The basic steps to get your Kindle online

To connect your Kindle to WiFi, open the Settings menu on your device, find the WiFi option, select your network from the list, and enter your password if one is required. Most Kindles take less than a minute to connect once you have entered the correct password. After that, your Kindle will remember the network and reconnect automatically whenever you are in range.

The exact steps vary slightly depending on which Kindle model you own — an older Paperwhite works a little differently from a newer Scribe, for example — but the general process is the same across all current models. If your Kindle does not connect on the first try, the most common reason is a typo in the password, since the keyboard is small and straightforward to mistype on.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, select WiFi, choose your network name from the list, and enter your password to connect.
  • Your Kindle will save the network and reconnect automatically the next time you are in range of that WiFi.
  • If connection fails, check that you typed the password correctly — case matters, and spaces count.
  • You can forget a network and reconnect to a different one at any time through the Settings menu.

Where to find the Settings menu on your Kindle

On most Kindle e-readers, you access Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen to open the quick menu, then tapping the gear icon. On some older models, you may need to tap the menu button (three horizontal lines) instead. Once you tap the gear icon, look for a WiFi or Network option in the list that appears.

If you are using a Kindle Fire tablet instead of an e-reader, the process is similar but the menu layout is slightly different. Swipe down from the top twice to open the full quick settings panel, then tap WiFi to see the list of available networks.

Selecting your network and entering your password

After you open the WiFi menu, your Kindle will show a list of all the networks it can detect in your area. Find the name of your own network — this is called the SSID, and it is usually something your internet provider gave you or that you chose when you set up your router. Tap on it to select it.

If your network is password-protected, a keyboard will appear and you will be asked to enter the password. Type it carefully, paying attention to capital letters and spaces, since the Kindle will not connect if even one character is wrong. Once you have entered the password, tap Connect or Done, depending on your Kindle model.

What to do if your Kindle will not connect

The most common reason a Kindle fails to connect is an incorrect password. If you see an error message, go back and try entering the password again, this time more slowly. If you are not sure what your password is, you can check it on your router itself — most routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with the network name and password printed on it.

If you have tried the password multiple times and it still does not work, restart your Kindle by holding the power button for 10 to 20 seconds until the screen goes dark, then turn it back on. After it restarts, try connecting to WiFi again. If the problem continues, move your Kindle closer to the router, since distance and walls can weaken the signal.

How to switch to a different WiFi network

If you need to connect to a different network — for example, if you are visiting someone else's house or using a public WiFi at a library — open Settings and go to WiFi again. Select the new network name from the list and enter its password. Your Kindle will now connect to this new network instead of your home network.

Your Kindle remembers all the networks you have connected to in the past. If you want to remove an old network so your Kindle does not try to reconnect to it, open WiFi settings, find the network name in the list, and look for a "Forget" or "Remove" option. This is useful if you have moved and no longer use a particular network.

Why you need WiFi for your Kindle

WiFi is how your Kindle downloads books, magazines, and newspapers from Amazon. Without a WiFi connection, you cannot purchase new content or receive automatic deliveries of subscriptions you have set up. WiFi is also required to sync your reading progress, bookmarks, and notes across multiple devices if you read on both a Kindle and a phone or tablet.

Some Kindle models — particularly the basic e-reader and the Paperwhite — can also connect using cellular data instead of WiFi, but this requires a separate subscription plan. For most people, WiFi is the standard way to keep a Kindle connected and up to date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to connect my Kindle to WiFi every time I use it?

No. Once your Kindle connects to a network and you turn off the device, it will automatically reconnect to that same network the next time you turn it on, as long as the network is available. You only need to manually enter the password the first time you connect to a new network.

Can I connect my Kindle to a guest network or public WiFi?

Yes. Public WiFi networks work the same way as home networks — find the network name in your WiFi list, tap it, and enter the password if one is required. Some public networks, like those in libraries or coffee shops, may not have a password at all.

What if my network name does not appear in the list?

Your router may be set to hide its network name. If this is the case, look for an option in your WiFi settings to "Add Network Manually" or "Connect to Hidden Network," then type in your network name and password by hand. You can also check your router's settings to turn off the hidden network feature.

Will connecting to WiFi drain my Kindle's battery?

WiFi uses some battery power, but not much on a Kindle e-reader. You can turn off WiFi in Settings if you want to extend battery life between charges, and turn it back on only when you need to read books or sync your reading progress.