Help! Non-techie NEVER managed to connect e-readers to Calibre Content Server

[Maria Loranger]

I am writing this in the hope that some merciful soul might want to help me.
This is the situation:
Running Calibre (latest version: 3.41.2) on a Windows 10 laptop.
I have NEVER managed to connect to the Calibre Content Server from either of my e-readers (Sony PRS-T2, Kindle Paperwhite 2, Kobo Forma).

If I understand things correctly, I have to:
- Start the Calibre Content Server
- point the browser of the ereader to the IP adress and port number
In all 3 readers, the browser just sits there and nothing happens

I have tried ports 8080 and 80.
Connecting from the laptop's browser (http://127.0.0.1:8080/) works very well.

I read and read... nothing.
What am I doing wrong?! It's driving me to distraction.
If I don't solve this problem a.s.a.p , I will return my newly-bought Kobo Forma, since I could not find any alternative to the "Send to Kindle" app for Kobo.
You are my last hope and I thank you in advance for any help you can give.
ML

[theducks]

Does you devices show up on your Routers (or Access points) connected devices list?
is the IP in the same segment Y as your laptop? (must)
eg 192.168.Y.xxx

Does your router allow Peer connections (protects against other WiFi connecting to other devices on your network: In this case: You can only have 1 or the other. You need to ALLOW and use a strong WiFi KEY)

[gbm]

For mobile devices/ereaders you should use an IP address similar to this:

http://192.168.1.9/8080/mobile

Do you know the local IP address of your PC?

bernie

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Maria Loranger

Running Calibre (latest version: 3.41.2) on a Windows 10 laptop.

Probably not relevant, but latest release is 3.41.3, there were regression errors in the 3.41, 3.41.1, and 3.41.2 releases that KG corrected.

BR

[Maria Loranger]

Originally Posted by theducks

Does you devices show up on your Routers (or Access points) connected devices list?
is the IP in the same segment Y as your laptop? (must)
eg 192.168.Y.xxx

Does your router allow Peer connections (protects against other WiFi connecting to other devices on your network: In this case: You can only have 1 or the other. You need to ALLOW and use a strong WiFi KEY)

Thank you very much for your answer.
As I said, I'm not really techie, but I was able to confirm that all my wifi connected devices are on the same "Y" segment - the e-reader and my laptop are 192.168.1.123 and 192.168.1.132, respectively.
Sorry, I don't know how to check if my router allows Peer-to-peer connections...

[ilovejedd]

Once you have the content server started in Calibre, on the e-reader’s web browser, go to

http://192.168.1.132:8080/mobile

[Maria Loranger]

Originally Posted by gbm

For mobile devices/ereaders you should use an IP address similar to this:

http://192.168.1.9/8080/mobile

Do you know the local IP address of your PC?

bernie

I tried "http://192.168.1.xxx/8080/mobile" and "http://192.168.1.xxx/8080/mobile" - no dice

[Maria Loranger]

Thanks!

[gbm]

Originally Posted by Maria Loranger

Thank you very much for your answer.
As I said, I'm not really techie, but I was able to confirm that all my wifi connected devices are on the same "Y" segment - the e-reader and my laptop are 192.168.1.123 and 192.168.1.132, respectively.
Sorry, I don't know how to check if my router allows Peer-to-peer connections...

Ok on your ereader you should be able to enter http://192.168.1.123:8080/mobile to connect to the content server. Don't forget to turn it on in calibre.

Let us know if it works.
bernie

[Maria Loranger]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Once you have the content server started in Calibre, on the e-reader’s web browser, go to

http://192.168.1.132:8080/mobile

Thanks! I tried - nothing! E-reader browser just sits at the page where I entered the address and does nothing...

[Maria Loranger]

Originally Posted by gbm

Ok on your ereader you should be able to enter http://192.168.1.123:8080/mobile to connect to the content server. Don't forget to turn it on in calibre.

Let us know if it works.
bernie

I'm afraid it did not!
Ready to pull my hair out!

[Deskisamess]

I gave up trying to use the experimental browser on our Kindles over a year ago. It is so sluggish, and hit or miss, it ended up being so frustrating. I don't think I've used the browser on my Oasis at all.

I use the email option out of Calibre now to send individual books to my Oasis or to my husband's Paperwhite. It works seamlessly, and is much faster and more dependable.

I do use the Content server for keeping Calibre on my pc synced with my iDevices running Calibre Companion.

[Maria Loranger]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Probably not relevant, but latest release is 3.41.3, there were regression errors in the 3.41, 3.41.1, and 3.41.2 releases that KG corrected.

BR

Thanks for telling me - I don't know why my Calibre did not notify me.
I installed the update and repeated the attempt to connect with my Kobo Forma - still no luck...

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by Maria Loranger

Thanks! I tried - nothing! E-reader browser just sits at the page where I entered the address and does nothing...

Just to confirm the IP addresses:

laptop = 192.168.1.132

e-reader = 192.168.1.123

Is that correct?

On your smartphone, try opening http://192.168.1.132:8080/mobile (or whatever the laptop's IP is) on either Chrome, Safari or Firefox and report the results.

If your smartphone can't open the link, then it could be the router not allowing peer-to-peer connection or likely the built-in Windows 10 firewall.

[Maria Loranger]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Just to confirm the IP addresses:

laptop = 192.168.1.132

e-reader = 192.168.1.123

Is that correct?

On your smartphone, try opening http://192.168.1.132:8080/mobile (or whatever the laptop's IP is) on either Chrome, Safari or Firefox and report the results.

If your smartphone can't open the link, then it could be the router not allowing peer-to-peer connection or likely the built-in Windows 10 firewall.

Victory!!! Thank you so very much!
The smartphone did NOT connect. So, I went to Windows Defender Firewall and found "The main calibre program" was not allowed to communicate. I enabled it and - voila! Both the smartphone and the Kobo Forma found it with "192.168.1.132/mobile" - it's on port 80, but did not need to enter it.
I am beyond the moon!n Thank you again!