Troubleshooting Kindle doesn't read sideloaded books via USB

hleo12 · 06-17-2023, 02:35 AM

As the title says, it seems that my Kindle doesn't recognize my books that are sideloaded via USB. Send-to-kindle works just fine, but when I sideload books via Calibre or drag and drop, it doesn't show up on my library. Even books downloaded directly from Amazon's website using the Download and Transfer option.

I thought I just had too many books in my Kindle, so I deleted most of them. But it still won't read sideloaded books.

Any idea what's happening? Or has this happened to anyone else?

I'm using Kindle Basic 10th, on 5.15.1.1

Edit: I have tried restarting, and still nothing. I'm hoping someone has an insight before I proceed with a reset (even though most of my books have already been deleted).

Kusuri · 06-17-2023, 05:16 AM

are you sure its in the right file format? did you try .mobi files? did you put the files into the "documents" folder?

Quoth · 06-17-2023, 07:37 AM

Azw3 is far far better than mobi for anything other than K1, K2, DX and DGX.
Certainly Kindle Basic 10th, on 5.15.1.1

Make sure it's AZW3 (=KF8) format. Calibre will convert.

JSWolf · 06-17-2023, 07:41 AM

How are you side-loading and what format are you trying to use?

If you are trying to side-load ePub, you'll be best off using calibre to convert to KF8 and side-load using calibre.

hleo12 · 06-17-2023, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kusuri

are you sure its in the right file format? did you try .mobi files? did you put the files into the "documents" folder?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

Azw3 is far far better than mobi for anything other than K1, K2, DX and DGX.
Certainly Kindle Basic 10th, on 5.15.1.1

Make sure it's AZW3 (=KF8) format. Calibre will convert.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

How are you side-loading and what format are you trying to use?

If you are trying to side-load ePub, you'll be best off using calibre to convert to KF8 and side-load using calibre.

Not my first rodeo sideloading via USB/Calibre. I use azw3 and kfx. It worked before. I just prefer using send-to-kindle since it syncs and I can read on my phone when I don't have my Kindle with me.

And as I mentioned, even the azw3 file I got from "Download and Transfer" option from Amazon also didn't work.

badgoodDeb · 06-18-2023, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hleo12

Not my first rodeo sideloading via USB/Calibre. I use azw3 and kfx. It worked before. I just prefer using send-to-kindle since it syncs and I can read on my phone when I don't have my Kindle with me.

And as I mentioned, even the azw3 file I got from "Download and Transfer" option from Amazon also didn't work.

Since you are an old hat, I'll just remind those who aren't, that kindle books are DRMed to the kindle they were downloaded TO or FOR. A new kindle won't read those books (until you redownload and side load for this kindle == or otherwise undo the DRM).

hleo12 · 06-18-2023, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Since you are an old hat, I'll just remind those who aren't, that kindle books are DRMed to the kindle they were downloaded TO or FOR. A new kindle won't read those books (until you redownload and side load for this kindle == or otherwise undo the DRM).

I'm very much aware. Amazon will make you choose the Kindle registered on your account when you choose the Download and Transfer option. I chose the one I'm using, and it still wouldn't read it.

Quoth · 06-18-2023, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hleo12

And as I mentioned, even the azw3 file I got from "Download and Transfer" option from Amazon also didn't work.

It's for a different Kindle? Do you have two Kindles with similar names? Is the Kindle properly registered?

DRM on mobi, azw3 and KFX from Amazon only works on the kindle it was sent to, or downloaded for.

JSWolf · 06-18-2023, 04:51 AM

@hleo12 Do you have DeDRM 10.0.3 installed and working?

hleo12 · 06-19-2023, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

It's for a different Kindle? Do you have two Kindles with similar names? Is the Kindle properly registered?

DRM on mobi, azw3 and KFX from Amazon only works on the kindle it was sent to, or downloaded for.

I have 2 Kindles, and I did choose the right one (they have different names). Even if I did choose the wrong one, it still doesn't explain why kfx and azw3 converted by Calibre doesn't work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

@hleo12 Do you have DeDRM 10.0.3 installed and working?

I have 7.2.1 installed, but it still works.

And before anyone asks, I converted a book I already used for send-to-kindle so it isn't a DRM issue. I only tested with the download and transfer option to see if there's something wrong with Calibre's conversion process.

Quoth · 06-19-2023, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hleo12

it still doesn't explain why kfx and azw3 converted by Calibre doesn't work.
…
And before anyone asks, I converted a book I already used for send-to-kindle so it isn't a DRM issue. I only tested with the download and transfer option to see if there's something wrong with Calibre's conversion process.

Does the other Kindle work with home converted azw3 and Amazon downloads? If so, then the Kindle has a problem. Maybe needs total reset?

slm · 06-20-2023, 10:24 AM

Have you looked at the "Documents" folder on the Kindle to check that the files have actually been transferred to it?

06-17-2023, 02:35 AM	#1
hleo12 Guru Posts: 653 Karma: 5078890 Join Date: Feb 2014 Device: Kobo Glo (deceased), Kindle 4th, Kindle Basic 10th Generation	Kindle doesn't read sideloaded books via USB As the title says, it seems that my Kindle doesn't recognize my books that are sideloaded via USB. Send-to-kindle works just fine, but when I sideload books via Calibre or drag and drop, it doesn't show up on my library. Even books downloaded directly from Amazon's website using the Download and Transfer option. I thought I just had too many books in my Kindle, so I deleted most of them. But it still won't read sideloaded books. Any idea what's happening? Or has this happened to anyone else? I'm using Kindle Basic 10th, on 5.15.1.1 Edit: I have tried restarting, and still nothing. I'm hoping someone has an insight before I proceed with a reset (even though most of my books have already been deleted).

06-17-2023, 07:37 AM	#3
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,653 Karma: 103503445 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Azw3 is far far better than mobi for anything other than K1, K2, DX and DGX. Certainly Kindle Basic 10th, on 5.15.1.1 Make sure it's AZW3 (=KF8) format. Calibre will convert. Last edited by Quoth; 06-17-2023 at 08:54 AM.

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06-17-2023, 05:16 AM	#2
Kusuri Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 909418 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Germany Device: PW4+Fire 7", Onyx Boox Nova Air	are you sure its in the right file format? did you try .mobi files? did you put the files into the "documents" folder?

06-17-2023, 07:41 AM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,986 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	How are you side-loading and what format are you trying to use? If you are trying to side-load ePub, you'll be best off using calibre to convert to KF8 and side-load using calibre.

06-18-2023, 04:51 AM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,986 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	@hleo12 Do you have DeDRM 10.0.3 installed and working?

06-20-2023, 10:24 AM	#12
slm Fool Posts: 455 Karma: 4103210 Join Date: Feb 2003 Device: Kindle: Voyage,PW1,KOA, Kobo: Clara Colour, Nook GLP, Pocketbook verse	Have you looked at the "Documents" folder on the Kindle to check that the files have actually been transferred to it?