Kobo Mini will not complete setup

Gta · 03-04-2021, 10:36 AM

Hi, My Kobo Mini was stuck on the loading screen, so after doing a manual reset, I can no longer complete the setup wirelessly or via my Mac.

The wireless seems to connect briefly but the gives me a network error.

The computer setup on the Kobo desktop app locks me into a Captcha loop although my account shows I’m already logged in.

Calibre sees but can’t send to the device and I’m stuck on the welcome screen.

Can anyone please help me with this?

Thanks

Elektron · 03-04-2021, 10:37 AM

They dropped support for older protocols or something. Factory reset it and use a computer again. Maybe try reinstalling the Kobo app.

Gta · 03-04-2021, 10:49 AM

Thanks for the quick reply!

Yep, I suspect it was an unwanted automatic firmware upgrade as it was working fine before.

I've reset it several times and reloaded the Kobo desktop app a couple of times but no luck

Elektron · 03-04-2021, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gta

I've reset it several times and reloaded the Kobo desktop app a couple of times but no luck

Don't reload it. Uninstall it and and install it again. If it still doesn't work, use another computer.

Gta · 03-04-2021, 01:31 PM

Thanks, I’ll try that!

davidfor · 03-04-2021, 09:58 PM

As @Elektron stated, Kobo had to remove support on their servers for older security protocols that are no longer considered to be secure. Unfortunately, the older firmware uses these protocols during the setup and do not work. You want firmware 3.19 or later.

At the same time, Kobo also dropped support for older devices. The Mini still gets some support, but, not firmware updates. The Kobo desktop application still has support for the Mini, which includes doing the setup. It will update the firmware to the latest official release, which is 3.19.5761-s. If you do not want to, or can't use the desktop application, you can install the firmware manually and the device should do the setup afterwards. You can also use later firmware. They still contain support for the Mini as it is probably more work to remove than it is worth it (and I suspect some Kobo developers still use them). Someone always tests the firmware and so far have always reported success.

Gta · 03-05-2021, 08:32 AM

Thanks for the info David. I am using Kobo desktop application on my Mac (not sure if this is the issue) but it puts me in a Captcha loop identifying motorcycles and such before kicking me out. I have deleted the desktop app and reinstalled it without success. I also have a Libra under the same account which makes me reluctant to create a new one.

The poster above suggested that I try another computer which I will do as soon as I have access. Thanks again, any more insights would be appreciated.

The reason I'd like to keep this one working is the 5" screen size, so I'm thinking my easiest option would be to buy another early gen model at the thrift store (easily available) and swap the sim cards if I can't get the desktop application to work.

JSWolf · 03-05-2021, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

As @Elektron stated, Kobo had to remove support on their servers for older security protocols that are no longer considered to be secure. Unfortunately, the older firmware uses these protocols during the setup and do not work. You want firmware 3.19 or later.

At the same time, Kobo also dropped support for older devices. The Mini still gets some support, but, not firmware updates. The Kobo desktop application still has support for the Mini, which includes doing the setup. It will update the firmware to the latest official release, which is 3.19.5761-s. If you do not want to, or can't use the desktop application, you can install the firmware manually and the device should do the setup afterwards. You can also use later firmware. They still contain support for the Mini as it is probably more work to remove than it is worth it (and I suspect some Kobo developers still use them). Someone always tests the firmware and so far have always reported success.

Doesn't the 4.26.16704 firmware work on the Mini?

Gta · 03-05-2021, 09:56 AM

Is there an easy way to tell? Unfortunately I'm locked at the Welcome to Kobo setup screen so I can't tell what the firmware was upgraded to. I don't have an SD card reader or access to a Windows machine at the moment, but I guess that will be my next steps.

It was working fine until two days ago when the unrequested update was installed.

Elektron · 03-05-2021, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Doesn't the 4.26.16704 firmware work on the Mini?

Yes, yes it does. You sideload the firmware file for the Glo onto the Mini.

Gta · 03-05-2021, 04:47 PM

Thanks very much for your help. I bought the mini used a while ago I've just been informed about a mandatory update that it looks like the previous owner didn't install a security update here:

https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/artic...mmon-questions

I will sideload the glo firmware as you suggest. Thanks again for the support here!

John F · 03-05-2021, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gta

Thanks very much for your help. I bought the mini used a while ago I've just been informed about a mandatory update that it looks like the previous owner didn't install a security update here:

https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/artic...mmon-questions

I will sideload the glo firmware as you suggest. Thanks again for the support here!

You were also informed in post #6 by Davidfor.

Gta · 03-05-2021, 05:58 PM

I truly appreciate the support, but respectfully Davidfor wasn't correct in saying the mini retained desktop support. Just in case this question comes up again....

From the link above:

What does this mean for my Kobo Mini?

You'll need to install the mandatory update on February 28th, 2019 to continue to:

Buy eBooks on your Kobo Mini
Sync your Kobo Mini through WiFi and Kobo Desktop to get your latest book purchases
If you don't install the mandatory update, your Kobo Mini won't connect to Kobo servers. This means that you won't be able to add new eBooks to your Kobo eReader with Wi Fi or Kobo Desktop.

davidfor · 03-05-2021, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gta

I truly appreciate the support, but respectfully Davidfor wasn't correct in saying the mini retained desktop support. Just in case this question comes up again....

From the link above:

What does this mean for my Kobo Mini?

You'll need to install the mandatory update on February 28th, 2019 to continue to:

Buy eBooks on your Kobo Mini
Sync your Kobo Mini through WiFi and Kobo Desktop to get your latest book purchases
If you don't install the mandatory update, your Kobo Mini won't connect to Kobo servers. This means that you won't be able to add new eBooks to your Kobo eReader with Wi Fi or Kobo Desktop.

You might want to read that again. It says if you don't do the update, you won't be able to connect to WiFi or add books. Nothing there says the desktop application will not do the update.

And further down the page you got that from, it says:

Quote:

How do I update my Kobo Mini's software?

To update the Kobo Mini’s software:

Follow the prompts on your Kobo Mini to install the update before February 28th, 2019. If you are unable to do this before February 28th, 2019, you will need to install the update manually using the Kobo Desktop Application for Windows or OSX.

Which says the desktop application does support the Mini. Getting caught on the captcha is a separate thing. But, either this happened when you tried to login to you account, or the fact it is coming up when the device is connected suggests that the device has some support.

But, as I said, manually sideloading the update is the alternative to the desktop application. And as you can see, Kobo still supports the setup over WiFi once you have done that.

Gta · 03-06-2021, 05:27 PM

Thanks again David, and sorry if I misinterpreted that. I will definitely reread that.

Would you happen to know if I can sideload the SD card on a Mac, as it is all I have access to at the moment.

I'm just at the preliminary stage so far, but I've just removed and opened the SD card on my Mac and just see a couple of calibre files on the drive. I've been googling solutions and see you've been helping out on this for a long time. Thanks again.

As far as Captcha goes, all I can say is that I show as logged in on the Kobo site, but I'm caught in a Captcha loop where deleting and reinstalling the desktop app doesn't help.

I do have Calibre and the devices is recognized, but I'm unable to write to it.

On a side note, I've duplicated my Kobo drive on my Mac, but wasn't sure if I'm ok to format the disk. All I'm using is the disk utility app that comes on my Mac.

Thanks again, any input would be appreciated.

03-04-2021, 10:36 AM	#1
Gta Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2021 Device: Kobo mini, Libra	Kobo Mini will not complete setup Hi, My Kobo Mini was stuck on the loading screen, so after doing a manual reset, I can no longer complete the setup wirelessly or via my Mac. The wireless seems to connect briefly but the gives me a network error. The computer setup on the Kobo desktop app locks me into a Captcha loop although my account shows I’m already logged in. Calibre sees but can’t send to the device and I’m stuck on the welcome screen. Can anyone please help me with this? Thanks

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03-04-2021, 10:37 AM	#2
Elektron Banned Posts: 2,296 Karma: 5300240 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Device: Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2 (mark 7), Kobo Mini	They dropped support for older protocols or something. Factory reset it and use a computer again. Maybe try reinstalling the Kobo app.

03-04-2021, 10:49 AM	#3
Gta Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2021 Device: Kobo mini, Libra	Thanks for the quick reply! Yep, I suspect it was an unwanted automatic firmware upgrade as it was working fine before. I've reset it several times and reloaded the Kobo desktop app a couple of times but no luck

03-04-2021, 01:31 PM	#5
Gta Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2021 Device: Kobo mini, Libra	Thanks, I’ll try that!

03-04-2021, 09:58 PM	#6
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,907 Karma: 47303748 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	As @Elektron stated, Kobo had to remove support on their servers for older security protocols that are no longer considered to be secure. Unfortunately, the older firmware uses these protocols during the setup and do not work. You want firmware 3.19 or later. At the same time, Kobo also dropped support for older devices. The Mini still gets some support, but, not firmware updates. The Kobo desktop application still has support for the Mini, which includes doing the setup. It will update the firmware to the latest official release, which is 3.19.5761-s. If you do not want to, or can't use the desktop application, you can install the firmware manually and the device should do the setup afterwards. You can also use later firmware. They still contain support for the Mini as it is probably more work to remove than it is worth it (and I suspect some Kobo developers still use them). Someone always tests the firmware and so far have always reported success.

03-05-2021, 08:32 AM	#7
Gta Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2021 Device: Kobo mini, Libra	Thanks for the info David. I am using Kobo desktop application on my Mac (not sure if this is the issue) but it puts me in a Captcha loop identifying motorcycles and such before kicking me out. I have deleted the desktop app and reinstalled it without success. I also have a Libra under the same account which makes me reluctant to create a new one. The poster above suggested that I try another computer which I will do as soon as I have access. Thanks again, any more insights would be appreciated. The reason I'd like to keep this one working is the 5" screen size, so I'm thinking my easiest option would be to buy another early gen model at the thrift store (easily available) and swap the sim cards if I can't get the desktop application to work.

03-05-2021, 09:56 AM	#9
Gta Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2021 Device: Kobo mini, Libra	Is there an easy way to tell? Unfortunately I'm locked at the Welcome to Kobo setup screen so I can't tell what the firmware was upgraded to. I don't have an SD card reader or access to a Windows machine at the moment, but I guess that will be my next steps. It was working fine until two days ago when the unrequested update was installed.

03-05-2021, 04:47 PM	#11
Gta Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2021 Device: Kobo mini, Libra	Thanks very much for your help. I bought the mini used a while ago I've just been informed about a mandatory update that it looks like the previous owner didn't install a security update here: https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/artic...mmon-questions I will sideload the glo firmware as you suggest. Thanks again for the support here!

03-05-2021, 05:58 PM	#13
Gta Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2021 Device: Kobo mini, Libra	I truly appreciate the support, but respectfully Davidfor wasn't correct in saying the mini retained desktop support. Just in case this question comes up again.... From the link above: What does this mean for my Kobo Mini? You'll need to install the mandatory update on February 28th, 2019 to continue to: Buy eBooks on your Kobo Mini Sync your Kobo Mini through WiFi and Kobo Desktop to get your latest book purchases If you don't install the mandatory update, your Kobo Mini won't connect to Kobo servers. This means that you won't be able to add new eBooks to your Kobo eReader with Wi Fi or Kobo Desktop.

03-06-2021, 05:27 PM	#15
Gta Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2021 Device: Kobo mini, Libra	Thanks again David, and sorry if I misinterpreted that. I will definitely reread that. Would you happen to know if I can sideload the SD card on a Mac, as it is all I have access to at the moment. I'm just at the preliminary stage so far, but I've just removed and opened the SD card on my Mac and just see a couple of calibre files on the drive. I've been googling solutions and see you've been helping out on this for a long time. Thanks again. As far as Captcha goes, all I can say is that I show as logged in on the Kobo site, but I'm caught in a Captcha loop where deleting and reinstalling the desktop app doesn't help. I do have Calibre and the devices is recognized, but I'm unable to write to it. On a side note, I've duplicated my Kobo drive on my Mac, but wasn't sure if I'm ok to format the disk. All I'm using is the disk utility app that comes on my Mac. Thanks again, any input would be appreciated.

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