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
    My Kindle shows 1% in the bottom right corner even though the green light indicates it's fully charged. What should I do?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Try restarting it by holding the power button for 40 seconds, charging it again, checking for software updates in Settings, or resetting it to factory settings. If the issue persists, contact Amazon support for help.
  • Question
    Why is my Kindle showing a green battery icon with a cord and lightning bolt but won't turn on?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    If your device shows a green battery icon with a cord and lightning bolt but won’t turn on, try these steps: check if the charger is plugged in properly and try a different charger if possible; let it charge for at least 30 minutes; force restart by holding the power button (and volume down, if needed) for 10-20 seconds; make sure the device isn't overheating and let it cool down if necessary; check the charging port for any debris or damage. If it still won’t turn on, you may need to contact support or get it repaired.
  • Question
    Why is the amber light on, but there is no lightning bolt on the screen when I'm charging my Kindle from my computer?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Your Kindle may not be charging properly. Try using a wall charger, as computer USB ports may not provide enough power. Use a different USB cable, as some transfer only data. Leave it plugged in for an hour, then hold the power button for 40 seconds. If the battery was fully drained, it might take longer to start charging.
  • Question
    I am charging my Kindle, but the low battery sign is still appearing on my screen. What should I do?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Keep it plugged in for at least an hour without turning it on. Use a different charger and cable to be sure they are working properly. Clean the charging port with a dry toothbrush or compressed air to remove dust. Try a different power outlet or use a wall charger instead of a computer. Hold the power button for 40 seconds, then try turning it on again. If it still won’t charge, the battery may need to be replaced.
  • Question
    Why does my Kindle glow amber but not show a lightning bolt or seem to charge?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Try these steps: Keep it plugged in for at least an hour without trying to turn it on; use a different charger and cable, as some may not provide enough power; clean the charging port with a dry toothbrush or compressed air to remove dust; try a different power outlet or use a wall charger instead of a computer; hold the power button for 40 seconds, then try turning it on again. If it still won't charge, the battery or charging port may need repair.
  • Question
    Can I use a 12W wall socket to recharge my Kindle Paperwhite, or must it be a 5W?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    You can use a 12W wall socket to recharge your Kindle Paperwhite. The Kindle will only draw the power it needs, so a 12W charger is fine and won't cause any issues. It might charge faster than a 5W charger, but both will work. Just ensure you're using the appropriate USB cable.
  • 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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.
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