Kindle dictionary not working? How to get word lookups back

⚡ Fast fix

• Try another word. Not every name, slang term, or specialized word will have a dictionary entry.
• Check the dictionary language. The book and dictionary need to match for lookups to work properly.
• Restart your Kindle. If definitions suddenly stopped appearing, a reboot is worth trying.
• Still getting nowhere with word lookup?
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One of the best little Kindle™ features is being able to press a word you don't know and get the definition without leaving the page. When that suddenly stops working, having to reach for a phone and look it up yourself feels oddly inconvenient.

At Asurion, we help our millions of customers make the most of the tech they use every day. Here's what we'd check when Kindle word lookup stops doing its one job.

Make sure the problem isn't the word

Before changing anything, press and hold a few common words in the same book. If definitions appear for those but not the original word, your Kindle is probably working normally—the dictionary simply may not have an entry for that particular term.

If nothing brings up a definition, try another book too. That quick comparison can tell you whether you're dealing with one title or Kindle-wide word lookup trouble.

Check which dictionary Kindle is using

This is where we'd look if definitions appear in some books but not others, especially if you read in more than one language. Kindle can use different dictionaries depending on the language of the book. Check your Kindle's Settings for Language & Dictionaries or Dictionaries, then make sure the dictionary assigned to that language is the one you expect.

For example, an English book needs an English dictionary selected for the smoothest word lookup. If the language and dictionary don't line up, pressing a perfectly ordinary word may not get you very far.

Download the dictionary again

If the right dictionary is selected but definitions still won't load, the dictionary itself may need another download. Look for the dictionary in your Kindle library or dictionary settings and make sure it's actually downloaded to the device. If it already is, remove its downloaded copy and download it again while connected to Wi-Fi.

Just be careful not to permanently delete content when all you're trying to do is refresh a local download. Our guide to removing books from your Kindle explains the difference between Remove Download and permanently deleting Kindle content.

Restart if word lookup suddenly stopped

A dictionary that worked yesterday and stopped today doesn't necessarily need to be reconfigured.

Restart the Kindle, let it fully load, then reopen the same book and try a common word again. If definitions return, we'd leave the dictionary settings alone rather than fixing something that isn't broken anymore.

Check Wi-Fi when extra lookup features are missing

The downloaded dictionary can handle many basic definitions on the device, but some additional lookup information depends on an internet connection.

If the dictionary definition works but Wikipedia, translation, or other online lookup features don't, make sure the Kindle is connected to Wi-Fi before troubleshooting the dictionary itself. That's an important distinction: dictionary missing and online lookup missing aren't necessarily the same problem.

Make sure Kindle software is current

If word lookup is failing across several books with the correct dictionary installed, check for a Kindle software update. The exact menu can vary by model, but you'll find the software information and update options under Settings.

Once the Kindle is current, restart it and test the dictionary again before making any bigger changes.

When one book refuses to cooperate

If definitions work everywhere except one title, we'd stop troubleshooting the whole Kindle.

The book's language information or formatting may be interfering with word lookup. Remove the downloaded copy, restart the Kindle, and download the title again. If the same book still won't work while others do, you've narrowed the problem down without resetting the device or rebuilding your library.

FAQ

How do I use the dictionary on Kindle?

Press and hold a word while reading. Kindle should open the word lookup panel with a dictionary definition when one is available.

How do I change the default dictionary on Kindle?

Look under Settings for Language & Dictionaries or Dictionaries, choose the book's language, then select the dictionary you want Kindle to use.

Does the Kindle dictionary work without Wi-Fi?

Downloaded dictionaries can provide definitions without an internet connection. Features that pull information from online sources still require Wi-Fi.

Why does Kindle dictionary work for some books but not others?

Check the book's language and the dictionary assigned to it. If only one title has trouble, its download, formatting, or language information may be the issue.