Why is the "update Your Kindle" option greyed out on my Paperwhite (10th gen) 5.13.7 version? It's fully charged and on Wi-Fi, and version 5.14.1 should be available. Tried to Reset/Restart the device but to no avail. Can anyone please help?
Kindle could update itself without any issue when connected to WIFI. However, a lot of confusion is caused when you need to update your Kindle but only to find that the "Update Your Kindle" option in Settings is greyed out. We're glad to tell you here is the real fix to this issue.
Why Update Your Kindle is Greyed Out
Generally, there are two reasons why "update your Kindle" is greyed out:
1. Your Kindle device is already updated to the latest firmware version.
2. The new firmware version hasn't been downloaded to the root directory of your Kindle.
The only time you can use the "Update Your Kindle" option in settings is after you manually sideload an update to your Kindle that you downloaded from Amazon on the Kindle software updates page.
How to Update Your Kindle?
There are two ways to update your Kindle firmware to the latest version. The one is auto-update through WIFI, and the other is manual-update by downloading the updates from Amazon's page.
1. Update your Kindle automatically
The easiest way is to let your Kindle update itself automatically. You only need to connect your device to WIFI and also the charger. The only problem with auto-update is that it can sometimes take a few weeks for the software to update after a new version is released. If you are in urgent need to update your Kindle, try the following method.
2. Update your Kindle manually
Kindle could update the firmware automatically when connected to Wi-Fi, but the auto-updates can sometimes take a long time to complete so a lot of people download the update from and manually transfer it to the device via USB. Then the "Update Your Kindle” option is available and you could trigger the update.
Step 1. Identify your Kindle model.
Step 2. Go to Amazon Device Software Updates page via your computer. Kindle software updates page via your computer.
Step 3. Under Kindle E-readers, click on the Kindle E-Reader Software Updates link.
Step 4. Scroll to the particular Kindle model you are using and download the software update that matches it. The update will get saved as a .bin file on your computer.
Step 5. Connect your Kindle device to the computer via USB and copy the update to the root directory of your Kindle device. The file must be in the top level folder, so if your computer mounts the Kindle as the F drive, the path to the coped update package should be F:\update_kindle_[version number].bin.
Step 6. Disconnect the Kindle from your computer. Navigate to Menu >> Settings, then tap "Update Your Kindle". Press OK and then wait. If the "Update Your Kindle" option is still grayed out, it means the Kindle was unable to locate the .bin file. Please confirm you placed it in the root directory and try again.
Michelle loves technology & reading very much. She seeks the methods to enjoy eBooks and audiobooks more freely and wants to share everything new she has got with you.
Could you please tell me what version your Kindle is? Did you update it to the latest version?
Just want to add that I have a kindle fire version 1, yes it still works lol.
Putting the update in the root folder didn’t work. There is an actual folder that says updates, when I put it in there it worked perfectly.
Wanted to help anyone with a dinosaur kindle like me and having issues getting the update to be detected by their kindle.
Otherwise, stellar info. You helped me get my kindle registered to my Amazon account again!
Hello,
Thanks for your message.
Please download your Kindle Fire update software from Amazon
and try again by the guide in this article Please confirm you placed the update software in the root directory.
Update software: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200529680
Best regards,
Epubor Team
But after restarting the Kindle, the update began automatically once it restarted.
Hope this helps someone!
Omg this worked! I followed the instructions above perfectly but the update option was still greyed out. I saw your comment and restarted my Kindle, and the software update automatically started the moment my Kindle loaded up again. Thanks so much!
Kindle 10th gen
Hello,
I'm glad that we can help you solve your problem.
Any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via support@epubor.com.
Best regards,
Epubor Team
I have a kindle Fire HD7 (2nd Generation) and the Update Your Kindle is greyed out. The current System Version is shown as 7.5.1 _user_5182520
Is it possible to update this further?
Many thanks
Update isn't working. The update file was in the Kindle root but the option "Update your Kindle" is still greyed out.
When I connect Kindle with PC the update file wasn't there anymore.
I tried several times but with no success. Maybe to reset to Factory defaults?