You can remove ads from most Kindle devices, but the cost and method depend on which model you own and when you bought it
Amazon puts ads on the lock screen and home screen of most Kindles to offset the device cost. If you bought a Kindle with "special offers" (Amazon's term for ads), you have three paths: pay a one-time fee to remove them, return the device within the return window, or accept them as part of the trade-off for a lower purchase price. The fee ranges from $15 to $20 depending on your device model, and you can pay it months or years after purchase — there is no important date.
Some Kindle models do not come with ads at all. The Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis, Amazon's higher-end models, are sold ad-free by default, though you can choose a cheaper ad-supported version when you order. Budget Kindles (the base model) come with ads unless you specifically pay to remove them at purchase or afterward.
Key Takeaways
- Most Kindles sold at the lower price point come with lock-screen ads, but you can remove them by paying a one-time fee of $15 to $20 through your Amazon account settings.
- The fee to remove ads can be paid at any time after purchase — you do not have to decide at checkout, and there is no expiration date on the option.
- Premium Kindle models (Paperwhite and Oasis) are sold ad-free by default, though choosing the ad-supported version at purchase saves you money upfront.
- Removing ads is a legitimate setting change in your Amazon account; there is no workaround or hack needed, and it does not void your warranty.
How to pay to remove ads from your Kindle
Go to amazon.com and sign in with the account linked to your Kindle. Click on your account name in the top right, then select Your Account. Look for Devices and Accessories or Manage Your Devices (the exact label varies by region). Find your Kindle in the list and click on it.
On your device's details page, look for an option labeled Remove Special Offers or Remove Ads. Click it and follow the payment prompt. Amazon will charge your account's default payment method. The ads disappear from your device within a few minutes, though you may need to restart your Kindle for the change to take full effect.
If you cannot find the option on the web, try the Amazon app on your phone: open the app, go to Account, select Your Devices, tap your Kindle, and look for the same removal option. The process is identical.
What happens if you remove ads after already owning the device
You can remove ads at any point — whether you bought the Kindle yesterday or three years ago. There is no time limit, and Amazon does not charge a different price based on when you decide to remove them. The one-time fee is the same whether you pay at checkout or months later.
If you are unsure whether your Kindle currently has ads, look at the lock screen and home screen. If you see banner ads or promotional images for books and services, your device has special offers enabled. If the lock screen shows only the time and a straightforward background, ads are already off.
The difference between ad-supported and ad-free Kindle models
Amazon sells most Kindles in two versions: one with ads (cheaper) and one without (more expensive). The hardware is identical — the only difference is the software setting and the price you pay. When you order a Kindle, Amazon clearly labels which version you are buying.
The base Kindle usually costs $20 to $30 less with ads than without. The Paperwhite and Oasis are sold ad-free by default, but choosing the ad-supported version at purchase saves you $15 to $20. If you bought the ad-free version and later want ads back (which is rare), you cannot reverse that choice — you would need to contact Amazon support to discuss options, and they may not allow it.
Why Amazon puts ads on Kindles and what they show
The ads help Amazon offset the cost of manufacturing and supporting the device, which is why ad-supported Kindles are cheaper. The ads appear only on the lock screen and home screen — they do not interrupt your reading or appear inside books. They are usually for Amazon services, Kindle books, or products sold on Amazon.
You cannot customize which ads you see or opt out of specific categories. The ads are tied to your Amazon account and your browsing history, so they may reflect books or products you have looked at. Removing ads is the only way to stop seeing them entirely.
What to do if the payment fails or the ads do not disappear
If you tried to remove ads and the payment went through but the ads are still showing, restart your Kindle. Hold the power button for 20 seconds until the screen goes black, then turn it back on. This forces the device to sync with Amazon's servers and explore the setting change.
If the payment was declined, check that your account's default payment method is current and has available funds. If it is, try again or contact Amazon support with your order number. If the ads still do not disappear after a restart and you are certain the payment succeeded, contact Amazon support — they can manually confirm the removal on their end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove ads from a Kindle I do not own or did not buy?
No. Only the person who owns the Amazon account linked to the Kindle can remove ads. If you borrowed a Kindle from someone else, you cannot change its settings. The device owner would need to log into their own Amazon account and remove the ads themselves.
If I remove ads, can I turn them back on later?
Amazon does not offer a way to re-enable ads after you remove them. Once you pay to remove them, that setting is permanent on your account. If you change your mind, contact Amazon support, but they may not be able to reverse it or refund the fee.
Do ads slow down my Kindle or use battery?
No. The ads are static images that appear only when the device is locked or on the home screen. They do not run in the background, consume battery, or affect reading performance. The only impact is visual — they take up space on the lock screen.
What if I return my Kindle — do I get the ad-removal fee back?
No. The fee to remove ads is non-refundable. If you return the Kindle within Amazon's return window, you lose the fee along with the device. If you are considering returning the device, remove ads only if you plan to keep it long-term.
Does removing ads work on all Kindle models?
The option to remove ads is available on all Kindle models that come with ads — the base Kindle, Kindle Kids, and the ad-supported versions of Paperwhite and Oasis. Kindles sold ad-free from the start do not have this option because there are no ads to remove.