Paperwhite 5th generation firmware stuck

imaddicted2u · 12-17-2019, 02:28 PM

Paperwhite 5th generation firmware is stuck on 5.4.4.2. It downloads 5.6.1.1 but it doesn't install. It's been like this for years, left it in airplane mode and deleted the update bin so it wouldn't constantly try tioinstall the update. It was working fine but recently it got deregistered and now it fails to register with the WiFi connected. Books can only be loaded by USB now.
I've tried manually updating and attempted downgrading the firmware but nothing works. The first 4 of serial number is B01C.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

JSWolf · 12-17-2019, 05:31 PM

Call Amazon and tell them of your problem. See what they are prepared to do.

hius07 · 12-17-2019, 10:42 PM

https://s3.amazonaws.com/G7G_Firmwar...le_5.6.1.1.bin
Download it and put to the usb-root of the device. Then reboot with the power button long press.

imaddicted2u · 12-19-2019, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hius07

https://s3.amazonaws.com/G7G_Firmwar...le_5.6.1.1.bin
Download it and put to the usb-root of the device. Then reboot with the power button long press.

Thanks, did that still stuck at 5.4.4.2 after the long press restart.
Any other ideas?

imaddicted2u · 12-19-2019, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Call Amazon and tell them of your problem. See what they are prepared to do.

Thanks, did that after it first happened. They offered a small discount on a replacement at the time. It still connected and downloaded at the time. So didn't take them up on it.
It downloads 5.6.1.1 over WiFi and reboots every time it sleeps to try to install the update, it does this over and over. I've tried to download the update and install via USB as well, makes no difference.
Now though, it won't connect. I think it's because it's stuck on 5.4.4.2.
I was hoping someone might know a trick to force the update to install.

j.p.s · 12-19-2019, 11:21 AM

Have you tried leaving it on a wall charger for 48 hours, then let it try to update while still on the wall charger?

Maybe the battery is giving out while it tries to update.

knc1 · 12-19-2019, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imaddicted2u

Thanks, did that after it first happened. They offered a small discount on a replacement at the time. It still connected and downloaded at the time. So didn't take them up on it.
It downloads 5.6.1.1 over WiFi and reboots every time it sleeps to try to install the update, it does this over and over. I've tried to download the update and install via USB as well, makes no difference.
Now though, it won't connect. I think it's because it's stuck on 5.4.4.2.
I was hoping someone might know a trick to force the update to install.

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Have you tried leaving it on a wall charger for 48 hours, then let it try to update while still on the wall charger?

Maybe the battery is giving out while it tries to update.

That might help, if not, then freeze it before putting on the wall charger.

Literally, freeze it.
Put a soft cloth around it before freezing, so it does not gather moisture (humidity) when you later take it out of the freezer.
Put in freezer for at least over night, better if for 24 hours.
Remove from freezer (keep soft cloth on it), hook to wall charger, hold power button long enough for it to reboot (even if you see nothing on the screen).
Ignore the light if it is on, you can't trust it until the device is running normally again.
Leave on wall charger at least two days (as mentioned above), or longer would be even better, it can take a long time to reboot (days) in some cases.
Note, you may have to repeat the whole routine above two or three times.

Known to work on all devices from K5 (KT) to KT3 and PW4.
I.E: All series 5.x firmware devices.
And sometimes, the K3 keyboard.

Barbara1955 · 12-19-2019, 11:37 PM

DANG when did the 5th come out??

ilovejedd · 12-19-2019, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbara1955

DANG when did the 5th come out??

2012. This is the very first Paperwhite and that's just how Amazon refers to it.

The current generation Paperwhite (PW4, waterproof) is considered 10th generation.

Blame Amazon for the nomenclature.

imaddicted2u · 12-20-2019, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Have you tried leaving it on a wall charger for 48 hours, then let it try to update while still on the wall charger?

Maybe the battery is giving out while it tries to update.

Thanks, the battery is fine and I did try letting it update while plugged in as well.

Junket · 12-20-2019, 03:59 AM

If none of the above, very good suggestions work perhaps you may be wandering into seldom seen error territory.

Possibly corrupt update downloads if your wifi is spotty? You could try a different wifi or manually download the update on your PC and transfer it to the root directory of your Kindle via USB.

Perhaps your device didn't get the mandatory 2016 cert update, some random file got corrupted, et cetera. You could look into logs, a serial port adapter is one way to get a detailed look at what your Kindle system is doing and help pinpoint what is failing when your Kindle tries to update.

imaddicted2u · 12-20-2019, 07:48 AM

Thanks,
The WiFi here is good. However I have manually downloaded the update file and tried to force the install, same result. Did that with Amazon on the phone years ago when the update first failed, they couldn't figure out why.
I tried to roll back to previous versions but it didn't take those either.
The mandatory update was likely missed, that may be why it can't login anymore. Although it still downloads and attempts to install the 5.6.1.1 update.
I believe I have a serial port adapter kicking around here somewhere. I just found this excellent forum a couple of days ago and haven't had a chance to have a good look around. I'll do some more research and see what I can learn about tinkering with this old paperwhite. Worst thing I can do it make it a paperweight...lol

knc1 · 12-20-2019, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imaddicted2u

Thanks, the battery is fine and I did try letting it update while plugged in as well.

Which is nothing at all (technically) like what j.p.s. and I have suggested that you do.
Just try following the directions you are given when you present a problem, it just might be helpful (to you, not us, we don't have time to care).

Barbara1955 · 12-20-2019, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

2012. This is the very first Paperwhite and that's just how Amazon refers to it.

The current generation Paperwhite (PW4, waterproof) is considered 10th generation.

Blame Amazon for the nomenclature.

I Do I Do Blame Amazon!

for the information

imaddicted2u · 12-20-2019, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knc1

Which is nothing at all (technically) like what j.p.s. and I have suggested that you do.
Just try following the directions you are given when you present a problem, it just might be helpful (to you, not us, we don't have time to care).

I guess I should have answered j.p.s question/suggestion with "yes".
As to freezing it, I did try that after the issue first occurred. I suppose I followed you directions before they were given...;-)
Thanks for your input. Glad you took the time to care. Much appreciated.

12-17-2019, 02:28 PM	#1
imaddicted2u Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2019 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 5th	Paperwhite 5th generation firmware stuck Paperwhite 5th generation firmware is stuck on 5.4.4.2. It downloads 5.6.1.1 but it doesn't install. It's been like this for years, left it in airplane mode and deleted the update bin so it wouldn't constantly try tioinstall the update. It was working fine but recently it got deregistered and now it fails to register with the WiFi connected. Books can only be loaded by USB now. I've tried manually updating and attempted downgrading the firmware but nothing works. The first 4 of serial number is B01C. Any ideas would be appreciated.

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12-17-2019, 05:31 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,257 Karma: 145488788 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Call Amazon and tell them of your problem. See what they are prepared to do.

12-17-2019, 10:42 PM	#3
hius07 Wizard Posts: 1,161 Karma: 3592925 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Ukraine Device: Kindle PW2, PW3, PW4, Voyage	https://s3.amazonaws.com/G7G_Firmwar...le_5.6.1.1.bin Download it and put to the usb-root of the device. Then reboot with the power button long press.

12-19-2019, 11:21 AM	#6
j.p.s Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,759 Karma: 103362673 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: pb360	Have you tried leaving it on a wall charger for 48 hours, then let it try to update while still on the wall charger? Maybe the battery is giving out while it tries to update.

12-19-2019, 11:37 PM	#8
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,455 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	DANG when did the 5th come out??

12-20-2019, 03:59 AM	#11
Junket Nil adsuetudine maius Posts: 278 Karma: 500000 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: US Device: PW4	If none of the above, very good suggestions work perhaps you may be wandering into seldom seen error territory. Possibly corrupt update downloads if your wifi is spotty? You could try a different wifi or manually download the update on your PC and transfer it to the root directory of your Kindle via USB. Perhaps your device didn't get the mandatory 2016 cert update, some random file got corrupted, et cetera. You could look into logs, a serial port adapter is one way to get a detailed look at what your Kindle system is doing and help pinpoint what is failing when your Kindle tries to update.

12-20-2019, 07:48 AM	#12
imaddicted2u Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2019 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 5th	Thanks, The WiFi here is good. However I have manually downloaded the update file and tried to force the install, same result. Did that with Amazon on the phone years ago when the update first failed, they couldn't figure out why. I tried to roll back to previous versions but it didn't take those either. The mandatory update was likely missed, that may be why it can't login anymore. Although it still downloads and attempts to install the 5.6.1.1 update. I believe I have a serial port adapter kicking around here somewhere. I just found this excellent forum a couple of days ago and haven't had a chance to have a good look around. I'll do some more research and see what I can learn about tinkering with this old paperwhite. Worst thing I can do it make it a paperweight...lol