What Does This Error Mean?

Kindle Paperwhite backlight not working is usually because the brightness is set to zero. Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap the brightness slider, and drag it up. If the backlight is on maximum but still very dim, a hardware fault may be present.

Affected Models

Kindle Paperwhite (all generations)
Kindle Oasis (all generations)
Kindle Scribe

Common Causes

Brightness slider set to zero in Quick Settings
Auto-brightness setting reducing brightness too aggressively in bright rooms
Backlight set to schedule-off mode overnight and stuck off
Firmware crash causing the backlight driver to not initialize
Hardware failure of the LED backlight strip — very rare, usually from drops or liquid damage

How to Fix It

Check the brightness slider.

Swipe down from the top of the Kindle screen to open Quick Settings. The brightness slider is displayed prominently. Drag it to the right to increase brightness. Many users accidentally set it to zero and assume the backlight has failed.
Disable Auto-Brightness.

Auto-Brightness uses the ambient light sensor to reduce brightness in bright environments. If it is set too aggressively, it can appear as if the backlight is off. In Settings > Display > Auto-Brightness, turn off auto-brightness and manually set the level you prefer.
Check the Scheduled Dark Mode settings.

Kindle's Scheduled Dark Mode can dim or turn off the backlight during set hours. Go to Settings > Reading Options > Dark Mode and disable any schedule that may be active.
Restart the Kindle.

Hold the power button for 7 seconds and select Restart. A firmware crash can prevent the backlight from initializing correctly. After the restart, re-check the brightness slider.
Test in a dark room.

Take the Kindle into a completely dark room and set brightness to maximum. If you see any glow from the screen, the backlight is working but may be very dim due to a hardware degradation. If there is absolutely no glow in a dark room at maximum brightness, contact Amazon support.

When to Call a Professional

If the backlight is visibly uneven (bright spots or dark edges) or completely absent at maximum brightness, the LED strip has failed. Contact Amazon support for a warranty replacement.