A Utah resident is drawing attention online after claiming that Amazon has effectively rendered two older Kindle e-readers unusable despite both devices still functioning. The user says one Kindle can no longer download newly purchased books, while another can no longer be registered to an Amazon account. The posts have sparked a broader discussion about digital ownership, device support, and whether companies should continue supporting aging hardware.
The complaint was shared by Reddit user “SkySix” in the r/mildlyinfuriating community, where the post quickly gained traction. The user later referenced an earlier post made in the Kindle subreddit describing a similar issue with a 13-year-old Kindle Paperwhite.
According to the Reddit post, the older Kindle can still connect to Amazon’s servers. The device can reportedly download advertisements, recommendations, and even display cover images for newly purchased books. However, the Utah resident claims that the Kindle can no longer download the actual book files.
“There is no reason I shouldn’t be able to still use this other than they don’t like that an old device is still fine and want to force the purchase of a new one,” the user wrote.
In a separate post, the Utah resident said they factory reset a 13-year-old Kindle Paperwhite to remove hundreds of stored books. After the reset, the device reportedly failed to reconnect to their Amazon account. The user said that Amazon customer support informed them that the Kindle could no longer be registered due to its age.
“I’ve had this Paperwhite for 13 years, and it’s been so great,” the user wrote. “So now I have a perfectly functioning Kindle that I can no longer use with my Amazon-purchased books.”
Users React To Kindle Issue in Utah
Reddit users who saw the post largely sided with the Kindle owner, expressing frustration over what they viewed as Amazon limiting older devices that still function. “Amazon’s planned obsolescence is so frustrating,” one commenter wrote.
Many users shared workarounds, including sideloading books through a computer and using the e-book management software Calibre to transfer files manually. Others suggested removing DRM from legally purchased books to maintain access to their libraries.
A common theme throughout the discussion was digital ownership. Numerous commenters argued that customers should retain access to books they have purchased regardless of their device’s age. The discussion also led many users to recommend alternatives to Amazon’s Kindle ecosystem, particularly Kobo e-readers, to the Utah resident. Several commenters said they had already switched platforms or would avoid purchasing another Kindle in the future.
Others pointed readers toward public libraries and digital lending services such as Libby. However, some users noted that the oldest Kindle models affected by Amazon’s support changes may no longer be compatible with those services.
Amazon has not publicly commented on the specific claims made in the Utah resident’s Reddit posts. It remains unclear whether the reported issues are the result of discontinued support policies, technical limitations, or compatibility requirements affecting older Kindle models.
