This blog post for the Amazon Kindle 4th generation E-Reader D01100 tells you how to update the firmware, deregister and factory reset the Kindle.
Warning: By following instructions in this ‘how to’ blog post, you could break your Kindle and make it unusable and/or wipe data from the device. You follow any instructions at your own risk and at your own cost! Please make sure your Kindle is fully charged before proceeding with any steps.
2nd Warning: Also please make sure that your Kindle model is the D01100, which is what is being referred to in this blog post. You can find the model number on the lower back of the device.
Please note: This blog post is not about the Kindle Touch. It is about the D01100 Kindle 4th Generation which isn’t a touch screen model.
Introduction
I use an e-ink e-reader most days and for years my preferred device was a Kindle 3 Keyboard. However I purchased a lot of tablets on eBay as part of a job lot and one of them was the Kindle 4th generation (D01100/K4 NT) and I decided to switch over to it as my daily e-reader.
The Kindle 4 D01100 possibly came out in 2012 and yes it’s 2021 and I’m still using one! The old second-hand e-reader I purchased has a few marks, but I don’t care. The only thing I wish it had is an inbuilt light.
I own other Kindles, including two touch screen models, but I prefer the buttons on the D01100. I am going to keep the majority of my other Kindle e-readers for a while and might use some in projects. I might trade in, sell or even give some away locally.
I think my old Kindle Keyboard 3 is heavier and slower than the D01100, but I’m only moving on from my older Kindle as its battery doesn’t hold the charge that well and I don’t want to change the battery.
After I followed the steps below, I placed the Kindle D01100 into ‘airplane mode’ via settings, to help save the battery life, only turning on the WiFi when needed. I’ve placed the Kindle is in a case, so I hope I can prevent further damage to the surface.
If you also have a Kindle, please leave a comment below and I would like to read your views about the device.
How to update a Kindle D01100’s firmware
3rd Warning: Updating the firmware on a device is a risk and you could make your device unusable. If you do wish to update the firmware, you should also make sure the device has been fully charged first.
4th Warning: You can’t skip firmware versions and should only update to the next release. So if you want to update from version 4.1.1 to 4.1.3, you should update from 4.1.1 to 4.1.2 first and then 4.1.2 to 4.1.3.
Preparation
Find out what the currently installed firmware is by pressing the menu button and then selecting ‘settings’. At the bottom right it should tell you the firmware version your D01100 is running.
Amazon host the firmware files for the Kindle D01100 here and here.
Updating the Kindle D0110 firmware:
- Connect the Kindle to a computer.
- Place the next release of the firmware on the Kindle. *
- Safely eject and disconnect the Kindle from the computer.
- Press the menu button and select settings.
- Then again press the menu button and select ‘Update Your Kindle’.
- Then select ‘ok’ at the pop-up to proceed.
It should now update the Kindle’s firmware then reboot. I then did the same as the steps above for the next consecutive firmware versions.
* Don’t place the firmware in the .active-content-data or documents directory, but in the path just before as shown below:
How to deregister a Kindle D01100:
- Connect to a wireless network.
- Press the menu button.
- Select ‘settings’ from the list.
- Use the down arrow until deregister is underlined and then select it.
- Then at the pop-up select and deregister.
How to factory reset a Kindle D01100:
- Select the menu button.
- Now select ‘Settings’.
- Again press the menu button.
- Now choose the ‘Reset to Factory Defaults’ option (Warning: This will wipe all content downloaded or transferred to the device).
- At the pop-up choose ok to reset.
- After it resets, you will be prompted to choose a language and then connect to a wi-fi network and then to either assign an existing Amazon account or create a new account.
Final thoughts
I’m a huge fan of Amazon Kindle e-readers and I use the Kindle 4 D01100 most days. I think its weight is good and it’s easy for me to carry around, but I mostly use it at home.
I like using the buttons on its side to turn the pages. I paid a very low price for this e-reader and I think I grabbed a bargain.