I have a Kindle Oasis, over 4 years old, and the power receptacle in the Kindle no longer holds the USB mini B plug (I think that’s the right designation) securely. As a result, I sometimes come back to the Kindle after not using it for a couple of days, and it is nearly out of juice. When I plug it in, sometimes I have to jiggle it before it will show that it is drawing power. I have tried four different cables, and they all have approximately the same result. Is there anything I can do for this? (Note: this may have also been a problem with my previous Oasis, which I found one day completely drained and it would not respond to being plugged in, no matter what I tried – there was just no power.)
Alternative question, I have yet to figure out how to contact any sort of Help desk to help with Kindle issues, please point me there.
Take a flashlight and look into the port and make sure it’s good and clean… lint can do it. Maybe gently run a toothpick in and around it (but nothing metal). Maybe a puff or three of air… I’d avoid doing that with your lungs, though, due to moisture. Beyond that, I’m afraid it would need to have someone who knows what they’re doing repair it, and it probably would cost more that it would be worth.
On Amazon.com there should be a way to contact them for help. Since it’s out of warranty, they’ll likely offer a small discount for an upgrade to a newer model.
I’ve had several Kindles that use micro USB B connectors and i think this is what you’re dealing with. I also have the same connectors on multiple vape batteries and a couple MP3 players I still use.
The suggestion to use a toothpick to clean out lint is a good one. Also, use a magnifying glass to see if any of the contacts have been bent or pushed in. You may be able to straighten them a bit if they are.
Be sure to obtain a brand new micro USB cable to use with the unit. In my experience, you may end up trying a few and finding that one specific brand works well and stays secure.
The connector in the Kindle CAN be replaced. Many repair shops will do the job and it’s really not that hard. Unfortunately, my local shops quote me between $60 and $80 to replace one and it’s just not worth it to me. It may be worth it to you.
Sometimes this is the only recourse, if the problems are symptomatic of the usb socket wearing out. If you’re handy and have the correct tools, it’s a potential DIY, but “the correct tools” means you are already capable of opening mobile devices and changing out internal components, which isn’t true for most folks. So finding and paying someone to do the job would be the way to accomplish that, assuming trading the whole device in isn’t where you want to go.