How to Tell If Your Amazon Fire Tablet is Charging When Dead

Kindle Fire tablets are among the cheapest kinds of tablets you can find on today’s market. While they may be limited in functionality and features, they run a very stable Fire OS and are great at what they’re supposed to do – let you watch Amazon Prime videos, do your online shopping, and read your favorite e-books on a screen that’s easy on the eyes and configurable. But, at this price range, they’re not completely without flaws.

A Common Problem

One of the most discussed issues about Kindle Fire tablets is how to tell if the tablet is charging if the battery is dead. There’s no on-screen indicator that automatically comes up and lights the screen when the device is plugged into a wall socket or power bank.

This feature is common in other tablets and almost all smartphones. So how can you get around this? Here are a few options.

Power on the Device

The easiest way to tell if your Kindle tablet is getting power is to try and power on the device itself.

1. Plug in the charger into your Kindle Fire.
2. Wait a couple of minutes for the battery to get some power.
3. Find the Power button, usually located next to the USB port.
4. Press and hold the Power button for at least two seconds.
5. Wait for the screen to light up.

Alternatively, you can press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time. Wait until the screen lights up.

It’s important to understand that some chargers may not be fast enough for the battery in your Kindle Fire tablet. If you’re not using an original charger you might want to give the device some time before you try to power it back on.

Also, if you’re trying to charge a Kindle Fire back from a dead battery, it’s very important to use a wall charger as opposed to plugging the tablet into your computer or powerbank.

Check the LED Light

Some Kindle devices come with an LED indicator for battery power. While your device is connected to a charger, you can check the LED indicator to see if the battery is charging.

The green light indicates that the battery is fully charged. The amber light indicates that the device is currently charging. However, if you don’t see a light and your Kindle Fire does have an LED indicator, it means that the battery isn’t getting any juice.

But, this really depends on what tablet you have. Kindle E-Readers do have power LED indicators, while Amazon Fire tablets don’t.

What to Do If Your Kindle Fire Isn’t Charging

If your device isn’t charging the battery could be dead for good. Or, there could be something wrong with the adapter or the cable. Either way, if your device is still in warranty you should probably take full advantage of that.

If you want to try and troubleshoot it on your own, start with the charger port on the device. Clean any dust and debris. As this can not only slow down the charging process but also bring it to a complete halt if the buildup is severe.

Another thing you can do is try using another charger with your Kindle Fire. After plugging it in and letting the battery draw power for a few minutes, try to power on the device as previously shown.

If a new charger doesn’t work either, it’s possible that the battery in your Kindle Fire is completely dead. Either take advantage of your warranty to get a new battery or consider getting a new Kindle Fire. You may very well end up spending less and getting more out of it, if you just get a new and better device.

Did Your Kindle Fire Battery Fail You Yet?

If you’re a Kindle Fire user, let us know how the battery has been treating you so far. Everyone knows that Kindle Fire tablets have an average battery uptime, some being able to stay on for up to half a day while others barely manage to give you 10 hours runtime on a full charge.

That said, recovering from a dead battery seems sketchier than it needs to be. Is this a design issue that should be addressed in the near future, or do you think it’s not that big of a deal? Maybe more browsing functionality deserves extra focus? Let us know in the comments section below.