kindle is on AT&T. Does the EDGE connection give you more than one bar? Maybe it isn't getting a strong enough signal. There are always dead spots in cell coverage, even if the map thinks you have coverage. The Kindle connects in order to register (if it isn't registered already).

02-22-2011, 05:38 PM	#3
DreamWriter Books are brain food. Posts: 2,950 Karma: 4836916 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: U.S. Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7	I have the Kindle 3G+wifi. When I first received my Kindle in early December, 3G reception was very poor, despite being in a good coverage area according to the maps. I was extremely disappointed, since I don't have wifi at home. I called Amazon's Customer Service and talked to them about the problem. The CS agent had me retrieve some information from my Kindle, which he then relayed to one of their technicians. Several days later, all was well and I've had great 3G reception ever since! I'm not sure what they tweaked, but sometimes they can do magic from their end. It may be worth a call. The Kindle Customer Support numbers I have are: U.S. customers (toll free): 1-866-321-8851 Outside the U.S. (charges will apply): 1-206-266-0927

02-22-2011, 07:31 PM	#8
NLight95 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 670 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none	I called Amazon's CS and the rep (Christine V) said there is very week or no signal strength in my area for 3G access. She mentioned that I could use wireless but then I'll have to buy a router, which I may do anyway. Since there's no use in me having the Kindle 3G she emailed me a label to return it. Oh well, better luck next time.

02-22-2011, 07:46 PM	#9
DreamWriter Books are brain food. Posts: 2,950 Karma: 4836916 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: U.S. Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7	Sorry that it isn't working out for you. I'm not sure where you live, but one thing you might consider is that there is free wifi access on the Kindle at AT&T wireless hotspots throughout the U.S. (at places like McDonalds, Starbucks, etc.). You could go there to download books onto the Kindle and then read them anywhere. My town's library has free wireless too. I used that until Amazon got my 3G set up properly.

02-23-2011, 09:46 PM	#11
DreamWriter Books are brain food. Posts: 2,950 Karma: 4836916 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: U.S. Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7	I want to be able to download books to the Kindle while at home too, so I understand. I was so relieved when Amazon was able to get my 3G operating properly since I don't have wifi at home. Until that point, I was thinking that I may have to return it! I hope that you do find an eReader that works for you. I've never used any other than the Kindle, but I love it!

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