Amazon Kindle (Paperwhite) not recognized

Question

I have a newly bought Amazon Paperwhite, but when I connect it to my PC, Ubuntu does not recognize it.

What can I do?

Read Managing Kindle Fire with on 12.04 via Micro-USB . I think your problem is the same. — Antigona, Jan 04 '13 at 16:14
What firmware version for Kindle Paperwhite? eg. 5.3.1 (My own device does connect to 12.04.) — david6, Jan 24 '13 at 09:38
@Antigona: The Paperwhite does not appear to be using MTP, under 5.3.1 or 5.3.3 firmware. Also supports Calibre. — david6, Jan 24 '13 at 10:03

score 13 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 12 '19 at 22:44

13

I suggest trying different cables, it finally solved my problem in the end after having lost some time (Paperwhite connecting to Ubuntu Xenial).

Store-bought cables laying around appeared to only be capable of charging the device. A Huawei P9 lite original cable was the one that finally made the connection.

answered Apr 12 '19 at 22:44

ggfial

131

was the problem in my case. I used a chromecast cable (which usually works for charging) Changing to the usual data cable worked. – Tharaka Devinda May 11 '19 at 15:52
Same here... the cable was also the problem for me – Cristian Apr 03 '20 at 03:33

Fabricio Buzeto · Answer 2 · 2013-12-11T13:34:53.853

7

I've stumbled upon the same problem. After installing mtpfs all worked fine.

sudo apt-get install mtpfs

Don't forget to remove and insert the usb cable again.

FYI: Mine is a Kindle Touch.

edited Dec 11 '13 at 13:34

answered Apr 17 '13 at 17:53

Fabricio Buzeto

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From what I can tell, the Paperwhite does not use MTP. It uses USB Mass Storage. Simply plugging the device in should work. I see no options for what protocol to use, either, on my Paperwhite. – dobey Apr 25 '13 at 17:56
This answer is a solution if you have a "normal" Kindle. I have Kindle 5 and it worked for me. – elbear Dec 10 '13 at 18:32
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I have a "normal" kindle too and that didn't work, it was already installed. – wranvaud Mar 21 '16 at 04:07
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mtpfs and USB mass storage both do not work on Xenial, still, with a Paperwhite. Would appreciate any solutions. – Hinz Nov 16 '17 at 15:56

George Rappel · Answer 3 · 2019-03-17T12:22:08.033

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Make sure to turn off the Airplane Mode on your kindle. For me, this solved it, but it took me a while to realize that it was on.

There can many reasons why one could have a problem with the USB connection, and this is one of them. Apparently, the airplane mode also disables USB, and not only network connection.

edited Mar 17 '19 at 12:22

answered Mar 17 '19 at 00:51

George Rappel

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 29 '13 at 02:44

0

You should just be able to install calibre sudo apt-get install calibre, and manage your Kindle Paperwhite. I don't have a new-ish kindle to test with, but that method has worked with the older kindles, and I don't think they changed it much.

answered Apr 29 '13 at 02:44

Yet Another User

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Doesn't work in Xenial. I guess Calibre just relies on MTP or USB mass storage to work, which it doesn't with my Paperwhite. – Hinz Nov 16 '17 at 15:55

Amazon Kindle (Paperwhite) not recognized

4 Answers4