Q&A for How to Charge a Kindle

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  • Question
    What should I do if I lost my Kindle charger?
    Community Answer
    You can use a phone micro USB charger, as long as it is 4.9V or 5V. Just read the "OUTPUT" information on the charger.
  • Question
    I charged my kindle yesterday and saw that it was 80% charged. It still has not reached full charge! What can I do?
    Community Answer
    You may have a slow charger, or apps and your WiFi may be draining the battery. Try a different charger, or try shutting down your Kindle before charging.
  • Question
    I have an old, basic Kindle with a 3.5"x 5" (6"diagonal) screen. Do I need a special charger?
    Community Answer
    Purchase a micro USB power adapter online. You can purchase an official Amazon USB charger, or get a third-party US or EU power adapter. Some Kindles, such as the Kindle Fire, come with both a micro USB cable and an A/C power adapter.
  • Question
    What voltage is required from a wall charger for my Kindle?
    Community Answer
    The required voltage is 5V DC. The original charger is 0.85A, but higher amperage works as well and will charge the Kindle faster.
  • Question
    Can you use a 5s charger with a Kindle?
    Community Answer
    No. Apple's patented Lightning cable will not work on Amazon's Kindle. Do not try using a 5s charger on your Kindle or you could risk breaking it.
  • Question
    Will a portable charger actually charge a Kindle Fire?
    Community Answer
    If you have the right cord, then yes, it will. As long as the end of the cord matches up with the end where you plug it into the Kindle Fire, it should work.
  • Question
    How much does it cost to charge my Kindle?
    Community Answer
    That depends on your electric company but generally, charging a Kindle is very inexpensive because it does not require much electricity.
  • Question
    Can I use my smart phone charger to charge my Kindle?
    Community Answer
    That depends on whether the port on the Kindle fits the charger, and if the voltage requirements are the same.
  • Question
    How long will my Kindle hold its charge if it is unused?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the model, but the charge should hold for four to eight weeks if the device is unused,
  • Question
    What do I do if the charger for my Kindle Fire has stopped working?
    Community Answer
    You can use a different charger, though it does not need to specifically be one for the Fire. Several types of chargers will work.
  • Question
    What do I do if my Kindle will not charge? It wasn't used for many months. The yellow light comes on when it is plugged in, but there is an image of a large empty battery in the middle of a blank screen.
    Community Answer
    Press and hold the on button, it should flash and then the Kindle will start up again, provided it is still connected to the charger.
  • Question
    I have had my Kindle charging for 4 hours and it is only 40%, charged from about 12%. What is wrong?
    Community Answer
    Your Kindle might have a glitch. You might want to contact Amazon Services, or go to a tech department if it still is not charging properly.
  • Question
    Can I charge my Kindle on 220v?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can Charge it on a 220v without any problem, as long as you have the correct charger.
  • Question
    The charging point is broken. Can I use the 2nd smaller port with a smaller charger?
    Community Answer
    No. There is nothing you can do if the charging point is broken. You will have to get a new Kindle.
  • Question
    Why won't my Kindle Fire start? It shows the battery icon or the Amazon logo, but there's no charging light.
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    If your Kindle Fire won’t start and only shows the battery icon or Amazon logo, try these steps: charge it with the original charger for at least 30 minutes before turning it on; hold the power button for 40 seconds, then release it and try turning it on again; try a different charger or cable in case yours is faulty; check the charging port for dust or debris; let the battery drain completely, then charge and restart if it's stuck. If nothing works, the battery may need to be replaced or repaired.
  • Question
    How do I turn on my Kindle after it has been charged?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    After your Kindle has been charged, press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds, then release it. If it doesn’t turn on, try holding the power button for 40 seconds, then release and press it again. If the screen stays blank, ensure it’s fully charged and try again.
  • Question
    Is there a risk of overcharging or leaving the charger connected after the Kindle is fully charged?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    There is no significant risk of overcharging a Kindle. Modern devices, including Kindles, are designed to stop drawing power once fully charged. Keeping the charger connected won't harm the device, but unplugging it when not in use can help preserve battery life over time.
  • Question
    Is it safe to use a charger with higher amperage than 0.85A for charging a Kindle?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Yes, using a charger with higher amperage than 0.85A is generally safe for charging your Kindle. The device will only draw the amount of current it needs. For example, if you use a 2A charger, the Kindle will still only draw 0.85A or less, which is what it requires for charging. However, ensure the voltage is correct (usually 5V for Kindles) and avoid using chargers with incorrect voltage or low-quality brands.
  • Question
    Why don't I see a lightning bolt when I plug in the charger for my Kindle?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    If you don’t see a lightning bolt when plugging in your Kindle, try these steps: ensure the cable is properly connected, test with a different charger or cable, clean the charging port, restart the Kindle, and try a different power outlet. If the issue persists, consider contacting Amazon support.
  • Question
    Is it safe to use my Samsung charger (5V, 1.55A) with my Kindle Paperwhite 4 (5.2V, Max 1A input)?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Yes, your Samsung charger is safe to use with your Kindle Paperwhite 4. The Kindle will only draw the power it needs, which is 5V, 1A. The extra amperage will not harm it since the voltage is correct. Just ensure you use a good-quality USB cable.
  • Question
    I have an old Kindle that hasn't been charged for several years. How do I get it to charge?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    If your old Kindle hasn't been charged for years, try these steps: Plug it into a wall charger, not a computer, and leave it for at least 4 to 6 hours without turning it on. Use a different charger and cable to make sure they aren't the issue. Clean the charging port with a dry toothbrush or compressed air to remove dust. Hold the power button for 40 seconds, then release and try turning it on. If it still won’t charge, the battery may be too damaged and need replacement.
  • Question
    What is the best way to unplug a Kindle from a power source once it's charged?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    To unplug your Kindle, gently disconnect the charging cable from the device without yanking it. If it's connected to a wall socket, safely remove the charger as well. Unplugging once the battery is fully charged helps preserve long-term battery health.
  • Question
    Do I need to charge my Kindle Fire to 100% before using it?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    No, a Kindle Fire does not need to be fully charged before use. However, it is best to charge it to at least 50% for better performance. If the battery is very low, let it charge for at least 30 minutes before turning it on.
  • Question
    Can I recharge a Kindle using a 220V European plug?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Yes, with the right adapter. Most Kindle chargers support 100-240V, so they work worldwide. If your charger has a USB plug, use a European USB adapter. If it has a US-style plug, use a plug adapter to fit European outlets.
  • Question
    What type of cable do I need to charge my Kindle?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    The cable type depends on your Kindle model. Older Kindles use a Micro-USB cable, while newer ones, like the Kindle Paperwhite (2021) and Kindle Oasis, use a USB-C cable. Check your Kindle’s charging port and use a quality cable with a 5V, 1A adapter for proper charging.
  • Question
    Do I have to wait for the amber light to turn off?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    No. The light will turn green when the Kindle is fully charged, but you can use it while charging. If the amber light stays on too long or doesn’t turn green, the battery may not be charging properly.
  • Question
    Why is my latest-gen Kindle losing 1% of battery charge per hour while the screen is locked and it's in airplane mode?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    If your Kindle is losing 1% battery per hour while locked and in airplane mode, try these steps: restart the Kindle by holding the power button for 40 seconds, lower the screen brightness, check for background processes by fully powering off and turning it back on, and plug it in overnight if indexing is running. If the issue persists, the battery may be degrading.
  • Question
    My Kindle shows a green light, but the screen doesn't turn on. What should I do?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Try these steps: Hold the power button for 40 seconds, then release and press it again. Make sure the battery is fully charged by leaving it plugged in for at least an hour. Try a different charger and cable to provide proper charging. If the screen is frozen, perform a reset by holding the power button longer. If it still won’t turn on, the screen or battery may need repair.
  • Question
    How do I use Airplane Mode on my Kindle to optimize charging and reading? My Kindle charges fine, but I only get about five hours of reading time.
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Airplane Mode turns off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, saving battery life. Turning on Airplane Mode makes charging faster, since the Kindle isn’t using extra power. For reading, keeping Airplane Mode on extends battery life by stopping background updates and syncing. Turn it off only when you need to download books or sync your library. If your Kindle lasts only five hours, try lowering screen brightness and keeping Airplane Mode on while reading.
  • Question
    Is it okay to charge my Kindle when it's 47% charged?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Yes, it's perfectly fine to charge your Kindle at any percentage. Modern devices, including Kindles, use lithium-ion batteries that don’t need to be fully drained before charging. You can charge your Kindle at any time, and it won’t harm the battery. Charging it partially won’t shorten its lifespan.
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