Amazon Addresses Kindle Bug Affecting Sideloaded E-Books

A significant issue has emerged with the latest version of the Kindle software, affecting users who sideload e-books or receive them via email. Many Kindle users have reported encountering an “invalid ASIN” message, which interrupts access to unopened e-books. This problem has been noted over the past week, prompting Amazon to acknowledge the bug and begin working on a fix.

The error message displayed reads: “Invalid ASIN — Sorry, the selected ASIN is not valid for digital purchase on Kindle. Please continue shopping in the Kindle Store.” This interruption occurs specifically for e-books that were not purchased directly from Amazon or transferred through the Send to Kindle feature. Users who sideload books via USB or receive them through the Kindle email system are primarily affected.

According to a representative from Amazon Kindle, “Our technical team is aware of the issue and they’re working on a resolution.” While the company is actively addressing the matter, a temporary workaround has been shared among users. To bypass the invalid ASIN redirection, users can tap the three dots in their library, select a chapter, and access the affected books. Alternatively, some users have found success by enabling Airplane Mode, though this solution may not work for everyone.

The Kindle platform has garnered a substantial user base, and the disruption caused by this bug highlights the importance of reliable software updates. Michael Kozlowski, a technology writer with over eighteen years of experience covering audiobooks, e-books, and e-readers, resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He noted the growing frustration among users as they deal with this issue.

Amazon’s commitment to resolving the invalid ASIN problem reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to maintain a seamless reading experience for its customers. As users await a permanent solution, the temporary workarounds provide some relief while the technical team works diligently to rectify the situation.