Amazon has disclosed a number of fixes that users can employ, in order to fix the dreaded blank screen. This blank screen is only showing up on newer model Kindles, such as the 11th Generation Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis 3 and the Kindle Scribe. Basically, any modern Kindle made over the past few years and have the new UI that Amazon pushed out last year.
There is no rhyme or reason why the blank screen is occurring and a firmware update wouldn’t help in this situation, because there is no way to actually download and install it automatically, since the blank screen prevents it. The best solution is to download it and install it yourself via the USB cable, when Amazon eventually issues the update. Amazon News Feed will create a new post when the firmware update is available.
Here is the complete solution how to solve the blank screen issue on your own, however it does require a number of steps.
Connect the Kindle to a computer via a USB cable.
Open the file explorer (folder icon) and click This PC and open the Kindle drive.
Create an empty text document file in the Kindle main folder called DO_FACTORY_RESTORE by right-clicking and selecting New > Text Document.
Click on the Start menu (Windows icon).
Type File Explorer Options in the Search Bar and select it.
Click the View tab and un-check Hide extensions for known files under the Advance Settings section.
Click Apply > OK.
Return to the Kindle primary folder and delete the extension .txt from the DO_FACTORY_RESTORE file name.
Close the Kindle window.
Eject the device safely. It should be in the task bar in Windows. Right click on the Kindle icon and click Safely Remove Hardware, click on it and select the Kindle.
Unplug the Kindle and restart the device by holding the Power button for 40s.
Amazon customer service also recommended another method if the first one is too complicated for users. The company stated “We are aware some customers are having difficulties accessing content on their Kindle e-reader devices, and our teams are working quickly to resolve the issue. In the meantime, customers can contact Amazon Customer Support or take the following steps to fix the issue.”
Go to Manage Your Content and Devices and log in to your account.
Click Devices.
Select the impacted device and click Deregister.
Restart the device by holding down the power button for 40 seconds continuously
Michael Kozlowski is the editor of Amazon News Feed. A website devoted to the latest Amazon News. You will find a cohesive editorial direction. Michael covers the latest occurrences in AWS, Kindle, Fire Tablets, Fire TV, audiobooks, ebooks and company news.