Repeatedly Broken Kindle Screen - Am I a serial Kindle killer?

Got kindle at Christmas, fell of the couch late-night and cracked screen, now saying my SIM is invalid, slow to start up and some touch features not working. Was having problem with freezing or some pages completely blacked out while reading prior to fall anyone else having similar problems?

OMG, I thought I was the only Kindle killer. I bought a Kindle 4th generation on eBay for $40 - thought I'd save some money. I'd heard great reviews as well. Charged it up and bam. The whole lower half of the screen was black, white patches, and lines, obscuring the settings options. I sent it back, and bought another used one, same model, from another seller for $42. I loaded a library book onto it, and read it for maybe 4 days, off and on. Last night I noticed the lower half had the SAME problem. Like you, I was SO careful with my second one, thinking I'd done something to cause it. Nothing that I can think of could have been considered an "impact", as I stowed it on the rigid side panel of my purse when I wasn't carefully retrieving it or putting it back. I loved my Kindle while it worked. There's no denying what a cool little reader it is. But I can't seem to keep from breaking it. Not sure if I'll but another one or just stick to paperbacks from now on. :-(

No sent them back to Amazon, got replacements, or lastly money back.
Bought a ipad, then decided I still liked kindles. Bought a paper white with a 3 years no quibble any kind of damage warranty from dixons , no path for the static, it has been good ever since.

Hmmm, my kindle fire hdx broke and they sent me a new one by two day shipping, mine was also a common problem with the charging port. Maybe consider one of these? http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-FreeTime-Kid-Proof-Case-Fire/dp/B00FQ1NPNC/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_cp_3_9JNV?ie=UTF8&refRID=174WGVT390N771CTE9KJ

I've killed 4 each lasted less Than 3 months, I'm convinced the problem is static damage as found by bbc watchdog. I've changed to a kindle touch , no path for the static. This has lasted 9mths upto now.

I've had enough of Kindles. They're cheaply made and the ink-blotch problem is more common than people realize.

To hell with Amazon. They're pushing these shoddy products those don't last long at all, or just out of warranty.

2 Kindles w/keyboard failed few month after the warranty expired. Same problem with screen having lines. Almost THE same time period - just a bit out of warranty. It's infuriating that Amazon doesn't care about customers, quality of the products they make. What they offered was a small discount on a new Kindle. No, thanks. Contacted customer support. Of course, it is in India. Spoke with Kalpana (CSA) and his supervisor Indu.
Both unhelpful. Message to Jeff Bezos - Your customer support sucks big time.

Well that's my touch not working, actually out of warranty in may but amazon sent me replacement. I did buy the square trade warranty but was under the impression I needed to phone them. After this one goes- which I'm sure it will I'm going to be looking for something else.

I brought my kindle last June 2012, by December only 6 months later my screen had frozen.. Half the screen was blank whilst the other half was working fine, as it was under warranty I was set a new one straightaway. Only now 7 months later after having finished a book the day before and going to start a new one a day later my kindle has broke again by doing the exact same thing, and now it isn't under warranty so I can not har it replaced, and because amazon do not have a repair service for kindle I will have to buy a new one. I didn't expect to buy a kindle and then have to replace it twice in the first year! Amazon don't even seem to help with my problem.. Amazon have tired fobbing me off with selling me a Kindle Fire HD at a discounted price, no thanks!. I cannot believe so many people have had the same issue and still amazing don't do anything about it!

Our Kindle 3 lasted almost two years, then the screen died. The upper part of the screen is frozen in a strange shape and the lower part still works. I won't say the device was treated like a preemie, but it also did not have a violent existence. If the Kindle can't stand up better to real-life, it has a problem. No more Kindles for me. Perhaps worse for Amazon is that I certainly won't be buying anymore Kindle content. Amazon brags about all the 5 star reviews, but if you look a little closer, you'll find there is a large and growing number of disgruntled Kindle owners.

same here - second time got broken screen on kindle 3, this time out of warranty
no scratches or anything, not even sure what happened
really poor reliability (if one compares with my ibm laptop, which in last 5+ years fell number of times, once from about 1.5 high with cracked case and spilled insides - but is still perfectly functional)

I just had my second kindle screen failure. They replaced the first but not this one. I decided to buy the cheapest replacement model available ($47 refurbished with a 1 year warranty) with the expectation that I will need to buy another one in a year.

Hi! I brought a Kindle two weeks ago. It´s ok, and will be ok as far as I don´t drop it and care it like a baby as the comments sugested. I just want to say that I dropped my KOBO touch from 50cm into the floor (night reading/sleeping) and nothing happens, it just absorb the impact with its rubber assembly; no extra protection. So, I´m thinking of "rubbering" the floor (bad idea) or use some protective case. And I´m expecting that Amazon fix this issue (as I understood, it´s an issue...), for "I love my Kindle".

The Kindle we brought our daughter in December 2012 fell last night hit edge of table and apperently cracked on the inside no crack on outside but inside appears to be broken on the inside, comes on but nothing on the screen. Has this happen to anyone eles. Will our warranty cover fixing or replacing it.

My kindle died last night too , After contact with Amazon service they told me due to expiration of the warranty, they do not replace it ! they offered me to buy a new one with discount !
The kindle sucks really !

Hi, I'm Karlien, and I'm a serial kindle killer too! (We should start a group like AA)

My third kindle broke tonite!

I don't think Amazon will send a new one. And even if they do, do I even want one? At this rate I'll be ordering a fifth, sixth and seventh one in the next year. I like amazon, but do I really want to start a long distance relationship with them? Sending Kindles back and forth. Don't think I'm ready for that kind of commitment. :)

What I should really do is demand my money back for the initial Kindle. Obviously there's a big problem with this device.

If you could suggest a different E-reader, it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi my kindle 4th gen screen went Monday morning,
I was using it Sunday night for an hour then switched it on at 9 am Monday to find my screen was faulty..
I have not dropped or knocked it and it is 1 month out of Manufacturers Warranty but I had a chat with someone at Amazon this afternoon and I was offered a kindle touch for 67.99 plus postage err no thank you I said.
I cannot believe so many people have the same issue with the kindle screens and are just out of warranty and amazon trying to fob everyone off with a discounted replacement.

The Sale Of Goods Act states that goods should last a reasonable time and I think 13 months is not reasonable
this is the line I am going down now

Saman W Jayasekara wrote: "Update : July 03 2012.... I think Sony e-reader is a honest product."

I think the Korean i-River HD is another honest product. I have used it without trouble for over a year. In comparison, my Kindle 3 broke down after 2 months.

On to my 4th kindle !!! that is 4 in 18 months... no matter how gently I treat them the screen goes. It is a known fault and has been widely published in the press, TV and Internet. I asked for my money back and got told because I purchased from a shop not Amazon then they could only ever replace it. Even tho they admit they manufacture and distribute the Kindle for sale in shops. When this one goes ..which I am sure it will... I am off to trading standards and the small claims court to ge my money back. Grrrrrr !!!

Here is the thing... I went to the carnival with my Kindle inside my bag. I rode roller coaster and sea dragon. When I checked my Kindle, the screen was damaged like the one on top. I really don't know why that happened. I can still read through my Kinde but not in the "AFFECTED AREA". The Kindle is still responsive with my touch even in the "AFFECTED AREA"

Just received my Kindle last December 2012. I swear that I haven't drop my Kindle. Will Amazon replace/repair my Kindle?

my 4th generation Kindle did that as well, its the cheaper version. ive only had it since x-mas 2012 and i'm completely devastated, i cant believe its done it i'm hopefully sending it away to be fixed

My Kindle died the day after warranty expired. I have been offered the same small discount on a new Kindle which completely unreasonable. I have put a complaint in but don't expect to get anywhere with it judging by the responses below.

I feel most annoyed that this is obviously a faulty product, but when it works it is great. I now feel guilty for recommending it to at least 3 others who bought the same model after seeing mine.

We have a second keyboard Kindle which is 16 months old. I am now wondering how much longer this one will last.

If you have a faulty kindle, this may interest you (read before you speak to Amazon!)...

Familiar story here. My first Kindle Keyboard broke in November 2011 when it was still under warranty, Amazon were amazing and replaced it, no questions asked, with next day delivery, which sort of made up for my newish Kindle seeming to have developed spontaneous screen fractures.

However, just 9 months on, in June 2012 I turned on my kindle to see the same thing had happened again - it had developed lines on the screen, and the screen saver was frozen in areas. It looked like the screen had been damaged by impact, and fractured but let me be clear: It HADN'T. I look after my kindles. I bought the official Amazon Kindle cover at a hefty £50, both times my screen broke, I'd been using it that morning, left it on the shelf in its cover, came back to it in the evening to find it broken with no apparent cause. Never were they knocked, bashed, dropped, bent, exposed to water, etc. Again, Amazon customer service was outstanding. The representative who took my call was apologetic and sent out a new kindle free of charge, which arrived the next day. They seemed at that point to have acknowledged it as a common fault with their product, but their excellent customer service, sincere apology and the speed at which they replaced the device, again made up for it being defective.

But alas, here we are in November 2012, and the same thing has happened again. I was already feeling a little fed up at being victim to a third defective Kindle, so you can imagine my disappointment and frustration, when I phoned to arrange my replacement and was told that I would have to pay for a new one! They tried to tell me replacement Kindles are only under warranty for 3 months, so I'd have to pay for a new one... Like heck, I would!

I refused and said I was not happy to pay for a defective device to be replaced, furthermore, was not happy to receive another device that clearly has a design flaw and is probably going to be faulty. I also said that I was not happy to be sent a device that will probably only last for the 3 months warranty, then break for me to have to phone up and be told yet again that I must pay for a new one.

I then asked to speak to a manager and requested that I be sent a Kindle that is not defective (Kindle Fire) and that will have a full warranty. I politely pointed out that they knew it was a fault with Kindle Keyboards, that you only have to type "Kindle frozen screen" into google to find thousands of people with the same problem, that the same thing happened to my previous 2 kindles, that there was recently a feature about this exact problem on BBC's watchdog. They agreed, and I'm getting a free replacement Kindle ...FIRE!

If this happens to you, DON'T just accept it when they ask for £69 for a replacement! Tell them it's faulty and you aren't happy to get sent another faulty Kindle, let alone pay for one! Ask for a Kindle Fire.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/kindle

So we now have an explanation as to why Kindle screens die its static damage. This also explains why some people have problems and other people have none. It's a design flaw. The BBC had Cambridge universities professor Cho investigate.
They did not get a response from Amazon.
They also pointed out that Amazon's annual report said that Kindles should average 3 years life.

I have spoken to Amazon about my daughter's second Kindle which has had the same screen failure reported by the people below. The 20% discount was offered by Amazon. I kept talking quietly and purposefully with the gentleman and after nearly half an hour Amazon agreed to replace it for £31.20. I felt that the customer services gentleman I spoke to was reading from a script as he kept refering back to the fact that the Kindle was out of warranty. There were very long pauses between my comments and his responses which made me feel he was being prompted by a third party in the background. This is the best I could do but I am still unhappy about the long term. My daughter treats this device with incredible care (as everybody seems to) and I think it is only a matter of time before my 6 month old Kindle and her replacement go the same way. We have bought many books from Amazon and we will have to weigh up our options with a view to the longer term if one fails again in under 14 months.

It is such a shame that a device with the obvious appeal of a Kindle cannot be made more durable. An investment in achieving this would boost the sales by far more than it would cost.

Same thing I'm a kindle seriel killer also! We are a pretty big family so there are 5 kindles in house. I have had four do the exact same thing. The first one I was afraid I did something wrong, was very relieved when I called them after they recieved back the broken one and was told it wasnt due to anything I had done.Amazon sent me a new one even though the warranty was over. I thought very cool they stand behind their product even if Obviously they know there is a problem going on with their product, actually the rep told me they knew lol. After a couple of months, same thing and that one was treated with fine kid gloves. This time instead we just went and upgraded. Since the new generation had come out we were thinking oh maybe they fixed the problem. To be on the safe side it got a screen protector and a body cover that is even water proof which went into a foam lined drawer, yes I know a little OCD going on but I love my kindle and have a large investment in books. To my surprise shock and horror after a little more then 2 months same thing!! I was pissed, needless to say I think. I called Amazon again and they again replaced it. I had a serious health problem and got to have a lovely stay in the hospital and didn't get the broken one sent within the 30 days, so they charged me, charged me more then the cost of just buying a kindle!! What is that, I had called before I realized I was charged knowing i had surpassed my 30 days, but they didn't want to hear about my lovely hospital stay, ok fine I can live with that. I should have had my oldest get it sent in, but when I later called about the cost of the charge they gave me some line about fees and other bs that finally I just said please be quiet I don't want to hear any more. Now to add insult to injury turned it on the night before last and the same thing yet again! These are just my kindles which are used everyday sometimes many times a day. My daughters has also broken it has been almost two years that she got it as a gift, I asked Amazon if they were going to replace it, but I haven't recieved their answer as I sent email instead this time, probably a mistake so ill be calling in the morning about both. I love the set up of the kindle, but I am beyond feed up with their crappy kindles. Yet to change over to another brand is so much money wasted as you can imagine the amount of books we have between us all put together. So I will probably exchange amd pray. Is what really gets to me is on the amazon forum over this they are claiming this is a problem effecting very few kindles yet there were over 475 complaints on there? Thats not counting all the other posts like here. I don't know maybe I'm missing something here, but I think majority rules! Lol sorry for how long this was just realized I was a bit long winded, well as much as you can be while writing. Good luck to all kindle owners I hope your luck has been better then mine!

I picked up my kindle after not using it for a couple of weeks. It worked foe several minutes before the pixels froze and broke up. It was just a couple of months out of warranty, so I was basically told too bad. I haven't read more than 15 books on it, and never dropped it, spilled liquid on it, or exposed it to sun or heat, so I feel badly cheated.

Mine just happened for the 3rd time. I have not dropped them and they have always been in the Amazon lighted cover. This time it digitized while I was reading it. Now how can I have damaged it? Twice now it has been out of warranty. I am extremely upset.

Amazon say that Kindles can be read in the sun. I took mine to Sardinia. First time out in the sun, the screen cracked. I guess the screen expands with the heat and that expansion is not allowed for, hence the screen cracked. I told Amazon. they told me I was out of warranty by a couple of months and so they wouldn't replace it. They did offer a discount on a new one but I was still concerned that even a new one might crack in the sun. I wonder if any other Kindle users have had a similar problem? Amazon say it is extremely rare but they won't send a replacement even though I argued that had I taken my Kindle to Sardinia.when it was in warranty, the screen would still have cracked. I'm in the UK and it much cooler here. I got nowhere on the phone so I wrote to Amazon HQ two months ago informing them of the problem and asking them what I can do with all my Kindle books if I don't buy another Kindle. I'm still waiting for a reply which I know I won't get. Don't be fooled. Amazon are no better than any other company when it comes to warranty. They only give what we are entitled to under the law and what they can get away with. All us guys and gals with broken screens, and there are thousands of us, will only get replacements if we are still in warranty. That is our entitlement. The simple truth is, the Kindle has a weak screen and it will crack very easily, even when subjected to sunlight and you will only get a replacent if you are in warranty. Had this design fault been built into a car, we would expect a recall.

I have had 7 kindles none of which had really been dropped or not taken care of. The last kindle I had received I unpacked and I placed it beside my bed for what I'd say was 2 weeks when I decided to pick it up the screen had messed up again, Amazon have excellent customer service which is probably why I kept replacing them as it was an easy process however I demanded my money back as 7 was 7 too many times and now I'm without kindle sad story really

Great page, I'm a DX owner (no issues yet, nock on wood) who noticed the reviews on the Kindle 3 (was looking at one for transportability) did a search, found this great page and a couple of observations spring to mind.

If you have a Kindle (3 keyboard in particular) inside of 1 year warranty if it fails it seems the best course of action might be to get your money back (and if you still want a Kindle) buy a different version (the Kindle 3 Keyboard seems to be the worst so don't get it again) and be sure to get the extended warranty (so you have 2 years of protection). Reasoning is that Amazon will only send you refurbished Kindles (that seem even more likely to break) until you get out of warranty and then its $85 for a refurb (30 day warranty).

Amazon has surely known about this problem (probably from early on in the Kindle 3's life) and decided it would be cheaper to setup a low cost refurbishment operation (just take in the broken ones, fix them and turn them right around and send them to folks with other broken ones - so they're just getting passed between the owners) for the 1 year warranty timer period (then they start charging money for the refurbs with only a 30 day warranty) and not do a redesign of the Kindle 3 (let it run its production life out) to fix the flaws.

Microsoft actually showed how to do this with the Generation 1 Xbox 360 (it had a flawed design that resulted in the Red Ring of Death - bricked your xBox 360 - as time went on more and more of the 360's would get it, 1st design revision was worst maybe 50% of those probably failed) - Microsoft figured this out early in the 360's production life and decided not to do a redesign (since it would be more expensive) than setting up a huge refurbishment operation, fixing and turning the broken 360's back to other customers who had them before, but the refurbed ones often RROD'd more quickly than the new ones and you had owners who'd had 3 or 4 or 5 of them....I believe Microsoft did that for 3 years (a lot better than Amazon's 1 year) - but in the end the design was flawed and after 3 years your refurbed Xbox 360 would often RROD fail (no real solution) - except that Microsoft thought was cheaper than a redesign (till the planned redesign 4 years down the road) - eventually component production size got small enough that Microsoft did a full 360 redesign that doesn't have the problems (current design) but the folks who had RROD'd systems didn't get those - they just got to pass the bad ones back and forth. Lookup Xbox 360 RROD to see info on that.

This appears to be what Amazon has done here and since new Kindle 3's are still reporting problems (freezing and screen lines) it doesn't appear they fixed them. And then of course they have your e-book library as their hostage.... Not a good situation.

My Kindle screen has failed after 16 months (always well treated and carried in a padded case). Amazon's response was to offer me a new one at a measly 20% discount plus (to add insult to injury) postage, although normally all Amazon items come post free. An internet search reveals 100s of complaints of almost identical failures. If they happen within a year the result is a free replacement and a delighted customer. If they happen outside a year Amazon's response is poor and there is customer outrage. The irony is that Amazon must make a considerable amount of money from e-book sales and should want to get back on stream and buying more books as soon as possible.
The weight of evidence is that there is a systematic fault with these screens and thus Amazon may well be liable under consumer protection legislation. In the UK this means the sale of Goods Act 1979 and the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (if it cost, as mine did, over £100).
Recently the Consumers Association in 'Which' has been listing the Kindle as a best buy. I am writing to them to ask that they investigate the rate of screen failutre.

My kindle keyboard lasted 2 years with a nice cover. Carried it in my purse and read it everywhere. Gave it to my sister in law when I got a new $79 kindle because i liked the size and weight and never used the keyboard anyway as I use it simply for reading. My SIL broke the kindle keyboard in a week because she took it out of the hard cover I was using. I never placed my Kindle 4's in covers and my second one just broke last night. I am convinced the GOOD cover (HARD fronted book like with an elastic band to keep the hard cover over the screen) was the difference in 2 years of use vs 5 month of use (my average with the kindle 4)

After my fourth Kindle in a year i gave up. Now is just collecting dust. The best thing to do is to download the Kindle app onto your apple products or andròids.

I have had my Kindle ebook since 28th May 2012 . I turned it on it was fully charged BUT I COULD NOT OPEN IT. Surely just after 9 weeks this should NOT HAVE BROKEN DOWN.... i AM VERY CAREFUL WITH IT AS i KNOW HOW THESE ELECTRICAL THINGS are very easy to brake,,,Noway have I ill treated this and being only NOT 3 months old I hope to have it replaced as it under 12 months guarentee

I am on my third Kindle (and I also had a Sony 505PRS). All had e-ink displays, and all suffered the same fate--eventual screen failure. E-ink displays are much more fragile than backlit displays like the Kindle Fire. The Nook, the Kindle, the Sony, and others all have the same issue. What I have found to be different at Amazon is the outstanding customer service. Amazon has replaced each of the broken Kindles with a new one with no questions asked.

I did, btw, go to the e-ink site, and they acknowledge the problem. Apparently the screen is a sandwich, and the back panel is the one that is the problem. They are working on a technology that would allow that thin glass panel to be replaced with very tough plastic.

I am in the UK and have just called Amazon for the second time with this problem. The first Kindle lasted about 18 months and had a really hard life; I did not know it was fragile. The second Kindle lasted 2 months. I will treat the next one more carefully but from comments here it could be that there is nothing I can do. I have the 3G keyboard version. I wonder if later versions are more robust.

Everyone Having screen death should go to the kindle review sight and let others know what's coming. If sales drop off the big shots might light a fire, ha, under R&D and make the kindle right. Has the BBB been informed of amazon RIPOFF. If someone knows how, they should let us know.

Add me to the list. I had my first Kindle screen freeze up on me after a drop from a couple of feet onto a kitchen counter. Called Amazon and within a couple of days had a new one. Sweet. I figured I better get a case for this one so I bought the black leather one with the pull out led light. I took it on vacation last month, had it in the case, and was careful to wrap it in some clothes that I had in a hamper which I had secured in the back of my R.V. Well, a couple of days in the thing started acting flaky, like the navigation button was being pushed on the right. Randomly it would just skip ahead chapters while I was reading. I did the whole Amazon chat thing and they offered me a replacement at about a $10 discount to new. I told them I would get back to them once I got back home. Well, I turned it on when I got back and the top half of the screen promptly froze. Grrrrrr. I babied this second Kindle unlike any other piece of electronic gear I've owned and it still failed. I just don't know if I want to buy another one...

Well my fourth one is on its way. If this breaks, I am going back to books.

OMG, my 3rd one just did this and I just got it. GRRRRR. I do love the kindle, but this is a pain in the butt. Why do they do this?

I am on my 3rd Kindle, which just died. I've only had this one for 6 months. The others lasted between 5 and 9 months. I am now out of warranty and I don't want to buy another one. Each time it was due to some sort of screen issue. I expressed my displeasure to Amazon, and they are only willing to let me buy an upgrade. I never dropped any of my Kindles or did anything to cause the problems. They just happened. I am very frustrated and will just use the Kindle app on my phone and computer from now on. Unless anyone knows of a reliable e-reader?

Me too. Mine lasted 18 months and 4 holidays, but died in the airport on the way to Greece. Always been treated carefully and kept in the hard leather case even though I was not aware of the prodcut issues. Amazon offered me a new one at a small discount and when I refused and started mentioning EU directives for "fit for purpose" they e mailed to say they would not respond to any more e mails on the subject. Maybe time for BBC 's "Watchdog" to go public?

I am now on my 3rd Kindle...like everyone else I love the product. First kindle lasted 9 months and turned it on one evening to have the exact screen issue that everyone else is having. Had that one replaced and the 2nd lasted 9 months and while on holiday the same screen problem happened, wasnt too bad as I have the Kindle app on my iphone so could continue to read my books. I emailed Amazon straight away and within 12 hours had a response from their Customer Service team asking me to go on live chat to discuss or call, waited until I got home from holidays and went on live chat, I received a replacement unit within 2 days!! their customer service is a credit to them, but they really need to focus on the design of the Kindle, the issue is most devices like this will have a double screen as such, Kindle does not so right behind the screen is the "ink"... my son recently placed a lot of pressure on a DS and the inner screen cracked bit the outer screen was perfect, his devices has been dropped many a time without any issue or damage, in this case sitting directly on the screen was more than it could take! The difference here is the Kindle cannot withstand any pressure to the screen or impact to the device, not great when a lot of their advertisements show how it can fit into the back pocket of a pair of jeans etc... both my devices and my current one where kept in a protective pouch and where treated with the utmost of care so it just shows you how fragile the unit really is. What I will say about Amazon is that they act like this is an "unusual" thing to happen which is clearly not true, they really should sacrifice the weight and redesign a more durable screen.

Having just killed my third Kindle I was searching for similar problems. I also carry a DSLR and lenses around, I wonder if we killing the Kindle with the weight of associated gear?

I let some idiot use my kindle keyboard (my second kindle, my first one died after a drop) today and the first thing they did was try to use it like a touch screen so I correct them and they stopped; it looked fine afterwards, one or two little itsy bitty lovetaps shouldn't hurt after all. Then I turned it back on a few hours later and lo and behold suddenly LINES EVERYWHERE. i'm calling bs here.

i have 3 all break on me too. the last one was today

Well my 7 month old Kindle bit it yesterday. Amazon is politely and efficiently meeting their legal obligations. I didn't abuse it, nor did I baby it, having no inkling that it was so fragile. I mentioned this on the "fragile Kindle" thread on Amazon, and in 10 minutes the clip-light and pitchfork brigade was on my case. I assume they are fanboys not shills, but for such a seemingly widespread problem, it sure seems tamped down...

Has anyone spotted the increase of kindle hosted sites singing the good life . It makes it harder to find places like this.

I killed my third kindle yesterday, dropped it whilst getting it out my hand luggage at the beginning of a long haul flight, joy.
I love(d) my kindles but as my warranty ran out last week I do not think I can bring myself to buy a new one as it really is more delicate than a butterfly, back to paper or maybe a more sturdy ereader for me.
I don't think I can suffer the gut wrenching horror that I feel everytime that it drops a foot or I knock my bag around whilst travelling.

I have killed 3 kindles myself and just got my fourth today. I am so glad i got the extended warranty on it because every time I get to the point of almost tears because its my life, i use it so much. sure i can read the books i buy from amazon on my laptop of phone but there are also things that are only on my kindle.

I've posted on here before with my two broken kindles. I have looked in to replacement screens as I still have both of them, however the replacement screens I have been able to find are shipped from Asia, and the price of the screen plus shipping (either through ebay or direct from the company) is close to the $85 it would cost for an out of warranty replacement. Although I have been tempted to give amazon another chance I'm certain that another one will break just as easily. I'm sure I can find an e-ink tablet that can use the kindle app, I have also seen an e-ink Sony reader that has been cracked to run a full android OS that can support the kindle app. Nook too, I think.

Dear (Kindle killer) Saman,
Your post gave me a new soul as from yesterday I started to see myself as a kindle killer too. I'm on my 3rd kindle now exactly for the same problem. Luckily, mine is still under warranty so Amazon is replacing it once again free of charge. I love my kindle but cannot avoid questioning the quality of the product... I hope you have a better luck with your next device :)

My 4th kindle died (out of warranty) it was on a table 1/4 the screen went ekee-scetch. Amazon is holding my E-books over my head and saying jump. Is there a class action suit to join. they must know they are selling junk, they send out so many replacements.

Well, I'm glad I got a Sony e-reader. If it had as good advertising as the Kindle, it probably would have far outsold it. It has a touch screen, browser, buttons for turning pages (you can also turn pages by swiping the screen), and the best pdf reader that I've seen on any e-reader. It also has audio, but you need to connect headphones to the device to listen to audio (no speakers).
I do have a Kindle Touch (4th gen), but the screen is broken... I've been wondering if there is any way to get the screen replaced? I doubt that it is covered by warranty, since the screen is cracked. Does any one have any idea what I could do with a Kindle with a broken screen?

Wish I had seen these reviews before buying a kindle. The top half of my screen is frozen and is distorted while the bottom half seems to be working okay. I had always taken great care of it, never dropped, water damage, sat on, ect. Unfortunately it is exactly 2 weeks out of warranty and Amazon refused to stand behind their product. Definitely will not be buying another Kindle.

After just writing about sending my 5th Kindle back I started reading the other postings and finding the same problem! Because of the fact that my husband bought my cover about a month after I received my first Kindle and it broke it never occurred to me that the cover could be the culprit! Anyway after five more Kindles since then I just called Amazon and asked for a replacement cover that's supposedly improved. Maybe the 6th will be the lucky one and I can stop being a serial Kindle killer!

my first Kindle lasted 6 months then screen failed. I remembered to call Amazon prior to 1 year and they replaced knowing they had a screen problem. Second lasted 4 months , just got off phone with Amazon , they only give 30 day warranty on second Kindle. Wanted to know if I would like to purchase a knew one for a discount 'no thanks".

I had the exact same problem with my kindle only it happened on the bottom right hand corner of the screen. I really didn't know what had happened as I take the utmost care with kindle as having it means I don't have to lug a big book around and when it broke I was devastated but I have had it under a year so hopefully I will get a new one with no charge.

You are a serial Kindle Killer, but you are not alone! :-) My daughter's Kindle Keyboard failed three times in 18 months. Each time it had a frozen screen with lines on it. No marks on the exterior, always kept in a case, not dropped. My other daughter had a Kindle Fire that died after 2 weeks, didn't even have time to use it. Amazon Customer Service is great while the device is in warranty. After that they wanted $85 for a replacement. I must be nuts to pay $100 + per year for two devices just to read e-books that cost almost as much as a bound book. Let's see, that about 50 books per year to break even.

About a month ago, I dropped my Kindle. Contacted customer support. They sent me a new one for the low low price of $65 because, yes, it was totally my fault. I got a new one in a few days time. About an hour ago, I picked my Kindle up off the table where it lives because I refuse to take it anywhere dangerous. I opened the cover and this one looked WORSE than the one that got bounced off the sidewalk!!!!!! Luckily, they took me at my word that this time IT WAS NOT MY FAULT and they're sending me a new one at no cost.

I need to trust somebody , I need that somebody to turn me into the real me inside, I am full of hurt and hate in my body and soul! I want to take revenge , I need to be trains in a way that I know everybody is mostly scared to be trains! They look at u and say that they will kill someone"""they lie if you know who and what that person really is! I need somebody with power and so much more, to take me and to train me to become a blood cold killer! This is not a joke! I made up my mind,for the people see no longer a sweet girl but a evil girl! I am 17 years old I'm femail, I life in south africa in florida! I was abused and so much more! They broke me! The girl you see my look innocent , but is a and will do any thing to become a blood cold murder! Pleace email me and years my bbm pin. 27B5082D

I need to trust somebody , I need that somebody to turn me into the real me inside, I am full of hurt and hate in my body and soul! I want to take revenge , I need to be trains in a way that I know everybody is mostly scared to be trains! They look at u and say that they will kill someone"""they lie if you know who and what that person really is! I need somebody with power and so much more, to take me and to train me to become a blood cold killer! This is not a joke! I made up my mind,for the people see no longer a sweet girl but a evil girl! I am 17 years old I'm femail, I life in south africa in florida! I was abused and so much more! They broke me! The girl you see my look innocent , but is a and will do any thing to become a blood cold murder! Pleace email me and years my bbm pin. 27B5082D

Does the Kindle fire have e ink also?

The initial reason I bought my Kindle is because I frequently have to read articles online and it is killing my eyesight. I found that transferring pdfs to Kindle and reading them with the e -ink to be a good (although not perfect due to the formatting issues) solution. I had also hoped to avoid building any more book shelves! Now I am sitting here wondering if I should purchase an old fashioned book or a Kindle book. My kindle's 12 month grace period is about to expire. I wouldn't mind upgrading to a fire if I thought that was more durable. Can anyone suggest a reader that is kind on the eyes, and reliable in the long term? Or do I just go back to killing trees?

Yet another frustrated customer. This is my 2nd broken kindle in 13 months. The first kindle was a gift and last 8 months before the screen froze, the second one lasted 7 months. I was extremely frustrated and called Amazon only to have one of the representatives tell me " this is a rare problem" I looked up reviews online and after reading your complaints I called back and explained that someone had just blatantly lied to me since this is a known problem. This gentleman nicely apologized for the previous Amazon representative lying to me and told me that yes, this is a known problem with the e ink they use on the screen to prevent the glare. He said this is mainly an issue with the 3G version with the keyboard but can happen on any of the versions that uses the e ink. They "fixed" this problem with the kindle fire but of course they don't tell you this when you are purchasing the black and white kindle. So to all of you who think you are kindle killers, it's not your fault, this is not because you are over charging he kindle or not completing the updates as I was initially told, this is a defective product that Amazon refuses to be honest about on their website. I really appreciate that least one of their representatives had the decency to tell me the truth.

breaking your screen can be very stressful the first time... mine just broke today

I'm waiting for my 3rd kindle to arrive after my screen broke for a second time. I asked the very polite customer service man if it was anything I was doing (even though this second one broke while sitting alone on a shelf), and he asked a couple of questions and then suggested I was overcharging it. He said that if you leave it to charge overnight, it's more likely to have screen problems, and that you should only charge the kindle about 3 hours max at a time.
He also said that 'the screen issue is a priority for us at the moment, and we'll send you a new one straight away' which definitely sounds like they know it's a design fault and need to sort it.

I thought I was the only unlucky one. 3rd kindle failed on me - the first two just freeze up, the last one having the same issue with the bottom half of the screen damaged/frozen. Was thinking if this has to do with the keyboard version, and if I should order the touch. this is quite frustating

I dont think you are a kindle killer but the same thing happened to mine. I have yet to send amazon an email but i will soon.

It seems like you are not a serial Kindle killer... neither do I... I'm waiting for my 4th kindle... This is so frustating,...

got my 5th kindle keyboard 3g last week . bought an extra case to protect it. oh dear, please cross your fingers, if this one will break too then I am ready to pay for a Sony

kindle#1 lifespan: 3 weeks. kindle#2 lifespan: 1 month. Why do I feel we are all being duped by amazon?

I'm on my second, and it somehow broke again. i love my kindle, but they are so fragile!

Include me in the Kindle Killer list, My 2nd one has been somehow damaged. I thought the wholepurpose of this devise was to use it for travelling. Travelling does have its knocks and falls... So therefore it should be fool proof !

Are those people with repeatedly broken screens charging their Kindle always with the original deliverd USB cable? Maybe the problem is related more to the cable??

My second kindle has packed in and I'm not happy, as I didn't realise when you got a replacement the first one the screen cracked(known fault) the warranty doesn't restart it just continues). So my kindle is out of warranty when I think it would have still been in it. Amazon will give me a refurb for £40 but only 90 days warranty and really don't trust them to last long! If anyone is still under warranty and getting replacements ask for a refund instead then purchase another kindle that way you have the full 12months. I am in the process of emailing amazon but getting no joy.

My kindle froze exactly the same way like yours. As my warrenty has gone beyond 1 year,I wont get a replacement.

Number 4 has broken :tears: :tears: And I have not the intention to ask another replacement. They probably think I am too stupid. By the way, it looks like there is no such problem with the Kindle Touch? Maybe Amazon should send a Kindle Touch as replacement.

I've lost count of my replacements (Kindle 3G). I think I may now be on number 6 in 15 months - all quickly replaced under warranty. All with the classic cracked screen. Always been kept in a kindle leather case and none of the failures preceeded a drop or knock. The last one I kept packed in bubble wrap and it still failed. I'm wondering if it's a problem with the refurbished units as the failure rate on brand new kindles appear to be a lot lower than the replacements. I live in the UK and normally receive a replacement within a couple of days, I'm not sure how long the warranty lasts but I have had 3 replaced after 12 months. I think the first one lasted 7 or 8 months and the last 2 only a few weeks.

Got my 4th kindle last week. the previous 3 ones all had the same "frozen screen" issue.

it happened to me a third time. It's getting ridiculous now.

Same situation here, I've had 2 break down on me. I'm in the middle of trying to get them to replace mine for free, but no success just yet :/

You are in the uk. Ignore the apple warranty quote uk and eu law. It's a minimum of 2 or 3 years warranty depending upon how you read it. Quote all the evidence on web sites as obviously has a design flaw. Then threaten with trading standards if no better offer.

Have now experienced 2 "impact damage" faults - and I haven't dropped or bashed it. 4 months out of warranty and Amazon have told me they won't exchange but I can buy a new Kindle Keyboard for a discounted £40. Hmm... should I throw money after a device so many people seem to have fail on them?

In answer to the quests.
Mine have all been keyboard, 3G models.
The e ink is common to keyboard and none keyboard, and Sony plus others. Sony have the same issues , but are a less helpful. Slightly baffled as to e ink being the issue , because the eink website shows a very robust technology.
As to other kindles still can not get them in the uk, I also wonder if enough have been shipped to tell.

Questions for my fellow 4 and 5 time kindle killers! My questions are:
1. Are the models in question the WIFI 6" version with the keybaord- mine is/was
2. have you heard good things about any other kindle models?
3. What have you heard about other e-readers e.g. sony etc - do they experience similar issues?
Thanks!!

I am so glad I read this post. I am up to my fourth (yes that's right 4Th kindle as three have so far had the same issue of a frozen screen. Like the reader above, I handled kindles 2 and 3 like a premie baby (to be honest the first one was also handled with kid gloves) and yet still the same issue. Really disappointing expeciually when Amazon grills you as to what you've done with it and that it's "odd" and isn't a common problem!! I would understadn if I had dropped the device but I never have. The Kindle Graphite 6 model is clearly faulty. Amazon's streamlined replacment process (while great) only servces, in my opinion to highlight that it's a fault with the model. These prducts should be recalled and users should be given other models as replacement. So frustrating :( If my 4th kindle also is defective, I'll have little recoruse left since it will be out of warranty soon.

I'm chatting with Amazon even now getting my 4th replacement Kindle. All three previous ones died the frozen screen death. I've had my Kindle for 1 year & 4 months. This and the 2nd most previous replacement were both technically after the warranty expired, but in both cases they sent the replacement with 2 day shipping for no charge. I buy a lot of books, so maybe they are cutting me some slack for being a good customer. I hope so. I expect this won't be the last one that breaks, unless they get the technical problems worked out.

Good luck to the rest of you. And thanks to Saman and everyone else for posting your stories. I was feeling a little like a Kindle-killer too. Good to know I'm not any more homicidal than most!

I purchased a Kindle from Best Buy last year, had this issue, now Amazon has replaced this Kindle TWO times, and its still the same issue. Now they want to send me another replacement. HELL NO, I'm going to buy a Nook or iPad or something else, forget Amazon and the Kindle.

I dont know if it is different in the rest of the world but after my second died I just got my money back , bought a new one started the warranty again , bought extended warranty. After my 3rd died gave up , have an iPad now will get a kindle when threads like this stop indicating the problems are fixed.

First kindle lasted 6 months, 2nd 1 month, 3rd 1 week. Amazon has just sent me the fourth under warranty. I asked customer service if they had any recommendations to protect the screen, but they just suggested " avoiding any pressure on the screen"

None of mine were dropped, and I handled the 2nd and 3rd one very carefully after the first screen broke. The last 2 broke after carrying them in my wool coat pocket, so I think it may be related to static electricity. (The first one lasted 6 months of warm weather, but I was not monitoring it as closely and don't remember the details of its final hours.)

I hope they solve the problem, because I love the Kindle, but I won't buy a new one when my warranty is over.

I just had the same problem for the second time with my Kindle Keyboard. Luckily, after talking to Amazon they're replacing it for free, again, as long as I send the broken one back within a month. Still, I wish they'd fix this problem already.

It just happened to me, but I swear I didn't drop it. I called customer service at 1-866-321-8851. My warranty had expired, but the tech offered me a replacement (Keyboard 3G without special offers; basically the same one I have) for $85 plus tax. Shipping is free (they charged my card, then refunded). Got it in 2 days.

I have killed three Kindles in the past two months. I have no idea what happened. I am SO annoyed. I babied those things and they STILL froze. Grr.

I don't know if any of you guys have tried this but if you hold down the power switch for a REALLLY long time, then turn it back on, it resets everything. Worked for me.

my kindle broke twice and my mom freaked out on me but i didnt do any thing!!! how many time can you renew a kindle?? I am really scared because I just bought all these new books and didn't read them yet. Can I get a new one or do i hae to buy it?? These commets makes me feel really better!!

The same thing happened to me, except when the third kindle (second replacement) came, I was already at the end of my warranty and I knew this would be the last chance; I did not even touch the kindle for months. It sat in its box in my room until a couple days ago when I decided it was time. I pulled it out, took the plastic protectors off and plugged it in. It lit up, good sign. Of course it needed to charge, but I was going on a trip and didn't have time to charge it fully. I put it in my soft case and packed it in the car to charge when we reached out destination. Except when we did, and I pulled it out, the screen had done it again. I'm so utterly disappointed - devastated even. I loved my kindle. I used the first one almost every day the first six months I owned it. But it's like every replacement had less life in it, and it is clearly a shoddy product when this sort of thing happens.

I HAVE HAD TWO DO THIS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
So glad it isn't me but it makes me want to hurt something.

I have woken up this morning to turn my Kindle on and the same has happened! This is now my THIRD kindle that this has happened to! So frustrating i love my kindle and it is in a case all the time!

Hi,
I had to replace my first kindle in November and now my second kindle is broken as well.
It is about 18 months old can I get a new one with out a cost to me or do I have to buy a new one?

Serial killer ..Harriet? I doubt. It's a Kindle Massacre programmed by Amazon. All the Kindles manufactured by them come with a Suicidal timer.
The Right Question is " Why's Amazon wants to be a Serial Kindle Killer?"
Lets enjoy our kindles till it lasts :)

looking at your screen picture I was amazed to see it had frozen with 'Harriet Beecher stowe'..... Just like mine had... Could she be the serial screen killer...!??

I am on my third kindle3 in SEVEN months!! I, too, have been treating mine like princesses, with cases and huge distancs between it and any magnets, but all three of them have died a frozen, line-filled death. I don't understand why this keeps happening. I can't find any similarity in their environmental conditions either, as one died in humid Bali, the other in snowy Korea, and the other in a temperate Washington DC apartment. This Goldilocks game doesn't make sense. I am wondering if the newer kindles (Touch, Fire) have the same line problem, or similar bugs that crop up after two months- can anyone advise?

The screen on my Kindle also just died after 5 months; glad to find this blog about 1) others having the same problem, and 2) that Amazon seems good about sending a replacement.

I got my Kindle while in the US, but live in the Philippines..... I will be in US again for two weeks in March. Should I try to reach Amazon from the Philippines or wait until I am in US? Did the folks in the Philippines call from here? Did Phil. Customs charge you for it being sent here?

I'm on my 4th Kindle... 2 because of this problem and 1 because of a cracked case. I keep my Kindle in a very sturdy case, I rarely carry it around, have no kids and make sure it is in a safe place when not in use. If Amazon's customer service was not so great I would never consider getting another Kindle.

Mine just did this. It was fine. I took it off of the charger and has a very similar image to yours.

The same happened to me few days ago. I got my Kindle in last Apr. I chatted with Amazon and they agreed t send me a replacement but didn't agree to extend the warrranty of the replacement. I tried to see if could get a new Kindle model without the problem but they also didn't agree. I really concern about it if the problem happens on the replacement and Amon only agrees to repair it for free. Then I asked for a refund. Again Amazon refused. They indicated that 30-day return window has passed and I could only get a paritially refund. I had argured that it is not applicalble as this is casued by the product fault. I'm not sure if you have got a full refund? After reading the page, i think it would be better to get the money back and buy an alternative reader.

I have experienced the same problem - suddenly wiothout warning and without knowingly mistrating the kindle. My son has had the same with his too. I blogged about my experiences here... http://fullnessoflife-john.blogspot.com/2012/02/well-done-amazon-thank-you.html

Thought I'd post this update. I'm on my 4th kindle (reported some time back on this page). This fourth Kindle has lasted about 9 or 10 months with absolutely no problems. I suspect there was a very bad batch produced at some point.

I hope that's not tempting fate.

So what is the solution?

I've had similar experiences. Just now lost my 3rd kindle that I never let out of my sight and treated like my best china. It lost the top part of the screen while I was listening to an audible book. Glanced down and the screen was gone. Yes, Amazon barely asked me any questions (unlike the first time I called them with another defective device) and promised to send me a new one. But I want a plan for when the warranty ends. Any suggestions for an alternate reader that still has the features we like about Kindle? I can't read much on computers due to severe eye strain, so I rely on my Kindle to read articles I find there. I need a solution or I'll have to drop out of the tech world we live in!

I'd love to stay loyal to Amazon with this. I hope they find a way to fix these kinds of problems (mine is a v3). But until I hear that they have, I need another plan.

I have also had tremendous problems with kindle 3 screens breaking and freezing. I bought them for my 10 year old girls to encourage reading after having my Kindle 2 for a year and they have broken repeatedly. I at one point had 4 Kindles. I at first blamed the children but they are in cases and several times screens have cracked when turned on. Warranty was out in November when they replaced the last one and now it is broken as well. I bought myself an Ipad 1 on sale to read on and my daughter is using my kindle. I will try to never buy another Kindle device. Ipad is wonderful to read on and I am disgusted with Amazon and Kindle.

My Kindle Touch's screen now has a top-half that's not responding and has turned black.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/403172_10150562560501686_737996685_9155721_1928083545_n.jpg

This unit has experienced absolutely no drops at all, I've been using it for just a little over a month, I received it on Jan. 1, 2012. I'm very fond of my gadgets, I take care not to drop them because I've learned my lesson when I dropped my iPod on concrete. And now this. :(

Anyone know if , when they do charge you for the replacement (my warranty was out by 1 month so they charged me 85 bucks plus shipping for my replacement yesterday) do they add a new warranty? I never had a problem with mine, had it for 13 months, my daughter knocked it off the couch and then stepped on it.. However, if I get a lemon like it sounds like some of yall get, will the new one have a year warranty, or am I destined to pay 85 bucks a pop?

Got my Kindle for Christmas, Love it!! Use it almost every day. Was so updet when took it off the charger yesterday and had lines and a large black spot across the bottom. I must say, Amazon was great. Took under 5 min, rep is sending new Kindle, should be here by Friday. He did say it's a battery problem and could be avoided by keeping the unit fully charged. We'll see what happens with the next one.

I am on my fourth...

My first K3, I dropped - Amazon replaced it for free.
My second K3, just stopped - I suspect because I treated it badly. Amazon replaced without me having to send back.
My first K4 arrived, I rolled on it in bed, screen cracked, Amazon replaced.
My second K4 arrived broken - screen never worked. Amazon replaced without me having to send back.

So now I have a working K3, a working K4 and two broken screens - now I just have to work out how to fix those screens and I have a couple of spares...

Oh I feel so much better (and less guilty) after reading this. My kindle was in my purse in its case and when I took it out only like half an inch at the bottom of the screen was working! I did the reset and nothing. I'm planning to call Amazon but I was wondering whether you need a receipt or proof of purchase. Im in Central America and I bought the Kindle at a third party store. Does Amazon require any proof or do they have records based on the Kindle's serial number?

i'm so glad i found this! i just broke kindle number FIVE and now i'm too embarressed to try to get another one from Amazon. luckily the one i broke last night was a gift and the giver bought the extended warranty (secondary to all the previous destruction). It's frustrating how easily they break- by now i'm sure amazon has a note in my profile saying "lady must be 600lbs, keeps breaking kindles with her body weight". i was hoping the newest ones would be a little more rugged and provide better protection but no luck. guess i'm back to the archaic paperback!

My husband got me a 3G kindle yesterday. It worked perfectly, I was just ready to get into be and read and I put my knee on the screen (but it was covered by a leather case) it went like etch-a-sketch. I cried like a baby. And I mean like a baby.

You guys think you have it bad? i just broke my fifth kindle (I only paid for one though because of the warranty) and this is not including my sisters. I literally touched hers and later it was broken. Has anyone got any tips to help me keep my kindle alive for more than 2 months? :(

Kindle is now replacing my third Kindle keyboard. The first had the half the screen gone, the second totally froze and the third the WIFI refused to work anywhere after 6 weeks. I really hate to say this but I doubt seriously if this one breaks after my warrenty has expired I will buy a new one. It is perfect for my pocket. I can get library books sent directly to it and it has games I really like BUT three kindles in 9 months is a little over the top. Granted, Amazon has great customer service (they can stop saying they are sorry after one or two times though) but the quality of their product leaves much to be desired.

Wow! Can't believe this is such a big problem, but kinda glad I'm not the only one having it! Took my Kindle out of my handbag now, where I always carry it in its padded leather case and bam! The screen is "cracked"! After I cried myself to death I went googling for answers and found all of your problems! I really hope I will be assisted by Amazon as well as I am hopeless without my Kindle! Feel like my arm has been amputated!!!!

Hello,
We are now on our 5th replacement Kindle in 14 months. The kindle has always been protected in a case and only touched by my husband, it is his baby! The longest the kindle seems to have lasted before the screen appearing cracked is 5 months. Each time we have contacted Amazon they have replaced them free of charge.

We are now beginning to wonder what we possibly can be doing?? The screen freezes and the bottom half displays differently to the top. It cannot be reset. How much longer do you think Amazon will replace free of charge?? We do not misuse it, store it correctly and protected and yet the same fault happens again and again.

Has anyone else had such a problem?
Thanks
Vickey

Hello,
We are now on our 5th replacement Kindle in 14 months. The kindle has always been protected in a case and only touched by my husband, it is his baby! The longest the kindle seems to have lasted before the screen appearing cracked is 5 months. Each time we have contacted Amazon they have replaced them free of charge.

We are now beginning to wonder what we possibly can be doing?? The screen freezes and the bottom half displays differently to the top. It cannot be reset. How much longer do you think Amazon will replace free of charge?? We do not misuse it, store it correctly and protected and yet the same fault happens again and again.

Has anyone else had such a problem?
Thanks
Vickey

My son just replaced his 1-month old Kindle before Christmas and he just informed me that the screen was frozen again today! Glad to hear that Amazon isn't really batting an eye. I was very impressed with how fast they replaced the 1st one.

Hmm...I'm on my second Kindle, and I just broke it. I've had it for about two months. I'm unhappy about it (to put it VERY mildly) but I'm also glad to see that I'm not the only one, and that other people have had issues without dropping it. I've dropped it a few times, because it practically never leaves my side (or a real book, in its place) but I was reading it and turning the page when the battery gave out on me. When I plugged it in and charged it up, it still was completely non-responsive. I've got the exact same model as you. -sigh-

This is a problem kindle is aware of and they are doing all they can to keep it quiet (note the superb service in replacing the kindle and the script when you ask them about the problem). If this 'weakness' in their product gets out then it will affect sales, reviews, and maybe even their share price!! So shhhhh.........

I too have had the same problem with my Kindle. I began to wonder the same as you - "Am I a serial Kindle killer" As this problem has happened to me no less than three times! Three of my Kindles killed in less than a year, with the screen looking exactly the same as yours pictured. It's clearly a common problem. But I have to say the service from Amazon has been impeccable. I cannot fault them for this. They replaced my Kindle each time, promptly and swiftly. They have now offered me a refund for the Kindle as well as the two Amazon leather cases I had bought for it. With this, they have suggested I purchase the new Kindle model. Very fair, and I am very satisfied with their service. Let's hope the serial Kindle killing ends here!

ah! I had my kindle for 2 DAYS before I sat on it...and I heard the crack and I immediately new what I had just done. I looked on-line for help and everyone said that Amazon were great with customer services, but I found out my mum had bought it from Tesco s. Will I be able to get the same service I would have had I bought it from Amazon? Or will I have to buy a new one?

I am so glad to know that I am not alone. I am on my third Kindle Touch over the course of 2 months. My problem is that it does not hold as many books as advertised. I am a voracious reader, and go through 2-3 books in a day. I loaded my first one up, and it froze (and couldn't be reset) after a day. I got a replacement one, which also froze after loading my books onto it. My third one, I loaded the books 5 at a time, over 4 days, and it worked great for a week. Then, a 10 days later, it started not loading books that I had bought, and then froze altogether a few days after that. I was told that although it is supposed to hold 3000 books, realistically, you shouldn't have more than 400, which is not what is advertised!

. This is absolutely ridiculous, and after reading the woes written below, I will be looking into another ebook reader!

I bought a Kindle (Keyboard, WiFi only) last August and last week I found it had a "cracked" screen as well. I called Amazon and they sent me a replacement, which was brand new. I wasn't required to return the old one which was a good deal.

My friend then told me that he also has a broken Kindle (which Amazon also replaced with a new one) with him. His had a frozen screen (not a cracked one) and it wouldn't charge. I asked if he could give it to me and he did as he believed I could not do anything with it, anyway. What I did was that I took the screen out of my friend's Kindle and installed it on mine. Now I have 2 Kindles. ^^

If you'r a serial killer - I am a mass murderer. I have gone through 5 Kindles. One died the exact same way in my hands walking onto an airplane. Sigh - I still love the Kindle and thir service is great - but I am no longer under warrantee. Only the last time did it break because I dropped it - all others were very mysterious….

My sister and I got our replacement Kindles today! It took 6 days for the Kindles to reach the Philippines. Both were brand new (I was actually expecting refurbished units), but they were the ones that came with special offers. I shouldn't be complaining for that as they were free replacements, anyway. :p I hope these would last longer, though. Haha.

my 2nd kindle broke after i dropped on carpet

My son had his kindle in a case in a padded pocket in a padded computer case next to his computer. He took it out this morning (in South Africa) and the screen was cracked.

Bad news: gremlin?
Good news: Amazon was AWESOME and sent him a new kindle (through me) in three days. But why did it break? He's in a remote place and it's tough to get replaced.

Your experience exactly mirrors mine! My first Kindle(which I love) did the half frozen screen scenario, I got an immediate replacement(good service), and lo and behold within 6 months the same thing happened. There must be a design fault,I travel a lot so need an e-reader-maybe I will buy another brand!?

I forgot to mention that I live in the Philippines, hence I'm actually impressed with the after-sales service that Amazon is offering to non-US residents so far.

My sister and I each bought a Kindle sometime last June from a third-party store. Some weeks ago, my sister's Kindle froze and just never charged. And then just last week, I was going to read from my Kindle when I found that mine had "cracked" and ran both horizontal and vertical lines across the screen. I tried resetting it but to no avail; I even opened the back cover for the little reset button which I failed to find (mine had none, apparently).

I had a chat with Amazon about my broken Kindle using their chat support yesterday and I was offered a replacement. Initially, I was told I might be getting a Kindle 4 (which is 40$ cheaper than the one I owned) when I asked if I can still get the same one as mine. Just this morning I received the email informing me that my replacement Kindle was already shipped and that it should be here by Monday or Wednesday next week. I checked my "Manage Your Devices" and my 2nd Kindle already showed up, and it's actually a Kindle Keyboard!

As for my sister's broken Kindle, I informed her of my little chit-chat with the Customer Service. She told me last night that she already talked to a representative and that she would be getting her replacement as well. I'll post again to inform you guys on how this one goes along.

I have a Kindle and it fell on a carpeted surface and now the screen is busted and I can't read anything what can be done.
Mona Radlow

I am so happy to read this! My first kindle lasted one week, my second lasted 8 months and my third lasted 2 DAYS!! I keep it in my backpack too and can't believe how easily they break/malfunction. It's still under the warranty so I guess I'll be getting my 4th soon. Hopefully this one will last a little longer... I'll have to treat it like eggshells!!
P.s. My husband and I got our first kindles at the same time and his is still going strong... I was starting to think it was just me, so I am glad to read that I am not the only serial kindle killer!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was so embarrassed that my fourth kindle - which had been replaced the week before, went the same way as the other three - when I flicked the switch the screen "shattered. So I haven't returned it yet! And have been reading books on Kindle on my Droid! My tech guy at work keeps on telling me I should stop buying Amazon Products. Another co-worker smugly tells me hers has been perfect since the Get-Go. Time for me to get back on the Phone with Amazon and suggest they might like to upgrade me to an amazon Fire!!!

Hi,

I am on my 4th kindle. I got it oustide the warranty, so thank you amazon! BUT i havent used it yet. I am too scared to kill this one.

Lots of people seem to be accepting the premise that they only have 12 months warrantee from the original purchase date.
I've had my money back twice and purchased again - thus avoiding this suggestion.
Second in UK and Europe the warrantee has to be based on what is reasonable to expect seen as a minimum of 2-3 years.
USA users should try and ask why are they being treated differently than Europeans.

My apologies for the three postings!

Glad to find this forum --Our first kindle was purchased late July 2011 and it was good until early November. It had what most other people seem to have, frozen screen and vertical lines (from top to bottom.) Sent it back to Amazon after talking to them on the phone. We received a brand new one again on Nov. 9/2011 and it lasted about a week. The kindle had similar symptoms, frozen screen and the top half of the screen had vertical and horizontal lines. Again amazon were more than helpful to accept a return and forward a new one --They did not indicate that there were so
many customers having the same problems. It was suggested by the agent that it may have been crushed in transit. Anyway another is on the way. What can be the final solution to this problem as they can't keep sending kindles forever.

Glad to find this forum --Our first kindle was purchased late July 2011 and it was good until early November. It had what most other people seem to have, frozen screen and vertical lines (from top to bottom.) Sent it back to Amazon after talking to them on the phone. We received a brand new one again on Nov. 9/2011 and it lasted about a week. The kindle had similar symptoms, frozen screen and the top half of the screen had vertical and horizontal lines. Again amazon were more than helpful to accept a return and forward a new one --They did not indicate that there were so
many customers having the same problems. It was suggested by the agent that it may have been crushed in transit. Anyway another is on the way. What can be the final solution to this problem as they can't keep sending kindles forever.

Glad to find this forum --Our first kindle was purchased late July 2011 and it was good until early November. It had what most other people seem to have, frozen screen and vertical lines (from top to bottom.) Sent it back to Amazon after talking to them on the phone. We received a brand new one again on Nov. 9/2011 and it lasted about a week. The kindle had similar symptoms, frozen screen and the top half of the screen had vertical and horizontal lines. Again amazon were more than helpful to accept a return and forward a new one --They did not indicate that there were so
many customers having the same problems. It was suggested by the agent that it may have been crushed in transit. Anyway another is on the way. What can be the final solution to this problem as they can't keep sending kindles forever.

WOW, sorry and glad at the same time to see so many have the same issue as we did. Our 1st Kindle lasted 3 months before screen went out( lines all through it, not usable), Amazon was great at sending a replacement but it only lasted 3 days. Was told after 2nd breakage we would have to buy 3rd for $79. So I gave up and just kept broken one. After finding this site, I called Amazon back and asked for a refund, since now I believe its no fault of our own. They said no problem with refund or store credit. Glad I found this page!

Well this has certainly made me feel better! Kindle no 3 just packed up last night. I, like everyone else, began to treat this like a newborn after the second one. Yesterday I plugged it in to charge & went to work & when I came home.... frozen screen - no lines or anything but it just keeps trying to reset itself - I almost feel sorry for it! The ringback facility is currently unavailable & the freephone no doesn't seem to be working. To be fair to amazon that's unusual. Now I'm beginning to wonder if they're sending refurbished tat as replacement.

I had no idea this was such a common problem. My daughter and I each have a Kindle and mine has been replaced once and I am waiting on the second replacement for hers. It's a bit disheartening although Amazon customer service has been great. Unfortunately, our Kindles will be out of warranty within days so if this happens again I guess we will be out of luck, and I love e-readers. Have there been similar issues with the Nooks? I love the Kindle but I am really concerned about its durability, or lack thereof.

I'm getting my 2nd replacment early next week. I got my original K3 last Xmas and the screen frakked up last Saturday night. Amazaon was very quick and I got my replacement Tuesday. Today I was getting ready to configure the new one and alas, this one did the same thing! E-chatted with Amazon and so now I've got my 2nd one coming tomorrow. God I hope this one works. I was in the middle of a good Cussler book!

My husband's kindle froze. Amazon sent a new one. When the new one arrived he loaded it and read for 20 minutes. The next day the new kindle was frozen. I called customer service and they immediately said they would send out a new kindle. I am grateful for the replacement but the fact that they knew exactly the problem and that it couldn't be fixed has led me to believe this is a huge problem and they know about it. The original warranty has almost expired at that point I am not sure he will want to buy another one. Any books purchased in the past are useless without a kindle. Hopefully they will fix this problem.

At least you people got something. I have had mine less than six months and dropped from my bed to a carpeted floor and it worked fine for three days then the top half of the screen froze. So sorry, they say 'accidently damage' is not covered. I will never buy another kindle again. The nook which is my daughter's constant companion is still great after two years and falling about 18 feet at a construction site.

Good luck to all you

Another one like the other ones.

90% of the screen saver froze; I can see the page numbers at the bottom.

After reading the encyclopedia of comments below, one would think they would start sending folks with this issue the Kindle 4.

My question is, does each new replacement kindle come with a new 1-year warranty?

Seems the name of the product is fitting, for it is seems its best use is as kindling.

Same sort of problem with my Kindle 3 that others here have mentioned - my screen went bad though I have never dropped it or squished it. Here's the caveat: Once the 1 year warranty is up, Amazon IS NOT so great to deal with. I had 2 Kindle 3's go bad - the first was 3 months before my warranty was out, so they sent me a different one. Worked great for 4 months, the poof, the top 1" of the screen went bad. Called Amazon, they won't send me another. Offered me a "service replacement" Kindle 3 for $85. I don't really want another after these problems, but I'd be willing to apply that $85 to a new Kindle Touch or the Fire. They won't allow that. So I'm left with a non-functional $189 device. Paying $85 for a third Kindle 3 would be tossing good money after bad. I'm ready to try a Nook.

I am also on my 2nd Kindle and like all the rest I have always treated mine like "my baby". My first was never dropped/sat on/bent etc, yet the screen still "broke" exactly like everyone elses. I keep mine in a leather case that is cushioned. Amazon where great when I resported the issue...however this happened 9 months into the warranty and when I asked if the replacement was covered under a years warranty, I was told that it was only covered for the remainder of the original warranty. Now... I do not agree with this! as far as I am concerned the warranty should have been renewed for 1 year as I was been provided with a "new" device and considering the amount of people that are having this issue with multi units. I am now even more worried that a couple of months down the road my 2nd kindle screen will break and I will not be entilited to a replacement unit. When I said this, all I got was, even if it is out of warranty there are "things" that Amazon customer service can do to assist, like a discount on a new device.... but I dont see how that is fair and why it should cost anyone when it is obviously an on-going issue! If the screen can freeze when the device has not had any impact...then it is not only an impact issue that is causing this.
Has anyone else experienced an out of warranty issue with multi broken screens?

I dont want to have to treat it like i am carrying round a piece of glass. I want to treat it like i am carrying roind a book.I am on my third kindle (keyboard). It seems to me that the chassis design has compromised integrity and strength for its lightweight slimline marketability.

I have been looking for a case that is bend proof (search the kindle forum, you'll see my lively thread on the subject) it seems that there are no cases out there even that would protect the kindle - they're all pretty and some claim to behard shell, but when you read the comments people say the hard bit is a bit of an overstatement. I want to be able to stand on my kindle. Sit on it.cover it with sand and water. At the moment I fear carrying around with me and that kinda sucks.

Has anyone here come across a true hard case? Polycarbonate or metal, quick release, no bigger than a hardbackbook?

I'm now on my third kindle and it has just broken... I had it in my hand luggage and I handled it as carefully as possible as i had already broken two kindles and was aware that i had to treat it like a baby. Amazon bribes that the 3G feature works in many different countries... thats if you can get the kindle there! The kindle is not as robust as it needs be for it to be able to do its job yet instead of fixing the issues that need fixing, Amazon seems intent on fireing out new kindles with new features that we dont really need. I have paid £152 for my kindle and for that amount of money, i dont expect it to break every few weeks. Well done Amazon. Not impressed.

Thank heavens I am not the only one. I also am on my 3rd Kindle. Still inside the guarantee. This is a device that should be portable. I take my iphone everywhere safely - why not my Kindle. I'd love to see some figures.

Thank heavens I am not the only one. I also am on my 3rd Kindle. Still inside the guarantee. This is a device that should be portable. I take my iphone everywhere safely - why not my Kindle. I'd love to see some figures.

Whew! I too have busted two kindles within a year, so glad I can get yet another one via my warranty!! My kindle looks almost exactly like your picture, posted!!

The partial frozen front has happen to me twice. In neither case was there impact. They were in my cargo pocket in my pants, and nothing hit me or the kindle. It just froze.

Amazon it replace the first, as it was less then 30 days. The other -- well a little longer, just long enough to get to the other side of the warranty. So will I buy their new products? Nope. No trust. You would expect them to live through none harsh daily live -- remember it is portable, right?

Read this last night and took advantage today. New kindle en route within five minutes of clicking teh "CallMe" button (Amazon UK).

So pleased I bothered to Google for a solution and found this thread.

Nice one; cheers, and share the love!

I feel like I am the biggest serial kindle killer in here! I have just broken my 3rd kindle in less than two months! Luckily I got the instant replace insurance from Currys, so I can get it replaced tomorrow. Very annoying however.

My daughter is on her 4th Kindle. She doesn't take to school. She leaves it at her bedside or downstairs while she is studying. She has never dropped it! This screen problem is always the culprate. Mine has had to be sent back twice for the same reason. I am so irritated!

Seems that Amazon have all the design resourse working on the no keyboard version and kindle tablet.
They seem to swap out - and hope that after 12 months they can say out of warranty - (actually not true under uk and european law anyway).
When my 2nd and 3rd dies I got my money back so that the no argument 12 months started again from scratch. So I'd recomend - refund after failure if anyone is carrying on.
Wonder if its one factory has a problem - because some people seem to have no issues.
I decided to hold fire after the 3rd died - may wait to see how kindle fire works - that has different technolgy - else think about the ipad.

I am now on my fifth Kindle. And this one has just broken. Not enough to stop me reading but enough for me to give up. It's a great but fatally flawed product not fit for use. I take a paperback with me at all times. Not the point surely!

All, I wanted to post here since this came up in the top of my searches for Kindle 3 issues.

If you purchased the non-lighted leather cover from Amazon prior to February of 2011, call Amazon for a replacement. Something about the leather prongs causes the screen to freeze and the Kindle to randomly reboot.

I am about to receive my 2nd replacement due to this issue, and Dr. Google diagnosed the cover problem. I called back, the rep confirmed the issue and is sending me an updated cover.

I hope that helps!

Here I am on hold for the past five minutes trying to contact amazon. My first kindle stopped working the day after i received it. I have been oh so careful with this one just to find the screen frozen again........ lets hope third times the charm. I love my booksoh so very much and I am gonna miss them while im waiting for my replacement

My kindle 3 lased two weeks. Screen broke as in article while on holiday, and another holidaymaker's did the same thing. Got a refund as it was treated with kid gloves and was in official case all the time, if it breaks this easily it must be a design fault. Shame.

You may have noticed that, in the books you read, there is a tendency to spread punctuation marks throughout paragraphs instead of simply taking the easy way out and putting all the punctuation at the end. This technique has been employed by great authors for centuries, perhaps after it was found that it makes random strings of words intelligible.

I think I might hold the record for combined Kindle Killings. In my household, there are three of us with Kindles. We are now on our 8th return/replacement; it's happened 2 times for me, once for oldest daughter, and 5 times for youngest daughter. We think we must live in a magnetic field or something. In each instance, the Kindle was never dropped or damaged - the screen just freezes and it looks like an etch-a-sketch creation. I'm close to asking for my money back, but (when they work), we love our Kindles.....

first kindle took out bag it was broken worked fine for 4 months. second kindle 18 month old dropped it off bed i didnt call right away because i didnt send old one back was gone on vacation got back didnt think about it again (happens when u have three kids) but they sent me another one anyway had that one 3 months. I treated the third one like a newborn baby didnt get to read that one much it sat on nightstand 2 weeks untouched buisy with kids school and baseball got a break went to read screen looked fine went to wake it screen looked worse than ever no to mention a day after recieving it kept freezing but it eventually stopped freezing guess what didnt send previous kindle back computer tore up i ran out ink (did i mention i have 3 kids and a 15 year old stepson) who play reg ball and travel ball i have not called kindle about replacement yet im mailing the other 2 kindles back today and will call in a few days and better get a new one because i just added it up and since getting my kindle as a valentines day present from husband i have bought $370 in books in 7 months pretty sure my husband would pop a top if he knew considering he only bought a $50 gift card! i love my kindle dearly and am devestated and really pissed. sorry for the long story but just needed to express my frustratio wish me luck on calling amazon cause i better geta replacement or momma will not be happy and neither will amazon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just ordered my 3rd!
can i get a refund instead of a new kindle if it happens once more?

I'd just like to say to Chris that before he gives up on the idea of a Kindle, this morning I moved my FOURTH Kindle 18" across my bedside cupboard. Despite the very great risks inherent in such a journey, in Kindle terms roughly equivalent to flying the Millennium Falcon through the meteor storm in The Empire Strikes Back, the Kindle has survived and 8 hours later it is still working. This is hugely impressive and testifies to the colossal investment in R&D Amazon have made in the device, explaining why NASA is considering using the Kindle as the central core controller for future probes to be sent to the sun. I'm now confident that if I carry it to the sofa on a pillow there is a better than 50% chance it will still be operating by later this evening. You can't buy that sort of performance just anywhere. Most devices like laptops only manage a miserable 99%-100% reliability.

Time to get the Kindle app on your iPhone/iPad. I've dropped, sat on it. No problems. I was considering a kindle. Now no more.

A friend bought me a Kindle in US, and bring to Vietnam for me... It last for 2 weeks.. Yesterday i discovered the same problem with all of you here, 3/4 of the screen is in screen saver mode and 1/4 still working with some blank lines... Just wrote an email to them and hope they will accept a replacement for me soon , Sight :-(.... I love reading on it, but it too sensitive....!!!!!

Believe it or not, after making the post above I set about initiating my third Kindle which has just arrived. It worked but I could not get Amazon to register it - it kept denying all knowledge of my email address. After 45 minutes on the phone to Amazon it transpired that they had misrecorded the serial number of the Kindle sent out to me. Amazingly, they were entirely unable to change this in their system and told me they would now send out a FOURTH Kindle and I would have to send the third one back. So the fourth is due here tomorrow and the third is waiting for the courier to collect it, even though there is nothing actually wrong with it. You couldn't make this up, could you? My third Kindle thus lasted less than an hour - is that a record? I can guarantee my fourth Kindle will be my last - if that goes wrong, it'll be a refund or if it's out of warranty I'll forget the whole thing. What a waste of time.

Thank goodness I have found this page. My first Kindle arrived in April. I don't use it much but when I went to France in June I got there to discover the screen was frozen with a trace of the screensaver and the machine was totally inert. Nothing would revive it. It was replaced by Amazon. In July I took it to the US - no problems but I am just back from Greece where - you guessed it - frozen: this time the top 3/4 of the screen had packed it in with the bottom 1/4 working as normal. I had been even more careful with this one - neither has ever been dropped or squashed. I bought the Kindle for holiday reading but it's obvious it is totally unreliable. Luckily I had taken real books too. On this occasion I had to send it back to Amazon (they refunded the postage) and this time the new one arrived by ordinary 1st class post instead of Special Delivery. If it busts again I'll be asking for a refund, so hopefully this will happen before the warranty expires. It's clear this device, while a great idea, is simply not robust enough for the intended purpose. I know several other people who have had theirs replaced too. I expect Amazon are desperate to sell all the Kindle 3s they can to get rid of them, replacing those they have to and trusting that expired warranties will sort out the rest. Then they can launch the Kindle 4 which I have no doubt will be redesigned. It's scandalous - I have several laptops, none of which have packed up like this. For a device costing over a 100 quid we should expect something a lot better - Amazon Support is good, but it'd be a lot better if they were selling a better piece of kit. If mine packs up again after the warranty expires I shan't replace it until the next generation of Kindles have proved themselves.

I have the same problem, just broke my 2nd kindle -.- WHY!?
1. Broke while i was reading
2. Worked just fine one minute, put it in my binder, walk 10 feet, take it out and guess what? it broke.
Amazon is a good sport and replaces everything but they should work on the real problem, making a kindle that wont break cause i sneezed on it...

Just received my 3rd kindle. I'm wondering if the fault could be caused by the magnetic flap closure of my case. Anyone else use these and end up with the screen damage?

Just swapped over for my fourth Kindle in seven months..

I'm very pleased with the 3 year instant replacement warranty I took out (when the kind chap in Currys offered it to me after the first Kindle died). Plus, I assume a new Kindle will be out within the remaining period of the warranty.. free upgrade? :)

mine to i can dwnstairs and it was all liney and cracked!! :(...i wonder what i will hav to do no as i love my kindle to bits and hav 30 books on it!"!!!!

*sigh* a +1 for me too and it's only 2 weeks old. Let's hope the service to South Africa is good.

I am def a kindle killer about to replace my third kindle for a fourth one.... on holiday at mo and the screen is starting to show lines with each turn of the page... Amazon have been amazing on replacements up to now, hoping this will continue with this one! Also as far as I am concerned my warranty starts again with each new kindle, so I cant see their being a problem. What I will say is that other then the first one (had no cover) each of my kindles have been really looked after, with the latest one the problem appeared while i was reading in bed (just hoping it will last for the next three days). This seems to be a recurring problem for some of us and though replacement is easy I would rather just have a kindle that didn't break!!!!!!!

Two victims on my desk this very moment. First bought in January 2011 and, just after I said bad luck this time, I've been that stupid I bought a second one on August 8th. Today its screen it's out of service. Leather cover for protection. No shocks, no moistures. What shall I do with them? What shall we do against these guys. I even do not get a decent warranty response from them. I wrote emails to amazon, I even call them three times (all three telecons "disconected"). This is unthinkable.

thanks this helped alot!!!! im glad i found this

Wow this makes me feel better!

Ive just been having panic attacks because half of my screen saver wont move from the screen and the rest is full of lines. Ive not dropped it, I havent gotten it wet. I have stopped using the official amazon case for it because that caused problems with my brothers kindles.

Im hoping amazon will just send me a new kindle soon and I can get on with reading the four books I just bought.

I'll add my story to this pile of destruction.
I'm just about to receive my 3rd Kindle. My first one lasted 8 months before sadly giving up the ghost with the whole vertical line fault as described above. The second I have had less than 2 weeks and it has already met the same fate. I just got off the phone with Amazon who are sending me my third.

The silly thing is that in both cases the kindle was used for reading at night before bed then placed carefully on a bedside table, and in both cases the kindle was dead the next morning. There was no physical damage to either; after my first on failed I was extra extra careful with the second but to the same result.

Third Kindle coming tomorrow. Customer service says only 1% of customers have complaints about their Kindle screen. I was beginning to wonder if I too were a "Kindle Killer". I handle my Kindle with great care as I have come to love it so. There is obviously something wrong with manufacturing. I am worried because I am coming up on 1 year since purchase and am worried it will break after the year and I will be out of luck. From the looks of everyone's comments though, another screen snafu is almost guaranteed. I am really PO'd...

Just an update on my kindle story. I called and was honest about dropping the kindle. I also told them that I didn't buy the kindle - I got it free through an American Express promotion. The rep told me that kindles should survive a drop from shoulder height. He is sending me a replacement and a post-paid label to return my broken one. They seem to be so good about replacements, I'm thinking that they know the kindles are too delicate OR they don't want to lose future sales of books (maybe that is where the real profit is . . )

I've just got a refund when my 3rd kindle died with the top of the screen not working. 3 in 8 months. I assume its a design issue - but would have expected a fix by now. Sounds memory ish - saw something about chip select issues but have found no answers. Amazon support is great - if they would come out and declare that what ever the age - defective screens would be replaced then I'd buy again. As it is I'm looking at an ipdad because I'm unsure what they would do if it took 13 months to fail.

My Kindle 3 died after 1 month. I phoned Amazon (from Malaysia) and they promised a replacement, but they couldn't ship to my country of residence (Malaysia) and instead have to ship to the original address of purchase (Taiwan). Immediately afterward, I received an email telling me to return the damaged unit using the replacement's shipping box within 30 days or be charged for the replacement. Since I won't be traveling to Taiwan in the next 30 days, I have no choice but to decline the replacement. IMHO, their international warranty is useless.

Here with another horror story. I took my new hardly used kindle on vacation thinking how nice it would be to read on the beach, and it was very pleasant until I took it out of my backpack that night to read before going to bed and it looked like I had sat on it or stepped on it. To be honest my backpack had left my possession for a while (having to leave it at the counter of a souvenir shop) so I wasn’t sure if it had taken some impact or not. Amazon was amazing telling me that it should be able to take being jostled around in a bag so they sent me a new one. I thought problem solved! I’ll be more careful with this one. It hasn’t even been a month since I got my second kindle and it’s already just froze on me after a short ride in my purse. I hope they send me a new one and if they do than I guess my Kindle is never leaving the damn house. It is very irritating and hope they fix this problem soon because I just love reading on it.

So I join the ranks of broken Kindles. To be honest, I did drop mine, a couple feet. Does Amazon replace the kindle if you're honest about dropping it? I don't want to lie (or make a lie of omission) but it does seem that this is a known problem. Do you think I deserve a replacement?

I bought one for my wife as a Christmas gift. It went kabluey a mere 6 months later. The screen went into "Etch A Sketch" mode overnight apparently while we were sound asleep. Boy do I wish I splurged for the $25 replacement plan at Best Buy but I couldn't afford another nickel. I got the one with the 3G so it was rather expensive. 3G is really the only way to go.

Amazon support was very courteous and immediately offered to send out what I was told would be a brand new replacement - not a refurbished unit. I was assured of this. I received the new unit in two days, and one month later the same thing has happened. This was only two weeks after my wife sent back the original busted unit.

First of all, I still don't believe the replacement unit was brand new. Second of all, the Kindle was protected by one of those those expensive hard leather covers and was never dropped or exposed to water or anything. I cannot think of a single electronic device we have ever owned that just suddenly went dead for no reason. What is the cause of this? Cosmic rays from outerspace? Evil Kindle Pixies that come in the darkness of night?

I want an explanation for this. I want someone to give me a technical understanding of what is going on with these things. And even if they send me a third unit, why should I have ANY confidence that this will not happen again? Because, at some point, the warranty is going to expire and I can't see Amazon sending me 6 of these things. And what kills me is that many people have been having these issues as far back as 2008?

There is something very wrong with this picture. I really feel like someone reached into my wallet and just took my money. Instead of a replacement, I would prefer a refund and buy something else.

Hey Jeff Bezos! Please sell us one that doesn't break!

I've had my first kindle about 3 months. On my second trip, on the way back, I opened it (I always have it in a leather case, in my purse), after I went through security, and found the top half the the screen frozen in vertical grey tones, with one little area turned grey on the bottom half. The remaining part of the screen works as usual.

I was annoyed. Had to buy a book for the flight back. Also worried that I'd banged it, or maybe the x-ray through security might have done something (their machines might not be well calibrated).,, So I checked on-line. Found not much help on Amazon... I tried holding down the power key for 20 minutes--but nothing changed.

'Glad to know I can replace it... although they should re-set the warranty for each new Kindle!

My sister is on her THIRD kindle--although she's had hers longer...

I hope they get the problem fixed!!!!

I just fund my kindle 3 dead no matter how I take care as tender as I can. Fortunately, Kindel will send a replaced one to me after I called them. Unfortunately, I can not bring it with me for my vacation. I thought I am the only one experience this. And for the curiosity, I googled by"kindle half screen freeze", I found here friends just like poor me.

I am glad to know I am not the only one to break 3 kindles in under a year...

#1 was destroyed by the baby
#2 was discovered broken on the sofa
#3 broke on the sofa where I was reading and I got distracted and put part of my body weight on it. I quickly moved off it but the damage was done.

None of my other electronics break except this one.

i have the same problem except i passed the warranty

just got my second kindle today. amazon was really nice about sending a new one..... about two days ago i was about to put i skin on my kindle and i was cleaning it with a dry cloth which they say to do when you put a skin on it. i finished cleaning the front and nothing was wrong with the screen at that point but when i started cleaning the back and flipped it over the screen looked like it was cracked and also it looked like i just through it across the room or something really bad. and it would not show anything at all on the screen becaz it was all cracked up looking. i didnt get why the screen did that so easily from just cleaning the back of the kindle. if my new kindle does the samething im diffently not getting another one. maybe a nook would be better if kindles break so easily.

The same thing happened to me. My second replacement is on its way to Prague!!;)

Same thing has happened to me. Simply I just dropped the kindle from the sofa the first time, it was in its case and everything it broke straight away. And that was after having it a month, I was gutted I never leave home without my kindle I treat my laptop much much worse and yet Ive never had a problem with that. So I did a goodle search seems alot of people have been having the same problem. But we sent it back to amazon and got a new one within a week. Now 6 months on guess what happened tonight it broke again. I just got into bed and lent back not forcefully and I didnt realise my kindle was under my arm and all I heard was an almighty CRACK. Its silly and Im very irritated it was hardly a fall and mine looks just like yours to be honest I dont recommend this anymore I still love my kindle but you have to care for it soo much its stupid. So now Im going to go onto my third kindle. Thought Id leave my storry.. Yasmin xx

I had my Kindle for 2 months and now it died yesterday.
She screen is permanently half frozen as in the pic above.
Since it was a gift from my husband, he is now calling Amazon to see that they send me a new one.
But with all those comments from previous posters I am already afraid the new one will break soon as well.. :(

So, my FOURTH kindle is on the way - I'm sad and annoyed.

#1 - Three months after purchase the back cover started coming apart for no apparent reason. Amazon cheerfully sent a replacement and I was happy.

#2 - Three weeks after replacement arrives, the screen goes all wacky on me. Blank spots, lines, etc. as described above. I freak out, thinking *maybe* it was squashed in my bag. Replacement sent, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

#3 - I've had it for five weeks; this morning I'm reading (it's in my hands!) when the screen goes nuts again with the messed up lines and blank spots. Steam billows from my ears and I have to remind myself to be pleasant on the phone.

#4 - Arrives tomorrow. Spouse and I are making bets as to when the next one craps out and what Amazon rep will say.

Warranty issues that show Amazon know the product they are supplying is not good…..

From comments on www it would seem that there is an inherent fault with the Kindle that is exaserbated by air travel.

My wife’s Kindle (Christmas present from me December 2010) failed following a return flight between Ireland and Netherlands. This screen failure, top have blank or with cover that doesn’t refresh and lines down and horizontal, seem to be a feature/failure in the product (see other posts). Knidle was in her handbag all the way so no bumps etc. Amazon replaced at the drop of a hat but refused to extend the warranty beyond the original 12 month period so expires December 2011.

Not happy at all as warranty should be re-set to date we received the replacement….. Continuing to pursue this matter on principle……..

As the guy at Kindle support just said to me, "It's not a very common problem." Well, he would say that, wouldn't he? I bought a Kindle 3 from Tesco's in March. Within three days it refused to start, declaring there was a "boot problem". Tesco's reluctantly replaced it. Two months later, the screen went blank and no attempts to reset it worked; Amazon, to their credit, replaced it without question. This morning, when I switched it on, the screen partially redrew, then froze with part of a picture, random vertical and horizontal lines, and blank areas. The bottom half inch of text is visible so it looks as though everything apart from the screen is working, but the Kindle certainly can't be used. The support people at Amazon were rather more sceptical this time, but eventually agreed to replace it "one last time". I keep it in a case, and I haven't dropped it, sat on it or pressed the screen hard (or at all)!
I'd be asking for my money back if it wasn't for the fact that I really like the Kindle. It would be an excellent bit of kit if it wasn't for these issues.

My Kindle has done the same thing! 3 times in the past 6 months, to be exact. The first time I had no idea what happened, and I am now getting pretty discouraged about the reliability of the Kindle. This makes me super sad since I absolutely love reading on it! I'm debating on getting a refund for the one I have now (that's broken). Any suggestions for a more reliable ereader?

I'm on my 3rd Kindle - 2 screen issues each after 3 months. Got a refund, bought the warranty (even though under UK/EU law should be ok for years), so restarted the warranty.
I work in electronics - this must be an undeclared design flaw - the reliability of this can be calculated - it has to be less than 0.5% year on year, it has virtually no moving components. The eink seems common with many readers - looking at the website is very robust.
So must be some bonding issue to the screen.

Same thing happened with mine today!! I got it just a few months ago. I told them I'd left it in my backpack - tightly pressed up against other books and a computer - and when I pulled it out, the top half was frozen along a kind of crack (but the physical screen wasn't cracked on the top). They tried a software reset, which obviously didn't work, and then they quickly offered to send me a replacement. They said that it's made to withstand the pressure of other books and things up against it in a backpack.

Okay, when I first got my Kindle, I had screen issues by the 7th day. I returned that one and they sent me out a new one 2 days later. So, I'm enjoying the Kindle for another 5 weeks and now my screen is only responsive on the bottom. (SIGH!!!) I called customer service and William was very helpful, I'll get another one by the 5th of July. My cousin has had her NOOK for almost 18 months with no screen issues at all....let us pray that this will be the last return I have to may, although somehow I doubt it.

Okay, me too. I was actually totally floored by the service, especially as they're shipping the Kindle to India and not only paying the Shipping and Customs, but also refunding the money I pay to ship the broken one to the US. However, now I'm less than excited, knowing that it was not a freak case and I can expect the next one to break as well. Sigh. It was too good to last!

Just same thing happened yesterday and it is the 2nd time for me.
I hope amazon will send me the third one again

Just adding my voice to the chorus, none of us are serial killers or twits. My Kindle just committed suicide 20 minutes ago, as did my first bout a month ago. Amazon is sending me a 3rd. (I'm going to start naming them.) Same half frozen screen problem. Luckily I have droid phone and have access to books through Kindle app. I don't hold out alot of hope for the next one either. As long as they keep sending em, I'll take em.

my second kindle just broke. I've never dropped it or gotten it wet, and have kept the leather case on it 24/7. This is maddening. The first one was an Xmas gift and I feel like a feking twit. I do feel better for not being the only undeserving person with this problem. There are some serious structural flaws with this device that need to be addressed by the designers.

I am not alone! Kindle 3 broke 2 days ago and now have a new one. Had the first one 2 weeks and had cover on it at all times and treated it with kid gloves. Yes, amazon were great on the done and were able to send me a new on really quickly bit if this happens again im gonna be effing annoyed. Why can't they just sort it out so it doesn't happen in the first place ? It's a great product apart from this!!! Fingers crossed this one lasts!!!

Same thing happened to me for the first time. If it happens again (hopefully within a year), I'm going to try to get a refund and then go buy a nook. I should really be supporting my local Barnes&Noble anyhow these days.

I've had my Kindle for four days and on day three the screen is f@#ked. After reading on several sites that this happens a lot I'm just going to get a refund and no replacement. You'd think they would take all the money they're wasting on sending out replacements and fix the damn product.

I am on my second Kindle since Christmas and also brought a $60 hardcover and despite this protection, I still had a flawed screen. I think there is a problem with the manufacturing, however this time I think I will give their competitors a try.

Perhaps if the things are so fragile, they should come with a hard case? I bought my case from Amazon, and it doesn't help at all. In fact I wonder if it's contributing ... I'll check out @Petr suggestion ...

I am currently awaiting my FOURTH kindle - exactly the same failure mode as you describe - and I have a cover and treat it very carefully (even though the advert implies it's very robust).
Last time it broke two days into a 3 week holiday in Colombia (with all my reading on it).
This time - and the kindle is about a week old - I have just flown to NY for work - got my Kindle out to read at the hotel and wham. Screen is b0rked. Amazon won't send a new one to the states as I'm based in London (ermm ... isn't it an American company?!) so I now have 2 weeks without it. Looks like I'll be buying some old fashioned books here.
As I've had it since January, they will only replace it - I asked for a refund so I could buy a Sony, but that's not possible now apparently. Even though it's been out of action for about 3 weeks since my first one.
*sigh*
At least I know I'm not alone!

so... my kindle just died. i am so sad. :(

the screensaver froze and became a line-y thinngy :(

Well, My new sissy little Kindle's screen just froze in half... I had an older Kindle that was covered in Pepsi that works to this day. Why is the new version so cheaply made? I guess it's back to my old heavy workhorse version. Arrrrrgggggghhhh!

So I'm not alone. Have had the Kindle for 3 weeks; safely stored in its case, hardly used. Yesterday I took it out of its case to charge it (thinking that it might get warm otherwise), and it slipped from my hands and dropped from a height of maxium 30 cms. It's buggered.

Granted, Amazon are sending me a replacement already but I never in a million years thought that it would be so fragile. I'm really gutted as I am going on a short trip tomorrow so I won't be able to take it with me :-(

Hi, I think that the solution for you is a Kindle Guard leather case. Check it here: http://www.empei.com/details.php?zb=211 . I have bought one there (because I had the same problem as you with broken screen) and it works absolutely great. So my problem seem to be definitely solved :o)

I'm glad I'm not alone in this. I got my first kindle in October '10, which lasted until mid-December. Now the replacement has failed. The first time, I was unsure I hadn't done anything to cause it, but this time it hadn't been moved or touched since its last use. All that had happened inbetween was a big thunderstorm. Hmmmm.....
Ah well, here's hoping for another quick replacement. I'm going to be pretty unhappy if I have to shell out £150 for one every year, because it's otherwise a fine piece of kit.

Eeek... just opened the brand new Kindle box, plugged it in... screen broken. Such a disappointment and hard to get a 2 day turn around from US to AUS! Can't seem to call on the phone either? Sigh...

I just called for my third Kindle, also, after having 2 other Kindles develop lines. I'm getting so annoyed! The woman on the phone told me that it was just bad luck. I baby this Kindle and treat it with kid gloves, yet there are still lines all over my screen. I'm also concerned about what will happen when my warranty expires.

I have only been a Kindle user since September '10 but I, too, am a Kindle killer. I have experienced the screen failure now on two different Kindles. I am expecting my 3rd Kindle tomorrow. I also purchased the $60 leather cover and it stays on my Kindle. They are not dropped, never been wet, etc. They just suddenly fail. The first time was while I was on vacation in Mexico. Dead Kindle, replacement to be sent to USA. With this 2nd Kindle, I used it, shut it down, and then turned it on about an hour later to the bad screen. Amazon, something is wrong with these screens.

Exactly the same problem with my new Kindle too - didn't treat it harshly, but screen still 'cracked' as in your photo.

Top marks to Amazon for the service - but what happens after my year of Warranty expires? Presumably the year is only from the original purchase, not from the replacement arriving.

I just killed a kindle that I just received this morning. lol

Exactly the same problem! I've now had three which did the same, even with top-notch care. Finally sent it back and got a refund. Real shame, as love the product! How are you going with your third?

The same thing happened to me!!! I bought the darn $60 case for it and there is no possible way it dropped or anything! I'll be calling Amazon this week for a 3rd Kindle!!!