Older Kobo won't turn on

hodjworld · 01-19-2014, 07:49 PM

I have an old Kobo. Last weekend I connected to kobo desktop for the first time in a few months. It updated the software, now it won't turn on at all. All it says is "updating the software on your ereader" I tried leaving it on for awhile to update (a few hours), didn't help. I tried going to a free wifi area to update, didn't help. I tried the paperclip in the back, didn't help.
Any other ideas? Or do I need to go shopping?

meeera · 01-19-2014, 10:17 PM

What sort of Kobo is it? I suspect your first step now is going to be to charge it fully, then factory reset. Factory reset procedure varies depending on model of device.

Ripplinger · 01-20-2014, 12:22 AM

Try following the advice in Post #38 in this thread. I often have had that problem where the file downloads and then just gets stuck on my Glo. It used to be irritating, but I'll admit now since I prefer to stay on older firmware, it's actually quite handy when it never actually updates for me.

hodjworld · 01-20-2014, 08:59 AM

I believe the model I have is the original. It is fully charged.

I have tried the paper clip to reset, but it still only continues to try to update.

I have tried connecting to my computer, but it only continues to try to update.

Ripplinger · 01-20-2014, 09:07 AM

When connected to your computer, can you see the reader directories in Windows Explorer?

Did you try a factory reset? I don't know how you do it on your model though, hopefully someone else will chime in or point you to a link for instructions. It will be something similar to the Glo though, which is:
1. Hold the power button ON for 15-20 seconds to make sure it is off. All lights at the top should be off.
2. Press and HOLD the light button while turning on the Glo. That should put you into a factory reset if that will solve the problem.

Maybe the Wiki will help you, further down the page there are instructions for a factory reset:
https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_eReader

Factory resetting will lose all books on your reader though, so hopefully you have them backed up somewhere or all purchased from Kobo which should automatically download them all again once you set it up.

hodjworld · 01-20-2014, 10:09 AM

The factory reset instructions have me going to the menus, but I'm totally locked out of everything because of the "udating the software" thing.

The only thing I can do is turn the device on or off. When it's on it is only trying to update, I have to access to anything.

Ripplinger · 01-20-2014, 10:40 AM

There's usually a way to do a hard reset with the control buttons as I mentioned above for the Glo. You just have to find out what it is for your model.

So when it's connected via a USB cable to your PC, you cannot see the files on the Kobo you're saying?

filmo · 01-20-2014, 06:02 PM

To factory reset Kobo Wifi that you can not turn on: Hold down home button then using blunt end of paper clip insert into reset hole on back and push in until you feel it click. When you see flashing light next to on button withdraw paper clip. When you see on screen "restoring" release home button.

robko · 01-20-2014, 06:39 PM

On the original non-wifi Kobo hold the power button for 15-20 seconds to make sure it's really off. Then PRESS AND HOLD the middle of the 4 way switch and turn the device on. There were various combinations with doing this and doing paperclip reset at same time etc, but I would try the above 1st.

davidfor · 01-20-2014, 07:36 PM

A factory reset can be done on the Touch and Glo using the pin-hole button instead of the Home or light button. There is a good chance this will work on the older readers as well.

hodjworld · 01-21-2014, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmo

To factory reset Kobo Wifi that you can not turn on: Hold down home button then using blunt end of paper clip insert into reset hole on back and push in until you feel it click. When you see flashing light next to on button withdraw paper clip. When you see on screen "restoring" release home button.

Nothing happens when I do this. It doesn't turn on and there are no lights.

hodjworld · 01-21-2014, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robko

On the original non-wifi Kobo hold the power button for 15-20 seconds to make sure it's really off. Then PRESS AND HOLD the middle of the 4 way switch and turn the device on. There were various combinations with doing this and doing paperclip reset at same time etc, but I would try the above 1st.

When I tried this, the light flashes and it says "updating the software" just like if I were to turn it on the regular way.

hodjworld · 01-21-2014, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

A factory reset can be done on the Touch and Glo using the pin-hole button instead of the Home or light button. There is a good chance this will work on the older readers as well.

I've tried the paper clip in the pinhole MANY times and it does nothing.

hodjworld · 01-21-2014, 01:47 PM

I appreciate all the time and effort everyone has spent on this. This is my first eReader. I have had it for quite a few years. However, I am not so attached to it that I would not consider trashing it for a new model (Kobo or competitor).

robko · 01-21-2014, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodjworld

I've tried the paper clip in the pinhole MANY times and it does nothing.

In this case davfor was suggesting HOLDING the pinhole down WHILE turning the device on. Key to all these resets is to make sure you HOLD the power ON for 15-20 seconds BEFORE trying the reset to make sure the device is truly shut down.

However...

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodjworld

When I tried this, the light flashes and it says "updating the software" just like if I were to turn it on the regular way.

... this would suggest this might be a hardware rather than a firmware problem.

01-19-2014, 07:49 PM	#1
hodjworld Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: Kobo	Older Kobo won't turn on I have an old Kobo. Last weekend I connected to kobo desktop for the first time in a few months. It updated the software, now it won't turn on at all. All it says is "updating the software on your ereader" I tried leaving it on for awhile to update (a few hours), didn't help. I tried going to a free wifi area to update, didn't help. I tried the paperclip in the back, didn't help. Any other ideas? Or do I need to go shopping?

01-20-2014, 09:07 AM	#5
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	When connected to your computer, can you see the reader directories in Windows Explorer? Did you try a factory reset? I don't know how you do it on your model though, hopefully someone else will chime in or point you to a link for instructions. It will be something similar to the Glo though, which is: 1. Hold the power button ON for 15-20 seconds to make sure it is off. All lights at the top should be off. 2. Press and HOLD the light button while turning on the Glo. That should put you into a factory reset if that will solve the problem. Maybe the Wiki will help you, further down the page there are instructions for a factory reset: https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_eReader Factory resetting will lose all books on your reader though, so hopefully you have them backed up somewhere or all purchased from Kobo which should automatically download them all again once you set it up. Last edited by Ripplinger; 01-20-2014 at 09:10 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mini My Kobo Mini won't turn on	Ruinemacil	Kobo Reader	11	06-19-2014 08:58 PM
Kobo won't turn off	lmclean260	Kobo Reader	9	03-20-2013 10:39 AM
Kobo Glo won't turn off/on since update firmware	martu89	Kobo Reader	4	03-05-2013 10:13 PM
Kobo Vox won't turn on out of box - flashing green light	Fredness	Kobo Tablets	1	12-22-2011 10:46 PM
Kobo won't turn on	cypherslock	Kobo Tablets	7	11-07-2011 06:03 AM

01-19-2014, 10:17 PM	#2
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,700 Karma: 66666666 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	What sort of Kobo is it? I suspect your first step now is going to be to charge it fully, then factory reset. Factory reset procedure varies depending on model of device.

01-20-2014, 12:22 AM	#3
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	Try following the advice in Post #38 in this thread. I often have had that problem where the file downloads and then just gets stuck on my Glo. It used to be irritating, but I'll admit now since I prefer to stay on older firmware, it's actually quite handy when it never actually updates for me.

01-20-2014, 08:59 AM	#4
hodjworld Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: Kobo	I believe the model I have is the original. It is fully charged. I have tried the paper clip to reset, but it still only continues to try to update. I have tried connecting to my computer, but it only continues to try to update.

01-20-2014, 10:09 AM	#6
hodjworld Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: Kobo	The factory reset instructions have me going to the menus, but I'm totally locked out of everything because of the "udating the software" thing. The only thing I can do is turn the device on or off. When it's on it is only trying to update, I have to access to anything.

01-20-2014, 10:40 AM	#7
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	There's usually a way to do a hard reset with the control buttons as I mentioned above for the Glo. You just have to find out what it is for your model. So when it's connected via a USB cable to your PC, you cannot see the files on the Kobo you're saying?

01-20-2014, 06:02 PM	#8
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	To factory reset Kobo Wifi that you can not turn on: Hold down home button then using blunt end of paper clip insert into reset hole on back and push in until you feel it click. When you see flashing light next to on button withdraw paper clip. When you see on screen "restoring" release home button.

01-20-2014, 06:39 PM	#9
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	On the original non-wifi Kobo hold the power button for 15-20 seconds to make sure it's really off. Then PRESS AND HOLD the middle of the 4 way switch and turn the device on. There were various combinations with doing this and doing paperclip reset at same time etc, but I would try the above 1st.

01-20-2014, 07:36 PM	#10
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303822 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	A factory reset can be done on the Touch and Glo using the pin-hole button instead of the Home or light button. There is a good chance this will work on the older readers as well.

01-21-2014, 01:47 PM	#14
hodjworld Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Device: Kobo	I appreciate all the time and effort everyone has spent on this. This is my first eReader. I have had it for quite a few years. However, I am not so attached to it that I would not consider trashing it for a new model (Kobo or competitor).

Advert

Advert