kobo mini not recognised by Windows 10

ploder · 04-23-2021, 04:08 PM

Having problems getting my Kobo mini recognised by Windows 10. It does not even display as a connected device in device manager. Tried x2 Windows 10 PCs and x1 Windows 10 laptop. Front ports, back ports, 2 different cables. Nothing. It's like there's nothing connected at all. All my other usb devices are recognised straight away.

I am at the screen after factory reset. I have chosen English as my language and it asks to connect to PC or wifi. I choose PC and have installed kobo desktop app, but it just hangs on the please 'connect ereader' screen when I select 'setup ereader'. When I try to connect via wifi and put in the wifi key it just says 'network error' after trying to connect and sends me back to the setup screen.

What do I do to get Windows to recognize this Kobo mini?

Skydog · 04-23-2021, 04:16 PM

I am not a Win10 guru, but I connected and updated the firmware on my Mini via W10 with no problem(s).

ploder · 04-24-2021, 05:55 AM

I took out the micro sd card from inside and plugged it into the USB port directly using a micro sd to sd adapter. I then extracted the Kobo Glo 'kobo-update-4.26.16704.zip' into the Kobo directory using Windows Xplorer. It performed the update without hitch however I am still stuck on the setup screen and unable to progress beyond 'download the Kobo desktop app'. I have downloaded the app and pressed on 'Kobo ereader setup'. It just hangs on the 'please plug in your ereader'. It seems Windows doesn't like the Kobo desktop app. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app again to no avail.

I am now back to the start again. Please could someone provide an image for the Kobo Mini N705? I understand that it can be flashed to the micro sd directly and thus avoid the Kobo desktop app setup process?

ploder · 04-24-2021, 06:11 AM

Aha, I managed to complete the setup over wifi (sorry I couldn't edit the previous post due to the 5 min rule). I am now in the Kobo homescreen. Unfortunately Windows still can't see the Kobo as a USB device. How do I get ebooks onto it?

davidfor · 04-24-2021, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ploder

Aha, I managed to complete the setup over wifi (sorry I couldn't edit the previous post due to the 5 min rule). I am now in the Kobo homescreen. Unfortunately Windows still can't see the Kobo as a USB device. How do I get ebooks onto it?

Is the device prompting you to connect to the computer? If doesn't, or you don't tap connect, then the device won't act as a USB device and the computer will not see it.

ploder · 04-25-2021, 05:07 AM

Yes, it prompts me to connect to the computer. I press connect and it says it is connected. Nothing in Windows indicates a device has been connected afaik.

salamanderjuice · 04-25-2021, 06:53 PM

Are you sure that those microUSB cables (or did the mini use mini? I forget) carry data? I found that some micro/mini/C cables supplied by manufacturers for some devices only carry power because it saves them like 3 cents a cable or whatever. Could also be a problem with the port.

ploder · 04-28-2021, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salamanderjuice

Are you sure that those microUSB cables (or did the mini use mini? I forget) carry data? I found that some micro/mini/C cables supplied by manufacturers for some devices only carry power because it saves them like 3 cents a cable or whatever. Could also be a problem with the port.

Yes, they transfer data. I have been using them to transfer data to an mp3 player.

Anyway, after many hours I have figured out how to transfer books onto this Kobo so that they display on the 'My books' screen. I was copying epubs into the root directory directly using a micro sd to usb converter, but they weren't showing up in the Kobo's library. The key is to trigger the 'importing books' screen when the device is removed from Windows.

It's a bit of a hassle and dangerous perhaps, because no safe eject from Windows is available and because I have to unscrew and remove the micro sd card each time I want to add books from the Kobo and plug it into the PC, but afaik that's the only way Windows will recognise it. I've tried Calibre, Kobo Desktop App and Adobe Digital Editions but none recognise the plugged in Kobo for transfer so I'm fairly certain this is a Windows issue.

Anyway, if anyone else is having the same problem as me this is the process:

1. Long press power and turn off Kobo mini. It should say 'Powered off' on the screen.
2.Unscrew Kobo Mini and remove micro sd card. If you notice that the sd card is 4GB like mine was, then go ahead and extend the partition if you want to following the other guides online.
3. Plug micro sd card into 'micro sd to USB converter'.
4. Windows should now recognise it and gives the nag screens about wanting to format the drive. Do not do this. Just click past the warnings.
5. You should be looking at the internal folder structure of the Kobo Mini. Drag and drop the epubs into the root of the directory (i.e. not into any of the folders)
6. Right click in Windows and safe eject the micro sd.
7. Place the micro sd back into the Kobo and put it back together. Turn on and wait until you get to the home screen.
8 Using the supplied micro usb to usb cable plug it into the computer and when it asks you click yes to connect to PC. Nothing will be displayed in Windows to indicate it is connect but it is.
9. Take out the cable and 'importing books' or some such will appear on the screen. The books should now show in your library.

John F · 04-28-2021, 02:09 PM

poorer, if WiFi is working, I think you could use ftp and nickel menu to trigger the rescan.

ploder · 04-28-2021, 02:30 PM

Thanks, I'll definitely look into that.

leokennis · 04-29-2021, 09:41 AM

Also see https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=294677

Kobo devices are incredibly picky about what USB cable you use and what USB port your computer has. So, if you find the "magical cable" that works for your combo of computer and Kobo device: put it in a safe every night to make sure it doesn't bend too much...

04-23-2021, 04:08 PM	#1
ploder Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2021 Device: kobo mini	kobo mini not recognised by Windows 10 Having problems getting my Kobo mini recognised by Windows 10. It does not even display as a connected device in device manager. Tried x2 Windows 10 PCs and x1 Windows 10 laptop. Front ports, back ports, 2 different cables. Nothing. It's like there's nothing connected at all. All my other usb devices are recognised straight away. I am at the screen after factory reset. I have chosen English as my language and it asks to connect to PC or wifi. I choose PC and have installed kobo desktop app, but it just hangs on the please 'connect ereader' screen when I select 'setup ereader'. When I try to connect via wifi and put in the wifi key it just says 'network error' after trying to connect and sends me back to the setup screen. What do I do to get Windows to recognize this Kobo mini?

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04-23-2021, 04:16 PM	#2
Skydog Wizard Posts: 2,286 Karma: 7409537 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Circling Earth @ Mach .83 Device: Elipsa 2E, Sage, Libra Colour, Libra 2, Clara 2E, Oasis3, Voyage	I am not a Win10 guru, but I connected and updated the firmware on my Mini via W10 with no problem(s).

04-24-2021, 05:55 AM	#3
ploder Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2021 Device: kobo mini	I took out the micro sd card from inside and plugged it into the USB port directly using a micro sd to sd adapter. I then extracted the Kobo Glo 'kobo-update-4.26.16704.zip' into the Kobo directory using Windows Xplorer. It performed the update without hitch however I am still stuck on the setup screen and unable to progress beyond 'download the Kobo desktop app'. I have downloaded the app and pressed on 'Kobo ereader setup'. It just hangs on the 'please plug in your ereader'. It seems Windows doesn't like the Kobo desktop app. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app again to no avail. I am now back to the start again. Please could someone provide an image for the Kobo Mini N705? I understand that it can be flashed to the micro sd directly and thus avoid the Kobo desktop app setup process?

04-24-2021, 06:11 AM	#4
ploder Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2021 Device: kobo mini	Aha, I managed to complete the setup over wifi (sorry I couldn't edit the previous post due to the 5 min rule). I am now in the Kobo homescreen. Unfortunately Windows still can't see the Kobo as a USB device. How do I get ebooks onto it?

04-25-2021, 05:07 AM	#6
ploder Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2021 Device: kobo mini	Yes, it prompts me to connect to the computer. I press connect and it says it is connected. Nothing in Windows indicates a device has been connected afaik.

04-25-2021, 06:53 PM	#7
salamanderjuice Guru Posts: 875 Karma: 12151996 Join Date: Jul 2017 Device: Boox Nova 2	Are you sure that those microUSB cables (or did the mini use mini? I forget) carry data? I found that some micro/mini/C cables supplied by manufacturers for some devices only carry power because it saves them like 3 cents a cable or whatever. Could also be a problem with the port.

04-28-2021, 02:09 PM	#9
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,896 Karma: 70186493 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	poorer, if WiFi is working, I think you could use ftp and nickel menu to trigger the rescan.

04-28-2021, 02:30 PM	#10
ploder Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2021 Device: kobo mini	Thanks, I'll definitely look into that.

04-29-2021, 09:41 AM	#11
leokennis Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kobo Clara HD	Also see https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=294677 Kobo devices are incredibly picky about what USB cable you use and what USB port your computer has. So, if you find the "magical cable" that works for your combo of computer and Kobo device: put it in a safe every night to make sure it doesn't bend too much...

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