What to Do When a Kindle Freezes

The Amazon Kindle is one of the most popular ebook reader devices on the market, with Amazon claiming the device to be its top-selling product as well. Unfortunately, at times the device may freeze and become unresponsive during use. Amazon included a method to reset the device in cases when it is locked up and unlikely to recover.

Kindles typically freeze because the processor load becomes more than the device's limited memory and processing power can handle. This most commonly occurs during periods of high use or when trying to access websites using the Kindle's wireless capabilities. If the device freezes during a time when it isn't being used it may be because of reduced power to the processor due to the Kindle's battery being low or outdated firmware that doesn't fully support the features being used.

When a Kindle freezes, the device needs to be reset. Unplug the device if it is connected to a charger or PC, then slide the power button to the right as though you were simply restarting the unit. Hold the power button in this position for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Release the switch; the screen will remain blank for up to 30 seconds while the device resets itself. Once the reset is complete, the Kindle will restart and can be used as normal.

One way to prevent problems with a Kindle freezing up is to make sure that your Kindle device has the latest firmware version installed. Firmware updates are software installations that upgrade the way that the device itself works, fixing problems and introducing new functions. Visit the "Kindle Software Update Latest Generation" page and download the firmware update for your specific Kindle type, then transfer the update to your Kindle and start the software installation by selecting "Update Your Kindle" from the "Settings" menu. Once the firmware update is complete the Kindle will restart.

Contact Amazon support if you have continued problems with freezing to report your problem to them. Provide details of what lead to the freezing and whether your Kindle has experienced other problems such as spontaneous rebooting or unresponsiveness. The support agent may ask you questions about your Kindle and firmware version, so have your Kindle nearby so that you can access the information or perform actions at the agent's prompting. In severe cases you may be required to ship your Kindle to Amazon for repair or replacement if the agent believes the device to be defective.