If you have an Amazon e-reader and haven't updated it in a while, you need to take action right now if you wish to keep using it. Here's how to update Kindle, which will stop working as intended if you don't update before 22 March 2016. See all e-reader reviews.


In order to continue being able to download e-books and using other Kindle services, a critical update has been issued by Amazon for Kindle e-readers sold before 2014. This update must be conducted before 22 March 2016. Below is a table showing which software your Amazon Kindle e-reader needs to be running.
Device and year
Software needed
Update
Kindle 1st-gen (2007)
1.2.1
Use 2G/3G
Kindle 2nd-gen (2009)
2.5.8
Use 2G/3G
Kindle DX 2nd-gen (2009)
2.5.8
Use 2G/3G
Kindle Keyboard 3rd-gen (2010)
3.4.2 or higher
Use Wi-Fi
Kindle 4th-gen (2011)
4.1.3 or higher
Use Wi-Fi
Kindle 5th-gen (2012)
4.1.3 or higher
Use Wi-Fi
Kindle Touch 4th-gen (2011)
5.3.7.3 or higher
Use Wi-Fi
Kindle Paperwhite 5th-gen (2012)
5.6.1.1 or higher
Use Wi-Fi
Kindle Paperwhite 6th-gen (2013)
Not affected
N/A
Kindle 7th-gen (2014)
Not affected
N/A
Kindle Voyage 7th-gen (2014)
Not affected
N/A
Kindle Paperwhite 7th-gen (2015)
Not affected
N/A            
If you're not sure which Kindle you're using, visit Amazon's help page here to see some distinguishing features of each model.
And if you're not sure which version of the software it's running, you should check the following:
Kindle fifth-generation/KindleKeyboard: Press the Menu button on the home screen and select Settings. The softare version will be displayed at the bottom of the page.
Kindle Touch/Kindle Paperwhite fifth-generation: Tap the Menu icon on the home screen and choose Settings. Tap the Menu icon, then choose Device Info. 
Even if your device is already running the correct software version, users of the second-generation Kindle (2009) and second-generation Kindle DX (2009) will also need to connect to the internet using 2G/3G on the device if they haven't done so since 5 October 2015. And those using a third-gen Kindle Keyboard (2010), fourth-gen Kindle Touch (2011) or fifth-gen Kindle Paperwhite (2012) will need to ensure they connect via Wi-Fi rather than 2G/3G in order to receive the update.
If you are running older software, see below for instructions on how to update your Kindle.

How to update Kindle e-reader

• Plug the Kindle into its charging adaptor to ensure it has enough power to perform the update
• Connect to Wi-Fi or use the built-in 2G/3G (see the table above for how you should connect)
• From the home screen select Menu > Sync > Check for Items
• Leave your Kindle connected until the update is complete. It may restart several times, and you'll see a notification in your Kindle Library once the update has completed