I’ve started seeing some reports of the Kindle’s download and transfer via USB feature not working at Amazon, so I tested it myself and the reports are indeed accurate—it’s currently not possible to download purchased ebooks from Amazon using the download and transfer option from the Content section of their website.
When you try to download an ebook it says it works initially, but then the page redirects to an Amazon sign-in screen, and then after signing in it just shows the error message above without the ebook file ever downloading. Then trying to do the same thing over again it just shows the same error message without the request to sign-in.
I checked and I can still download Kindle ebooks to my Kindle devices without any problems, but it’s currently not possible to download them from Amazon’s website.
Amazon removed the download and transfer option from the new 2024 Kindles so that feature isn’t even available for them anymore, so this sudden problem with D&T seems a bit suspicious.
Hopefully it’s just a bug they’ll get sorted out soon, but it highlights a serious problem with Kindle ebooks in general: Amazon can remove the ability to download purchased Kindle ebooks at any time, through error or intention. B&N removed the ability to download purchased ebooks over a decade ago and it hasn’t worked out well for them, but that doesn’t mean that Amazon won’t do the same someday too.
Amazon would probably like to remove D&T for all Kindles at some point in the future since they’ve already started phasing it out on newer models, so this is another good reminder to download and backup your purchased Kindle ebooks while you still can (provided D&T starts working again).
Is download and transfer via USB working for your purchased ebooks at Amazon?
I’m seeing exactly what you describe as well.
Don’t buy ebooks from Amazon.
I buy them from local books stores that sell ebooks. Rip the DRM in Calibre and use Send to Kindle.
Unfortunately that isn’t practical for everyone, depending on what you read. A lot of ebooks are only available on via the Kindle service. I’d love to drop Amazon, and try to use Kobo and other services where I can, but lot’s of what I want to read is only on Kindle.
I downloaded an ebook yesterday successfully. AZW3 format. Target device is a Kindle Paperwhite from 2016. Haven’t moved it over to my Calibre library yet.
And today the same download produces the error you’re reporting. Guess I was in the nick of time.
Same error for me. If this is the start of them removing the ability to download your books, my wife is going to be pretty ticked. I will too but not as much as her.
Slightly off topic but can you still download your audiobooks from Audible or is that screwy too?
Just tried. Got my two free Prime Reads books yesterday, and hadn’t downloaded yet. Now I can’t.
I guess it’s wait and see if this is a permanent situation. Amazon will likely be losing all my ebook buying if so. Barnes and Noble hasn’t seen a penny from me since they disabled ebook downloads from their site way back when.
There’s so many books to read, if I miss out on some authors, so be it.
Fortunately, I did take the time to download my entire library prior to this. So everything I’ve paid for remains accessible to me, and a ton of freebies as well. Just not the latest two. I’ll live.