Troubleshooting Kindle 3 (keyboard) erratic keypress behavior

wirawan0 · 04-21-2014, 03:53 PM

This is concerning a Kindle 3 WIFI device.

My kindle 3's keyboard recently behave erratically as if the left cursor button is pressed indefinitely. Other keypress is also behaving strangely; but I think the most severe symptom is that of the left key. I not not remember what I specifically did to cause this problem. I tucked it in a bag and when I took it at home, it behaved this way. I found that, oftentimes, the infinite left key press would eventually stop. But pressing the body just above the keyboard rows would cause this press to happen again.

Still working so far:
- dropbear works (I installed usbnet + dropbear hack long time ago)
- what worked? Power button worked. But reaction time is extremely long now. Perhaps due to CPU 100% busy caused by apparent "left" key presses.
- screen/display: no issue

What not working:
- Navigation is messed up
- Other keys became rather unresponsive

Basically the device became useless. Can this device be saved? Has anyone experienced a similar problem? If so, what do you do to fix it? Any suggestion for troubleshooting is welcome.

Wirawan

wirawan0 · 04-23-2014, 05:34 PM

I opened up the kindle yesterday, thanks to clear instruction found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BhTqbslijc

and suddenly the device worked properly again. Bizzare... But I heard some rattle while opening the back panel. In any case, if someone encountered this trouble, maybe we can open the panel and remove the battery, basically completely turn off the unit, then turn it on again and see if the problem disappears.

Wirawan

Ian.M · 04-24-2014, 08:23 AM

Probably something was out of place or a key jammed. It would only take a small bit of grit lodged in the wrong place. However its possible that something is actually broken and you heard some piece of broken plastic rattling around. I doubt removing the battery helped.

As broken screen K3s sell quite cheaply on Ebay, and the keyboard is a known weakness (it reportedly wears out if you frequently type a lot on it), you may want to get one for parts. As the screen is extremely fragile and usually is stuck in place do not attempt to remove it from the front bezel when transplanting parts. You want one that shows signs of life, and make sure the spare parts Kindle is fully charged and the battery removed for storage.

04-21-2014, 03:53 PM	#1
wirawan0 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 14194 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: Kindle 3 Wifi	Kindle 3 (keyboard) erratic keypress behavior This is concerning a Kindle 3 WIFI device. My kindle 3's keyboard recently behave erratically as if the left cursor button is pressed indefinitely. Other keypress is also behaving strangely; but I think the most severe symptom is that of the left key. I not not remember what I specifically did to cause this problem. I tucked it in a bag and when I took it at home, it behaved this way. I found that, oftentimes, the infinite left key press would eventually stop. But pressing the body just above the keyboard rows would cause this press to happen again. Still working so far: - dropbear works (I installed usbnet + dropbear hack long time ago) - what worked? Power button worked. But reaction time is extremely long now. Perhaps due to CPU 100% busy caused by apparent "left" key presses. - screen/display: no issue What not working: - Navigation is messed up - Other keys became rather unresponsive Basically the device became useless. Can this device be saved? Has anyone experienced a similar problem? If so, what do you do to fix it? Any suggestion for troubleshooting is welcome. Wirawan

04-23-2014, 05:34 PM	#2
wirawan0 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 14194 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: Kindle 3 Wifi	strange strange strange.. problem disappeared by itself I opened up the kindle yesterday, thanks to clear instruction found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BhTqbslijc and suddenly the device worked properly again. Bizzare... But I heard some rattle while opening the back panel. In any case, if someone encountered this trouble, maybe we can open the panel and remove the battery, basically completely turn off the unit, then turn it on again and see if the problem disappears. Wirawan

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04-24-2014, 08:23 AM	#3
Ian.M Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 57134 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kindle 3 GB 3G	Probably something was out of place or a key jammed. It would only take a small bit of grit lodged in the wrong place. However its possible that something is actually broken and you heard some piece of broken plastic rattling around. I doubt removing the battery helped. As broken screen K3s sell quite cheaply on Ebay, and the keyboard is a known weakness (it reportedly wears out if you frequently type a lot on it), you may want to get one for parts. As the screen is extremely fragile and usually is stuck in place do not attempt to remove it from the front bezel when transplanting parts. You want one that shows signs of life, and make sure the spare parts Kindle is fully charged and the battery removed for storage.

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