What should I do if my kindle will not unlock?

When my Kindle faced a similar problem, it turned out to be a software glitch. Here’s what I did to solve it:

1. Connect your Kindle to a computer with a USB cable.
2. Download the latest software update from Amazon’s official page.
3. Transfer the downloaded file into the “Internal Storage” folder on your Kindle.
4. Safely eject the device from the computer.
5. On your Kindle, go to the settings menu and select “Update Your Kindle”.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Sometimes the issue can be a low battery. Fully charging your Kindle might help. Here’s what to do:

1. Use the original charger to charge the Kindle fully.
2. Leave it plugged in for at least two hours.
3. While it is still connected, attempt to unlock it.
4. If unsuccessful, restart by holding the power button for about 40 seconds.

If the issue involves a parental control code preventing the unlock, here’s how to fix it:

1. Log into Amazon with the account tied to your Kindle.
2. Go to ‘Manage Your Content and Devices’.
3. Identify the Kindle and choose ‘Remove Parental Controls’.
4. Sync the changes, then try unlocking your Kindle again.

In one instance, my Kindle wouldn’t unlock because of an incorrect time setting. Here’s how I fixed it:

1. Connect your Kindle to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings > Device Options > Device Time.
3. Adjust the date and time to the correct settings.

After adjusting the time, my device accepted the password without further issues.

In my case, the touchscreen wasn’t responsive. To address this:

1. Clean the Kindle screen with a microfiber cloth.
2. Look for any visible damage or obstruction.
3. If the screen is still unresponsive, try holding the power button down for about 50 seconds to recalibrate the touchscreen. This helped restore my Kindle’s functionality.

Storage issues can cause a Kindle to lock up. Here’s my solution:

1. Connect your Kindle to your computer.
2. Move or delete some content to free up space.
3. Eject the device safely and restart it.

After creating more space, my Kindle unlocked without any more problems.

Performing a factory reset can also be a solution for serious issues. Here’s how:

1. From the lock screen, hold the power button until shutdown options appear.
2. Select “Shut Down”.
3. After shutting down, hold the power button again to restart.
4. When prompted, select “Factory Reset”. Note: This will erase all data on the device, so use it as a last resort.

One approach you might try is resetting your Kindle. This often solves various technical problems. To do this, slide and hold the power button for around 40 seconds until the screen goes blank. Once you release it, the Kindle should restart on its own, potentially resolving the unlocking issue.

I had the same issue and found that Amazon Customer Support was incredibly helpful. Here’s the process to contact them:

1. Go to the Amazon Customer Support page.
2. Log in to your account.
3. Select your Kindle from the list of devices.
4. Choose the ‘Device Support’ option.
5. Use the prompts to start a chat or request a call. They can guide you through additional troubleshooting steps, or suggest a replacement if it’s a hardware issue.