Troubleshooting Paperwhite 3 in boot/update loop & other issues.

Pop36 · 10-11-2021, 11:54 PM

Hello, my Kindle is currently experiencing some major issues. Whenever the device reboots for whatever reason, it'll immediately get stuck in a loop of running an update install, rebooting, and running though it again until the battery drains. I can usually get the device back to a usable state once charging it back up, and it'll be usable, but if it reboots again, I end up stuck back in the same situation.

Also every time I manage to get it to boot up again, it's basically back to the state it was the last time it booted up. Any books I added will be gone, any books I deleted will still be there.

Any attempt I make to troubleshoot/fix the device just causes it to enter the loop again (or simply reboot without resolving any issues if the battery's low enough):

Holding down the power button for 40 seconds, 60 seconds or whatever? Nothing.
Trying to push a new firmware update, either through automatic download or manually adding the file in USB mode? Nothing, and the firmware is still the same version as always (5.11.1.1)
Attempting a factory restore, either through the device menu or with the DO_FACTORY_RESTORE file? Nothing
Even attempting to run the KindleBreak jailbreak on it? Crashes out as expected, but just goes back to the same reboot loop, and there's no sign that the jailbreak worked afterwords.

I just want to know if there's some hope of saving this device, whether through some other bit of trickery I don't know about, or through wiring up a serial port and trying that way. Or am I just SOL?

jhowell · 10-12-2021, 08:11 AM

It is likely that the storage chip on your device has failed in a way that allows reads but prevents writing new information. This is a fairly common failure mode. The device will appear to work somewhat because writes are cached in memory, but eventually it will crash, reboot, and revert to an older state. It is a hardware problem.

eddie.t.h · 10-12-2021, 02:48 PM

Your Kindle definitely needs a new memory chip.

tomsem · 10-12-2021, 05:23 PM

How much storage is available? Maybe freeing up some would help. Also when you have it connected via USB to PC you could run some disk diagnostics to figure out if there is some issue with the storage itself.

NullNix · 10-13-2021, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

How much storage is available? Maybe freeing up some would help. Also when you have it connected via USB to PC you could run some disk diagnostics to figure out if there is some issue with the storage itself.

If the flash chip is rejecting writes due to age-induced cell failure, freeing up storage is as impossible as writing anything else.

10-11-2021, 11:54 PM	#1
Pop36 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2021 Device: Kindle PW3	Paperwhite 3 in boot/update loop & other issues. Hello, my Kindle is currently experiencing some major issues. Whenever the device reboots for whatever reason, it'll immediately get stuck in a loop of running an update install, rebooting, and running though it again until the battery drains. I can usually get the device back to a usable state once charging it back up, and it'll be usable, but if it reboots again, I end up stuck back in the same situation. Also every time I manage to get it to boot up again, it's basically back to the state it was the last time it booted up. Any books I added will be gone, any books I deleted will still be there. Any attempt I make to troubleshoot/fix the device just causes it to enter the loop again (or simply reboot without resolving any issues if the battery's low enough): Holding down the power button for 40 seconds, 60 seconds or whatever? Nothing. Trying to push a new firmware update, either through automatic download or manually adding the file in USB mode? Nothing, and the firmware is still the same version as always (5.11.1.1) Attempting a factory restore, either through the device menu or with the DO_FACTORY_RESTORE file? Nothing Even attempting to run the KindleBreak jailbreak on it? Crashes out as expected, but just goes back to the same reboot loop, and there's no sign that the jailbreak worked afterwords. I just want to know if there's some hope of saving this device, whether through some other bit of trickery I don't know about, or through wiring up a serial port and trying that way. Or am I just SOL? Last edited by Pop36; 10-11-2021 at 11:57 PM.

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10-12-2021, 08:11 AM	#2
jhowell Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,497 Karma: 84420419 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tampa Bay, Florida Device: Kindles	It is likely that the storage chip on your device has failed in a way that allows reads but prevents writing new information. This is a fairly common failure mode. The device will appear to work somewhat because writes are cached in memory, but eventually it will crash, reboot, and revert to an older state. It is a hardware problem.

10-12-2021, 02:48 PM	#3
eddie.t.h Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 123456 Join Date: Jan 2018 Device: Too Much Kindle :-)	Your Kindle definitely needs a new memory chip.

10-12-2021, 05:23 PM	#4
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,478 Karma: 26425959 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	How much storage is available? Maybe freeing up some would help. Also when you have it connected via USB to PC you could run some disk diagnostics to figure out if there is some issue with the storage itself.

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