5-way controller not working

Mike L · 03-01-2013, 04:43 AM

Mrs L has a Kindle 2. Lately, she's found that the 5-way controller has seized up. Sometimes it works if she pushes it really firmly, but most of the time it doesn't work at all.

The device is over two years old, so she won't be able to get a replacement under warranty, but I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas for fixing it before we discard it and buy a new one. I know it's a bit of a long shot, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Mike

HarryT · 03-01-2013, 05:47 AM

Oh dear - that sounds very like a mechanical failure of the switch, unfortunately. It's possible that it's simply dirt in the contacts. Try giving it a good clean with the suction hose of your vacuum cleaner and see if that helps.

Mike L · 03-01-2013, 06:43 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, Harry. I tried your idea, but unfortunately it didn't make any difference.

Not to worry. She's had good use from it, and will be happy to buy a newer model.

Mike

HarryT · 03-01-2013, 07:02 AM

Oh well, it was worth a try. Sorry it didn't work. That's one benefit of a touch screen - no moving parts to go wrong

. At least it's a good excuse for a new toy - look on the bright side.

rascalina · 03-02-2013, 11:14 AM

My MIL sent me her old Kindle (which had a 5 way controller) and I used it for 5 days before it broke

I was very distraught. So on a whim I called Amazon and told them that I know the 5 way controller issue is a well known problem, since a lot of blog/forums I read talk about those things breaking pretty easily. The guy was really nice and helpful, and basically offered me up a replacement kindle provided I sent the broken kindle back within 30 days.

Voila new kindle arrived and broken one was sent in. LOVE amazon. Of course this scenario is not guaranteed but I think perhaps giving them a call and talking to them about it might be worth a try.

Keep in mind, my hand me down kindle was over 4 years old.

Mike L · 03-02-2013, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, Rascalina. In fact, I had already contacted Kindle Support before I posted my question here. I had a good experience with them a couple of years ago, when I broke the screen on my original Kindle, and got a replacement free of charge. However, in this case, the best offer they could make was a small discount on a refurbished Kindle Fire.

Still, it's always worth a try.

Mike

crich70 · 03-02-2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Oh well, it was worth a try. Sorry it didn't work. That's one benefit of a touch screen - no moving parts to go wrong

. At least it's a good excuse for a new toy - look on the bright side.

I agree touch screen is wonderful, though it does take some getting used to at first as well. The screen is so sensitive and it took me a while to work out how to scroll down through the TOC of books using it. I couldn't find any mention of how to do so in the User Manual. I might have missed it or maybe they didn't think to include anything about it. One or the other.

Martyd · 03-02-2013, 08:37 PM

I am not familier with the Kindle 2, but if the back can be removed I'd try a blast of contact cleaner on the switches. Could be just a buildup of "stuff".

03-01-2013, 04:43 AM	#1
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	5-way controller not working Mrs L has a Kindle 2. Lately, she's found that the 5-way controller has seized up. Sometimes it works if she pushes it really firmly, but most of the time it doesn't work at all. The device is over two years old, so she won't be able to get a replacement under warranty, but I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas for fixing it before we discard it and buy a new one. I know it's a bit of a long shot, but I thought I'd ask anyway. Mike

03-01-2013, 07:02 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Oh well, it was worth a try. Sorry it didn't work. That's one benefit of a touch screen - no moving parts to go wrong . At least it's a good excuse for a new toy - look on the bright side. Last edited by HarryT; 03-01-2013 at 07:04 AM.

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03-01-2013, 05:47 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Oh dear - that sounds very like a mechanical failure of the switch, unfortunately. It's possible that it's simply dirt in the contacts. Try giving it a good clean with the suction hose of your vacuum cleaner and see if that helps.

03-01-2013, 06:43 AM	#3
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Thanks for the suggestion, Harry. I tried your idea, but unfortunately it didn't make any difference. Not to worry. She's had good use from it, and will be happy to buy a newer model. Mike

03-02-2013, 11:14 AM	#5
rascalina Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 470742 Join Date: Sep 2012 Device: iPhone	My MIL sent me her old Kindle (which had a 5 way controller) and I used it for 5 days before it broke I was very distraught. So on a whim I called Amazon and told them that I know the 5 way controller issue is a well known problem, since a lot of blog/forums I read talk about those things breaking pretty easily. The guy was really nice and helpful, and basically offered me up a replacement kindle provided I sent the broken kindle back within 30 days. Voila new kindle arrived and broken one was sent in. LOVE amazon. Of course this scenario is not guaranteed but I think perhaps giving them a call and talking to them about it might be worth a try. Keep in mind, my hand me down kindle was over 4 years old.

03-02-2013, 12:18 PM	#6
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Thanks for the suggestion, Rascalina. In fact, I had already contacted Kindle Support before I posted my question here. I had a good experience with them a couple of years ago, when I broke the screen on my original Kindle, and got a replacement free of charge. However, in this case, the best offer they could make was a small discount on a refurbished Kindle Fire. Still, it's always worth a try. Mike

03-02-2013, 08:37 PM	#8
Martyd Zealot Posts: 121 Karma: 774868 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle Voyage, Paperwhite	I am not familier with the Kindle 2, but if the back can be removed I'd try a blast of contact cleaner on the switches. Could be just a buildup of "stuff".