How to Install a Kindle MTP Driver in Windows

Recent Kindle e-readers connect to a computer over USB using MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) instead of appearing as a removable drive. Windows normally handles this automatically. When it doesn't, the Kindle may show up as an unknown device, as a device with a warning icon, or not at all. In most cases the fix is to assign the MTP driver that is already part of Windows. You don't need to download a driver from a third-party site.

Before you start

The whole process runs locally on your PC. It uses Device Manager and drivers that are already part of Windows, so no account, online service or separate download is required. Amazon does not distribute a standalone Kindle MTP driver for e-readers. Treat download pages that offer one with caution.

• A USB cable that carries data, not a charge-only cable. The cable that came with the Kindle is the safest choice.
• A direct USB port on the computer rather than an unpowered hub or a front-panel port you have not tested.
• An administrator account on Windows, because changing a device driver requires administrator rights.
• The Kindle unlocked, if it uses a passcode. On Fire tablets, unlock the screen and select file transfer in the USB notification after connecting.
• If you use a Windows N edition, the Media Feature Pack installed. MTP support depends on it, and N editions do not include it by default.

Close any e-book manager or sync app that might try to access the Kindle while you work. These apps can hold the connection and make the device look unresponsive to Windows.

Step-by-step instructions

These steps work on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Window names can differ slightly between versions, but Device Manager behaves the same way in both.

• 1. Connect the Kindle to the PC and wait a few seconds. Make sure the Kindle screen is awake and unlocked.
• 2. Right-click the Start button and open Device Manager.
• 3. Find the Kindle. It is usually under Portable Devices, Other devices or Universal Serial Bus devices, sometimes with a yellow warning icon or a generic name such as MTP or Unknown device. To confirm which entry belongs to the Kindle, unplug it and watch which entry disappears, then plug it back in.
• 4. Right-click the entry and choose Update driver.
• 5. Select Browse my computer for drivers, then Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
• 6. If a list of device types appears, choose Portable Devices. Otherwise, clear Show compatible hardware first if MTP USB Device is not listed.
• 7. Select MTP USB Device and click Next. Confirm the warning if Windows shows one.
• 8. Wait for Windows to report that the driver was installed, then unplug the Kindle and connect it again.

If MTP USB Device does not appear in the list, the built-in driver package may be missing or damaged. Open Terminal or Command Prompt as administrator and run: pnputil /add-driver C:\Windows\INF\wpdmtp.inf /install. Then repeat steps 4 to 8. If the file is not present, install pending Windows updates first. On N editions, install the Media Feature Pack first.

You can undo the change. In Device Manager, open the device properties, go to the Driver tab and choose Roll Back Driver if it is available. You can also choose Uninstall device and reconnect the Kindle so Windows detects it again.

Check the output

Open File Explorer and select This PC. A working connection shows the Kindle as a portable device, usually without a drive letter. Open it and you should see its internal storage and folders such as documents. In Device Manager, the Kindle should now appear under Portable Devices with no warning icon.

An MTP connection has some limits compared with a USB drive:

• Files are copied to and from the device. They are not opened or edited in place.
• Some programs that expect a drive letter can't browse the Kindle directly. Copy files to the PC first, then work on them.
• Only formats the Kindle supports will open after you copy them. Check Amazon's current list of supported formats for your model. Some formats, including EPUB, are accepted through Amazon's Send to Kindle service rather than by copying them over USB.

Common problems and next steps

Kindle not showing up on PC at all: Try another data cable and another USB port first, because a charge-only cable is the most common cause. If the Kindle charges but nothing appears in Device Manager, Windows is not receiving any data connection, and no driver change will help. Restarting the Kindle and the PC can also clear a stuck connection.

Device shows an error such as Code 10 or This device cannot start: Uninstall the device in Device Manager, unplug the Kindle, restart Windows and reconnect. If the error returns, assign MTP USB Device manually as described above.

Driver installs but the Kindle folder is empty or will not open: Unlock the Kindle and keep the screen awake. On Fire tablets, check that the USB option is set to file transfer rather than charging only. Close any app that may be connected to the device.

Problem only on one computer: If the Kindle connects normally to another PC, the device and cable are fine. Focus on that computer's Windows updates, Media Feature Pack status and USB ports. If the Kindle fails on every computer and with several cables, contact Amazon support. The issue may be the device's USB port rather than the driver.