Kobo Library Not Syncing — Fix Guide

What Does This Error Mean?

Kobo library not syncing usually means the device is not connected to Wi-Fi, the Kobo account is signed out, or the OverDrive/Libby library loan has expired. Sync manually by pulling down on the library screen or going to Settings → Sync. For OverDrive books, confirm the loan is active and the book is sent to the Kobo.

Affected Models

Kobo Libra 2
Kobo Sage
Kobo Clara 2E / Clara BW
Kobo Nia
Kobo Libra H2O

Common Causes

Device not connected to Wi-Fi — sync requires an internet connection
Kobo account signed out — all purchases and loans are tied to the account
OverDrive / Libby loan has expired — book is no longer available to download
Book was borrowed from a library and needs to be sent to Kobo from OverDrive's 'Send To Device' step
Kobo server sync backlog — a temporary delay of a few minutes before new purchases appear

How to Fix It

Confirm Wi-Fi is connected and working.

Tap the menu (top right) → Settings → Wi-Fi. Ensure Wi-Fi is on and shows your network name. If no networks are listed, tap to scan again. Kobo sync will not start if Wi-Fi is not connected.
Manually trigger a sync.

From the Kobo home screen, pull down from the top of the screen (on models with this gesture) or go to More → Settings → Sync. Wait up to 2 minutes for the sync to complete before checking the library.
For OverDrive books: use Send to Kobo in OverDrive or Libby.

Library ebooks borrowed through OverDrive do not appear automatically on the Kobo. Open the Libby app or OverDrive website, find your loan, tap the book cover → Read With → select Kobo → choose Send to Kobo. This triggers the download on the device.
Sign out and back into the Kobo account.

Go to Settings → My Account → Sign Out. Wait 30 seconds, then sign back in with the same Kobo account email and password. After signing back in, trigger a sync. This refreshes the purchase and loan records from the server.
Check the Downloads section for pending items.

Tap My Books → tap the filter icon → select Downloaded or In My Library. Items may be in the library but waiting to download. Tap any book cover to start the download while on Wi-Fi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Kobo Plus books not show up on the device?

Kobo Plus books need to be borrowed first from the Kobo store and then synced. Open the Kobo store on the device → Kobo Plus section → borrow the book → it will appear in My Books after a sync. Kobo Plus titles expire if the subscription lapses.

Can I read OverDrive library books on a Kobo without a computer?

Yes — directly from the Kobo device on Wi-Fi. Go to More → OverDrive (or Library) → sign in with your library card. Browse and borrow books directly. No computer is needed for newer Kobo models with the built-in OverDrive integration.