Clara BW kobo clara bw keeps restarting

[odrzutowiec]

Hi,

I've upgraded my Kobo Clara BW to version 5 and noticed the ssh stopped working, then I downgraded it again latest 4 version but it was too new version and ssh wasn't working either so I downgraded it again to some lower version 4, and that one was too early and ssh wasn't working, so I used the interface to upgrade hoping to get a good 4 version. After that my kobo is bricked.

It keeps restarting, the user interface is frozen and after several seconds it restarts loads again and is frozen again. When I connect the usb cable to my computer when it restarts it will start the interface with the connect popup window but the interface is still frozen so I cannot click the connect button and. upload some upgrade/downgrade to try another version.

Can someone please help me, I'm really sad I bricked my kobo

Thank you in advance.

[PeterT]

For any Kobo you need to be selective as to WHAT f/w level you install. The device can NOT go to any version; it can be no lower than the version that the device was released.

For the Clara BW N365 model (note the importance of the N365 vs P365 newer variant) the supported versions are

4.44.23552 - November 2025 - Download (mirror) - kobo12
4.43.23418 - August 2025 - Download (mirror) - kobo12
4.42.23296 - May 2025 - Download (mirror) - kobo12
4.41.23145 - October 2024 - Download (mirror) - kobo12
4.40.23081 - August 2024 - Download (mirror) - kobo12
4.39.23027 - June 2024 - Download (mirror) - kobo12
4.39.22861 - April 2024 - Download (mirror) - kobo12
4.39.22801 - April 2024 - Download (mirror) - kobo12

This info can be found on PGaskin's page listing Kobo f/w versions https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html

The next MAJOR problem is that most current Kobo's do NOT contain SD cards so no images are available for them

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by PeterT

For any Kobo you need to be selective as to WHAT f/w level you install. The device can NOT go to any version; it can be no lower than the version that the device was released.

For the Clara BW N365 model (note the importance of the N365 vs P365 newer variant) the supported versions are


This info can be found on PGaskin's page listing Kobo f/w versions https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html

The next MAJOR problem is that most current Kobo's do NOT contain SD cards so no images are available for them

You left out 4.45.23697.

[odrzutowiec]

Originally Posted by PeterT

For any Kobo you need to be selective as to WHAT f/w level you install. The device can NOT go to any version; it can be no lower than the version that the device was released.

For the Clara BW N365 model (note the importance of the N365 vs P365 newer variant) the supported versions are


This info can be found on PGaskin's page listing Kobo f/w versions https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html

The next MAJOR problem is that most current Kobo's do NOT contain SD cards so no images are available for them

Thank you! My current problem is that I can't upload anything onto the kobo because it keeps freezing and restarting. Is there a way to circumvent that issue?

[PeterT]

Have you tried this restart option

Manual Factory Reset (For frozen screens)Use this if your Kobo is completely unresponsive and you cannot access the menu.Make sure your Kobo is charged or plugged into a power outlet.Press and hold the power button until "Powered off" appears on the screen, then release it.Press and hold the power button again until the small power light starts blinking rapidly, then release it.Wait for the 'Restore' screen to appear. The device will turn black and begin the restoration process.

[odrzutowiec]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Have you tried this restart option

Yes, I never get to the "powered off" screen. It seems to ignore my pressing the power button and then restarts by itself. If I press the power button during the booting sequence the light blinks slowly until it stops and the screen turns lightly gray.

[DNSB]

If your Clara BW is frozen, you will not get to see the Powered Off screen. Just plug your Clara BW into a USB power source, hold the power button for >30 seconds to force a power off, release it, press it again and hold until the power LED starts blinking rapidly.

Note that if you have upgraded to the version 5 firmware, you MUST use the revert tool (More => Settings => Device information to downgrade. Trying to revert by directly loading a version 4 firmware leaves the poor ereader in a confused state.

[odrzutowiec]

Originally Posted by DNSB

If your Clara BW is frozen, you will not get to see the Powered Off screen. Just plug your Clara BW into a USB power source, hold the power button for >30 seconds to force a power off, release it, press it again and hold until the power LED starts blinking rapidly.

Note that if you have upgraded to the version 5 firmware, you MUST use the revert tool (More => Settings => Device information to downgrade. Trying to revert by directly loading a version 4 firmware leaves the poor ereader in a confused state.

omg thank you SO much!!!