Amazon is warning users of older versions of its popular Kindle e-readers that they must get a “critical” software update, or they will be cut off from accessing Kindle services.
If you don’t get the update over the internet on or before Tuesday, 22 March 2016, you won’t be able to use the Kindle Store to download Kindle e-books, or get the update via Wi-Fi or a wireless connection.
The message appears on the Amazon customer service and help website:
Customers using an outdated software version on Kindle e-readers require an important software update by March 22, 2016 in order to continue to download Kindle books from the Cloud, access the Kindle Store, and use other Kindle services on their device.
The company has published a table of affected Kindle devices and software versions, along with instructions on how to receive the update over the air (reproduced below):
| Device and Year | Software Version Your Device Needs | Update via Wireless (2G/3G) or Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle 1st Generation (2007) | 1.2.1 | Use Wireless |
| Kindle 2nd Generation (2009) | 2.5.8 | Use Wireless |
| Kindle DX 2nd Generation (2009) | 2.5.8 | Use Wireless |
| Kindle Keyboard 3rd Generation (2010) | 3.4.2 or higher | Use Wi-Fi |
| Kindle 4th Generation (2011) | 4.1.3 or higher | Use Wi-Fi |
| Kindle 5th Generation (2012) | 4.1.3 or higher | Use Wi-Fi |
| Kindle Touch 4th Generation (2011) | 5.3.7.3 or higher | Use Wi-Fi |
| Kindle Paperwhite 5th Generation (2012) | 5.6.1.1 or higher | Use Wi-Fi |
| Kindle Paperwhite 6th Generation (2013) | No Update Needed | No Update Needed |
| Kindle 7th Generation (2014) | No Update Needed | No Update Needed |
| Kindle Voyage 7th Generation (2014) | No Update Needed | No Update Needed |
| Kindle Paperwhite 7th Generation (2015) | No Update Needed | No Update Needed |
After 22 March, you’ll need to update the software manually – you can find instructions on how to download the updates yourself on the Amazon Fire and Kindle updates page.
Amazon is resorting to old-fashioned methods to get Kindle users to update their devices, by sending reminders to some users via snail mail, according to The Digital Reader.
That message, sent on postcards, says Amazon has been “trying to contact you via email and other methods to let you know that one or more of your Kindle e-readers requires a critical update.”
If you have a Kindle that needs an update, get it as soon as possible.
And remember to keep ALL of your devices, software and applications up to date with the latest security updates.
Image of Amazon Kindle courtesy of dean bertoncelj / Shutterstock.com.
Jim
Amazon emails me all the time, however I have yet to receive an email regarding updating my old kindle ereader…thanks for letting us know.
Bill Silver
Does this apply to Kobo readers/tablets as well.
Kindling
My 3rd Gen Kindle would not auto-update from 3.1 so I had to manually update it anyway. Not difficult – instructions on the Amazon website – but a bit repetitive.
1) Download Software to PC
2) Connect Kindle to PC and copy to root directory
3) Menu > Settings > Menu > Update – and wait, and wait and wait
Then had to update 3 times! 3.1 to 3.3, 3.3. to 3.4 and 3.4 to 3.4.2!
Mark Isero (@iserotope)
I had to do this, too. Do you know why this update was required for Kindle Keyboards? All I’ve heard is that they’re “old.”
Anonymous
This is what I am needing to do but I cannot get going on the first update
Lara/Trace
You know this sucks, right? I had no notice from Amazon, none.
Will
Does anyone know the what/why of this update? Is it vulnerability, compatibility, etc.? Just my curiosity.
Mark Isero (@iserotope)
I am also trying to figure out the why / what.
Gwendolyn Crawford
I have a kindle fire version 10.5.1 does it need an update I never received an email I learned about this from my daughter. I did connect to my wifi overnight Monday and nothing happened so is it ok I purchased it in 2013
Courtney McDowell
My understanding is that these updates only apply to e-ink devices such as the Paperwhite and its predecessors. You want to make sure your Fire is running the latest version of Android though.
JD
Me too! 10.5.1_user_xxxxxx and the update button doesn’t do anything.
Heard this on the news YESTERDAY (short notice, eh?)
Do I need to do something, and how?
Jess
Which translates to never buying another Amazon based product.
Done with upgrades
Forced obsolescence, just like my blazing fast quad core G5 running OS 10.4.11 which I’m using right now. I refuse to upgrade, and when I want to read, I pick up a book and open it.
Courtney McDowell
A lot of Kindle owners were simply not notified, via snail mail or otherwise. I can think of at least two that I know personally; I found out about this update via FB from a cousin who posted it to another cousin, and I re-shared the Amazon article to my own friends, tagging one in particular who I knew had a Kindle she had just bought. Fortunately, hers is too new to be affected, but the point is I don’t know of a single Kindle owner who was notified in any way other than stumbling across that article by chance or shares.
Anonymous
Did not get any info on this. Don’t know how old it is. The photo at the beginning of this message shows mine in the middle. None of my numbers correspond to yours. Could you please help me!
Peg Ryan
I had no idea until I saw it on tv news on Tues 22nd
Chris
I am out of town for another week. Read an article that I could manually install the update months from now. Is this true?
Anonymous
I was never notified! Did not see it till Tuesday the 22nd. Saw it on Facebook! Tried to do updates, but get getting message that my Kindle could not connect!
Anonymous
This is why Amazon isn’t really and never will an enterprise grade company.
Narelle Lightbody
I have still been using my kindle 4 with no problems, no upgrade either
Stufa
I’ve used daily my Kindle 4th generation and I didn’t have any problem in march. Now my Kindle is not able to reach the kindle store anymore. The amazon customer service after having spent hours resetting my device and account, now tell me after 10 days that it is a well known problem shared among lots of customers. I didn’t find anything about it on the Web. Do you know anything?
Cindy
I’m so sad, tried to update, didn’t work, guess I was late, now I have no access to store – this doesn’t seem fair – what am I left to do? If I am told nothing, buy another, trust me it won’t be a Kindle… there are other options!
Jim B.
I received orders to update my wife’s kindle and it was as clear as mud it was a 3.4 and I received it well after the expiration date so now I don’t have the foggiest idea what to do