Erase an Amazon Kindle
TestPod cannot erase a Kindle by itself. You reset the Kindle to factory settings, and the station checks that the reset really happened and records the erase.
Checked on Kindle Basic 3 (2019), Kindle Paperwhite 3 (2015) and Kindle 8th generation.
- Connect the Kindle to the station by USB
The station writes a small check file (erase.txt) to the Kindle’s USB drive, then ejects the drive. The tile shows Reset the Kindle to factory settings.
- Reset the Kindle on the Kindle itself
Open Settings › Device Options › Reset and confirm. The exact menu name is different on some models and firmware versions. A normal restart is not enough — it must be the reset.
- Leave it plugged in
The Kindle restarts and comes back on its setup screen (the language list). Do not unplug it and do not finish the setup. The tile shows Checking the erase...
- The station passes the erase
About 60 seconds after the Kindle is back on the setup screen, the station passes the erase and records it.
What the tile says
| Tile | What to do |
|---|---|
| Reset the Kindle to factory settings | Do step 2 on the Kindle. |
| Checking the erase... | The Kindle restarted. Leave it plugged in and wait. |
| Reconnect the device to this port | Plug the Kindle back into the same port on the station. |
| Put the Kindle in USB Drive Mode | The station needs to read the Kindle’s USB drive. Unplug the Kindle and plug it in again while it shows its home screen. |
| Erase failed 3 times - press Rescan to retry | The station stopped trying after three failed automatic erases. Press Rescan on the tile to try again. |
| Already erased - press Rescan to erase again | This device was just erased. Press Rescan on the tile only if you want to erase it again. |
Problems
- The erase failed a few seconds after the Kindle restarted
- The Kindle was restarted, not reset. After a plain restart it shares its USB drive again within about 7 seconds, the station still finds its check file, and the erase fails. Use the reset in step 2.
- I finished the Kindle setup with the cable still in
- Then the Kindle does not share its USB drive, so the station cannot read it. Unplug it and plug it in again on the home screen.
- Is there a time limit?
- No. The station waits as long as you need.
- How do I cancel?
- Press Rescan on the tile. A cancelled erase is not recorded and prints no label.
Still stuck?
Email us your machine SN (top-right of TestPod) and what the tile shows.