How to Downgrade Kindle’s Firmware Version (the 2016 method)

Posted on Jul 8, 2016 | 78 comments

In this post I will introduce you a method to downgrade Kindle’s firmware to factory default version without any physical operation. A Kindle without jailbreaking can also use this method.

These Kindle models can use this method:

• Kindle Touch 2/3
• Kindle Paperwhite 2/3
• Kindle Voyage
• Kindle Oasis

You shall notice the potential risk in downgrading your Kindle, so please back up all the contents of your Kindle before doing this. You can just copy the “documents” folder to another disk on your computer for safely backup.

Part 1. Download the downgrade bin file for your Kindle

Kindle Oasis

update_KOA_5.7.4_initial.bin (757MB): Source

Kindle Voyage

update_KV_5.5.0_initial.bin (524MB): Source

Kindle Paperwhite 2

update_PW2_5.4.3.2_initial.bin (377MB): Source

Kindle Paperwhite 3

update_PW3_5.7.4_initial.bin (758MB): Source

MD5: 14f2267189b9ecc51d89e4e86f201e75

Kindle Touch 2

update_KT2_5.6.0_initial.bin (730MB): Source

Kindle Touch 3

update_KT3_5.8.0_initial.bin (737MB): Source

Part 2. Identify your Kindle model

If you are not sure about your Kindle model, please check the table below.

Press “Ctrl/Cmd + F” to search on this page, and input the first 4 digits of your Kindle serial number. If you can get the result, please check the nickname, and download the specific downgrade bin file from the links above. If get no result, it indicates your Kindle is not eligible for downgrading to factory default firmware.

If you can’t find your Kindle model in the table below, please don’t do the downgrade or jailbreak job.

For example, if you have a Kindle Voyage of which S/N starts with B052, you can’t do the downgrade job. Because your model (S/N starts with B052) is not included in the table below.

source: mobileread wiki

Part 3. Downgrade Kindle firmware step by step guide

1. Turn on Kindle’s airplane mode.
2. Make sure you’ve make a backup of all the books in your Kindle. Remove any device passcode or parental control passcode. Charge your Kindle’s battery.
3. Make sure you’ve downloaded the downgrade bin file (refer to part 1).
4. Connect Kindle to computer with USB cable.
5. Copy the downgrade bin file into the root path of Kindle’s storage.
6. Safely eject Kindle from computer.
7. Go to the homescreen of Kindle, tap “menu” –> “Settings” –> “Menu” –> “Update your Kindle”.
8. Wait patiently until the process finishes (it might take long, so make sure the Kindle has certain battery).

Kindle Paperwhite 3 uers MUST read this part

Some Kindle Paperwhite 3 (especially the white version) users reported that their device stuck at the start screen (which you can see a tree image) or loop in restarting.

If you also encounter this problem, please connect your Kindle to computer with USB. If you can see the Kindle’s storage drive all the time, please check solution A; if only see the Kindle’s storage drive flashes, please check solution B.

Solution A

1. Connect Kindle to computer with USB.
2. Make sure the downgrade bin file is still in Kindle’s root path.
3. Safely eject Kindle;
4. Hold Kindle’s power button for about 40 seconds;
5. This shoudl solve the problem.

Solution B

1. Connect Kindle to computer with USB.
2. Create a file called “DO_FACTORY_RESTORE” (without extension name).
3. Hold Kindle’s power button for about 40 seconds until it reboots.
4. When you see Kindle’s storage drive shows up in your computer, quickly copy the “DO_FACTORY_RESTORE” file to Kindle’s root path.
5. Hold Kindle’s power button for about 40 seconds until it reboots, then the device should work normally, but the firmware changes to consumer version.
6. Download 5.7.4 bin file and copy it to Kindle’s root path.
7. Safely eject Kindle.
8. Hold Kindle’s power button for about 40 seconds until it reboots, then your Kindle should be in 5.7.4 firmware version and work correctly.

Another solution provided by this blog’s reader (command line)

This solution should be used in case when the Kindle’s storage drive flashes in the list of hard drives. That means it should be mount manually. Somehow it helps Kindle to continue the booting process.

 

1. Connect your Kindle to PC.
2. Hold Kindle’s power button for about 40 seconds until it reboots.
3. Open command line (cmd.exe) and type
diskpart
4. DISKPART> string will appear. Then type
list volume
5. You’ll get the list of drives connected to your PC like this one:

DISKPART> LIST VOLUME

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
———- — ———– —– ———- ——- ——— ——–
Volume 0 F New UDF DVD-ROM 4482 MB Healthy
Volume 1 E NTFS Partition 156 GB Healthy
Volume 2 D NTFS Partition 309 GB Healthy
Volume 3 System Rese NTFS Partition 547 MB Healthy System
Volume 4 C NTFS Partition 223 GB Healthy Boot
Volume 5 G Removable 0 B No Media

6. Find removable volume with 0B size and No Media status. In my case it was “Volume 5”
7. Next type the following string according to the information gained on previous step:
select volume 5

Done, your Kindle should now boot normally.

 

This solution is provided by Jonah P.

Tips

• If your Kindle model is indeed eligible for downgrading but fail to downgrade, please redownload the bin file, reset your Kindle, then try again.
• If “Your Kindle Needs Repairing” message shows up, you can try to create a file called “DO_FACTORY_RESTORE” (without extension name) and put the file into Kindle’s root path, then reboot and wait for the result. For how to reboot Kindle, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen flashes.
• If your Kindle’s serial number starts with “G090KB”, sorry that your Kindle can’t do the downgrade job.
• After downgrading your Kindle, you can jailbreak it with this step by step jailbreaking guide.