Connect Your Amazon Kindle to Wi-Fi

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

Connecting your Amazon Kindle e-reader to Wi-Fi is an essential step to download books, sync your library, and access the Kindle Store. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the steps to connect your Kindle to Wi-Fi.

Connecting Your Amazon Kindle to Wi-Fi

Part 1: Turning On Your Kindle and Accessing Settings

Power On Your Kindle:

Press the power button or slide the power switch to turn on your Kindle. If it's your first time setting up the device, you'll be guided through the initial setup process.

Access the Home Screen:

After your Kindle is powered on and unlocked (if necessary), you should be on the home screen.

Open Settings:

Tap the "Settings" icon on the top menu bar. The icon looks like a gearwheel or three vertical dots, depending on your Kindle model.

Part 2: Connecting to Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi Networks

Access Wi-Fi Settings:

In the "Settings" menu, select "Wi-Fi."

Turn On Wi-Fi:

If Wi-Fi is not already enabled, tap the switch to turn it on.

Scan for Networks:

Your Kindle will automatically scan for available Wi-Fi networks in your vicinity.

Select a Network:

Tap the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to from the list of available networks.

Enter the Wi-Fi Password:

If the network is password-protected, you'll be prompted to enter the Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard. Carefully type the password and tap "Connect" or "Join."

Connecting to Wi-Fi:

Your Kindle will attempt to connect to the selected Wi-Fi network. Once connected, you will see a Wi-Fi symbol on the top menu bar, indicating a successful connection.

Optional: Forget a Wi-Fi Network:

To forget a Wi-Fi network (e.g., if you no longer use it), tap the network in the list of available networks, then select "Forget."

Hidden Wi-Fi Networks

If your Wi-Fi network does not broadcast its SSID (hidden network), follow these additional steps:

Access Wi-Fi Settings:

In the "Settings" menu, select "Wi-Fi."

Turn On Wi-Fi:

If Wi-Fi is not already enabled, tap the switch to turn it on.

Add a Hidden Network:

At the bottom of the list of available networks, tap "Other."

Enter Network Information:

Enter the network name (SSID) and password for the hidden Wi-Fi network. Be sure to enter this information accurately.

Connect:

Tap "Connect" to attempt to connect to the hidden Wi-Fi network.

Part 3: Confirming the Connection

Check Wi-Fi Icon:

On the top menu bar of your Kindle, you should see a Wi-Fi icon indicating that your device is connected to Wi-Fi.

Test the Connection:

Open the web browser or a book from your library to ensure that your Kindle is successfully connected to Wi-Fi and can access online content.

Sync Your Kindle:

You can manually sync your Kindle to ensure all your latest purchases and content updates are downloaded to the device. To do this, tap the "Sync" option in the "Settings" menu.

That's it! You've successfully connected your Amazon Kindle to Wi-Fi. You can now enjoy browsing and downloading books, magazines, and other content from the Kindle Store, as well as syncing your library across devices. If you encounter any issues, double-check your Wi-Fi network credentials and make sure you are within the range of your Wi-Fi network.

Contact Support.Com:

If you are still having trouble, refer to the Step-By-Step Guide below or consider seeking personalized assistance from Support.Com.

1. Wi-Fi Network: Credentials

In order to connect to a wireless network, you must have the required credentials. These are:

  • Wireless Network Name (SSID)
  • Wireless Network Key (Password)

Finding Network Credentials

Most wireless routers/gateways have a label with the default credentials. If the credentials aren't there, look in the devices documentation.

Default Wi-Fi credentials highlighted on router/gateway sticker.

If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) installed the wireless router or gateway, they might have left you a setup sheet which may have the credentials.

2. Kindle: Connect to Wi-Fi

  1. Select Menu > Settings.
  2. Select Wireless.
  3. Select your Wi-Fi network.
Wi-Fi network list with one network highlighted.
  1. Enter your password, then select Connect.
Wi-Fi password entry with password and Connect button highlighted.

3. Check Other Devices

To help troubleshoot the problem we should check if other devices can connect to the wireless network.

4. Check Environment

If other wireless devices are connected to the network and functioning properly, chances are the router is OK. It's possible there is an environmental issue. Do you have a portable wireless device (Smart Phone, Tablet, Laptop, etc.) that you can put in the same area to test and see if that device's wireless connection still functions as intended in that location?

5. Power cycle

If you haven't already, please try power cycling the device you're working with. To do so, simply turn it off, wait 30 seconds and turn it back on again.

6. Amazon Kindle: Incompatible Routers

At this time, Amazon has not indicated that there are any compatibility issues with specific models of networking equipment on the market. To ensure that your specific networking equipment and all settings will work properly with your Kindle device, please reach out to Amazon directly for further assistance.

Some wireless routers broadcast a dual-band wireless signal and provide both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless networks. Your device may not see the 5GHz network, which is completely normal. Not all devices contain the antenna to communicate on the 5GHz band. Also, some routers broadcast guest networks that your device may not be able to connect to depending on your router's settings.

7. What's next?

8. Networking: Range Check

The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.

  • In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
  • From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
  • Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.

The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.

9. What's next?

10. Networking: Relocate Router Check

Your router may need to be relocated to a more centralized location in order to provide better coverage for all your devices.

Good Placement

A house, separated into rooms detailing how placing Wi-Fi in the center of a house will provide better coverage to reach all devices. Diagram.

Bad Placement

A house, separated into rooms detailing how placing Wi-Fi in the corner of the house can cause some devices to not have a Wi-Fi signal. Diagram.

11. Router Relocation

Since this appears to be a range issue that can be resolved by putting the router in closer proximity to the device's intended use area, we recommend moving the router to a more centralized location.

12. Range Extender

If wireless signal is not reaching your device, and relocating your router or the device itself to be in closer proximity is not possible or doesn't resolve the issue, a great way to boost wireless signal without replacing existing equipment is to acquire and install a range extender. Range extenders work with your existing wireless router as a type of wireless repeater used to expand the reach of wireless signal in your home.

13. What's next?