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Kindle Paperwhite 4 - Kindle Paperwhite 4 reader - hangs on the startup screen

gervee 19761 17
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How can I fix a Kindle Paperwhite 4 that hangs on the startup screen after long storage and is not detected over USB?

Try a reset first; some Kindle models have a tiny reset hole near the USB socket that can be pressed with a needle, but if your unit does not, use the standard power-button reset procedure [#19486757] [#19486759] If it still stays on the startup screen, open the reader and check the battery connection; one suggestion was to disconnect the battery, connect external power/USB, then reconnect the battery and try booting again [#19489930] [#19490955] A battery reading of 4.0 V is not necessarily dead, because a fully charged cell should be about 4.2 V and 4 V was considered functional in the thread [#19490432] Also check the battery TH temperature-sensor line between GND and TH, since a bad sensor can prevent startup [#19490849] If the PC still cannot detect it over USB and none of these steps help, the thread points to a more serious hardware or firmware failure [#19487834] [#19490955]
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  • #1 19486755
    gervee
    Automation specialist  
    Posts: 1077
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    Barely two years have passed since I bought this reader, which I was very pleased with and suddenly it does not start.

    After a long period of non-use, the display shows the battery with an exclamation mark. Connected to the charger, it shows charging - orange LED then green.
    When you try to turn it on, it hangs on the startup screen with a tree on it and does nothing else.

    I tried to connect it to the computer but it cannot be seen via USB.

    Do you have any idea what to do with it?
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  • #2 19486757
    kkknc
    Level 43  
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    You tried to reset.
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  • #4 19486759
    Krzysztof Kamienski
    Level 43  
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    The button near the USB socket is accessible with a needle through a tiny hole in the housing.
  • #5 19486760
    gervee
    Automation specialist  
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    Krzysztof Kamienski wrote:
    The button near the USB socket is accessible with a needle through a tiny hole in the housing.


    I can't see anything like that near the USB port.
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  • #6 19486762
    Krzysztof Kamienski
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21885
    Help: 2030
    Rate: 5147
    Mine has. Only this is an older version of Kindl.
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  • #8 19487823
    gervee
    Automation specialist  
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    So far, nothing helps - none of the advice from the readers.
    Irritating.
  • #9 19487834
    kkknc
    Level 43  
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    So probably a more serious failure.
  • #10 19489332
    gradek83
    Level 43  
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    upload a photo of the reader.
  • #11 19489540
    gervee
    Automation specialist  
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    gradek83 wrote:
    upload a photo of the reader.

    Reader same as other Kindle Paperwhite 4.
    Now it hangs on the screen without responding to the button.

    Photo from the net.
    Kindle Paperwhite 4 - Kindle Paperwhite 4 reader - hangs on the startup screen
  • #12 19489930
    gradek83
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    If you feel up to it, you can open the housing and check the battery connection from the inside, maybe the battery disconnected or discharged too low, or sometimes it is enough to disconnect the battery, connect the power supply, cable or USB cable and reconnect the battery. As long as it's not a firmware issue.





    Alternatively, check this way.




    Or try it update reader.
    LINK
  • #13 19489992
    gervee
    Automation specialist  
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    I opened it with guitar picks (it opens relatively easily). I disconnected the battery, waited and reconnected. No success - all the time "boy under the tree" on the screen.

    I disconnected the battery again, connected it to the RPI power supply and reconnected the battery - now the display shows the battery with an exclamation mark.

    Added after 18 [minutes]:

    After a while, the "boy under the tree" is on the display again.
  • #14 19490432
    gradek83
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    I bet on a damaged battery. If you have a multimeter, you can check the voltage after disconnecting the battery. A fully charged battery should be 4.2V.
  • #15 19490828
    gervee
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    The battery is 4.0 volts - just checked.

    It looks like in the picture

    So far I have not found any replacements, but is it dead?

    Kindle Paperwhite 4 - Kindle Paperwhite 4 reader - hangs on the startup screen
  • #16 19490849
    gradek83
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    Since it has the 4V, it is functional. Check if you can upload the update. Does the PC detect anything after plugging the reader into USB? The battery also has a TH temperature sensor. You can check it what resistance it has, if I remember, between GND (-) and TH. Sometimes, but I do not know if in this case the sensor is damaged and the system can read that, for example, the battery temperature is outside the norm and disable the start of the system.

    There is no Reset type mark on the disc. Send a photo of the motherboard.
  • #17 19490899
    gervee
    Automation specialist  
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    The reader cannot be seen from the PC level, it cannot be detected.

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    Photo of the plate
    Kindle Paperwhite 4 - Kindle Paperwhite 4 reader - hangs on the startup screen
  • #18 19490955
    gradek83
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    First, disconnect the tape from the backlight and the digitizer tape (touch panel), connect the tape to the battery and check if it moves. If not, connect the unplugged tapes, disconnecting the battery and reconnect the battery, connect the usb cable to the pc and hold down the power button for a long time, plus one of the present and each time another button, maybe the key combination will allow you to initiate the boot mode or another download mode or who knows recovery mode. Keep your pc speakers turned on so you can hear if the PC detects something. From what people describe, the problem sometimes happens with the files copied to the reader and the indexing program clams and loops, especially when the firmware has not been updated. Each update introduces some fixes and fixes bugs that cause unwanted problems.

    Added after 18 [minutes]:

    If you know and have the opportunity, you can connect to the S700 UART and check the logs on the terminal where the boot loader stops.
    Kindle Paperwhite 4 - Kindle Paperwhite 4 reader - hangs on the startup screen

    Take a look here maybe it will direct you to something.
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Topic summary

✨ The Kindle Paperwhite 4 is experiencing a startup issue, remaining stuck on the initial screen with a tree icon after a long period of inactivity. The device shows a battery icon with an exclamation mark when not in use and indicates charging with an orange LED that turns green when fully charged. Attempts to reset the device and connect it to a computer via USB have been unsuccessful. Suggestions from the forum include checking for a reset button near the USB port, inspecting the battery connection internally, and verifying the battery voltage, which was found to be 4.0 volts. Further troubleshooting steps involve disconnecting and reconnecting various internal components and checking for firmware updates. The consensus leans towards a potential hardware failure, possibly related to the battery or internal connections.
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FAQ

TL;DR: If your Kindle Paperwhite 4 hangs on the tree screen, check battery (4.2V full) — "A fully charged battery should be 4.2V." Then try a 40‑second hard restart and basic USB checks before deeper steps. [Elektroda, gradek83, post #19490432]

Why it matters: This helps Kindle Paperwhite 4 owners revive a reader stuck on the startup screen or invisible over USB without jumping straight to costly repairs.

Quick Facts

How do I force restart a Kindle Paperwhite 4 that’s stuck on the tree screen?

Do a hard restart using the power button. How‑To: 1. Hold the power button for 40 seconds. 2. Release and wait for the screen to refresh. 3. If nothing happens, press power once to turn it on. Repeat once more after charging if needed. [“Restart your Kindle”]

Does the Kindle Paperwhite 4 have a physical reset hole?

No. The Paperwhite 4 lacks a reset pinhole near the USB port. Some earlier Kindle models had a hidden reset button there. Use the long power-button restart instead. [Elektroda, Krzysztof Kamienski, post #19486762]

LED turns orange then green, but it still hangs—what does that imply?

The device accepts charge and the battery reached full or near full, yet the boot process stalls on the startup screen. Continue with a hard restart, then move to software update or hardware checks if the hang persists. [Elektroda, gervee, post #19486755]

What battery voltage should I see, and how do I check it?

Disconnect the battery, then measure across its terminals with a multimeter. A fully charged Kindle battery should read about 4.2V. If voltage is present and the device still won’t boot, proceed with restart and software checks. [Elektroda, gradek83, post #19490432]

My PC doesn’t detect the Kindle over USB—how can I trigger detection?

Plug the Kindle into the PC, then hold the power button for a long press. Try repeating while pressing any available hardware keys, listening for a connection chime. This can force boot or download modes that make the device enumerate. [Elektroda, gradek83, post #19490955]

Can disconnecting and reconnecting the battery unfreeze the device?

Yes, it’s a valid recovery step. Open the back with plastic picks, disconnect the battery, connect external power or USB, then reconnect the battery. This can clear a stuck state, unless firmware or hardware faults remain. [Elektroda, gradek83, post #19489930]

Could firmware or file indexing be the cause of the freeze?

Yes. Stale firmware and bad or large library files can lock the indexer and stall boot. Update the firmware and remove problematic files once the device mounts. “The indexing program clams and loops.” Keep firmware current to reduce such stalls. [Elektroda, gradek83, post #19490955]

How do I update Paperwhite 4 firmware if it boots only sometimes?

When you reach the Home screen, install the official update. Download the correct file from Amazon, copy it to the Kindle, then run Update Your Kindle from Settings. Repeat after a hard restart if the first attempt fails. [“Kindle E-Reader Software Updates”]

How can I read boot logs via UART for deeper diagnosis?

Open the device and connect a USB‑UART adapter to the S700 UART pads on the board. Use a terminal to capture serial logs during power‑up. The logs reveal where the bootloader or kernel halts, guiding further repair steps. [Elektroda, gradek83, post #19490955]

Is 4.0V enough to boot, or is my battery dead?

A measured 4.0V indicates the pack has charge and should allow boot. If it still won’t start, look to software or protection signals. “Since it has the 4V, it is functional.” Check the TH temperature line as a next step. [Elektroda, gradek83, post #19490849]

What is the TH temperature sensor on the battery, and can it block boot?

The battery’s TH line reports temperature. If its resistance reads out of range, the system can inhibit charging or startup. Measure resistance between GND and TH to confirm the sensor looks sane before replacing parts. [Elektroda, gradek83, post #19490849]

Should I disconnect the touch and backlight flex cables during tests?

Yes. Disconnect the backlight and touch-panel flexes, then reconnect the battery and try to boot. This reduces load and helps isolate whether a peripheral is shorting or confusing the boot. Reconnect one at a time after testing. [Elektroda, gradek83, post #19490955]

When should I conclude it’s a hardware failure and seek service?

If hard restarts, battery checks, basic disassembly, and update attempts all fail, treat it as a deeper hardware fault. At that point, board‑level diagnosis or professional repair is warranted to save time. [Elektroda, kkknc, post #19487834]

What tools safely open a Paperwhite 4?

Use thin plastic picks or guitar picks around the seam to lift the back cover. The PW4 housing opens with moderate ease if you work slowly and avoid metal prying tools near the screen. [Elektroda, gervee, post #19489992]
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