Two problems with Calibre and Kindle

mitch13 · 04-08-2025, 03:31 AM

Hi,
Have searched for answers without success.
Problem One
Calibre will not load on my laptop. It was OK yesterday and since then I loaded Calibre 8.2.1 and it comes up with message "This app can't run on your PC - To find a version for your PC check with the software publisher" I am having trouble believing that it is Calibre's fault. It does run OK on my other laptop.

Problem Two
Calibre will not recognise that the Kindle is connected. The Kindle while plugged intop the USB port charges via the USB but does not show under File Explorer as a "disk" connection. I am running Windows 11 Home Version 23H2. I am currently using my Kindle Paperwhite 6th Generation (I have also tried using my Kindle paperwhite 7th Generation with same no result. I also have a Fire tablet). I have also tried the same Kindles and Calibre connection on another laptop and have the same no result. Both Kindles are in areoplane mode and it is some years since I have bought books from Amazon. When I did I downloaded them via USB.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

mitch13

theducks · 04-08-2025, 11:39 AM

Your first sounds like you accidentally downloaded the wrong OS version.
W11 is only 64 bit and Calibre has not released a 32bit version in ages.
Download a fresh copy Only From the official site.

The second. could be many things (almost all USB)
Bad cable (does W11 see any other device you us that cable with?)
-- does any other USB plugged into that port function?

If these fail: Does the W11 device mange even show the USB port (no yellow marker). An overload can disable, a Cold boot might unlock that.

Damaged USB Jax (if the above passed, it may be the Kindle end)

I assume the K has been restarted

mitch13 · 04-09-2025, 10:42 AM

Thanks for the reply. Following your suggestion Problem One was solved - many thanks.
Am trying out all your suggestions for Problem Two and will let you know.

mitch13

theducks · 04-09-2025, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitch13

Thanks for the reply. Following your suggestion Problem One was solved - many thanks.
Am trying out all your suggestions for Problem Two and will let you know.

mitch13

What was the cure for Prob 1?

mitch13 · 04-14-2025, 12:53 AM

Answer to One was as you suggested to download Calibre again and all was well.
Problem Two I am still working on. Will be trying your suggestions first.

mitch13 · 04-15-2025, 04:07 AM

Have tried all suggestions without results.

The second. could be many things (almost all USB)
Bad cable (does W11 see any other device you us that cable with?)
-- does any other USB plugged into that port function?
Yes

If these fail: Does the W11 device mange even show the USB port (no yellow marker). An overload can disable, a Cold boot might unlock that. No yellow.

Have used a USB drive in the port - works OK

Damaged USB Jax (if the above passed, it may be the Kindle end)
Tried three Kindles and a Amazon Fire in this port none recognised.
Tried all these suggestions in another laptop with same lack of results.

I assume the K has been restarted
Yes
Now totally frustrated - cannot load any of my Calibre books to any of my Kindes!

Cheers
mitch13

DNSB · 04-15-2025, 04:15 AM

This may be reaching a bit but I've recently had a couple of people who jailbroke their Kindles complain about a similar problem where they had installed USB networking and then forgotten to turn it off. Though this would not affect your Fire tablet though the Fire might require you to enable USB for file transfers. Not sure how this is done on a Fire tablet but likely a notification that needs to have you change the connection from USB charging.

Do any of these devices work on another computer with a different USB cable? At times, I've had to try multiple USB cables to find one that works.

theducks · 04-15-2025, 09:25 AM

Preferences: Ignored devices (the icon is only there IF there is any entry)

Your device may have accidently gotten added (I know this had happened to me when something misbehaved).

In my case, I added my phone and MP3 player which I DO NOT use with Calibre, so the Icon is not A ISSUE, The wrong entry might be.

kovidgoyal · 04-15-2025, 10:01 AM

If they arent showing up in windows explorer there is no chance calibre will detect them. You need to get them to show up in windows explorer first.

mitch13 · 04-26-2025, 11:05 PM

Thanks for information. Have tried different cables, different Kindles, different USB ports, different laptop all with no success. They all go into charging mode but no recognition in File Explorer.
You mentioned : "a similar problem where they had installed USB networking and then forgotten to turn it off. "
How do I find and check (I assume on my laptop) or how do I change it. Not familiar with this at all. Would anything on my Router affect this problem;?
Cheers
mitch13

04-08-2025, 03:31 AM	#1
mitch13 Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queensland, Australia Device: Appraising the market	Two problems with Calibre and Kindle Hi, Have searched for answers without success. Problem One Calibre will not load on my laptop. It was OK yesterday and since then I loaded Calibre 8.2.1 and it comes up with message "This app can't run on your PC - To find a version for your PC check with the software publisher" I am having trouble believing that it is Calibre's fault. It does run OK on my other laptop. Problem Two Calibre will not recognise that the Kindle is connected. The Kindle while plugged intop the USB port charges via the USB but does not show under File Explorer as a "disk" connection. I am running Windows 11 Home Version 23H2. I am currently using my Kindle Paperwhite 6th Generation (I have also tried using my Kindle paperwhite 7th Generation with same no result. I also have a Fire tablet). I have also tried the same Kindles and Calibre connection on another laptop and have the same no result. Both Kindles are in areoplane mode and it is some years since I have bought books from Amazon. When I did I downloaded them via USB. Any suggestions would be appreciated. mitch13

04-09-2025, 10:42 AM	#3
mitch13 Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queensland, Australia Device: Appraising the market	Two problems Thanks for the reply. Following your suggestion Problem One was solved - many thanks. Am trying out all your suggestions for Problem Two and will let you know. mitch13

04-14-2025, 12:53 AM	#5
mitch13 Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queensland, Australia Device: Appraising the market	Two problems Answer to One was as you suggested to download Calibre again and all was well. Problem Two I am still working on. Will be trying your suggestions first.

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04-08-2025, 11:39 AM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,873 Karma: 59840450 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Your first sounds like you accidentally downloaded the wrong OS version. W11 is only 64 bit and Calibre has not released a 32bit version in ages. Download a fresh copy Only From the official site. The second. could be many things (almost all USB) Bad cable (does W11 see any other device you us that cable with?) -- does any other USB plugged into that port function? If these fail: Does the W11 device mange even show the USB port (no yellow marker). An overload can disable, a Cold boot might unlock that. Damaged USB Jax (if the above passed, it may be the Kindle end) I assume the K has been restarted

04-15-2025, 04:07 AM	#6
mitch13 Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queensland, Australia Device: Appraising the market	Have tried all suggestions without results. The second. could be many things (almost all USB) Bad cable (does W11 see any other device you us that cable with?) -- does any other USB plugged into that port function? Yes If these fail: Does the W11 device mange even show the USB port (no yellow marker). An overload can disable, a Cold boot might unlock that. No yellow. Have used a USB drive in the port - works OK Damaged USB Jax (if the above passed, it may be the Kindle end) Tried three Kindles and a Amazon Fire in this port none recognised. Tried all these suggestions in another laptop with same lack of results. I assume the K has been restarted Yes Now totally frustrated - cannot load any of my Calibre books to any of my Kindes! Cheers mitch13

04-15-2025, 04:15 AM	#7
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 44,382 Karma: 167723581 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	This may be reaching a bit but I've recently had a couple of people who jailbroke their Kindles complain about a similar problem where they had installed USB networking and then forgotten to turn it off. Though this would not affect your Fire tablet though the Fire might require you to enable USB for file transfers. Not sure how this is done on a Fire tablet but likely a notification that needs to have you change the connection from USB charging. Do any of these devices work on another computer with a different USB cable? At times, I've had to try multiple USB cables to find one that works.

04-15-2025, 09:25 AM	#8
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,873 Karma: 59840450 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Preferences: Ignored devices (the icon is only there IF there is any entry) Your device may have accidently gotten added (I know this had happened to me when something misbehaved). In my case, I added my phone and MP3 player which I DO NOT use with Calibre, so the Icon is not A ISSUE, The wrong entry might be.

04-15-2025, 10:01 AM	#9
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,139 Karma: 27110892 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	If they arent showing up in windows explorer there is no chance calibre will detect them. You need to get them to show up in windows explorer first.

04-26-2025, 11:05 PM	#10
mitch13 Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queensland, Australia Device: Appraising the market	Thanks for information. Have tried different cables, different Kindles, different USB ports, different laptop all with no success. They all go into charging mode but no recognition in File Explorer. You mentioned : "a similar problem where they had installed USB networking and then forgotten to turn it off. " How do I find and check (I assume on my laptop) or how do I change it. Not familiar with this at all. Would anything on my Router affect this problem;? Cheers mitch13