Got An Older Kindle? Update Your Device By March 22 Or It Won’t Connect To The Internet

Image courtesy of Robrrt

Unless you’re happy reading the material that’s on your older Kindle right now forever and ever, you’ll want to heed Amazon’s advice, and quick: some e-readers will need to be updated by March 22, or they’ll lose the ability to connect to the Internet.

Amazon has been emailing Kindle users to remind them and has posted a notice on the company website, but if you’ve been pishtoshing those warnings, you’ll want to listen up before it’s too late. Well, before it’s too late to update the devices automatically.

First, check to see if your device is one of the below:

• Kindle 1st Generation (2007)
• Kindle 2nd Generation (2009)
• Kindle DX 2nd Generation (2009)
• Kindle Keyboard 3rd Generation (2010)
• Kindle 4th Generation (2011)
• Kindle 5th Generation (2012)
• Kindle Touch 4th Generation (2011)
• Kindle Paperwhite 5th Generation (2012)

If it is, turn it on and it should automatically download and install the update, if they’re connected to WiFi. Clicking “Sync and Check for Items” in the menu will also get the update running — again, if you’re connected to WiFi and not just using a wireless connection.

If you find yourself smacking your forehead on March 23 because you forgot to update your Kindle, you’ll see this message:

“Your Kindle is unable to connect at this time. Please make sure you are within wireless range and try again. If the problem persists, please restart your Kindle from the Menu in Settings and try again.”

All is not lost at that point, however. All you have to do is manually download the update file from the Amazon website, and then import it to your Kindle using a USB cable. For more detailed information and help on that process, check out Amazon’s help page here.

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.