Help With a Kindle Connection
By connecting your Amazon Kindle to Amazon's 3G network or to a local Wi-Fi network, you can browse and purchase books through the Amazon.com Kindle Store. When you are having problems connecting your Kindle to the 3G or a Wi-Fi network, know that many connection issues have simple resolutions, such as gaining access to a local Wi-Fi network, or turning your Kindle's wireless features on. It is important to note that there are two connection types for Kindle: 3G and Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi only. If you have the Wi-Fi only Kindle, you will not be able to gain access to the 3G network.
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Registration
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To connect to the 3G or a Wi-Fi network, you need to have your Kindle registered to your Amazon.com account. This tells the device what account to bill and save purchases to when shopping in the Kindle Store. You can check that your Kindle is registered to your Amazon.com account by pressing the "Menu" button when on the home screen, using the five-way toggle to scroll to and selecting "Settings," and looking to see that you are the registered user under "Registration".
Wireless Enabled
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The Kindle's wireless functionality turned on to use the 3G or a Wi-Fi network. When the Kindle's wireless is turned off, you will see "OFF" displayed next to a blank signal strength bar in the upper right-hand corner of the Kindle screen, next to the battery life indicator. When the Kindle's wireless is turned on, you will notice a signal strength bar that says "3G" or "Wi-Fi" next to it, depending upon which type of wireless connection you are using. The Amazon.com Help site for Kindle wireless connections notes that if you are using a 3G/Wi-Fi Kindle: "Your Kindle automatically turns 3G coverage off when you connect using Wi-Fi. If you disconnect from a Wi-Fi network or if you move out of Wi-Fi range, Kindle automatically switches back to 3G coverage."
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Range
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The Kindle's 3G/Wi-Fi reception works like a cellphone tower. Your Kindle needs to be within range of 3G or Wi-Fi signal to use the service. Look at the signal strength bar to see how strong signal is. You can view open Wi-Fi networks from the "Wi-Fi Settings" menu. However, you will need the network password to connect to any closed Wi-Fi networks. Amazon's Help site for Kindle wireless connection notes that "After you have successfully connected to a Wi-Fi network once, your Kindle will automatically connect to it again when it detects a signal from that network."
Wi-Fi Open Network
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To connect to an unknown open Wi-Fi network, press the "Menu" key from the home screen, scroll to and select "Settings," and clicking "view" next to the "Wi-Fi Settings" header. This will display any available Wi-Fi networks within range of your Kindle. If the network is open and does not need a password, it will say "connect" across from the network name. Scroll to the open network and click "connect" to connect to the Wi-Fi network. The signal strength bar will say "Wi-Fi" next to it when connected to the wireless network.
Wi-Fi:Fi Closed/Password Protected Network
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Search for closed or password protected Wi-Fi networks by pressing the "Menu" button from the home screen, going to "Settings" and clicking "view" next to the "Wi-Fi Settings" header. Password protected networks will have a lock next to the "connect" option to the right of the screen. Select the network you would like to join by clicking "connect" next to the network name. A popup window will prompt you for the network password. Use the keypad to enter the password and select "submit" to connect to the network. Your signal strength bar will say "Wi-Fi" next to it when connected to the wireless network.
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